CPU Scheduling

Question 1
Correct
Consider three processes (process id 0, 1, 2 respectively) with compute time bursts 2, 4 and 8
time units. All processes arrive at time zero. Consider the longest remaining time first (LRTF)
scheduling algorithm. In LRTF ties are broken by giving priority to the process with the lowest
process id. The average turn around time is:
13 units
B 14 units
C 15 units
D 16 units
CPU Scheduling
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Question 1 Explanation:
Let the processes be p0, p1 and p2. These processes will be executed in following order.
p2 p1 p2 p1 p2 p0 p1 p2 p0 p1 p2
0 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
Turn around time of a process is total time between submission of the process and its
completion. Turn around time of p0 = 12 (12-0) Turn around time of p1 = 13 (13-0) Turn around
time of p2 = 14 (14-0) Average turn around time is (12+13+14)/3 = 13.
Question 2
Correct
Consider three processes, all arriving at time zero, with total execution time of 10, 20 and 30
units, respectively. Each process spends the first 20% of execution time doing I/O, the next 70%
of time doing computation, and the last 10% of time doing I/O again. The operating system uses
a shortest remaining compute time first scheduling algorithm and schedules a new process either
when the running process gets blocked on I/O or when the running process finishes its compute
burst. Assume that all I/O operations can be overlapped as much as possible. For what
percentage of time does the CPU remain idle?
A 0%
10.6%
C 30.0%
D 89.4%
CPU Scheduling
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Question 2 Explanation:
Let three processes be p0, p1 and p2. Their execution time is 10, 20 and 30 respectively. p0
spends first 2 time units in I/O, 7 units of CPU time and finally 1 unit in I/O. p1 spends first 4
units in I/O, 14 units of CPU time and finally 2 units in I/O. p2 spends first 6 units in I/O, 21
units of CPU time and finally 3 units in I/O.
idle p0 p1 p2 idle
0 2 9 23 44 47
Total time spent = 47 Idle time = 2 + 3 = 5 Percentage of idle time = (5/47)*100 = 10.6 %
Question 3
Correct
Consider three CPU-intensive processes, which require 10, 20 and 30 time units and arrive at
times 0, 2 and 6, respectively. How many context switches are needed if the operating system
implements a shortest remaining time first scheduling algorithm? Do not count the context
switches at time zero and at the end.
A1
2
C3
D4
CPU Scheduling
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Question 3 Explanation:
Let three process be P0, P1 and P2 with arrival times 0, 2 and 6 respectively and CPU burst
times 10, 20 and 30 respectively. At time 0, P0 is the only available process so it runs. At time 2,
P1 arrives, but P0 has the shortest remaining time, so it continues. At time 6, P2 arrives, but P0
has the shortest remaining time, so it continues. At time 10, P1 is scheduled as it is the shortest
remaining time process. At time 30, P2 is scheduled. Only two context switches are needed. P0
to P1 and P1 to P2.
Question 4
Correct
Which of the following process scheduling algorithm may lead to starvation
A FIFO
B Round Robin
Shortest Job Next
D None of the above
CPU Scheduling
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Question 4 Explanation:
Shortest job next may lead to process starvation for processes which will require a long time to
complete if short processes are continually added.
Question 5
Correct
If the quantum time of round robin algorithm is very large, then it is equivalent to:
First in first out
B Shortest Job Next
C Lottery scheduling
D None of the above
CPU Scheduling
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Question 5 Explanation:
If time quantum is very large, then scheduling happens according to FCFS.
Question 6
Correct
A scheduling algorithm assigns priority proportional to the waiting time of a process. Every
process starts with priority zero (the lowest priority). The scheduler re-evaluates the process
priorities every T time units and decides the next process to schedule. Which one of the
following is TRUE if the processes have no I/O operations and all arrive at time zero?
A This algorithm is equivalent to the first-come-first-serve algorithm
This algorithm is equivalent to the round-robin algorithm.
C This algorithm is equivalent to the shortest-job-first algorithm..
D This algorithm is equivalent to the shortest-remaining-time-first algorithm
GATE CS 2013 CPU Scheduling
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Question 6 Explanation:
The scheduling algorithm works as round robin with quantum time equals to T. After a process's
turn comes and it has executed for T units, its waiting time becomes least and its turn comes
again after every other process has got the token for T units.
Question 7
Correct
Consider the 3 processes, P1, P2 and P3 shown in the table.
Process Arrival time Time Units Required
P1 0 5
P2 1 7
P3 3 4
The completion order of the 3 processes under the policies FCFS and RR2 (round robin
scheduling with CPU quantum of 2 time units) are
FCFS: P1, P2, P3
A RR2: P1, P2, P3
FCFS: P1, P3, P2
B RR2: P1, P3, P2
FCFS: P1, P2, P3
RR2: P1, P3, P2
FCFS: P1, P3, P2
D RR2: P1, P2, P3
GATE CS 2012 CPU Scheduling
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Question 7 Explanation:
FCFS is clear.

