FY2026 CBT Format Compatible
Introduction
This plan is a study method for earning two certifications — IT Strategist (ST) and System Architect (SA) — simultaneously using a single project (PJ), with generative AI used to the fullest.
With the shift to the CBT format, handwriting practice is no longer needed, and each subject can be taken on separate days. By making the most of this change, we aim to dramatically cut the study time traditionally said to be "100 hours per certification."
※ Note: IPA has officially announced that "applications for multiple exam categories or multiple registrations are not permitted," making it impossible to earn ST and SA at the same time.
Prerequisites
- CBT format (keyboard input, separate exam days available)
- Morning Session I (Subject A-1): Exempt (if not exempt, add to the Subject A combined exam day)
- Morning Session II (Subject A-2): Roughly 2 past exam sets is sufficient
- Afternoon Session I (Subject B short-answer): No dedicated prep needed — use it as material for Afternoon Session II prep
- Afternoon Session II (Subject B essay): The main focus of this plan — tackle it with a universal outline template
- Compete with just one PJ (no need to memorize multiple PJs)
- Study time: ~30 min on weekdays + ~2 hours on weekends (approx. 4.5 hours/week)
Overview of This Plan
Step 1 → Step 2 → Step 3 → Step 4 → Step 5
Build PJ Create Afternoon I Outline-based Take the
prompt utilization Afternoon II exam
set training prep
(1–2 wks) (1 wk) (2 wks) (2–3 wks) (3 wks)
Total: ~9–11 weeks
Step 1: Build Your Project Using Generative AI
Purpose
Build one "ultimate PJ" from which you can write essays for both ST (management perspective) and SA (technical perspective).
Three Entry Points
Choose the entry point that suits you best, then flesh out the PJ through dialogue with generative AI.
| Entry Point | Best For | How To |
|---|---|---|
| A. Build on your own experience | People with hands-on experience in system implementation or infrastructure development | Share your experience with AI and have it fill in the elements needed for ST/SA essays (figures, design decisions, business challenges) |
| B. Turn an area of interest into a PJ | People with limited hands-on experience but strong interest in a specific technology or industry | Share a topic of interest (e.g., "manufacturing × data integration × AI") with AI and build a fictional but realistic PJ |
| C. Turn a case study into your own PJ | People who want to draw inspiration from published case studies or articles | Have AI read a promising case study and turn it into a PJ from the perspective of "how would I have handled this?" |
PJ Creation Prompt
You are an IT consultant and system architect.
Based on the information below, please build a project that can be used
for Afternoon Session II essays in both the IT Strategist exam and the
System Architect exam.
■ My experience / interests / reference case study:
(Enter your information here)
■ Constraints:
- The PJ must be usable for essays from both the ST (management) and SA (technical) perspectives
- At least 3 systems must appear (e.g., core system + business system + analytics/AI system)
- Must include quantitative goals tied to business challenges (revenue, profit margin, costs, etc.)
- Must include at least 2 technical design decisions (method selection with comparison of alternatives)
- Must include at least 10 quantitative figures (before → after improvement)
- Must include at least 2 "things that didn't go well" / "remaining challenges"
■ Output format:
1. PJ overview (company profile, industry, scale, business objectives)
2. Challenges (3 or more, with quantitative data)
3. Measures (strategy from ST perspective + technical design from SA perspective)
4. Results (quantitative KPI improvements)
5. Challenges and areas for improvement
6. List of figures to memorize (15 or more)
PJ Completion Checklist
Once the PJ is built, verify all 5 items below. If even one fails, work with AI to strengthen it.
| # | Check Item | Pass Criteria | If It Fails |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Does it include multiple systems? | At least 3 | Add peripheral systems |
| 2 | Is it tied to business challenges? | Has quantitative targets for revenue, profit, costs, etc. | Set targets based on a mid-term business plan |
| 3 | Does it include technical design decisions? | At least 2 method selections with comparison of alternatives | Organize "why A was chosen over B" |
| 4 | Are there enough quantitative figures? | 10 or more before → after improvement pairs | Work with AI to set the figures |
| 5 | Are there "things that didn't go well"? | At least 2 challenges / areas for improvement | Intentionally set up challenges for use in Question C |
Step 2: Build the Ultimate Prompt Set Using Generative AI
Purpose
Prepare a set of prompts that efficiently conveys PJ information to AI and reliably generates ST/SA essays.
