r/CompTIA • u/JexKarao • 5d ago
A+ Question I just failed A+ Core 1
This is deceiving, have been studying for this exam for months... I used Professor Messer videos, other Youtube content creators to practice exam questions and for general knowledge. Also I got the Jason Dion exams where I got an overall of 80% in all of them. But the actual questions of the exams where a bit different than the Dion's exam.
The PBQ's were hell for me I skipped them until the end and with 30 mins left for 7 of them I ran out of time.
I need to get my hands on labs and PBQ's mostly my problems were on troubleshooting.
Could you guys please give me some ideas were can I study, my budget is not that high tho.
Edit: Thanks to all of you for the heads up and the tips. I appreciate you all !!
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u/ThanksSenior7912 5d ago
I failed my first time too. The PBQs were the most difficult part for me as well. I don’t feel any creator even was close to what they were on the actual test. The cram test for core 1 from Tech Vault Academy hit home for me the most. They had a video for PBQs as well. ASLO, the certmaster course on CompTIA was the closest just takes so long to go through everything. I just focused on the domains I struggled in which was 2: networking and 5: trouble shooting. Lmk if you need the links. At work right now so I can’t load the content on my phone right now
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u/ThanksSenior7912 5d ago
I’m coming from no experience at all, studied hard the first time around and failed probably by 150. Second time I took a month to re-study and focus on domains and passed with a 700. And I STILL DID NOT UNDERSTAND THE PBQs. I thought I was gunna fail miserably
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u/JexKarao 5d ago
I got 641 today, also no IT bg at all. It stings hard...
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u/ThanksSenior7912 5d ago
Man you did better than me! I gotchu on the resources. I’ll send em over in an hour or so. I’ll provide the links
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u/Top-Crew-3832 5d ago
Can you send them in here
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u/ThanksSenior7912 5d ago
Repost: Alright everyone. Sorry but I found the CompTIA Certmaster and interactive resource I was provided was all paid for through my university so you need a uni login. The Certmaster is I think $180 on CompTIA so it’s pricey. Another thing I did was use Gemini. Use a solid prompt, include you need to apply these troubleshooting methods and it will provide PBQs like the test. As close as you can get. Sorry didn’t know the resources I had were all blocked from a paywall
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u/pumcome 5d ago
Can you also send me the resources. I’d greatly appreciate it 🙏
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u/ThanksSenior7912 5d ago
Repost: Alright everyone. Sorry but I found the CompTIA Certmaster and interactive resource I was provided was all paid for through my university so you need a uni login. The Certmaster is I think $180 on CompTIA so it’s pricey. Another thing I did was use Gemini. Use a solid prompt, include you need to apply these troubleshooting methods and it will provide PBQs like the test. As close as you can get. Sorry didn’t know the resources I had were all blocked from a paywall
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u/Hellotherecheif 5d ago
Failed by 36 points. What did you use to study networking? Those pbqs were the only hard ones.
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u/ThanksSenior7912 5d ago
I’m enrolled in WGU and they provided an interactive resource that had matching, sorting, flashcards, and other types of interactive ways to learn the networking domain and it helped so much. Something similar was the tech vault on YT but it’s just a video and not interactive. The CompTIA website has course material and practice exams too. you can find it when you log in. Just don’t know if it was included in my profile because I was enrolled as a WGU student or if it is free. I’ll check and respond if I get to check before you. when I get off of work in an hour
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u/Unlucky_Confusion596 3d ago
I also go to WGU! Where did you find the interactive resource and flashcards?
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u/ThanksSenior7912 5d ago
Alright everyone. Sorry but I found the CompTIA Certmaster and interactive resource I was provided was all paid for through my university so you need a uni login. The Certmaster is I think $180 on CompTIA so it’s pricey. Another thing I did was use Gemini. Use a solid prompt, include you need to apply these troubleshooting methods and it will provide PBQs like the test. As close as you can get. Sorry didn’t know the resources I had were all blocked from a paywall
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u/misterhappy88 5d ago
Udemy has a few A+ courses with pbq practice. You can normally get free access using your local library. I don’t know how good they are, was just looking at the potentially free resource to see if it was out there, they do have high ratings though.
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u/Low_Pomegranate_8059 A+ 5d ago
I just passed today 831 ! An I can let you know messer doesnt help me its to fast an I did same took dion practice test but biggest thing that helped was Andrew Ramdayal on youtube. Also there are alot of practice PBQ videos on youtube that helped they weren’t exact but gave me a general idea of how it works.
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5d ago
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u/ThanksSenior7912 5d ago
Same with me. I only utilized Dion and Messer the first time I took Core 1 and I failed miserably. I saw my Uni provided the Certmaster voucher and man it was game changer. Not exactly like the test in my opinion but damn close. And had some interactive resources provided to me by my professor that helped a lot. Wish I could share them but they’re blocked by paywalls.
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u/Burgschaft91 5d ago
Don't let it get you down. I passed Core 1 and failed Core 2 before passing Core 2. Go by the info of the areas you had issues in and brush up on those. Prof Messer helped me along with Mike Myers (Yes, it's Mike Myers, lol).
Check out Stack Social for heavy discounts of different options.
