PhilNITS FE study plan

Map the FE exam's Technology domain into its sub-areas (computer architecture, software, databases, networks, security, algorithms) and rate your confidence in each on a 1-5 scale

Explain in writing how binary representation, two's complement, and bitwise operations behave, using at least three worked numeric examples

Trace the fetch-decode-execute cycle and describe how CPU registers, cache, and main memory interact during instruction execution

Solve five practice problems on number bases and logic circuits without consulting notes

Describe the OSI and TCP/IP layer models and match at least ten protocols (HTTP, TCP, UDP, IP, DNS, ARP, TLS, SMTP) to their layers and roles

Compute subnet masks, network addresses, and host ranges for at least four IPv4 CIDR examples by hand

Summarize the relational model: keys, normalization to third normal form, and the effect of each SQL join type on a sample pair of tables

Differentiate symmetric and asymmetric cryptography, hashing, and digital signatures, and state one concrete use case for each

Analyze algorithm complexity for at least eight short code fragments, writing the Big-O time and space bound for each

Trace the behavior of sorting and searching algorithms (quicksort, merge sort, binary search) on a small array and record each intermediate state

Explain data structures (stack, queue, linked list, tree, hash table) by naming one operation each supports efficiently and one it handles poorly

Solve three past-style questions on flowcharts and pseudocode under a 15-minute timer

Complete a full Technology-domain mock section under exam time limits and log the error type for every miss

Define the Strategy domain's scope (management strategy, systems strategy, corporate and legal frameworks) and list the topics the syllabus names

Explain the difference between a business strategy, an information strategy, and an IT strategy, and give an example of misalignment between them

Describe at least three frameworks (SWOT, PEST, three-layer model) and state when each is appropriate

Apply SWOT and PEST analysis to a described company scenario and write two actionable recommendations from each

Explain the three-layer model (business, application, infrastructure) and place six given IT initiatives into the correct layer

Describe how BPR, BPM, and IT governance relate, and identify one risk when each is skipped

Outline the steps of a system planning and requirements-definition process from idea to approved plan

Summarize the Management domain's scope (project management, service management, risk, security, and legal compliance) and list the topics the syllabus names

Compare plan-driven and agile project approaches and state which project characteristics favor each

Explain the purpose of the WBS, critical path, earned value (PV, EV, AC), and change control, computing one earned-value example

Describe ITIL-style service management concepts (incident, problem, change, SLA) and classify six given events into the right category

Identify the main legal and compliance obligations relevant to IT (personal data protection, intellectual property, contracts, and security standards) and state one practical duty for each

Explain how risk is identified, assessed, and treated, and complete a small risk register with five risks scored by likelihood and impact

Describe business continuity and disaster recovery basics, including RTO and RPO, and compute each from a short scenario

Analyze three short case questions and write structured answers that state a conclusion, reasoning, and a concrete recommendation

Take two full mixed-domain mock exams under strict timing and record the score for each domain separately

Re-drill only the sub-areas that scored below 60 percent, using the error logs from weeks 4 and 8

Memorize and self-quiz the condensed fact sheet for all three domains until you can recall each item without notes

Rehearse exam-day logistics: time allocation per question, order of answering, and a strategy for flagged questions