Deliverables (5-Piece Set)
| # | Deliverable | Content | When to Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | PJ Memory Prompt | Makes AI memorize all PJ information | At the start of every session |
| 2 | ST Universal Outline Template | Mapping table of ST frequently-tested themes × episodes | When building essay outlines |
| 3 | SA Universal Outline Template | Mapping table of SA frequently-tested themes × technical episodes | When building essay outlines |
| 4 | Question Sheet (Essay Overview Sheet) | Completed question sheets for ST and SA | For input at the start of the actual exam |
| 5 | Perspective-Switching Drill | Training set for writing the same facts from both ST and SA perspectives | For studying during spare time |
Deliverable 1: PJ Memory Prompt
Please memorize the following project information.
Based on this information, you will assist in writing Afternoon Session II essays
for the IT Strategist exam (ST) and the System Architect exam (SA).
■ PJ Overview:
(Paste the PJ information created in Step 1)
■ List of ST Episodes:
(Paste the episodes from the ST Universal Outline Template)
■ List of SA Episodes:
(Paste the episodes from the SA Universal Outline Template)
■ Question Sheet Information:
(Paste the completed content from the ST/SA question sheets)
■ List of Figures to Memorize:
(Paste the key figures from the PJ)
Please memorize the above and follow subsequent instructions accordingly.
Deliverable 2: ST Universal Outline Template Creation Prompt
Using the memorized project as material, please create a universal outline template
for the IT Strategist exam (Afternoon Session II).
■ Output format:
1. Common profile (company overview, business objectives, investment scale, etc.)
2. Reusable episode list (assign an ID to each episode, e.g., E1, E2...)
- Each episode must include specific figures and facts
3. Theme-based outline assembly guide (for each of the frequently-tested themes below,
a mapping table showing which episodes to use for Questions A through C)
■ Frequently-tested themes to cover:
- Formulating an IT strategy that contributes to achieving business objectives
- Revising IT strategy in response to changes in the business environment
- Planning and evaluating IT investment
- Promoting DX to realize business strategy
- Risk management in IT strategy
- Formulating a policy for core system renewal
- Developing IT talent and building organizational structure
4. Common checklist for essay writing (for each of Questions A, B, and C)
5. List of keywords useful for ST essays
Deliverable 3: SA Universal Outline Template Creation Prompt
Using the memorized project as material, please create a universal outline template
for the System Architect exam (Afternoon Session II).
■ Output format:
1. Common profile (target system configuration, technology stack, etc.)
2. Reusable technical episode list (assign an ID to each episode, e.g., T1, T2...)
- Each episode must include technical design details, rationale, and alternatives
3. Theme-based outline assembly guide (for each of the frequently-tested themes below,
a mapping table showing which episodes to use for Questions A through C)
■ Frequently-tested themes to cover:
- Inter-system integration for effective use of business system data
- Providing metrics that require collecting data from multiple information systems
- System design to ensure reliability
- Prioritizing business requirements and determining the scope of system implementation
- Architecture design to meet non-functional requirements
- Design change management and impact analysis
- Rebuilding existing systems
- Data design to maintain consistency across systems
4. Common checklist for essay writing (for each of Questions A, B, and C)
5. List of keywords useful for SA essays
6. [Reference] Quick comparison table for differentiating ST vs. SA essays
Deliverable 4: Question Sheet (Essay Overview Sheet) Creation Prompt
Based on the memorized project, please create two versions — one for ST and one for SA —
of the "Overview of the concept, plan, system development, etc. that is the subject of the essay"
filled in at the beginning of the Afternoon Session II essay.
