About this event
Network Design covers planning, installing, configuring, securing, and administering networks, plus network protocols, services, and access. Team event (1 to 3 members). Every member takes the test on their own and the team's scores are averaged. How it runs: everyone first takes a 50-minute, 100-question multiple-choice objective test. At the National Leadership Conference the top 15 test scores advance to the final round, a role play: you get a business scenario, 20 minutes to prepare with two notecards, and then 7 minutes to present your solution to judges, who can ask questions during the role play. The role play asks you to design a network solution that meets an organization's needs. Only the role play score decides the winners; the test score is used to break ties. At regional and state levels some states run only the test, so check your state's rules.
FormatTest, then Role Play
DurationTest: 50 minutes, 100 multiple-choice questions. Finals (top 15): 20 minutes prep, then a 7-minute role play
Solo or teamTeam event
CategoryInformation Technology
Your plan
How to study
Built from the official topic outline. Take the check and read every lesson here with no account; a free account keeps your progress and opens flashcards, practice and full tests.
Find your weakest area
Take the 5-question check below: one question from each of the 5 areas. It tells you where to start.
Start the checkLearn every area
Every area of the official topic outline is below. Each has a short lesson, flashcards and practice, plus free reading.
See the areasPractice until every bar is full
Practice gives you one question at a time and leans toward the areas you miss. Your readiness meter fills as you get them right in every area.
PracticeTake a full test at the real pace
100 questions in 50 minutes, the official length. Your readiness meter counts your last 3 full tests from the past 30 days, and 90% fills each one.
Take a practice testRehearse the role play
Draw a practice card, prep on the official 20-minute clock, then present for 7 minutes. The judge scores it on the official rating sheet and says what to fix.
Practice the role play
The areas of the test
Network Installation and Configuration
Network Security and Recovery
- Article · Ready.govReady.gov: IT Disaster Recovery Plan (opens in a new tab)
- Reference · NISTNIST SP 800-34 Rev. 1: Contingency Planning Guide for Federal Information Systems (opens in a new tab)
- Book · OpenStaxFoundations of Information Systems, 5.1: The Importance of Network Security (opens in a new tab)
Network Administration
- Reference · BLSBLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Network and Computer Systems Administrators (opens in a new tab)
- Reference · NISTNIST SP 800-40 Rev. 4: Guide to Enterprise Patch Management Planning (opens in a new tab)
- Book · OpenStaxFoundations of Information Systems, 1.2: Frameworks of Knowledge and Industry Standards (ITIL, COBIT) (opens in a new tab)
Network Protocols, Services, and Access
Free reading comes from open textbooks, government health and business sites, free courses and professional associations, never a copy of a book or a test. Every link was checked on November 9, 2026.
Start here
Find your weakest area
5 questions, one from each of the areas of the Network Design test. Each one is graded the moment you answer, with the reason, and the last screen tells you which area to study first. No account needed.
Judging
What judges score
- Demonstrates understanding of the role play and defines the problems to be solved10
- Identifies alternatives and the pros and cons of each20
- Identifies a logical solution and aspects of implementation20
- Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of the event knowledge areas, network installation and configuration, network security and recovery, and network administration20
Delivery Skills
- Statements are well organized and clearly stated10
- Displays confidence, poised body language, engaging eye contact and effective voice projection10
- Demonstrates the ability to effectively answer questions10
Total 100 points
Test day
What to expect
Test first, then a role play for finalists
Every competitor takes a 50-minute, 100-question multiple-choice test. At nationals the top 15 test scores (team scores are averaged) advance to the role play round, and only the role play score decides the winners. The test score breaks ties.
Machine-scored
Tests are machine-scored. Questions are drawn from the official FBLA topic outline for this event, across all of its topic areas. Expect a mix of recall (definitions, formulas), application (scenario-based), and analysis questions.
Top scorers advance
Top finishers at regionals advance to states, and top finishers at states qualify for the National Leadership Conference (NLC). How many advance depends on your state's rules. Study the official FBLA topic outline, which lists the subject areas the test covers.
Test format
- Time limit50 minutes
- Questions100 multiple choice
- OptionsA, B, C, D, one correct
- GuessingNo penalty, always answer
- Team testMember scores averaged
Competition levels: Regional Leadership Conference, then State Leadership Conference, then National Leadership Conference
Guidelines and resources
Bookmark to saveCurated by ChapterPrep. Free unless noted. External links open in a new tab.