DSST Computing and IT study guide
DSST Computing and IT · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The DSST Computing and Information Technology exam is a credit-by-examination test offered through the DSST program and classified as a Business exam at the 3 Baccalaureate level. Schools use it to award credit to students for knowledge equivalent to that learned in a college course, so it suits independent learners, adult students, and service members who already understand computing fundamentals and want to convert that knowledge into semester hours rather than sit through an introductory class. The DSST Computing and IT study guide has 11 sections and about 4,882 words.
01Hardware: Components, Performance, and Buying Decisions
Hardware is the physical layer of computing: processors, memory, storage, input/output devices, and the buses and controllers that connect them. The DSST exam tests whether you can map a specification to a real capability, compare technologies on the right metric, and diagnose a bottleneck instead of guessing.
450 words, about 2 min02Software Licensing and Development Tools
This domain covers how software may legally be used, copied, modified, and redistributed, plus the tools programmers use to build it. The exam tests your ability to read a licensing scenario and state what the user may and may not do, and to match a development task to the correct tool.
471 words, about 2 min03Development Life Cycles: Models, Phases, and Testing
A development life cycle is the structured path from an idea to a maintained system. The exam tests whether you can name the phases, match a project situation to a suitable model, and place testing activities correctly.
464 words, about 2 min04Data Management: Databases, Keys, and Integrity
Data management covers how organisations store, retrieve, protect, and govern data. The exam tests relational concepts, SQL fundamentals, normalisation, transaction properties, and backup practice.
472 words, about 2 min05Connectivity: Networks, Addressing, and Troubleshooting
Connectivity covers how devices reach each other and the internet, and how faults are isolated. The exam tests layered models, device roles, addressing, and the order of troubleshooting steps.
447 words, about 2 min06Privacy Concerns: Data Protection in Practice
Privacy concerns the fair handling of information about identifiable people. The exam tests data protection principles, individual rights, and the security controls that support them.
444 words, about 2 min07Intellectual Property: Copyright, Patents, Trademarks, Secrets
Intellectual property law grants exclusive rights in creations and signs. The exam tests which protection applies to a given asset, how long it lasts, and when limited use is permitted.
431 words, about 2 min08Telecommunications Law: Regulators, Carriers, and Obligations
Telecommunications law governs carriers, spectrum, interconnection, and lawful access to communications. The exam tests which regulator or statute applies, how services are classified, and what obligations follow.
424 words, about 2 min09Network Etiquette: Norms for Professional Online Conduct
Network etiquette, or netiquette, is the set of conventions that keeps online communication clear, considerate, and legally safe. The exam tests whether you can recognise acceptable practice in email, forums, and social media, and distinguish etiquette from policy or law.
437 words, about 2 min10Artificial Intelligence: Concepts, Techniques, and Limits
Artificial intelligence covers systems that perform tasks associated with human intelligence, such as recognising patterns, understanding language, and making decisions. The exam tests definitions, the relationship between AI, machine learning, and deep learning, and the practical limits of these systems.
432 words, about 2 min11Globalization: Internationalisation, Localisation, and Operations
Globalization in computing means designing, delivering, and supporting systems across countries and cultures. The exam tests the distinction between internationalisation and localisation, the technical standards that make multilingual systems possible, and the operational and legal issues of distributed work.
410 words, about 2 min