Adobe Certified Professional Illustrator study plan

Define the roles on a typical design team and match each to a deliverable it owns

Identify the four exam domains and list the subtopics you already know versus need to study

Distinguish raster from vector images and state one use case for each

Convert between pixel dimensions, resolution, and print size using the 300 ppi print rule

Set up a study log and schedule recurring weekly review blocks

Compare project brief, scope, and statement-of-work documents and list what each must contain

Sequence the stages of a design project from kickoff to handoff

Explain how copyright, licensing, and usage rights differ for stock assets versus commissioned work

Describe client-communication practices for presenting concepts and collecting revision feedback

Identify common causes of scope creep and one mitigation for each

Compare color models (RGB, CMYK, grayscale, Lab) and select the correct one for screen versus print output

Explain bit depth and how it affects tonal range and file size

Differentiate the common raster file formats and pick the right one for a given workflow

Describe how resolution requirements change across web, print, and large-format output

Trace how a color profile affects on-screen appearance versus printed result

Build a document from scratch with correct artboard size, color mode, and bleed settings

Create and edit paths with the pen tool, including adding, deleting, and converting anchor points

Apply and expand strokes, and convert text to outlines for a print-ready logo

Organize artwork using layers, groups, and named objects

Use alignment, distribution, and transform tools to place elements precisely

Construct and modify shapes with the shape builder and pathfinder operations

Apply gradients, patterns, and appearance effects without rasterizing artwork

Use clipping masks and opacity masks to reveal and hide artwork

Set type with character and paragraph styles and adjust leading, tracking, and kerning

Create and apply symbols or global swatches to keep a multi-artboard document consistent

Package a document with linked images and fonts and verify the package opens cleanly

Export to PDF with correct preset settings for print and for screen

Export raster formats at target pixel dimensions for web delivery

Set up a file-naming and folder-structure convention for handoff

Identify which native file formats preserve editability versus which are delivery-only

Prepare a print-ready file with correct bleed, trim marks, and overprint review

Diagnose and fix three common preflight problems (missing fonts, RGB in a CMYK job, low-resolution links)

Archive a completed project with all source files and a version note

Explain the designer's responsibilities at final delivery and client sign-off

Document a revision-history convention for archived files

Take two full-length timed practice exams and record domain-level scores

Re-drill the two weakest subtopics until error rate drops

Recite the domain weights and the key rules for each domain from memory

Review all prior deliverables for gaps and correct any errors

Simulate exam-day logistics including time-per-question pacing