Transcender tests? Worth Studying?

NickG

I picked up Darril's book like everybody has suggested, so far it's looking like a pretty easy read, I am up seven chapters through it.

Got some Transcender tests and have started to use them but, they are almost confusing me more.

Anybody know if the Transcender tests helped them out any more then just studying Darril's book. Just curious.

Been studying for almost a month now, test is coming up on the 15th. Will be frank and say I am a bit nervous about it, especially since the next time I could take it wouldn't be till AFTER Jan of 2011.

Plantwiz

Welcome!


You should focus on the objectives and knowing these.
This exam is geared toward candidates with 2years of experience, so a couple texts and some practical knowledge should do the trick.

Many here like Darril's book. I prefer the Sybex text.

If you simply are looking for a light review, the Passport series or Exam Cram may be more fitting as your second text.

If you want my opinion, (and you'll get it regardless ). I would skip the practice tests and focus on the objectives. One's goal should be becoming proficient in the material and not practiced in answering questions (over and over and over).

I'm sure you'll hear from others here and you may search your question on the forum as it has been asked by many before you (though the dates are different the context of your question is not an unfamilar one here).

If you are ready, take the exam and be confident. Once you pass, you may be done, but only if you have a career that doesn't require you to keep your SEC+ current (see other posts on this subject).

If you need to move the test date until Jan 2011...so it goes. It won't be the end of the world, and if you are sticking in Security, than this will not be your last security exam, nor the will it likely be the last time you take (or are required to take) the Sec+ for clearence.

Do your best
Have fun

joshmadakor

NickG wrote: »

I picked up Darril's book like everybody has suggested, so far it's looking like a pretty easy read, I am up seven chapters through it.

Got some Transcender tests and have started to use them but, they are almost confusing me more.

Anybody know if the Transcender tests helped them out any more then just studying Darril's book. Just curious.

Been studying for almost a month now, test is coming up on the 15th. Will be frank and say I am a bit nervous about it, especially since the next time I could take it wouldn't be till AFTER Jan of 2011.

I used Transcender and Darril's book. I scored an 855 on Security+. Transcender did help me for a few questions, however I *probably* would have passed without it.

My advice is to use it if you already have it. And make use of the explanations it gives for the answers and get to know the objectives well.

NickG

Well I passed just by enough. 789 score (750 being passing)

I can say two things now,

1.) Screw the transcender tests, they don't help

2.) You can pass with Darril's book alone but I suggest not just glossing over the parts about risk assessment / vulnerability assessments or really glossing over any of the material in the book if you can help it. I myself, got so focused on the crypto/encryption stuff that I didn't study the "common sense" stuff probably as much as I should have.

erpadmin

NickG wrote: »

Well I passed just by enough. 789 score (750 being passing)

I can say two things now,

1.) Screw the transcender tests, they don't help

2.) You can pass with Darril's book alone but I suggest not just glossing over the parts about risk assessment / vulnerability assessments or really glossing over any of the material in the book if you can help it. I myself, got so focused on the crypto/encryption stuff that I didn't study the "common sense" stuff probably as much as I should have.

Consider that your "lessons learned" (something you'll see in Project+ if you ever have to take it... ).

Congratulations! Welcome to the club!!

Devilsbane

I was always a firm believer in Transcender's. The last several tests I've been so focused on the material that I run out of time and really only end up running through them once or twice. Security+ was one of those tests. And with the number of questions in Darril's book, it is completely not needed. Spend the $30 on his book (even if you want to use the sybex book as Plantwiz likes) and save the $100 on Transcender. Plus it's an excellent read.

NickG

erpadmin wrote: »

Consider that your "lessons learned" (something you'll see in Project+ if you ever have to take it... ).

Congratulations! Welcome to the club!!

Ugh, yeah project management is one of those things people keep telling me i should get into and I keep avoiding it like the plague.

Probably gonna look into a MCSA, MCSE or CCNA next since at least with the MCSA/MCSE, Security+ qualifies as one of the tests you have to take to get the certification

Krusty_47

I used the Transcender exam for my Network +. I found it do be much harder than the actual test. The answers that are given are similar in format to the ones in Darril's book. I think they are pretty decent. As a caveat I will say that I do get them for free through my employer and I wouldn't spend the extra money on them.

I've read through Darril's book once and I'm taking the test on Monday. I would say so far that as long as you can do well on the questions in the book you'll do fine on the test. No need to spend the extra money on the transcender exams.

Mike-Mike

I used Transcender for ITIL, A+, and Net+ and as stated above, they were always much harder than the actual test...

that being said, I found Transcender very helpful for ITIL, not so much for the other two... big fan of Sybex over here...

I have Darril's book, finished with Chapter 7, but I also have the testing cds from Sybex, and I am finding them to very helpful

earweed

I'm using the Transcender for the 70-647 as a gage. Took a custom test with the first halfs objectives only and picked up on some of my weak spots. Practice tests aren't meant to be studied but some people use them that way and it's effective for them.