Introduction — calculation problems can be solved by "pattern"
On the IT Passport exam, roughly 10 to 15 of the 100 questions are calculation problems. Many candidates shy away, thinking "I'm just no good at math…," but in fact calculation problems follow fixed patterns — so once you've learned the solution method, they become an almost guaranteed source of points.
In this article, I analyze the data from the 23 topics and 270 questions included in the app "Shunsoku Master," and I walk through the strategy and study priority for each topic.
The big picture of calculation problems
Number of topics by subject area
Distribution of question frequency
Of the 23 topics, 12 topics are classified as "highest frequency" and 10 topics as "high frequency." In other words, almost every topic is highly likely to appear on the actual exam.
Key study point: If you prioritize mastering the 12 "highest frequency" topics, you can cover the great majority of the calculation problems. Since 17 of the topics are at the "Basic" difficulty level — the large majority — you can answer them correctly just by memorizing the formula and working through the steps in order.
Topic list by subject area
Detailed solutions for each topic are explained on the subject-area pages.
💻 Technology (11 topics)
Covers the calculation problems in the technology area: availability, base conversion, logical operations, MTBF, data transfer time, image data size, memory calculation, yield, and more.
📊 Strategy & Management (12 topics)
Covers break-even point, expected value, ROI, financial analysis, inventory management, and depreciation (Strategy), plus critical path, person-month calculation, and EVM (Management).
Study-priority matrix
The table below lists the topics based on question frequency and difficulty. Priority is highest at the top and decreases as you go down.
Recommended study order:
- First, lock down the "Highest" frequency × "Basic" difficulty topics (availability, base conversion, logical operations, MTBF, expected value, break-even point, image data size)
- Next, take on "Highest" frequency × "Applied" difficulty (data transfer, financial analysis metrics)
- Finally, broaden your coverage with the "High" frequency topics (EVM, person-month, ROI, inventory management, yield, etc.)
Summary
The calculation problems on the IT Passport are an area where you can reliably earn points once you memorize the formulas and procedures, because the question patterns are limited.
- Cover the 23 topics and you can handle nearly every pattern that appears
- Technology has the most topics at 11. Availability and base conversion are the top priorities
- The Strategy topics of break-even point and expected value are easier to remember when you understand them as "money calculations"
- In Management, the two big topics — critical path and EVM — appear frequently
- 17 of the topics are at Basic difficulty — simply making these perfect first is enough to reach the passing line
Shunsoku Master IT Passport — Master calculation problems efficiently
- Term dictionary: 2,651 terms (including 758 new terms)
- 2,301 text questions from 28 past exams (free)
- 232 study stages
- Calculation problems: 23 topics
* Questions with figures and tables (491 questions) are planned for a future update
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Download on Google Play