EST study plan
EST · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 7 hours per week
Electronics fundamentals and basic circuits
Define voltage, current, resistance, power, and state the units and symbols for each
Apply Ohm's law and the power equation to solve for any unknown in a simple DC circuit
Compute series and parallel equivalent resistance for networks of three or more resistors
Explain how a diode, transistor, and capacitor behave in a basic circuit and sketch their symbols
Your checkpoint
A one-page formula sheet plus 20 solved DC circuit problems with work shown, scored at 80% or better
Electronics fundamentals and basic circuits & Communications systems and RF concepts
Analyze series-parallel combination circuits by reducing them step by step
Describe AC waveform parameters: amplitude, frequency, period, phase, and RMS value
Define impedance and explain how inductance and capacitance change it with frequency
Identify the function of transformers, filters, and rectifiers in a power supply chain
Your checkpoint
A 15-question self-quiz on AC/DC fundamentals and reactive components, completed closed-book with a written correction log for every miss
Communications systems and RF concepts
Convert between frequency and wavelength and between watts and dBm
Explain the purpose of modulation and contrast AM, FM, and digital modulation at a block-diagram level
Describe the components of a radio system: oscillator, mixer, amplifier, filter, and antenna
Explain propagation basics including line-of-sight, reflection, and the effect of frequency on range
Identify common interference and noise sources and how bandwidth and filtering relate
Your checkpoint
A dB/wavelength calculation worksheet with 25 problems and a hand-drawn block diagram of a transmit and receive chain, each block annotated with its function
Test equipment and measurement techniques
Demonstrate correct setup of a multimeter for voltage, current, and resistance measurement including lead placement
Explain how an oscilloscope displays a signal and identify timebase, vertical scale, and trigger controls
Describe when to use a signal generator, power meter, or frequency counter and what each reads
Distinguish accuracy, precision, resolution, and tolerance and state how each affects a reading
Your checkpoint
A measurement procedure card listing step-by-step setup for three instruments, plus 15 measurement-interpretation questions answered with reasoning
Installation, cabling, and fiber optics
Identify cable types, connector types, and their typical applications
Explain characteristic impedance, attenuation, and crosstalk in copper cabling
Describe fiber optic structure, single-mode versus multimode, and common connector and splice types
Outline proper termination, bend radius, pulling tension, and labeling practices
Explain how to test and certify a copper or fiber link and what a pass/fail result means
Your checkpoint
A labeled cabling-and-fiber reference diagram plus a written checklist of 10 installation best practices with the reason for each
Troubleshooting, maintenance, and repair
Apply a structured troubleshooting method: define the fault, isolate, test, verify, document
Use signal tracing and substitution to localize a fault in a multi-stage system
Interpret symptoms of open, short, and intermittent faults in wiring and components
Describe preventive maintenance tasks and how to record them
Explain how to verify a repair restores full function rather than just masking the symptom
Your checkpoint
A written troubleshooting walkthrough of two hypothetical faults (one cabling, one component-level) using the structured method, with test points and expected readings at each step
Safety, standards, and industry best practices
State electrical safety practices including lockout/tagout, grounding, and safe meter use
Identify personal protective equipment and describe safe handling of tools and energized circuits
Explain the purpose of codes and standards and how to look up a requirement rather than guess
Describe safe fiber handling, laser precautions, and disposal of fiber scraps
List documentation and housekeeping practices that support safe, repeatable work
Your checkpoint
A one-page safety and standards quick-reference covering hazards, PPE, lockout steps, and where to find code requirements, self-tested with 10 recall questions
Electronics fundamentals and basic circuits & Communications systems and RF concepts & Troubleshooting, maintenance, and repair
Re-solve the weakest problem types from weeks 1 through 6 without notes
Complete timed mixed-domain practice sets and record accuracy by domain
Explain out loud the reasoning behind five previously missed questions
Build a final one-page summary sheet of formulas, units, and key concepts
Set a personal review cadence for the two lowest-scoring domains
Your checkpoint
A timed 40-question mixed-domain mock exam with a scored results sheet, a per-domain accuracy table, and a final one-page summary sheet
Milestones
Week 2: Score 80% or higher on the AC/DC fundamentals self-quiz and show correct work on all missed items
Week 4: Correctly answer 12 of 15 measurement-interpretation questions and demonstrate instrument setup from memory on the procedure card
Week 6: Complete both troubleshooting walkthroughs with a logical test sequence and defensible expected readings at each step
Week 8: Achieve 75% or higher overall on the timed mock exam with no domain below 60%, and confirm a written review plan for the two weakest domains