FOA CFOT study plan

Diagram the light path from transmitter to receiver, labeling core, cladding, buffer, strength members, and jacket

Compare singlemode vs multimode fiber in terms of core size, wavelength, and typical distance/bandwidth use

Explain total internal reflection and numerical aperture in your own words without notes

Identify the common connector types (SC, LC, ST) and polish styles (PC, UPC, APC) and where each is used

Match each fiber component (transmitter, receiver, splice, connector) to the loss or fault it can introduce

Describe insertion loss and reflectance and explain why both matter to a link budget

Set up and zero an optical loss test set, then explain the reference-method choices

Calculate a simple link loss budget given component losses and a margin

List the main premises cable types and where each is appropriate (riser, plenum, indoor/outdoor)

Explain code and fire-rating considerations for jacket selection in a building

Describe installation practices that protect bend radius, tensile load, and cable support

Outline the steps to terminate and connectorize a fiber in a premises environment

Contrast aerial, direct-buried, and conduit outside plant deployment and their tradeoffs

Explain why outside plant cable uses different jacketing and water-blocking than premises cable

Describe construction practices for pulling, tension control, and slack handling in outside plant

Identify common outside plant hazards and the documentation typically kept for a route

Perform and document an insertion-loss measurement using the correct reference method

Explain OTDR trace basics: events, splices, connectors, and how distance and loss appear

Distinguish when to use an OLTS versus an OTDR and what each cannot tell you

Describe visual fault location and continuity checking and when each is sufficient

Translate a set of user/bandwidth requirements into a fiber count and topology choice

Compare point-to-point, centralized, and passive optical split architectures for a given building

Explain how splitters, patch panels, and cable management shape a design

Identify where redundancy and spare capacity should be built into a design

Describe the main FTTH architectures (PON variants and active Ethernet) and where each fits

Explain split ratios, optical power budgets, and how they constrain reach in a PON

Outline the FTTH deployment sequence from feeder to drop to subscriber

Identify common FTTH field issues and how they are diagnosed

Review weak areas flagged in earlier weeks and re-test each domain

Complete timed mixed-domain practice covering all six domains

Re-derive key formulas (link budget, PON budget, loss margins) from memory

Practice explaining three concepts aloud as if teaching a new technician