■ Output format (for each version):
① Name (within 30 characters; also provide about 5 alternative versions for different themes)
② Type and industry of the company/organization
③ Scale of the company/organization
④ Target business domain
⑤ System type and scale
⑥ Network scope
⑦ Number of system users
⑧ Total person-hours
⑨ Total cost
⑩ Duration
⑪ The company/organization you belong to
⑫ Your assigned duties
⑬ Your role
⑭ Number of members in your team
⑮ Your period of involvement
■ Additional requirements:
- Clearly indicate which items differ between the ST and SA versions, and explain why
- Include a memorization checklist for completing the input within 5 minutes on exam day
Deliverable 5: Perspective-Switching Drill Creation Prompt
Based on the memorized project, please create a "perspective-switching drill" for ST and SA.
■ What is a perspective-switching drill?
It is training to instantly write the same single fact from both the ST (management perspective)
and SA (technical perspective). It builds the reflexes needed to start writing from the right
viewpoint the moment you see the exam theme.
■ Output format:
Create a perspective-switching drill for 10 facts using the following structure.
[Fact ①] (State a project fact in one sentence)
＜ST Version (written from a management perspective, 150–200 characters)＞
- Write from the angle of business challenges, KPIs, investment decisions, organizational change, and consensus-building
- Example terms: ROI, payback period, phase gate, CDO, KPI
＜SA Version (written from a technical perspective, 150–200 characters)＞
- Write from the angle of design decisions, method selection, algorithms, and non-functional requirements
- Example terms: latency, TPS, DLQ, Jaro-Winkler distance, CDC
＜Key to Differentiation＞
- Explain in one line what differs between the ST and SA versions
■ Criteria for selecting facts:
- Draw broadly from the project's challenges, measures, and results
- Include a balanced mix of facts usable for Question A (challenge-type), Question B (measure-type),
and Question C (result/evaluation-type)
- Prioritize facts with high versatility that can be used for both ST and SA
■ Additional requirements:
- Include instructions for how to run the drill (15 minutes per session, step-by-step) at the top
- For the 10 items, provide model answers for the first 5 and leave the remaining 5 blank for self-practice
[Advanced] Past Exam Mapping Prompt
For the past exam question below, please create a mapping of which episodes from the
memorized project to use for which questions.
■ Exam category: ST / SA (specify one)
■ Past exam question:
(Paste the question text here)
■ Output format:
1. Theme analysis (what is this question asking for?)
2. Episode mapping (Question A → E○/T○, Question B → E○ → E○, Question C → E○)
3. Adjustments from the template (parts that need to be added specifically for this question)
4. Outline draft (headings and key points per question, figures to use)
5. Requirements checklist (list each requirement from the question one by one,
and indicate where in the outline each is addressed)
[Advanced] Essay Generation Prompt (ST)
Using the memorized project as material, please write an Afternoon Session II essay
for the IT Strategist exam.
■ Theme: "(Enter the exam theme)"
■ Conditions:
- Select episodes according to the theme-based guide in the ST Universal Outline Template
- Question A: 400–800 characters (business overview + challenges)
- Question B: 800–1,600 characters (strategy + consensus-building with management + points of ingenuity)
- Question C: character count as specified by the question (results + evaluation + future challenges)
- Use management-perspective terminology (ROI, payback period, KPI, etc.)
- Include a character count at the end of each question
- Include a mapping table at the end showing which template episodes were used
- Include a requirements checklist at the end showing how each requirement from the question is addressed
[Advanced] Essay Generation Prompt (SA)
Using the memorized project as material, please write an Afternoon Session II essay
for the System Architect exam.
■ Theme: "(Enter the exam theme)"
■ Conditions:
- Select episodes according to the theme-based guide in the SA Universal Outline Template
- Question A: 400–800 characters (target system + technical challenges + requirements)
- Question B: 800–1,600 characters (architecture design + rationale + comparison of alternatives + points of ingenuity)
- Question C: character count as specified by the question (technical evaluation + quantitative metrics + future improvements)
- Use technical-perspective terminology (latency, TPS, precision rate, etc.)
- Include a character count at the end of each question
- Include a mapping table at the end showing which template episodes were used
- Include a requirements checklist at the end showing how each requirement from the question is addressed
[Advanced] Essay Sparring Prompt
Please evaluate the following essay from the perspective of an exam grader.
