Foreign Service Officer Test (FSOT) Computers, Mathematics, and Science and Technology Syllabus

Computers, Mathematics, and Science and Technology syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for Computers, Mathematics, and Science and Technology in Foreign Service Officer Test (FSOT), not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Computers and Information Technology

   3 topics

   • Computer Fundamentals
     • Hardware and software basics
     • Operating systems and networks
   • The Internet and Communications
     • How the internet works
     • Email, cloud, and collaboration tools
   • Information Security and Data
     • Cybersecurity basics
     • Data privacy and management
2. 2

   Mathematics and Quantitative Reasoning

   4 topics

   • Arithmetic and Number Sense
     • Fractions, decimals, and percentages
     • Ratios and proportions
   • Algebra
     • Solving equations and inequalities
     • Functions and graphs
   • Geometry and Measurement
     • Area, perimeter, and volume
     • Units and conversions
   • Word Problems and Applied Math
     • Rate, distance, and time
     • Interest and financial calculations
3. 3

   Natural and Physical Sciences

   3 topics

   • Physics and Chemistry Basics
     • Matter, energy, and forces
     • Chemical reactions and the periodic table
   • Earth and Life Sciences
     • Geology and meteorology
     • Cell biology and genetics
     • Ecology and evolution
   • Scientific Method
     • Hypothesis, experiment, and analysis
4. 4

   Science Policy and Emerging Technology

   3 topics

   • Energy and Environment
     • Renewable and nonrenewable energy
     • Climate science and policy
   • Health and Biotechnology
     • Public health and disease
     • Genetic engineering and ethics
   • Emerging Technologies
     • Artificial intelligence and automation
     • Space and telecommunications

Computers, Mathematics, and Science and Technology flashcards for Foreign Service Officer Test (FSOT)

20 of 58 cards from the Computers, Mathematics, and Science and Technology deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. What are the four basic components of a computer's hardware architecture?

   Input devices, the CPU (processor), memory/storage, and output devices.

2. What is the difference between RAM and ROM?

   RAM (Random Access Memory) is volatile working memory that loses its contents when power is off; ROM (Read-Only Memory) is non-volatile and retains permanently stored instructions (e.g., firmware/BIOS).

3. What is the difference between hardware and software?

   Hardware is the physical, tangible components of a computer; software is the set of programs and instructions that tell the hardware what to do.

4. What is an operating system and name three examples?

   System software that manages hardware resources and provides services for application programs. Examples: Windows, macOS, Linux.

5. How many bits are in a byte, and what is a byte typically used to represent?

   8 bits make 1 byte, which typically represents a single character of text.

6. What is the binary number system and what two digits does it use?

   The base-2 number system used by computers, using only the digits 0 and 1.

7. What does CPU stand for and what is its primary function?

   Central Processing Unit; it executes instructions and performs the arithmetic, logic, and control operations of a computer.

8. What is the Internet?

   A global network of interconnected computer networks that communicate using standardized protocols (TCP/IP).

9. What does HTTP stand for and what is it used for?

   HyperText Transfer Protocol; the protocol used to transfer web pages and data between web servers and browsers.

10. What is the difference between the Internet and the World Wide Web?

    The Internet is the global hardware/network infrastructure; the World Wide Web is a service of interlinked documents and resources accessed via the Internet using HTTP.

11. What is an IP address?

    A unique numerical label assigned to each device on a network that identifies its location for routing data.

12. What does URL stand for and what does it specify?

    Uniform Resource Locator; the address that specifies the location of a resource on the web.

13. What is the role of DNS (Domain Name System)?

    It translates human-readable domain names (like example.com) into numerical IP addresses computers use to locate each other.

14. What is the difference between a LAN and a WAN?

    A LAN (Local Area Network) covers a small area like a building; a WAN (Wide Area Network) spans large geographic areas, connecting multiple LANs (the Internet is the largest WAN).

15. What is encryption?

    The process of converting data into a coded form (ciphertext) so that only authorized parties with a key can read it.

16. What is malware, and name three common types?

    Malicious software designed to damage or gain unauthorized access to systems. Types include viruses, worms, trojans, ransomware, and spyware.

17. What is phishing?

    A social-engineering attack that uses fraudulent emails, messages, or websites to trick users into revealing sensitive information like passwords or financial data.

18. What is a firewall?

    A security system that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules, acting as a barrier between trusted and untrusted networks.

19. What does the CIA triad stand for in information security?

    Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability—the three core principles of protecting information.

20. What is the difference between authentication and authorization?

    Authentication verifies who a user is (identity); authorization determines what an authenticated user is permitted to do (access rights).

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