MATSEC IM Computing study plan

Map the internal architecture of a CPU (ALU, control unit, registers, buses) and explain in writing how the fetch-decode-execute cycle moves data between them

Convert between binary, denary, octal and hexadecimal by hand, and perform two's complement representation of negative integers without a calculator

Distinguish primary from secondary storage and compare RAM, ROM, cache and SSD/HDD on speed, volatility, cost per GB and typical use

Describe how an operating system manages processes, memory, files and peripherals, giving one concrete example of each function

Explain the layered model of networks (hardware, protocols, addressing) and trace a single HTTP request from browser to server across each layer

Compare LAN, WAN, client-server and peer-to-peer topologies, and justify a topology choice for a named small-business scenario

Distinguish viruses, worms, trojans, phishing and ransomware, and match each to a proportionate countermeasure (firewall, patching, MFA, backups, user training)

Evaluate legal and ethical obligations around personal data in a computing system, referencing confidentiality, consent and data minimisation

Write pseudocode and flowchart solutions for sequence, selection and iteration problems, including nested loops and multi-branch conditionals

Trace the execution of a given algorithm by hand, maintaining a variable table and predicting the exact output

Declare and manipulate one-dimensional and two-dimensional arrays, and implement linear search and bubble sort from scratch

Decompose a problem statement into inputs, processing steps and outputs before writing any code

Implement a working program in a language of choice that reads data, processes it with at least one function and one loop, and writes formatted output

Define the relational model terms (relation, tuple, attribute, primary key, foreign key, candidate key) and apply them to a normalised schema you design

Write SELECT queries using WHERE, ORDER BY, GROUP BY, HAVING and aggregate functions, and predict each result set before running it

Explain the purpose of normalisation to third normal form and remove insertion, update and deletion anomalies from a flawed schema

Distinguish data, information and knowledge, and evaluate the characteristics of good information (accuracy, timeliness, relevance, completeness) against a real dataset

Compare file-based and database approaches, and describe the roles of DBMS, data dictionary and transaction logging

Model a scenario as an entity-relationship diagram, resolving one-to-many and many-to-many relationships into tables

Describe validation and verification techniques (range, format, presence, check digit, double entry) and select the right one for a given field

Explain how emerging technologies (cloud computing, IoT, AI, blockchain) work at a conceptual level and state one credible benefit and one credible risk for each

Analyse the digital divide and the environmental cost of computing, citing specific mechanisms such as e-waste, energy use and unequal access

Apply a recognised ethical framework to a computing dilemma and reach a defensible recommendation

Describe the main provisions of data protection and computer misuse legislation and identify when each applies

Complete a full timed mock paper under exam conditions and record raw marks per domain

Diagnose the two weakest domains from the mock and re-teach each weak topic from first principles

Redo every question answered incorrectly, writing the correct reasoning rather than just the answer

Practise explaining a technical concept in precise written English within a word limit

Re-attempt all previously logged errors until every one is answered correctly without notes

Build a one-page summary sheet per domain covering definitions, formulas and comparisons only

Sit a second timed mock and compare domain scores against week 7 to confirm improvement

Rehearse exam technique: allocating time per mark, reading command words (state, describe, explain, evaluate) and structuring extended answers