■ Exam category: ST / SA (specify one)
■ Essay:
(Paste the full essay here)
■ Evaluation criteria (comment on every single one):
[Structure]
1. Logical consistency across questions: Is the challenge in A resolved in B and evaluated in C?
2. Character count balance per question: Does it stay within the specified range?
3. Coverage of question requirements: Are all requirements from the question text addressed?
[Content]
4. Specificity: Are there sufficient figures and proper nouns? Does it avoid staying abstract?
5. Agency: Are there statements like "I did ~"? Is it avoiding passive voice?
6. Uniqueness of ingenuity: Is there a clearly differentiating point of ingenuity from other candidates?
7. Objectivity of evaluation: Are both quantitative results and challenges described?
[Perspective]
8. For ST: Is there concrete explanation to management and business departments?
For SA: Is there a rationale for technical design decisions and a comparison of alternatives?
■ Output format:
- Rate each criterion as "○ (sufficient) / △ (room for improvement) / × (needs revision)"
- For △ and × items, provide specific suggestions for revision
- Overall rating (A: exam-ready / B: almost there / C: major revisions needed / D: theme mismatch)
Step 3: Use Afternoon Session I Questions for Afternoon Session II Prep
Purpose
Use past Afternoon Session I questions as "material" for Afternoon Session II essays. Practice converting the business challenges and design decisions found in Afternoon Session I question texts into narrative stories for your own PJ. This also doubles as prep for Afternoon Session I short-answer questions.
Recommended Flow
Phase A: Tag It Yourself (Build Your Judgment)
Don't just hand it off to AI — read the Afternoon Session I past questions yourself first and tag them. The ability to "identify the theme → select an episode" is the most critical skill for the actual exam.
[How to do it]
1. Read 3 past Afternoon Session I questions each for ST and SA (6 total), spending 15 minutes per question
2. For each question, note the following:
- What is the theme of this question? (in one line)
- Which episode from my PJ addresses this? (by ID number)
- If this question appeared in Afternoon Session II, how would I develop it across Questions A–C? (in bullet points)
Phase B: Have AI Suggest Combinations
Pass your tagging results to AI and have it suggest more effective combinations.
[Afternoon Session I → Afternoon Session II Conversion Prompt]
Please read the following Afternoon Session I question and suggest how to develop it
into an Afternoon Session II essay using the memorized project.
■ Exam category: ST / SA (specify one)
■ Afternoon Session I question:
(Paste the question text here)
■ My tagging results:
- Theme: (your analysis)
- Corresponding episodes: (your judgment)
■ Output format:
1. Feedback on my tagging (is it correct? anything missed?)
2. If this Afternoon Session I question appeared in Afternoon Session II, what kind of questions would it become?
3. The optimal combination of episodes from my PJ to use
4. Expressions from the Afternoon Session I question text that "the question-setter favors" and can be reused in an essay
5. Outline draft for the Afternoon Session II essay
Phase C: ST/SA Cross-Utilization (Maximizing Synergy)
As a study method unique to taking both exams, practice "cross-utilization" — using SA Afternoon Session I as material for ST Afternoon Session II, and ST Afternoon Session I as material for SA Afternoon Session II.
| Source (Afternoon Session I) | Target (Afternoon Session II) | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| SA Afternoon I "Non-functional requirements design" | ST Afternoon II, Question B | Material for "how I explained the reliability of this technical foundation to management" |
| SA Afternoon I "Data migration design" | ST Afternoon II, Question C | Material for "negotiating with the business department over system downtime during data migration" |
| ST Afternoon I "IT investment planning" | SA Afternoon II, Question A | Material for contextualizing "the business challenge behind the investment decision" |
| ST Afternoon I "Management decisions for DX promotion" | SA Afternoon II, Question C | Material for "how management evaluated the architecture design" |
List of Expressions to Collect from Afternoon Session I
Afternoon Session I question texts are a treasure trove of "writing styles favored by question-setters." Consciously stock the following types of expressions.
| Situation | Example Expressions to Collect |
|---|---|
| Opening a challenge | "~ was difficult," "~ had become the norm," "~ was causing disruption" |
| Rationale for design decisions | "Taking ~ into consideration," "Based on ~," "From the perspective of ~," "I judged that ~" |
| Describing ingenuity | "What I considered most important was," "So I," "Focusing on ~" |
| Results and challenges | "While ~ improved," "As a future challenge," "Evaluating from the perspective of ~" |
Step 4: Afternoon Session II Prep Using Your Outline
Purpose
Use the outline template to actually write essays, spar with AI, and run a PDCA cycle to improve the outline.
