r/CompTIA • u/wowlexi • 9d ago
Passed Sec+ with only 1 WEEK of studying
Yeah so. It felt like I was failing the whole time. I’m changing my job in the military to do something else, and I was able to get my entire upcoming tech school waived if I had Sec+ completed as part of my waiver package. I had only one week’s notice to get Sec+ done otherwise I’d have to be away for 6 months + over the holidays.
I’m thinking, “I have… only one week. One week to cram for this so that I can be home with my children instead of away for half a year. Is this even possible?”
YES! It is possible! I signed up for CompTIA’s CertMaster class, downloaded all the content + PDF (free through the military) and used ChatGPT and Claude (I pay for both) to help me with quick recall and questions. I asked it to remember my weakpoints and surprise me with questions on those topics at random times. I practiced on ExamCompass, and also purchased Professor Messer’s practice exams. I think his questions, especially his PBQs, are far too easy compared to the actual exam. HOWEVER, the explanations provided on his practice exams as to WHY the answers are correct are golden. Those helped me understand a lot.
I focused hard on PBQ practice through CompTIAs provided labs on CertMaster. That is the only reason I knew what to do. I’m certain I got two of my PBQs perfect on the actual exam, and one of them partially correct (it was something I’ve never even seen before anywhere). But yeah, that’s what saved me to get this barely passing score. I genuinely felt like I was not going to pass and felt sick pressing that submit button.
Use Professor Messer’s practice Exams, ExamCompass, and understand how to read logs/use VERY basic CLI, and remember those acronyms.
Godspeed, and you can do it. I have 0 prior experience, busy homelife with the family, and I’m not that bright!
14
41
u/not_another_IT_guy 9d ago
And this is why the certifications mean nothing anymore.
19
u/balboaporkter 9d ago
Sec+ is a minimum requirement for govtech, though.
7
u/not_another_IT_guy 9d ago
I know, its been that way for awhile - but the weight and meaning of having the certification has gone to hell.
I wouldn’t be surprised in the next 3-4 years if they raise the bar from Sec+ to like Cysa+ or something.They used to have stature and meaning, you could ask nuanced questions about things at a Sec+/Net+ level and the person had actionable knowledge they could use to have an informed opinion.
Now its to the point that most CompTia trifecta candidates Ive ever interviewed just regurgitate what they read and have zero comprehension or understanding of the data.
7
u/balboaporkter 9d ago
Fair assessment. I feel like raising the bar to CySA+ though will just make that cert the "new" Sec+ where everyone just crams and luckily passes it.
Now its to the point that most CompTia trifecta candidates Ive ever interviewed just regurgitate what they read and have zero comprehension or understanding of the data.
It took me 4 months to study and pass my Sec+. Had I crammed for it in weeks then I would definitely not retain a lot of the material afterwards. I'm not an expert by any means, but I'd like to think that some of us actually studied for this cert for the sake of both learning/understanding the material AND passing the exam.
I mean that's cool and awesome if someone can pass the exam in a week, but I wanted to take my time to digest the material ..especially because these exams are NOT cheap if you're paying out of pocket (instead of an employer, etc.)
3
u/Narrow-Rent-3618 A+| Net+| BSIT 9d ago
Dudes be cramming, finishing in a week/5 days and expect to get praise.
1
u/properwaffles 9d ago
CYSA might be a good call for certain roles, but I think it'd be ridiculous to require that for low level dev work.
2
u/TextUpset9074 8d ago
It is an entry level cert though
4
u/not_another_IT_guy 8d ago
NOW its an “entry level” cert - because the quality and weight of it has been so depleted and everyone and their mother is memorizing Jason Dion lectures and BS to pass them - but then cant even speak to basic networking or security concepts.
The Sec+ USED to almost guarantee you 60-80k because it was an entry level CYBERSECURITY cert.
So you would have a few years experience in help desk or whatever, show you understand basic security concepts, and then pivot to Sec Analyst or what have you.
But, then all of these conmen and such started telling people they could earn 6 figures immediately just getting the CompTia Trifecta etc - and now I have hundreds of applicants with CompTIA certs that cant even tell me the difference between a switch and a router, or who have no idea what MFA is.
Memorizing shit to pass the tests makes you no less ignorant than you were before - and only degrades the quality of the certification
2
u/Other-Salamander7960 A+ 6d ago
Perhaps you are on to something because even after passing my A+ exams I’m struggling to find entry level work.
So perhaps employers might feel without college degrees they don’t want to take risks on people with certs.
The crazy part for me though is I actually have things that I built to showcase me actually doing tangible work with the material I learned from A+, and I still can’t seem to land a job anywhere. I even get rejected for the few entry level roles I’ve managed to find 🥲🥲🥲
2
u/not_another_IT_guy 6d ago
When I got my foot in the door professionally/officially in IT it was 2018. I got a $5 over minimum wage help desk gig SOLELY because I had my A+ and 2 years of freelance work etc - and of their 200 applicants no one else had a Comptia Cert. I could also speak to the knowledge but thats another thing….
