How much overlap with Security+?

ratbuddy

I've got Network+ and Security+ to do, and I'm wondering how much the real tests overlap. Chose this section because Security+ seems to have more traffic :P

Think it's better to study for both at once, and take both in the same session, or are they different enough that it'd be better to study and take one at a time?

YFZblu

I took the 301 Security+ exam in 2011, and IIRC about 60% of the questions from Sec+ could have also been on Net+ as well.

DoubleNNs

I think you should focus on 1 at a time. But take them in close succession.

A lot of the concepts from the Net+ carry over to the Security+. I wouldn't say anywhere near as much as 60%, but a great deal. Maybe 1/3.

I also believe if you did the Net+ first, you'd find the Sec+ to be a piece of cake. I recommend Darril Gibson's book. That combined w/ Professor Messer's videos were all I needed to pass my Sec+.

jvrlopez

I believe you'd notice more overlap if you did Network+ first and then followed it up with Security+.

Darril

As others have said, there is a lot of overlap. However, I wouldn't recommend studying for both at once. CompTIA typically stresses different perspectives on the different exams so studying for both at the same time might cause some confusion.

The best order is Network+ first and Security+ second and as others have said, if you do the Network+ first, the Security+ is much easier.

Hope this helps.

aftereffector

I did Sec+ first and then Net+ to give myself an introduction to network concepts before diving into the world of Cisco. Sec+ had a lot more to do with concepts of security - risk assessments and such - but I definitely noticed a lot of overlap in the security chapters at the end of my Net+ study book.

ratbuddy

Well, I scheduled Network+ for next Tuesday, and will schedule Security+ for later in the week, rather than sitting both at once. Thanks for the input.

jvrlopez

Good luck to you on both exams.

Mind if I ask what is your study regimen?

ratbuddy

Wish I could say I used some awesome method that works every time, but I don't. For Network+, I started reading the Exam Cram book, got bored on page one, and switched to Professor Messer. I've been watching one season each day, and I feel like I have a good grasp on the topics.

For Security+, I'm reading bits of Darril's book, and I'll probably do the Messer videos next week before the test.

I have no IT work experience, but I have been playing with computers for quite a long time, so much of my studying is just to solidify concepts I already kinda sorta knew.

zidian

For the Professor Messer videos, do you guys just do the free version or purchase the others?

DoubleNNs

All the Professor Messer videos are available for free. If you were to pay, you'd just get higher quality versions of the same videos that you can download for offline viewing.

A majority of his viewers use the videos freely accessible.

jvrlopez

A coworker of mine studying for Security+ used them off Youtube.