8-Week IT Certification Prep with Practical Project

Step-by-step plan to build skills and pass an IT exam while making a showcase project.

  • Weekly Hours: 10
  • Estimated Weeks: 8

Phases

Foundations & Syllabus Review

Build your base for IT concepts and understand the exam topics clearly. This phase helps set your direction and fills any major gaps.

2 weeks

  • Understand the certification syllabus
  • Refresh core IT concepts
  • Get comfortable with computer networks
  • Learn how to navigate online learning platforms
  • Read syllabus (CompTIA, Google, or Microsoft IT fundamentals)
  • Summarize key topics (e.g., Operating System types)
  • Identify weak topics
  • Basic note-taking
  • Official Certification Guide
  • Intro IT Online Course
  • Practice Quiz Bank
  • Basic IT textbook
  • Summarize exam topics in your own words (outline document)
  • Score 60%+ on a practice quiz
  • List 3 weakest topics (for improvement plan)

Core IT Skills & Tools

Deepen your skills through hands-on tasks. Practice using tools you’ll need for the exam and your project. Focus on what is usually tested.

2 weeks

  • Set up a Windows or Linux environment
  • Practice networking basics
  • Interact with files, folders, and permissions
  • Understand simple shell commands
  • Manage files (create, copy, delete folders; Windows/Linux)
  • Basic networking (ping, IP address lookups)
  • Install programs (software setup)
  • Write simple scripts (batch file, shell command)
  • Windows/Linux VM
  • YouTube Tutorials
  • Official Tool Documentation
  • Install and use a virtual environment (run basic commands)
  • Create a sample network layout diagram (draw basic LAN map)
  • Write and run a simple backup script (e.g., copy files script)

Applied Project: IT Support Ticket System

Build a small IT Support Ticket web app. You'll solve real IT problems, understand user issues, and apply what you learn in practical tasks.

3 weeks

  • Design a basic ticket system (forms, lists, status updates)
  • Use state (open, in-progress, closed) to handle tickets
  • Test for common errors (invalid form submission)
  • Deploy the project online
  • Design web forms (HTML/CSS; create ticket form)
  • Handle state (track ticket progress)
  • Test forms (fix input errors, user test with friends)
  • Deploy a simple site (use Netlify or Vercel)
  • FreeCodeCamp Web Dev Curriculum
  • Netlify or Vercel Guide
  • Beginner JavaScript Tutorials
  • Simple Project Templates
  • Create working ticket submission form (demo video or screenshots)
  • Show tickets changing status (demo with 3 status types)
  • Test form handling (write 3 test cases)
  • Publish live demo (share link and docs)

Exam Practice & Review

Test your knowledge, fix weak areas, and practice the exam format. Build confidence and speed with mock exams.

1 weeks

  • Take two full-length practice tests
  • Review missed questions
  • Update study notes
  • Plan exam-day routine
  • Timed test-taking (simulate real conditions)
  • Error analysis (write why you missed each question)
  • Summarize explanations in plain language
  • Official Practice Tests
  • Online Q&A Forums
  • Peer Study Group
  • Score at least 75% in a mock exam
  • Fix and explain 10 errors (summary doc)
  • Final project walkthrough (record video or write README)

Weekly Plan

Week Focus Why Tasks Deliverables
1 Learn the Exam Syllabus and IT Basics So you know what’s expected and can spot weak points early. Read official syllabus (download PDF), Watch intro video for certification exam, Make personal topic outline in Google Docs, List 3-5 confusing terms (find simple explanations) Your syllabus outline document, Glossary of key terms (personal notes)
2 Brush Up Core Concepts and Practice a Quiz You need a strong foundation and to measure your level right now. Revisit key topics (Operating Systems, Networking, Security basics), Read 2 chapters from beginner IT book, Try a 20-question online quiz (timed), Note 3 topics you got wrong Quiz result screenshot, Top 3 topics to improve (list)
3 Set Up Tools and Your Practice Environment Hands-on practice makes concepts stick and gets you ready for projects. Install Windows/Linux on a virtual machine or old laptop, Open terminal, try basic commands (cd, ls, mkdir, ping), Practice file operations (create, move, delete sample files), Sketch your home network on paper Screenshot or photo of your setup, Basic network diagram
4 Learn Simple Scripting and Mini Projects Automating common tasks is vital for everyday IT jobs. Write a shell or batch file (backup script), Run the script and check results, Change permissions (chmod, properties window), Document steps in Google Docs Script file with comment lines, Short guide (steps you followed)
5 Start IT Support Ticket Web Project Applying skills to a project helps you understand and remember them. Set up a free code editor (VS Code), Create basic web page with HTML/CSS, Add ticket form (name, issue description, status dropdown), Plan ticket workflow in notes Ticket form (HTML file screenshot), Workflow plan document
6 Develop Core Features and Add State Handling Building out logic and state changes shows you understand processes. Write JavaScript for form submissions, Add ticket list below the form, Handle ticket status updates (open, in-progress, closed), Ask a friend to test your site Working ticket status feature, Test feedback summary
7 Test, Polish, and Deploy Your Ticket Project Testing and launch gives you confidence and a real result. Write basic form input tests (try invalid data), Fix bugs found during testing, Deploy demo using Netlify or Vercel, Add simple usage instructions Live demo link, README or instructions page
8 Practice Exam and Final Review Mock exams check readiness and build confidence. Take full-length practice test (timed), Review mistakes and write reasons, Walk through your project in a video (screen recording), Prepare note cards for last-minute review Mock exam score report, Final project walkthrough video link

Daily Plan

Monday

  • Review study plan and weekly focus
  • Study new topic (video or book)
  • Write summary notes
Tuesday

  • Practice core skill (hands-on: tool or command)
  • Update glossary with 3 new terms
Wednesday

  • Build project feature or script (code for project or backup)
  • Document steps you took
Thursday

  • Attempt short quiz or practical task
  • Review wrong answers or bugs
Friday

  • Test your project/feature in a fresh way
  • Ask for peer or mentor feedback