CISSP Practice Exam 2026 – Complete Prep Guide

Question: 1 / 1980

Which characteristic is true of RISC CPU instructions?

They are long and complex

They are short and simple

The characteristic that RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computer) CPU instructions are short and simple is accurate due to the fundamental design philosophy behind RISC architecture. RISC CPUs are built to execute a small set of instructions that are highly optimized for execution speed and efficiency. This simplicity allows the CPU to utilize a pipeline architecture effectively, where multiple instruction phases (fetch, decode, execute) can occur simultaneously.

By utilizing shorter instruction formats, RISC architectures promote easier instruction decoding, which can significantly enhance performance. Additionally, fewer and simpler instructions mean that the design of the CPU can be streamlined, leading to the possibility of higher clock speeds and more efficient use of the processor's resources.

While the other options highlight characteristics that are not aligned with RISC principles—such as being long and complex, requiring extensive memory, or being limited to graphic processing—RISC fundamentally targets efficient execution and simplicity at its core, catering well to modern processing demands, especially in applications that require high performance and power efficiency.

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They require extensive memory

They are only used for graphic processing

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