Reiwa 1 / Heisei 31 (2019) IT Passport Past Exam Trends and Frequently Tested Topics
An analysis of 200 past exam questions from the 2019 Heisei 31 spring and Reiwa 1 fall exams, broken down by field and keyword. Summarizes the frequently tested topics for 2019, including 10 security questions, 8 project management questions, and 7 IoT questions.
Prerequisites for the Heisei 31 / Reiwa 1 Exams
2019 was the year of the era name change. The first half (spring) was administered as Heisei 31, and the second half (fall) as Reiwa 1. The spring exam consisted of 100 questions with the exam code 2019h31h. The fall exam also consisted of 100 questions with the exam code 2019r01a. A total of 200 questions were analyzed.
Distribution of Questions by Field (2019)
| Field | Spring + Fall | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Strategy | 70 questions | 35% |
| Management | 40 questions | 20% |
| Technology | 90 questions | 45% |
The 35:20:45 ratio was maintained throughout both the spring and fall 2019 exams. This same balance continues in the year-round exams from Reiwa 3 onward.
Number of Questions by Keyword in 2019
Security had 10 questions, making it the most frequently tested field in 2019 as well. Project management had 8 questions, the highest number in the past five years. IoT recorded a high of 7 questions, on par with the high levels seen in Reiwa 3 through 7. Cryptography had 4 questions, the most in the past five years. Agile also had 4 questions, setting a five-year high. AI was relatively low at 3 questions, reflecting the period before generative AI became widespread. RPA had 2 questions, during its early stages. Authentication had 2 questions, personal information had 1, and Cloud/BCP had 0 questions.
Characteristics of the 2019 Exams
The "Spring/Fall" System Before Year-Round CBT
Up until the 2019 academic year, the exam was administered as a fixed twice-yearly event (spring and fall). 2020 was an unusual year, with only an October administration due to COVID-19. From 2021, it was converted to a year-round CBT format.
High Number of Project Management Questions
Project management had 8 questions, the highest in the past five years. The questions focused on WBS, PERT, stakeholders, and risk management. For preparation, it is recommended to study PMBOK, WBS, and Gantt Charts and Agile Development and Scrum.
Cryptography and Agile at a Five-Year High
Cryptography had 4 questions, covering the basics of public keys, private keys, and hashing. Agile also had 4 questions, focusing on Scrum, XP, and pair programming. Basics of Encryption and Agile Development and Scrum are helpful for preparation.
Few AI Questions
In 2019, there were only 3 AI-related questions. This was before the era of generative AI (ChatGPT was released in 2022), and the focus was on the basics of machine learning.
IoT Frequently Tested from an Early Stage
IoT was already a major topic with 7 questions in 2019, showing that the trend was well-established.
Top 5 Frequently Tested Topics in 2019
- Security (10 questions) — Consistently the most frequent topic as in previous years.
For preparation, studying Summary of Cyber Attack Types and Basics of Encryption is a sure bet. - Project Management (8 questions) — Highest in the past five years.
Preparation centers on PMBOK, WBS, and Gantt Charts. - IoT (7 questions) — An established trend.
Review the basics on the What is IoT? page. - Cryptography and Agile (4 questions each) — Highest in the past five years.
Preparation requires both Basics of Encryption and Agile Development and Scrum. - Accounting and Business Strategy
Value as Past Exam Practice
While the exam format has changed from the fixed spring/fall schedule, the question trends are still applicable today. With 200 questions available for practice, you can ensure thorough preparation. However, be cautious of outdated current affairs topics (such as old law names) and reinterpret them as needed.
Related Articles
Related articles include Reiwa 4 Past Exam Trends and Frequently Tested Topics, Reiwa 5 Past Exam Trends and Frequently Tested Topics, Reiwa 6 Past Exam Trends and Frequently Tested Topics, Reiwa 7 (2025) Past Exam Trends and Frequently Tested Topics, and Summary of Exam Trends for the Past 5 Years (2021-2025). Consulting these articles will deepen your understanding.
Summary
2019 was the year with the highest number of questions on "Project Management, Cryptography, and Agile." You can secure a sufficient amount of practice with 200 questions. The Heisei 31 spring exam can be reviewed on the 2019h31h Past Exam Page, and the Reiwa 1 fall exam on the 2019r01a Past Exam Page. If you want to test your skills in a real-exam format, please use the Practice Exam.
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