In RR, time slot is of 2 units.

Processes are assigned in following order
p1, p2, p1, p3, p2, p1, p3, p2, p2
This question involves the concept of ready queue. At t=2, p2 starts and p1 is sent to the ready
queue and at t=3 p3 arrives so then the job p3 is queued in ready queue after p1. So at t=4, again
p1 is executed then p3 is executed for first time at t=6.
Question 8
Correct
Consider the following table of arrival time and burst time for three processes P0, P1 and P2.
Process Arrival time Burst Time
P0 0 ms 9 ms
P1 1 ms 4 ms
P2 2 ms 9 ms
The pre-emptive shortest job first scheduling algorithm is used. Scheduling is carried out only at
arrival or completion of processes. What is the average waiting time for the three processes?
5.0 ms
B 4.33 ms
C 6.33
D 7.33
GATE CS 2011 CPU Scheduling
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Question 8 Explanation:
See Question 4 of http://www.geeksforgeeks.org/operating-systems-set-6/
Question 9
Correct
Which of the following statements are true?
I. Shortest remaining time first scheduling may cause starvation
II. Preemptive scheduling may cause starvation
III. Round robin is better than FCFS in terms of response time
A I only
B I and III only
C II and III only
I, II and III
GATE CS 2010 CPU Scheduling
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Question 9 Explanation:
See http://www.geeksforgeeks.org/operating-systems-set-7/
Question 10
Correct
In the following process state transition diagram for a uniprocessor system, assume that there are
always some processes in the ready state: Now consider the following statements:

I. If a process makes a transition D, it would result in

another process making transition A immediately.
II. A process P2 in blocked state can make transition E
while another process P1 is in running state.
III. The OS uses preemptive scheduling.
IV. The OS uses non-preemptive scheduling.
Which of the above statements are TRUE?
A I and II
B I and III
II and III
D II and IV
GATE-CS-2009 CPU Scheduling
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Question 10 Explanation:
I is false. If a process makes a transition D, it would result in another process making transition
B, not A. II is true. A process can move to ready state when I/O completes irrespective of other
process being in running state or not. III is true because there is a transition from running to
ready state. IV is false as the OS uses preemptive scheduling.
Question 11
Correct
Group 1 contains some CPU scheduling algorithms and Group 2 contains some applications.
Match entries in Group 1 to entries in Group 2.
Group I Group II
(P) Gang Scheduling (1) Guaranteed Scheduling
(Q) Rate Monotonic Scheduling (2) Real-time Scheduling
(R) Fair Share Scheduling (3) Thread Scheduling
P–3Q–2R–1
B P–1Q–2R–3
C P–2Q–3R–1
DP–1Q–3R–2
GATE-CS-2007 CPU Scheduling
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Question 11 Explanation:
See question 2 of http://www.geeksforgeeks.org/operating-systems-set-12/
Question 12
Correct
An operating system uses Shortest Remaining Time first (SRT) process scheduling algorithm.
Consider the arrival times and execution times for the following processes:
Process Execution time Arrival time
P1 20 0
P2 25 15
P3 10 30
P4 15 45
What is the total waiting time for process P2?
A5
15
C 40
D 55
GATE-CS-2007 CPU Scheduling
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Question 12 Explanation:
See question 3 of http://www.geeksforgeeks.org/operating-systems-set-12/
Question 13
Correct
Consider three CPU-intensive processes, which require 10, 20 and 30 time units and arrive at
times 0, 2 and 6, respectively. How many context switches are needed if the operating system
implements a shortest remaining time first scheduling algorithm? Do not count the context
switches at time zero and at the end.
A1
2
C3
D4
GATE-CS-2006 CPU Scheduling
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Question 13 Explanation:
See question 1 of http://www.geeksforgeeks.org/operating-systems-set-14/
Question 14
Correct
Three processes A, B and C each execute a loop of 100 iterations. In each iteration of the loop, a
process performs a single computation that requires tc CPU milliseconds and then initiates a
single I/O operation that lasts for tio milliseconds. It is assumed that the computer where the
processes execute has sufficient number of I/O devices and the OS of the computer assigns
different I/O devices to each process. Also, the scheduling overhead of the OS is negligible. The
processes have the following characteristics:
Process id tc tio
A 100 ms 500 ms
B 350 ms 500 ms
C 200 ms 500 ms
The processes A, B, and C are started at times 0, 5 and 10 milliseconds respectively, in a pure
time sharing system (round robin scheduling) that uses a time slice of 50 milliseconds. The time
in milliseconds at which process C would complete its first I/O operation is ___________.
A 500
1000
C 2000
D 10000
GATE-CS-2014-(Set-2) CPU Scheduling
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Question 14 Explanation:
There are three processes A, B and C that run in
round robin manner with time slice of 50 ms.

