Following the path to success in the IT career landscape involves careful planning and how you invest your time and money into all of the right resources. A large percentage of those who want to begin their IT careers will agree that obtaining a certificate validating their overall skill set is the very first step they need to take to establish their status within their chosen profession. When I began my process, I was overwhelmed with information; I consumed countless resources and still didn’t feel a sense of progress. It wasn’t until I started using CompTIA exam questions that I began to see where to focus my studies on the most important areas of knowledge, as well as building the confidence to take the actual examination.
The truth is that you can benefit from using textbooks as an initial resource when preparing for a career in IT but they won’t get you very far. You must learn to apply your knowledge to solve real-world challenges, especially in a very dynamic and rapidly evolving industry like IT. The best way to learn to solve real-world challenges is to combine your study of the material with your hands-on experience in the industry. Throughout this guide I will share my strategies for successfully passing my CompTIA certifications, explain how selecting the right study tools will assist you greatly in your job search, and identify what I believe to be the best option for successfully preparing for your IT career.
Understanding the CompTIA Exam
Before designing your study techniques for the CompTIA exams, you must be clear about what CompTIA intends to measure in each exam. These tests are designed to evaluate your ability to work in the capacity of an entry-level or mid-range IT worker; thus, assessing your theoretical competence (e.g., answering questions correctly) and your reasoning based ability (e.g., demonstrating how to use logical reasoning with step-by-step process).
The Security+ SY0-701 Exam Format
The time allotted to complete the CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 Certification Examination is 90 minutes – during which candidates have the opportunity to take up to 90 (Ninety) Questions. Approximately 1 (One) Minute is given to answer each question (this time may seem limited based on the amount of preparation done by the individual). There are 2 (Two) types of Questions on the Exam: Choice Questions and Performance Questions; performance questions are defined as problem-solving “hands-on” exercises performed within a mock (simulated) environment such as designing a secure network or diagnosing faulty hardware in a Computer System.
When reviewing CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 Exam Questions and Answers, the reader should note that the primary focus of CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 Questions/Test Format is to be demonstrated through practical application. One must achieve a score equal to or exceeding 750 (Seven Hundred Fifty) points out of a possible 900 (Nine Hundred) points in order to pass the examination. The Exam may be taken either at an Authorized Testing Facility or through online Remote Proctored Testing conducted from your own home. Knowing this information prior to testing, the student/test taker should be able to determine the appropriate steps to take (preparation) to prepare for taking the examination successfully.
Most Important Topics of Study for the Cybersecurity Exam
The cybersecurity exam is divided into several categories based on one of the major areas of the Information Technology Industry. The main categories of knowledge required to successfully complete the exam are as follows:
- Threat/Vulnerability: Recognize malware, social engineering, and vulnerabilities within a computing environment.
- Architecture/Design: Building a secure digital/IT environment (including cloud and hybrid environments).
- Implementation: Identifying a process for implementing firewalls, encryption, and identity management software/tools.
- Operations: Monitoring your systems and responding to a security incident/issue.
- Governance: Regulatory compliance, company policies/regulations, and applicable laws.
The weights given to the categories may differ. For example, some may provide 25% of the exam, but others may only provide 15% of the exam. For a full list of objectives and other relevant information, visit the CompTIA website (https://www.comptia.org).
The Authority of CompTIA in the IT World
The CompTIA certifications are highly regarded in the IT Industry. The vendor-neutral aspect of these certifications means that everything learned through CompTIA is applicable to virtually every type of Hardware or Software regardless if you use Microsoft, Linux or Apple. Employers appreciate this because it indicates that you are an Individual that is flexible and able to work in diverse settings.
As a result of this Vendor Neutrality, over time these certifications have become part of the standard criteria for many Job Roles. When you search for Job postings in IT Support or Security Analyst, you’ll most likely see the CompTIA certifications as a requirement. The CompTIA examination passes the Global Standard for knowledge which makes you an attractive applicant for any Technology Position.
My Preparation Journey
When I first began preparing, I relied on a variety of sources. I took online courses, and I also purchased two different study guides. They provided me with a good base of knowledge to get me started, but I still felt anxious about the actual exam itself, so I turned to several different online communities for assistance. Most of those who had already taken and passed the exam all provided me with similar advice regarding how to prepare for the exam; basically, the consensus was that the best method to prepare for the exam is to continually test yourself.
Why Practice Quizzes are a Secret Weapon
I found that taking practice quizzes was the only way to know if I was actually ready. These quizzes showed me exactly which areas I was struggling with. Instead of wasting time on things I already knew, I could focus my energy on my weak spots. Using CompTIA Exam Questions as a study tool allowed me to get comfortable with the wording and the pressure of a timed test.
Learning the reasoning behind how to answer questions is also essential. Every time I answered a question incorrectly, I would spend time reviewing the explanation until I understood why my answer was wrong. Therefore, I viewed every incorrect answer as an opportunity to learn. By the time I actually took the exam, I had reviewed so many different types of questions that nothing could have caught me off guard.
Recommended Study Resources
The effectiveness of the platform you choose to prepare for your certification exam can greatly impact the outcomes of your success. Certification-Exam “Exam Mode” and “Practice Mode” are tools that mimic the experience of taking a certification exam in real-time. These tools allow you to personalize their way of studying for their exam, while also giving you in-depth explanations for your wrong answers. Certification-Exam allows you to stay focused on your hardest areas of study, using an ad-free format with the ability to bookmark these areas for future reference.
You can view your progress with AI tracking, which also suggests areas you may need to spend more time improving. Read through materials more quickly and comfortably with Auto-learning and Auto-scroll tools built into the system. With Search capability, you can quickly find a single answer instead of searching through hundreds of pages in a textbook.
The site is globally accessible and offers a mobile app for studying on the go. You can download PDF files for offline use, which is perfect for reviewing when you do not have an internet connection. They also offer a demo mode so you can see the quality of the CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 exam questions and answers before you commit to a purchase. With fair pricing and constant customer support, it provides a very reliable way to get ready for your test.
Time Management Strategies
Finding the time to study is sometimes one of the biggest barriers to studying effectively. My most productive time studying was when I scheduled my study blocks like a typical nine-to-five job. I blocked out certain hours on my calendar and followed through on those time slots. I also applied Pomodoro Study Techniques: 25 minutes of focused studying followed by a 5-minute break provides a more sustainable pace and memory retention.
I also made sure to include review sessions in my schedule. Every Sunday, I would go back and take a quiz on everything I had learned that week. This helped move the information from my short-term memory into my long-term memory. Integrating CompTIA Exam Questions into these review sessions ensured that I was always ready for the format of the actual test.
Conclusion
Getting certified is an excellent method to grow your career. The certification exam will require hard work and dedication, but it will all be worth the effort at the end of the day. If you understand how the exam is structured, have a basic understanding of the major concepts, and have good study materials available to you, then you should have no doubt that you can pass the exam with flying colors.
A very important thing to consider: all certifiers started off as beginners. So don’t be discouraged if the topic appears too difficult or intimidating — take baby steps, use the quizzes and preparatory materials from the best educators in the business, and you will succeed! Make your first step today, keep focused and continue to work hard, and you will reach your goals before you know it!