Time managment

Criddy

Hello everyone! So this has been on my mind for awhile and I want to know what you folks think. I just landed a new job and they require that I have my Security+ and Windows 7 test passed before the 45 days are up from my start date. They offer books and pay for the test as well. My concern would be do I have enough time for those two tests? I have been doing Desktop Support and helpdesk work for about 6 years now, but a lot of the security+ questions seem confusing to me. What should I do? Thanks!

FloOz

Are they going to allow you to study during the work day?

Criddy

That I do not know. It is with Dell. I am going to be Tier 2 Helpdesk. Not sure if they are going to train me and expect me to study at home. If they let me do it at work that would make me feel much better.

scaredoftests

Wow 45 days. My work gave me 90 days and a chance to study during the workday. That is a bit much two certs in 45 days.

bull313

With six years of help desk under your belt, the Windows 7 should be a joke. As far as Security+, Professor Messer's videos should make life much easier. Best wishes!

Criddy

Thank you good sir. I will check this out!

DoubleNNs

Depending on your experience, it might be possible.

Skip lunch and use it as study time. You'll have to sacrifice your after work hours and weekends for those 45 days, but realize it's only temporary.

If you're going to watch Professor Messer's videos, you can watch them in VLC player and accelerate teh playback. Watching his videos in 1.5x to 2.0x will save time and you should be able to get the same amount of info out of it. That's what I personally do.

I know for the Sec+ Darril Gibson's book was an easy read and outlined all the objectives for the exam. That book in combination w/ Prof Messer was all I needed to pass, and w/ a pretty high score.

I don't have any Win 7 experience however, so I'm unable to comment on that.

Good luck!

Criddy

Thanks a lot I will check into those two items. I haven't started the job yet. I still have a few weeks so I am trying to get a head start on this. You folks have been a big help. I appreciate it!

Criddy

Do you guys know were I can get this information or buy it?

DoubleNNs

Get what info?

DonM34

Professor messer videos are free just google his name. You can go to Barnes and Nobles for Darril Gibson book, or sign up to his forum he will give you helpful tips. Honestly, I've started my Security+ Studies after Christmas and i'm on the 5.0 section. Security + Exam will take time because it deal with some heavy networking security protocols. As for the Window 7 exam, that should be a piece of cake, since your already in the field.

Criddy

Sec+ Darril Gibson's book and Prof Messer

Criddy

Awesome thanks! I will go check that out. I am wanting to knock this out as fast as possible so I can focus on other things related to the job

DoubleNNs

You have to be on the Internet in order to post on the forum.

Simply type the terms into Google and look at the very first search results.

Criddy

I got it thanks. I was at work and was unable to really surf the internet. I was doing this on my phone when I had a free minute. Thanks for being helpful

aftereffector

45 days? You've got this! It might take some long nights but you can easily pull it off. Security+ doesn't cover any particularly difficult material - just a lot of it - and once you understand the way they want you to think, you will understand all about risk management and security controls. The rest is just familiarization with some concepts and technologies. As bull313 said, with your extensive helpdesk background, Windows 7 won't be a big challenge for you either. Good luck and let us know how it goes!

Criddy

Thanks a bunch! I went to Barns n Noble to check out the book, but they were sold out and couldn't find it anywhere else. So I bought the CompTIA Security+ Certification Study Guide. Already started digging through it and once I am finished I will start with the videos online.