Processes atart at 0, 5 and 10 miliseconds.

The processes are executed in below order

A, B, C, A
50 + 50 + 50 + 50 (200 ms passed)

Now A has completed 100 ms of computations and

goes for I/O now

B, C, B, C, B, C
50 + 50 + 50 + 50 + 50 + 50 (300 ms passed)

C goes for i/o at 500ms and it needs 500ms to

finish the IO.

So C would complete its first IO at 1000 ms

Question 15
Correct
An operating system uses shortest remaining time first scheduling algorithm for pre-emptive
scheduling of processes. Consider the following set of processes with their arrival times and
CPU burst times (in milliseconds):
Process Arrival Time Burst Time
P1 0 12
P2 2 4
P3 3 6
P4 8 5
The average waiting time (in milliseconds) of the processes is _________.
A 4.5
B 5.0
5.5
D 6.5
GATE-CS-2014-(Set-3) CPU Scheduling
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Question 15 Explanation:
Process Arrival Time Burst Time
P1 0 12
P2 2 4
P3 3 6
P4 8 5
Burst Time - The total time needed by a process from the CPU for its complete execution.
Waiting Time - How much time processes spend in the ready queue waiting their turn to get on
the CPU Now, The Gantt chart for the above processes is :
P1 - 0 to 2 milliseconds

P2 - 2 to 6 milliseconds

P3 - 6 to 12 milliseconds

P4 - 12 to 17 milliseconds

P1 - 17 to 27 milliseconds
Process p1 arrived at time 0, hence cpu started executing it. After 2 units of time P2 arrives and
burst time of P2 was 4 units, and the remaining time of the process p1 was 10 units,hence cpu
started executing P2, putting P1 in waiting state(Pre-emptive and Shortest remaining time first
scheduling). Due to P1's highest remaining time it was executed by the cpu in the end.
Now calculating the waiting time of each process:
P1 -> 17 -2 = 15
P2 -> 0
P3 -> 6 - 3 = 3
P4 -> 12 - 8 = 4

