DSST Computing and IT study plan

Diagram the von Neumann cycle and label the roles of CPU, ALU, registers, cache, RAM, and secondary storage

Distinguish input, output, and storage device classes and give two examples of each from memory

Compare HDD, SSD, and optical media on access speed, durability, and typical use case

Define primary versus secondary storage and explain volatile versus nonvolatile memory

Classify data as structured, semistructured, and unstructured and give one workplace example of each

Explain what an operating system does and name three functions it performs

Trace how a file is stored, indexed, and retrieved on a disk using file allocation and directory concepts

Describe the purpose of a database management system and how it differs from a flat file

Explain normalization at a conceptual level and why redundancy causes update anomalies

Identify common backup strategies and match each to a recovery scenario

Distinguish proprietary, open source, freeware, shareware, and public domain licenses by their redistribution and modification rights

Compare per-seat, site, subscription, and volume licensing models and pick the right one for a stated team size

Sequence the stages of the software development life cycle and state the output of each stage

Contrast waterfall, iterative, and agile approaches on change tolerance and delivery cadence

Explain the purpose of version control and identify what a commit and a branch represent

Map testing levels (unit, integration, system, acceptance) to SDLC stages and say who owns each

Describe the OSI model's seven layers and give one protocol or device associated with each

Distinguish LAN, WAN, MAN, and PAN by scope and give a realistic example of each

Explain the roles of router, switch, hub, and access point in moving a packet

Compare client-server and peer-to-peer topologies on cost, control, and fault tolerance

Explain TCP versus UDP and match each to an application that needs it

Describe IP addressing, subnetting purpose, and the difference between IPv4 and IPv6 at a conceptual level

Summarize what common carrier regulation has historically governed and how classification of broadband affects obligations

Explain the legal concerns around wiretapping, interception, and lawful access to communications

Identify the purpose of universal service obligations and spectrum licensing

Define personally identifiable information and classify five data elements as PII or not

Explain core fair information practices: notice, choice, access, security, and accountability

Distinguish copyright, patent, trademark, and trade secret by what each protects and how long it lasts

Explain fair use factors and apply them to two short scenarios

Describe what software piracy and license misuse look like in an organizational setting

List accepted and unacceptable behaviors for email, discussion forums, and workplace chat, with a rationale for each rule

Explain netiquette concepts including flaming, spamming, spoofing, and responsible forwarding

Distinguish narrow AI from general AI and give one example of each category's capability

Describe how machine learning differs from rule-based programming in terms of how behavior is produced

Identify ethical concerns in AI such as bias in training data, opacity, and accountability for automated decisions

Explain how globalization affects outsourcing, offshoring, and the geographic distribution of IT work

Describe challenges of cross-border data flow including data sovereignty and differing privacy regimes

Re-review hardware and data management weak spots identified in earlier practice sets

Complete a timed full-length mixed practice exam under exam conditions

Rewrite every missed item from the practice exam into a corrected explanation