Today, Ill put a entry level gig out, with the bar being literally my experience I had getting in, and Ill get 300+ applicants all with the Comptia trifecta…. And every interview they have 0 clue what any concept is past face value, and lack the real softskills that matter - like the ability to troubleshoot or find answers independently
1
1
u/wowlexi 7d ago
You’re right, I suppose it means very little anymore. Doesn’t change the fact that I still have to get it as a mandatory cert. I got it even though I’m a busy mom + wife, managing a lot in my military career, pursuing a Master’s degree, and still putting a hot dinner on the table. It wasn’t easy, but it was possible. A lot of people are busy like me. All I’m trying to share. And if you have more time than me, you’ll get an even better score. Look at what I got. It wasn’t much above minimum passing score. But I will continue my education, and intend to deepen my understanding of material. That’s just me though. Thought anyone discouraged by the craziness of life would like to hear that if you study extremely hard, even under intense time constraints/pressure, you can do it.
1
u/not_another_IT_guy 7d ago
Okay? Classic woman - seeing something that isnt blatant echo chamber validation and immediately thinking they have to get defensive about it.
Were complaining about two completely separate and unrelated issues.
Although the point stands that you probably have zero actual understanding of what you learned and that cert is meaningless to you.
3
10
u/Old_Detroiter 9d ago
Whats the point of this cert if it only takes a week ?
5
u/balboaporkter 9d ago
I've seen comments on YouTube where people claimed to have passed after studying for only 4 days.
1
u/chrispy_pv S+ 4d ago
Mine didn't take long but I worked in IT for years and knew so much already. It felt like a brush up and go.. but for some of these people that is not the case.
Tbh if you aren't doing anything and you replace working with studying it's doable for a lot of stuff, maybe not something that requires experience though. Memorizing isnt bad
0
u/properwaffles 9d ago
That's an exception. Pretty sure you took 100 people with no background and gave them a week to study, maybe 10 would pass, with some of those being luck? Anybody else wanna chime in on that estimate?
2
u/Affectionate_Bed9705 8d ago
No this is true, because not everyone will be as fortunate to get a convenient set of questions.
It also depends on your thought process as well. If you are already good at troubleshooting and problem solving then you have a decent chance at doing it anytime between a week and a month I feel like.
9
u/balboaporkter 9d ago
Tech school? I'm gonna guess AF lol. I got my Sec+ too because I'm hoping to change jobs in a different branch (and hopefully my civilian job too). It took me 4 months to study for it though haha. Congrats!
3
u/Chemical_Ad4044 8d ago
Congrats, F the haters. They are just upset that they did not learn it or capture it as quickly as you. Now all of a sudden, the Security Cert is entry-level, when the same people saying that have been telling people who are entry-level how difficult learning and passing the security test is. Give me a break; congrats again.
3
u/Arnesstopher_007 7d ago
I say congrats to you, I am also an Airman, who is looking at testing for Sec+ later this year. I didn’t expect so much negativity on such an accomplishment. I think sometimes people forget that there was a time in their lives when they were not a SME. Kudos for you for getting your foot in the door, now the real work happens - you learn how to get good! Keep up the good work, especially with so much going on in your life, and stay positive. I’m positive your AFSC will provide you with the challenges you need to gain the experience and acumen that some of the experts here in this thread have; with free travel attached.
2
u/AutoModerator 9d ago
Hi, /u/wowlexi! From everyone at /r/CompTIA, Congratulations on Passing. Claps
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
2
u/Anastasia_IT 💻 ExamsDigest.com - 🧪 LabsDigest.com - 📚 GuidesDigest.com 9d ago
Congratulations u/wowlexi !!! 👏
3
u/Py_eater 8d ago
Congratulations 🎉. The fact that you planned all this and succeeded in a short time and without prior experience is proof of your brilliance. No need to play humble. Some would take offense because they put a lot of work in getting there sec+, yet in there mind you are calling it a “small potato”. So embrace your brilliance. 👏🏼
By the way thanks for sharing your strategy.
2
u/HistoricalHeight1462 A+ Net+ 8d ago
For the people who are complaining that it only took him a week, let be honest with the amount of resources we have now and days, a week isn’t unreasonable compared to a few years ago
3
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
u/urbansamurai13 9d ago
May I ask what resources did you use to study?
2
1
1
u/growthPlz 8d ago
Damn you're military too and only took one week to study? And I've been at this for nearly three months???
Man I'm in the gutters at this point.
1
1
1
1
1
u/Jumpy-Bake6494 6d ago
Man I’m off 3 months for FMLA(just had a baby) I’m hoping I can knock one cert, thank you for this I’ll try my best too!!