Hence total waiting time of all the processes is

= 15+0+3+4=22
Total no of processes = 4
Average waiting time = 22 / 4 = 5.5
Hence C is the answer.
Question 16
Correct
Consider the following set of processes, with the arrival times and the CPU-burst times given in
milliseconds
Process Arrival Time Burst Time
P1 0 5
P2 1 3
P3 2 3
P4 4 1
What is the average turnaround time for these processes with the preemptive shortest remaining
processing time first (SRPT) algorithm ?
5.50
B 5.75
C 6.00
D 6.25
GATE-CS-2004 CPU Scheduling
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Question 16 Explanation:
The following is Gantt Chart of execution
P1 P2 P4 P3 P1
1 4 5 8 12
Turn Around Time = Completion Time - Arrival Time Avg Turn Around Time = (12 + 3 +
6+ 1)/4 = 5.50
Question 17
Correct
A uni-processor computer system only has two processes, both of which alternate 10ms CPU
bursts with 90ms I/O bursts. Both the processes were created at nearly the same time. The I/O of
both processes can proceed in parallel. Which of the following scheduling strategies will result in
the least CPU utilization (over a long period of time) for this system ?
A First come first served scheduling
B Shortest remaining time first scheduling
C Static priority scheduling with different priorities for the two processes
Round robin scheduling with a time quantum of 5 ms
GATE-CS-2003 CPU Scheduling
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Question 17 Explanation:
When Round Robin scheduling is used We are given that the time slice is 5ms. Consider process
P and Q. Say P utilizes 5ms of CPU and then Q utilizes 5ms of CPU. Hence after 15ms P starts
with I/O And after 20ms Q also starts with I/O. Since I/O can be done in parallel, P finishes I\O
at 105th ms (15 + 90) and Q finishes its I\O at 110th ms (20 + 90). Therefore we can see that
CPU remains idle from 20th to 105th ms. That is when Round Robin scheduling is used, Idle
time of CPU = 85ms CPU Utilization = 20/105 = 19.05% When First Come First Served
scheduling scheduling or Shortest Remaining Time First is used Say P utilizes 10ms of CPU and
then starts its I/O. At 11th ms Q starts processing. Q utilizes 10ms of CPU. P completes its I/O at
100ms (10 + 90) Q completes its I/O at 110ms (20 + 90) At 101th ms P again utilizes CPU.
Hence, Idle time of CPU = 80ms CPU Utilization = 20/100 = 20% Since only two processes are
involved and I\O time is much more than CPU time, "Static priority scheduling with different
priorities" for the two processes reduces to FCFS or Shortest remaining time first. Therefore,
Round robin will result in least CPU utilization. Source:
http://gateoverflow.in/963/gateoverflow.in
Question 18
Correct
Which of the following scheduling algorithms is non-preemptive?
A Round Robin
First-In First-Out
C Multilevel Queue Scheduling
D Multilevel Queue Scheduling with Feedback
GATE-CS-2002 CPU Scheduling
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Question 18 Explanation:
Round Robin - Preemption takes place when the time quantum expires First In First Out - No
Preemption, the process once started completes before the other process takes over Multi Level
Queue Scheduling - Preemption takes place when a process of higher priority arrives Multi Level
Queue Scheduling with Feedback - Preemption takes a place when process of higher priority
arrives or when the quantum of high priority queue expires and we need to move the process to
low priority queue So, B is the correct choice. Please comment below if you find anything
wrong in the above post.
Question 19
Correct
Consider a set of n tasks with known runtimes r1, r2, .... rn to be run on a uniprocessor machine.
Which of the following processor scheduling algorithms will result in the maximum throughput?
A Round-Robin
Shortest-Job-First
C Highest-Response-Ratio-Next
D First-Come-First-Served
GATE-CS-2001 CPU Scheduling
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Question 19 Explanation:

Throughput means total number of tasks executed per unit time i.e. sum of waiting time and
burst time.
Shortest job first scheduling is a scheduling policy that selects the waiting process with the
smallest execution time to execute next.
Thus, in shortest job first scheduling, shortest jobs are executed first. This means CPU utilization
is maximum. So, maximum number of tasks are completed.

Thus, option (B) is correct.

Please comment below if you find anything wrong in the above post.
Question 20
Correct
Consider a uniprocessor system executing three tasks T1, T2 and T3, each of which is composed
of an infinite sequence of jobs (or instances) which arrive periodically at intervals of 3, 7 and 20
milliseconds, respectively. The priority of each task is the inverse of its period and the available
tasks are scheduled in order of priority, with the highest priority task scheduled first. Each
instance of T1, T2 and T3 requires an execution time of 1, 2 and 4 milliseconds, respectively.
Given that all tasks initially arrive at the beginning of the 1st milliseconds and task preemptions
are allowed, the first instance of T3 completes its execution at the end of ______________
milliseconds.
A5
B 10
12
D 15
GATE-CS-2015 (Set 1) CPU Scheduling
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Question 20 Explanation:
Periods of T1, T2 and T3 are 3ms, 7ms and 20ms

Since priority is inverse of period, T1 is the highest

priority task, then T2 and finally T3

Every instance of T1 requires 1ms, that of T2 requires

2ms and that of T3 requires 4ms

Initially all T1, T2 and T3 are ready to get processor,

T1 is preferred

Second instances of T1, T2, and T3 shall arrive at 3, 7,

and 20 respectively.

