40 days to A+, 48 days to Net+

Newbie here. I'm prepping for both the above mentioned exams to be taken one week apart. I've got a number of different study materials (texts, Testout, cert software, CompTia exam objectives) and I have to keep reorganizing the way I study to make sure I am making the best use of the time. I'd like to find some better practice exams, I've been told it is best to take as many as possible. Any tips?

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veritas_libertas

ktrose wrote: »

Newbie here. I'm prepping for both the above mentioned exams to be taken one week apart. I've got a number of different study materials (texts, Testout, cert software, CompTia exam objectives) and I have to keep reorganizing the way I study to make sure I am making the best use of the time. I'd like to find some better practice exams, I've been told it is best to take as many as possible. Any tips?

Welcome to TE!

ktrose

Thanks, Veritas.

veritas_libertas

To answer your earlier question I prefer to start by reading two books on the subject/certification that I am studying. While reading them I will make notes for areas/pages that I am having difficulty grasping. After I am done reading the books I will go back and study the pages/areas that I found difficult. Finally I do practice tests to find out where I am the weakest at. I also make flash cards for ports and protocols that need to be simply memorized.

Feel free to ask questions on TE, we love answering questions

Plantwiz

ktrose wrote: »

Newbie here. I'm prepping for both the above mentioned exams to be taken one week apart.

Welcome and best wishes on your goals!

I've got a number of different study materials (texts, Testout, cert software, CompTia exam objectives) and I have to keep reorganizing the way I study to make sure I am making the best use of the time.

Multiple sources are always recommend, just be careful not to 'over' do it. Nothing beats experience. Meyers and Sybex texts have been around a long time and have been proven overtime to be great resources. So, if you have at least one of those and another source...should be fine. Hopefully, you have the experience to backup all the extra studying though

CBT Nuggets and TrainSignal have some excellent videos if you prefer to learn via video. Both have their strengths, search the forums for comments by our members or check out the two websites for the sample content they provide.

I'd like to find some better practice exams, I've been told it is best to take as many as possible. Any tips?

Not sure who would tell you to take practice exams...surely it was never I. It is NOT good practice to find as many as possible and use them as a means to prepare for an exam. That's bordering on cheating...NOW, if you used the practice exams from your texts to measure your knowledge before you study and then the test from another book just before you schedule your exam to see how well you understand the material....then you'll benefit.

But to search our practice exams to merely memorize answers so you don't have learn the material properly

...skip the certificaiton exams and save yourself them money.

Once you get beyond these easy certifications, you'll understand how valuable LEARNING the material is to you and your career. Don't be a paper cert.

ktrose

Plantwiz wrote: »

But to search our practice exams to merely memorize answers so you don't have learn the material properly...skip the certificaiton exams and save yourself them money.

Once you get beyond these easy certifications, you'll understand how valuable LEARNING the material is to you and your career. Don't be a paper cert.

By no means do I intend to be a "paper cert". I've been studying Net+ off and on for a year, and now that I've decided to take the exam things have gotten a lot more intensive.

I had no idea there were practice exams here. Doubtful that anyone would be able to graft from any and pass their certification exam. When I asked the question I was wondering which vendor-based ones other people have used. So please don't assume that I don't know the importance of learning.

*Seriously rethinking joining this message board*

Essendon

ktrose wrote: »

By no means do I intend to be a "paper cert". I've been studying Net+ off and on for a year, and now that I've decided to take the exam things have gotten a lot more intensive.

I had no idea there were practice exams here. Doubtful that anyone would be able to graft from any and pass their certification exam. When I asked the question I was wondering which vendor-based ones other people have used. So please don't assume that I don't know the importance of learning.

*Seriously rethinking joining this message board*

Hey, dont get Plantwiz wrong. On these forums we strongly advise against using illegitimate material, that's all that was said. Plantwiz just wanted to drive home the point.

I started studying for my certs about a year and a half ago and have collected the ones under my avatar with immense help from these forums. Some great folks on board here, always helpful.

We hope you enjoy your time here.

Plantwiz

ktrose wrote: »

..By no means do I intend to be a "paper cert".....

Then you shouldn't have anything to worry about.

Use a practice test, maybe two (one to begin, one to end just before your exam) as a tool, not a crutch. You did post the question on where to find 'more tests' though, correct? Too many use them as a crutch and for too many years I've worked with folks 'claiming' to be something they are not, then once they get hit with a real world problem their true colors show.

For NET+ there is a handy PDF TechNote you can review.

As far as participating here or not, that is purely your choice. There are some extremely talented folks (dynamik, this one guy kimanyd...hasn't been around though; eMeS, JD, Turgon, etc...), you'll be the one missing out, and we'll miss out on your contributions. Do what you need to do.

Lirin

Back to back? How do you keep your head straight?

JoJoCal19

Ill have to second Plantwiz.

Really I think practice exams are not even good for guaging how well you know the material. Rather they are good for getting you into "test mode" and maybe helping with any nerves you may have. The best way to make sure you know the material and that you will be able to pass is to print out whatever the objectives are, and then re-read and study the objective material. If you know the objectives thoroughly then youll pass. Simple as that.

I aced the couple of practice exams I took for Network+ with mid 90's and I barely passed the actual exam.

ktrose

Lirin wrote: »

Back to back? How do you keep your head straight?

I tend to set the bar high when I do things, just to see if they can be done

ktrose

Passed both exams today.

Now on to the Microsoft exams..

Bl8ckr0uter

ktrose wrote: »

Passed both exams today.

Now on to the Microsoft exams..

Good job. Which MS exams are up next?