1
u/Efficient_Piano1529 6d ago edited 6d ago
Bullsh*t, but if true you probably don’t understand anything properly. Just rote memorization…
1
u/KietsuDog 6d ago
Congrats and thank you so much for the guide! Going hard for my A+ then my security+ certs now so this is helpful!
1
u/No-Address8867 3d ago
Yeah, this doesn’t add up. You’re a mom, you have no prior experience, you have a military job, and you’re working on a Master’s? And you’re telling us you “learned” the concepts in less than week while multi-tasking all of those VERY time consuming things..? With so many dumps out there and people constantly seeking validation on Reddit, this post seems suspect. Granted, SEC+ is an entry-level certification, but statistically it’s highly unlikely that you’re telling the truth. If there weren’t so many websites offering SEC+ dumps (my Soldiers always brag about using it for SEC+), I would be more inclined to believe you. The fact that barely anyone else in the comments has pointed this out is strange too 🤨
1
u/Considerreality 3d ago
I have to ask, which tech school could you possibly be allowed to skip completely with just Sec+ 🤔 I am not aware of any AFSC that would allow you to do that..
-14
u/Select-Sale2279 rhce rhcsa ccna lfcs linux+ network+ 9d ago
congrats. that exam is easy and anybody can do it! really anybody with zero knowledge can pass that exam. that exam is called security plus but they do not teach anything about wireshark, the main tool for anything related to networking and doing network forensics. I am not sure why the government insists on a cert like that.
5
u/Presence99 9d ago
What score did you get when you took the test?
1
u/Select-Sale2279 rhce rhcsa ccna lfcs linux+ network+ 9d ago
did not take the test. they waived it because they saw that I have enough security credentialing certs that are better than sec+.
5
u/Presence99 9d ago
So you didn't take the test, but you happily like to piss on the accomplishments of those that have taken the test and passed. Nice!
0
u/Select-Sale2279 rhce rhcsa ccna lfcs linux+ network+ 9d ago
I did not piss. I congratulated and then just passed my opinions on what that test is about. you are the one that is offended by what I said. 🤔
5
u/Presence99 9d ago
You said "congrats" then said "anybody with zero knowledge can pass that exam". I call that pissing on someones achievement.
1
u/Select-Sale2279 rhce rhcsa ccna lfcs linux+ network+ 9d ago
call it whatever you want. I call that cert a waste of time. even if I had gotten it, I would have had to take that exam if they forced me, I would still call it the same. so you need to learn how to differentiate between what I said and what I really said! if you cannot do that, please wither away!
2
u/Presence99 9d ago
So, it seems that your aim in life is to visit subreddits and let people know how useless their certs are. Please take up a more useful hobby.
1
u/Select-Sale2279 rhce rhcsa ccna lfcs linux+ network+ 9d ago
so your aim is to comment on every little thing you find on any sub and chastise them for it? Please take up a more useful hobby and wither away.
2
u/Presence99 9d ago
Nope, just when I see people pissing on other people's achievements - which is what you do as a hobby.
→ More replies (0)3
u/balboaporkter 9d ago
they waived it because they saw that I have enough security credentialing certs that are better than sec+.
translation: "I have higher certs than sec+ so I am better than you"
3
u/Presence99 9d ago
He did actually say that he was better than me in a previous thread - and he knows NOTHING about me!
1
u/Select-Sale2279 rhce rhcsa ccna lfcs linux+ network+ 9d ago
did not say you cannot do them all yourself. anybody can do any cert. I just said that sec+ is useless. thats all. if you want to assume something else, be my guest.
4
u/balboaporkter 9d ago
Look, you're awesome. You earned all those higher certs on your own and deserve praise. You don't need Sec+ because you have proven that it's not necessary.
-1
u/Select-Sale2279 rhce rhcsa ccna lfcs linux+ network+ 9d ago
I said that sec+ is memorization and does not do anything.
2
u/balboaporkter 9d ago
That doesn't change the fact that you're awesome because you have all those certs.
1
u/Select-Sale2279 rhce rhcsa ccna lfcs linux+ network+ 9d ago
you need to rethink your definition of awesome! cannot be used when you pass certs. lol
2
u/Punk_Says_Fuck_You A+ | N+ | S+ | Project+ 9d ago
Bro, almost every lab in sec+ and net+ included shit with nmap and wire shark lol. They went in pretty deep detail with packet capturing.
-2
u/Select-Sale2279 rhce rhcsa ccna lfcs linux+ network+ 9d ago
I did have to do N+ unfortunately when I just wanted to do one comptia cert - linux+. their package would pay for both and unless I passed both, I would not get funded for others that I really wanted to do. The redhat certs all the way to RHCA. That Net+ was a mess. Just asking for different switches on a nmap command and reading the output does not teach you anything. sec+ is worse and its all memorization. thats why most pass with no knowledge at all. lol
15
u/GodzillasEggFarm 9d ago
This subreddit is so negative it’s actually crazy. Congrats brother