WP-C study plan

Map the exam blueprint into a personal checklist that lists every content-development task you must be able to perform without notes

Build a local WordPress install and create a child theme, then explain in writing why the parent/child split matters for safe updates

Write and register three custom templates (single, archive, page) using the template hierarchy rather than hard-coded conditionals

Explain the loop, template tags, and the difference between get_ and the_ functions by annotating a real template file line by line

Register a custom post type and a custom taxonomy with correct labels, rewrite rules, and show_in_rest settings

Add custom fields and render them safely in templates using escaping functions appropriate to context (esc_html, esc_attr, esc_url, wp_kses_post)

Enqueue stylesheets and scripts properly with dependencies and versioning, and explain why direct script tags in templates are wrong

Implement a basic custom query with WP_Query and reset postdata so the main loop is not corrupted

Convert a static HTML page into a theme part using block markup and theme.json, and identify which settings belong in theme.json versus CSS

Build a reusable block pattern and register a block style variation

Explain the roles of wp_head, wp_body_open, and wp_footer hooks and verify each fires on your test site

Trace the request lifecycle from index.php through wp-load, the main query, and template loading, and write it out in order

Configure wp-config.php hardening constants (debug flags off in production, disallow file edit, correct salts handling) and justify each

Set file and directory permissions correctly on a Linux host and explain the risk of 777

Implement and verify a backup and restore cycle for files and database, including a test restore into a clean environment

Enable and read the debug log to diagnose a deliberately introduced PHP warning

Diagnose a white-screen and a fatal error using the debug log, error display settings, and a plugin conflict bisection procedure

Use WP-CLI to update core, plugins, and themes, search-replace a URL in the database, and export a database dump

Explain how to recover from a failed update using backups and manual file replacement

Configure caching and identify which layer (page cache, object cache, CDN) resolves a given performance symptom

Harden a site against common attacks by applying least privilege to user roles and explaining the capability model

Configure HTTPS, security headers, and login protection, and verify each with a browser or command-line check

Write a client-ready maintenance proposal that scopes updates, backups, monitoring, and response times with clear exclusions

Price a recurring care plan using a cost-plus and a value-based method and compare the two outcomes

Scope a project by writing a statement of work with deliverables, assumptions, exclusions, and a change-control clause

Build a phased project schedule with dependencies and at least three client review checkpoints

Draft a change order template and apply it to a realistic scope-creep scenario

Identify the contract terms that protect you on payment timing, IP ownership, and warranty limits

Run a full timed practice set across all three domains and log every miss by domain and cause

Re-drill your weakest two domains using the logged misses until you can answer without hesitation

Explain to a non-technical client what you will do, what it costs, and what you need from them, in under five minutes

Assemble your reference sheet of facts you must memorize (hooks, roles, constants, file permissions) and review it once more