Hey y’all! In the spirit of PESOS, I’m posting an edited (read: improved) version of my LinkedIn post with all the links they wouldn’t let me include. Enjoy!
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Security+ Resources and Study Guide
I get a lot of questions on what resources I used to pass the CompTIA Security+ exam, so I decided to post this publicly. I used these to prepare for the SY0-601, but as far as I know, they have all been updated for the SY0-701.
Study Approach
I started with the Exam Objectives and promptly got overwhelmed. Studying directly from this did not help me, but what did help was the list of acronyms at the bottom. Any acronyms on this list could show up on the test unexplained (“A. Install a NGFW”), so make sure you at least know what each one stands for. There’s plenty of Quizlets related to this, or you could make your own flashcards.
Tip: Creating my flashcards by hand helped me retain what I learned for longer.
Training Material
I watched Professor Messer’s YouTube playlist, which is fantastic at breaking big concepts down. I lacked prior knowledge in computer networking so I rewatched those videos multiple times. I’ve also heard good things about Jason Dion’s Udemy course, but I tried it out and it wasn’t for me. I didn’t use any books, as my learning style is incompatible, but the best one seems to be Darril Gibson’s Get Certified Get Ahead. I also used CompTIA Security+ by LearnZapp to quiz myself on my phone, away from my notes.
Performance-based Questions
The best resource I found for this is CyberKraft’s playlist on YouTube. There were also a few examples in the practice tests below. My best advice is, don’t panic, and remember you can skip them and come back later. ==The multiple-choice questions further on in the exam may help you answer some of these.==
Practice Exams
I used ExamCompass (free) and Professor Messer’s ($30). These are very close to the real test, especially Messer’s. I’ve also heard good things about Jason Dion’s and CrucialExams’ tests. If you get a passing grade on one of these in 90 minutes or less, you’re more than prepared.
Disclaimer
I was in school studying cybersecurity when I passed my exam. I think this list of resources should still be helpful, but I had extra foundational knowledge I was learning through my classes and my IT HelpDesk work. You can replicate the same experience using any free online classes posted by large companies or reputable universities. Watch the first lesson and then fact-check to make sure the information provided is accurate.
Good luck!
Wrap-Up
There you have it. Did I discourage you from taking the test entirely? Did I inspire you? How did your test go? Let me know. As always, thanks for reading!