Visual Learning

22 diagrams, decision trees, interactive stepthroughs, and mental models — designed to make AIP-C01 concepts stick by showing, not just telling.

10 patterns · 4 trees · 3 stepthroughs · 5 mental models

How to use this section

Patterns are the architectures you'll need to recognize on the exam. Each has a diagram, service table, "when to use / when NOT to use" bullets, exam callouts, and cross-links.

Decision trees help you route from a stem's keywords to the right answer — which vector store, which deployment, which cost lever, which RAG fix.

Stepthroughs are click-to-advance sequences. Use these when you need to internalize order of operations (RAG query flow, agent ReAct loop, defense-in-depth trace).

Mental models are the intuition layer. You don't memorize them — you use them to quickly pattern-match unfamiliar questions to familiar concepts.

10 architecture patterns

Patterns

The 10 GenAI architectures most heavily tested on the AIP-C01. Each page has a detailed SVG diagram, when-to-use / when-NOT-to-use bullets, services table, exam traps, and keyword pills.

4 decision trees

Decision Trees

Hand-drawn routing guides. Match the question's keywords to the right branch, follow it down to the recommended answer.

3 interactive stepthroughs

Stepthroughs

Click-to-advance sequences. Active components pulse, completed steps fade, floating tokens show what's being passed. Use and to navigate. Best for learning order of operations.

5 mental models

Mental Models

Hand-drawn metaphor sketches for the abstract concepts. Not technically rigorous — intentionally. The goal is intuition you can summon in seconds when a question needs it.

Recommended study order

Step 1: Skim all 5 mental models. Budget: 20 minutes. These are the conceptual foundation.

Step 2: Walk through the 3 stepthroughs. Budget: 30 minutes. Internalize the flows.

Step 3: Work through each of the 10 pattern pages, paying attention to the "when NOT to use" bullets — they're the exam traps. Budget: 60-90 minutes.

Step 4: Use the 4 decision trees as reference during practice questions. Budget: as needed.

Total visual-learning budget: ~2 hours, spread across a few sessions. Come back during the T-7 day countdown for refresh.