Study Cycle
┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Study Cycle for One Theme │
│ │
│ ① Create outline (create first draft through AI dialogue) │
│ ↓ │
│ ② Write essay (write it yourself based on the outline) │
│ ↓ │
│ ③ Spar (have AI score it using all 8 evaluation criteria) │
│ ↓ │
│ ④ Improve outline (reflect feedback and revise outline) │
│ ↓ │
│ ⑤ Rewrite (rewrite the essay on the same theme with the improved outline) │
│ ↓ │
│ ⑥ Final spar → finalize outline │
│ │
│ ※ Outline improvement: max 3 rounds per theme (to prevent infinite loops) │
│ ※ If still not satisfied after 3 rounds: │
│ → Change the episode combination, or │
│ reconsider the compatibility with the theme │
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Do ST and SA as a Pair on the Same Theme
Each time, write on the same theme in ST → SA order. Experience firsthand how what you wrote for ST can be used directly as "background explanation" in SA.
| Week | Example Theme | ST Focus | SA Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Core system renewal | Renewal policy, negotiation with business departments | Integration architecture design |
| 2 | Data utilization / metric provision | IT strategy and investment for data utilization | Collection and calculation design from multiple systems |
| 3 | DX promotion / non-functional requirements | Organizational transformation, CDO appointment | Performance and availability design |
| 4 | Risk management / change management | Risk management in IT strategy | API change management and impact analysis |
Running the Perspective-Switching Drill
Between essay writing sessions, run the perspective-switching drill created in Step 2.
How to Run It (15 minutes per session)
Step 1: Pick one fact from the drill
Step 2: Write the "ST version" with a 3-minute timer
Step 3: Write the "SA version" with a 3-minute timer
Step 4: Compare with the model answer and check whether the difference in perspective is clear
Step 5: Use the remaining time to repeat with 1–2 more questions
Recommended Frequency
- Once a week during Steps 3–4 (4–5 sessions total)
- Even just re-reading the model answers during spare time (e.g., commuting) is effective
Making Use of Spare Time (Priority Order)
| Priority | Activity | Time Required |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Read ST and SA essays side by side and confirm the difference in perspective | 10 min |
| 2nd | Re-read model answers from the perspective-switching drill | 5 min |
| 3rd | Recite the figures to memorize as a self-quiz | 5 min |
| 4th | Recite the question sheet content as a self-quiz | 3 min |
| 5th | Stock "question-setter-favored expressions" from AI-generated sample answers in a notepad | 5 min |
Step 5: Take the Exam
Exam Schedule Making the Most of the CBT Format
With the CBT format, each subject can be taken on a separate day. Make the most of this advantage.
Recommended Schedule
Week 1: Take Subject A combined exam
ST Subject A-2 + SA Subject A-2 (same day if possible)
※ If Subject A-1 is needed, add it on the same day
※ Instant scoring confirms pass/fail → if failed, cancel Subject B and retry next time
↓ About 1 week (final push period before Subject B)
Week 2: Take 1st Subject B exam (essay)
↓ About 1 week
Week 3: Take 2nd Subject B exam (essay)
Order for Subject B Exams
SA → ST is recommended. However, the reverse order (ST → SA) is also fine depending on your style.
| Order | Advantages | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| SA → ST (recommended) | Technical details for SA benefit from fresh memory. The technical content written for SA becomes the foundation for ST | People with a technical background who want to tackle their stronger subject first |
| ST → SA | After organizing the big picture from the ST management perspective, writing SA technical details flows more smoothly as background explanation | People with a management/planning background who want to lock in the big picture first |