Third instance of T1, T2 and T3 shall arrive at 6, 14,

and 49 respectively.

Time-Interval Tasks
0-1 T1
1-2 T2
2-3 T2
3-4 T1 [Second Instance of T1 arrives]
4-5 T3
5-6 T3
6-7 T1 [Third Instance of T1 arrives]
[Therefore T3 is preempted]
7-8 T2 [Second instance of T2 arrives]
8-9 T2
9-10 T1 [Fourth Instance of T1 arrives]
10-11 T3
11-12 T3 [First Instance of T3 completed]
Question 21
Correct
The maximum number of processes that can be in Ready state for a computer system with n
CPUs is
An
B n2
C 2n
Independent of n
GATE-CS-2015 (Set 3) CPU Scheduling
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Question 21 Explanation:
The size of ready queue doesn't depend on number of processes. A single processor system may
have a large number of processes waiting in ready queue.
Question 22
Correct
For the processes listed in the following table, which of the following scheduling schemes will
give the lowest average turnaround time?
Process Arrival Time Processing Time
A 0 3
B 1 6
C 4 4
D 6 2
A First Come First Serve
B Non-preemptive Shortest Job First
Shortest Remaining Time
D Round Robin with Quantum value two
GATE-CS-2015 (Set 3) CPU Scheduling
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Question 22 Explanation:
Turnaround time is the total time taken between the submission of a program/process/thread/task
(Linux) for execution and the return of the complete output to the customer/user. Turnaround
Time = Completion Time - Arrival Time. FCFS = First Come First Serve (A, B, C, D) SJF =
Non-preemptive Shortest Job First (A, B, D, C) SRT = Shortest Remaining Time (A(3), B(1),
C(4), D(2), B(5)) RR = Round Robin with Quantum value 2 (A(2), B(2),
A(1),C(2),B(2),D(2),C(2),B(2)
Pr Arr.Time P.Time FCFS SJF SRT RR
A 0 3 3-0=3 3-0=3 3-0=3 5-0=5
B 1 6 9-1=8 9-1=8 15-1=14 15-1=14
C 4 4 13-4=9 15-4=11 8-4=4 13-4=9
D 6 2 15-6=9 11-6=5 10-6=4 11-6=5

Average 7.25 6.75 6.25 8.25

Shortest Remaining Time produces minimum average turn-around time.
Question 23
Correct
Which of the following is false about SJF?
S1: It causes minimum average waiting time
S2: It can cause starvation
A Only S1
B Only S2
C Both S1 and S2
Neither S1 nor S2
GATE-CS-2015 (Mock Test) CPU Scheduling
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Question 23 Explanation:
Refer Process Scheduling for explanation.
Question 24
Correct
Two concurrent processes P1 and P2 use four shared resources R1, R2, R3 and R4, as shown
below.
P1 P2
Compute: Use R1; Use R2; Use R3; Use R4; Compute; Use R1; Use R2; Use R3;. Use R4;
Both processes are started at the same time, and each resource can be accessed by only one
process at a time The following scheduling constraints exist between the access of resources by
the processes:

 P2 must complete use of R1 before P1 gets access to R1

 P1 must complete use of R2 before P2 gets access to R2.
 P2 must complete use of R3 before P1 gets access to R3.
 P1 must complete use of R4 before P2 gets access to R4.

There are no other scheduling constraints between the processes. If only binary semaphores are
used to enforce the above scheduling constraints, what is the minimum number of binary
semaphores needed?
A1
2
C3
D4
CPU Scheduling Gate IT 2005
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Question 24 Explanation:

We use two semaphores : A and B. A is initialized to 0 and B is initialized to 1.

