Pass CompTIA Cert A+, Network+ and Security+ certs on the first attempt

5 min readFeb 12, 2024

Introduction

Hello, Medium readers! Today, I’m excited to share my journey from being completely zero in IT (no work experience and education in IT) to successfully earning CompTIA Cert A+, Network+ and Security+ certifications. I’ll walk you through the steps I took, highlighting the resources that were instrumental in passing exams.

Step 1: Lay the Foundation with Professor Messer

The first step in my journey was diving into Professor Messer’s lectures. These are freely available and provide a comprehensive overview of the basics. My approach was to listen without taking notes, focusing on grasping the concepts. You can find these lectures at Professor Messer’s website.

Step 2: Deepen Understanding with Mike Meyers on Udemy

Next, I turned to Mike Meyers’ courses on Udemy. While these are paid courses, they often go on sale, usually once a month, for about $30. Like with Professor Messer’s lectures, I listened to these without taking notes, allowing the information to naturally sink in. Mike Meyers’ courses can be found here.

Step 3: Review with CompTIA Exam Objectives and Anki Cards

CompTIA exam objectives are detailed outlines provided by CompTIA for each of their certification exams. These objectives clearly list the specific topics, skills, and areas of knowledge that are covered in the exam. They serve as a comprehensive guide to what you need to know to prepare for and successfully pass the exam.

After completing the lectures, I reviewed the CompTIA Exam Objectives document, ensuring I understood each concept. This step also involved going through a list of abbreviations contained in the document. For concepts that were challenging, I used ChatGPT to get explanations, which was incredibly helpful. I then created Anki memory cards for each concept and abbreviation that I did not know, ending up with around 250 cards per exam. Anki is a fantastic tool for this, and you can check it out here.

Step 4: Practice Exams by Dion Training Solutions

The fourth step involved taking practice exams provided by Dion Training Solutions, available on Udemy. These exams helped me identify areas where I needed more understanding. After each practice test, I reviewed both the incorrect and correct answers to understand my reasoning behind each choice. If necessary, I created additional Anki cards. Dion’s courses can be found here.

Step 5: Utilize Cyberkraft for Practice-Based Questions

CompTIA exams are structured in two distinct parts: multiple-choice questions and Performance-Based Questions (PBQs). The PBQs are particularly crucial as they require candidates to actively engage in performing tasks or solving problems within a simulated environment. These questions are designed to test practical skills and real-world application of knowledge. For instance, you might be tasked with configuring networks or troubleshooting security issues.

To practice this type of questions, I leveraged Cyberkraft’s YouTube videos, which focus on practice-based questions (PBQs). The channel stands out for teaching the strategic thinking needed for these questions. It explains how to approach PBQs logically and methodically, breaking down complex scenarios into manageable steps.

Watching each video at least twice for each exam solidified my understanding and prepared me for the format of the actual exams. Please note that Cyberkraft PBQs are more difficult than ones appear on the real exam. Cyberkraft’s channel is available here.

Step 6: Taking the Exam

When you’re doing your CompTIA exam, having a smart strategy for navigating the questions is key.

Begin by skipping the Performance-Based Questions (PBQs) that appear at the start of the exam. Mark them for review so you can easily return to them later. PBQs are typically more time-consuming, and addressing them first can be overwhelming.

Proceed with answering the multiple-choice questions. If you encounter any that seem particularly challenging, don’t hesitate to skip and mark these as well for review.

Once you have answered all the questions, circle back to the ones you marked for review, starting with the PBQs. By this time, having warmed up with the multiple-choice questions, you might find yourself better prepared to tackle the complex PBQs.

After completing the marked questions, if time permits, do a final review of all your answers. This is your opportunity to make sure you have answered everything to the best of your ability and to change any answers if you have new insights or second thoughts.

Final Advice: Choosing the Right Hardware for Your CompTIA Exam

Before I conclude, I’d like to share a crucial piece of advice regarding the hardware you use for your CompTIA exams. Based on my personal experience, this could make a significant difference in your exam experience.

I took two CompTIA exams on a Mac with an M2 chip. Despite successful test simulations, I encountered unexpected issues during the actual exam. The exam simulator app ran quite slowly and had bugs on the Apple silicon. This added an unnecessary layer of stress and complication to the exam process.

My recommendation: Opt for an Intel and Windows-based environment for taking the exam. These systems seem to run the exam simulator app more smoothly and reliably, ensuring that you can focus on the exam content without technical distractions.

A note of caution: Please be aware that this advice is based on my experience as of the date of taking exams. Technology constantly evolves, and the issues I faced with the Apple chip may very well be resolved by the time you’re reading this.

Additional Tip: Using the Forest App for Effective Study Sessions

Alongside the strategy for taking the exam, I want to share another tip that significantly improved my study routine. Preparing for CompTIA exams can sometimes feel monotonous, but I found an effective way to maintain focus and productivity: using the Forest app (Forest).

Why Forest App? Forest is an app designed to help you stay focused and present. It discourages you from using your phone by letting you plant a virtual tree that grows during your focused time. If you leave the app to check your phone, the tree withers away. This visual representation of your focus time can be motivating.

Pomodoro Technique: Forest app works conjunction with the Pomodoro technique. This meant setting the timer for 25 minutes of uninterrupted study followed by a 5-minute break. This technique is excellent for maintaining high levels of concentration and preventing burnout. It allowed me to track my study sessions and ensure I was dedicating at least 3–4 hours a day to studying.

On average I studied for 4 hours/day, which took about 5–6 weeks for exam to earn the cert.

Certifications Accreditation

I’m proud to say I earned the following certifications:

CompTIA A+ (View Badge)
CompTIA Network+ (View Badge)
CompTIA Security+ (View Badge)

Study Resources

For those interested in following a similar path, here are the resources I used:

Connect with me on LinkedIn

As we wrap up this discussion on strategies for passing CompTIA exams, I’d love to extend an invitation to connect on LinkedIn. Networking with peers and fellow IT enthusiasts can be incredibly rewarding, offering opportunities for sharing experiences, advice, and support.

Looking forward to seeing you on LinkedIn!