P1:

Compute;
Wait(A);
Use R1;
Use R2;
Signal(B);
Wait(A);
Use R3;
Use R4;
Signal(B);
P2:

Compute;
Wait(B);
Use r1;
Signal(A);
Wait(B);
Use R2;
Use R3;
Signal(A);
Wait(B);
Use R4;
Signal(B);

In process p1, initially control will be stuck in while loop of Wait(A) because A = 0. In process
p2, Wait(B) decrements the value of B to 0 . Now, P2 uses the resource R1 and increments the
value to A to 1 so that process P1 can enter its critical section and use resource R1.
Thus, P2 will complete use of R1 before P1 gets access to R1.
Now, in P2 values of B = 0. So, P2 can not use resource R2 till P1 uses R2 and calls function
Signal(B) to increment the value of B to 1. Thus, P1 will complete use of R2 before P2 gets
access to R2.
Now, semaphore A = 0. So, P1 can not execute further and gets stuck in while loop of function
Wait(A). Process P2 uses R3 and increments the value of semaphore A to 1.Now, P1 can enter
its critical section to use R3. Thus, P2 will complete use of R3 before P1 gets access to R3.
Now, P1 will use R4 and increments the value of B to 1 so that P2 can enter is critical section to
use R4. Thus, P1 will complete use of R4 before P2 gets access to R4.

Thus, option (B) is correct.

Please comment below if you find anything wrong in the above post.
Question 25
Correct
We wish to schedule three processes P1, P2 and P3 on a uniprocessor system. The priorities,
CPU time requirements and arrival times of the processes are as shown below.
Proces CPU time Arrival time
Priority
s required (hh:mm:ss)
10(highest
P1 20 sec 00:00:05
)
P2 9 10 sec 00:00:03
P3 8 (lowest) 15 sec 00:00:00
We have a choice of preemptive or non-preemptive scheduling. In preemptive scheduling, a late-
arriving higher priority process can preempt a currently running process with lower priority. In
non-preemptive scheduling, a late-arriving higher priority process must wait for the currently
executing process to complete before it can be scheduled on the processor. What are the
turnaround times (time from arrival till completion) of P2 using preemptive and non-preemptive
scheduling respectively.
A 30 sec, 30 sec
B 30 sec, 10 sec
C 42 sec, 42 sec
30 sec, 42 sec
CPU Scheduling Gate IT 2005
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Question 25 Explanation:

Question 26
Correct
Consider an arbitrary set of CPU-bound processes with unequal CPU burst lengths submitted at
the same time to a computer system. Which one of the following process scheduling algorithms
would minimize the average waiting time in the ready queue?
Shortest remaining time first
B Round-robin with time quantum less than the shortest CPU burst
C Uniform random
D Highest priority first with priority proportional to CPU burst length
CPU Scheduling GATE-CS-2016 (Set 1)
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Question 26 Explanation:
http://geeksquiz.com/gate-notes-operating-system-process-scheduling/
Question 27
Correct
Consider the following processes, with the arrival time and the length of the CPU burst given in
milliseconds. The scheduling algorithm used is preemptive shortest remaining-time first.
The average turn around time of these processes is ___________ milliseconds. Note : This
question was asked as Numerical Answer Type.
8.25
B 10.25
C 6.35
D 4.25
CPU Scheduling GATE-CS-2016 (Set 2)
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Question 27 Explanation:
PreEmptive Shortest Remaining time first scheduling, i.e. that processes will be scheduled on the
CPU which will be having least remaining burst time( required time at the CPU). The processes
are scheduled and executed as given in the below Gantt chart.

Turn Around Time(TAT) = Completion

Time(CT) - Arrival Time(AT) TAT for P1 = 20 - 0 = 20 TAT for P2 = 10 - 3 = 7 TAT for P3 =
8- 7 = 1 TAT for P4 = 13 - 8 = 5 Hence, Average TAT = Total TAT of all the processes / no of
processes = ( 20 + 7 + 1 + 5 ) / 4 = 33 / 4 = 8.25 Thus, A is the correct choice.
Question 28
Correct
Consider n jobs J1, J2,......Jn such that job Ji has execution time ti and a non-negative integer
weight wi. The weighted mean completion time of the jobs is defined to be , where Ti is
the completion time of job Ji. Assuming that there is only one processor available, in what order
must the jobs be executed in order to minimize the weighted mean completion time of the jobs?
A Non-decreasing order of ti
B Non-increasing order of wi
C Non-increasing order of witi
None-increasing order of wi/t