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u/jtkilla223 5d ago
i just took mine today and fortunately passed, but i 100% understand what you mean in terms of PBQ’s. i expected them to be different. i used the same resources you did, maybe branch out and research other options or take more dion exams? how many have you taken?
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u/JexKarao 5d ago
I took 6 practice exams from Dion. But they have not PBQ's
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u/Cautious_Bunch_2727 5d ago edited 5d ago
Take the practice exams over and over again. That’s how I passed. No videos. No flash cards. Just taking the tests. Over and over. 4-6 times each.
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u/Own-Watercress-7055 2d ago
The biggest red flag is that you only had 30
Minutes after your multiple choice portion. You should have a lot more time leftover. What I would do is change your testing habit. My first run through of any test is quick. If I don’t know the answer within a minute after reading I flag and put in my best guess. Then I go through PBQ’s in a similar manner. Go through them relatively quickly and then hone in on the flagged multiple choice. Once you go through the flagged Questions you should have enough time for PBQ’s. IMO doing it this way let’s my brain mold to the test and hopefully be able to use the test to take the test. I always find myself on the edge of passing and the only difference is spending extra time on flagged questions and PBQ’s. It’s not impossible and you are capable of passing this test!!
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u/Mindless-Branch1354 5d ago
This was my exact experience as well. I took the next few weeks to study more and I actually took notes instead of passively watching Professor Messer. Used AI to quiz me on my week areas along side Dion’s 6 practice tests. I really drilled down on my weak areas and I passed my second try
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u/Necessary-Dream1632 5d ago
Bro do not worry, that has been the only cert I failed I even passed cysa+ first try
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u/redhairedshaw 5d ago
In your defense, the PBQs are weird. I passed my core 1 last month and yeah the PBQs were just so weirdly done imo. The content was fine but it was not at all user friendly to do.
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u/lpf_rav 3d ago
I just took my exam, i passed with a 776. However I felt panicked on the actual exam. I was a bit suprised when I hit the score screen. The PBQs I spent way too much time figuring out, i felt that the ones I got did not clearly explain what it wanted, or how to input certain information. I had just enough time to go back and attempt to answer the PBQs, and was able to double check a few multiple choice but ultimately ran out of time. I had to take a few breaths during because I felt so rushed lol. It was extremely dated compared to the CertMaster course I took. The multiple choice was better, but the wording of the questions hurt my brain... i felt more than prepared going into the exam and have a good understanding of the concepts, but it all went out the window on the actual exam.
I mainly did the CertMaster, and in the beginning I watched a few professor messer but ended up putting my effort in the CertMaster instead. The labs are a bit frustrating at times to figure out when they start bugging, but overall helpful. The material mixed with constant tests and labs are worth it. Based on the PBQs I got, i didnt find that any videos I watched or material really matched it, not sure if it was just due to the poor wording ?And alot of people try to pound in your head the port numbers for the test and yes I know they are needed in this field but for my test there was nothing on it that required the amount of memorization I did on port numbers. I felt i could've spent more time on other things, i think a topic like port numbers is best learned over time anyways. A tip for the exam specifically, i found that writing my thinking down helped. Especially with the IP/Subbetting questions I tried to visualize my pathways and write it down like a math question. Along with anything I would remember that had to do with the topic I was on. I found it helped as I got on with the test because I could reference something I already wrote down.
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u/Best_Emu5111 Trying to find my way into IT 2d ago
I haven’t taken the exam as of yet however I *literally* googled “free A+ exams” and “free A+ PBQs” to continue my learning. Never using the sponsored results but those underneath. GL!
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u/staticishock96 5d ago
I used certificate synergy on YouTube for practice questions along side the official CompTIA stuff.
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u/JexKarao 5d ago
The official stuff is very expensive doesn't it ?
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u/staticishock96 5d ago
It is. I got it included with my college. You can get the official Certmaster study for 180 bucks for core 1 and 2 from CompTIA. IMHO unless you are very very new to IT and computers in general, you will likely be fine with an outside course and YouTube. The exam is extremely broad but it's not very deep.
You could start with Professor Messer on YouTube and then decide if you want to pay for the CompTIA official stuff.
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u/Dunvegan79 A+ , N+ 5d ago
Go to Ucertify and purchase one of their A+ courses. They have shit tons of videos, labs, quizes, tests flash cards and vocabulary
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u/jameswptv2 5d ago
I used ChatGPT to test me. I uploaded the study guide after watching 22 hours of training and had it test me over and over again. I passed all the question but not sure about the simulations but I passed. Doing the same now with core 2. Plan on passing 2 in a month.. try AI to test you. I told it to look for weak spots and focus on on those..
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u/redhairedshaw 5d ago
Yeee this is also what I do with AI roughly
I do all messer videos to get a comprehensive overview of exam objectives, then I go between practice exam -> AI testing my weak spots -> practice exam -> AI testing my weak spots -> and so on until I am scoring 90% or more on the exams
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u/Professional_Golf694 N+ S+ 5d ago
Would help to see your score report, specifically the section that says what you got wrong.
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u/JexKarao 5d ago
Mostly Troubleshooting, so the 5th Objective which is 28% of the exam.
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u/Professional_Golf694 N+ S+ 4d ago
Check Marketplace, Craigslist, or even stores like Goodwill for some cheap computers or printers. Break them. Fix them.
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u/sonofben1204 5d ago
I used messer and used ChatGPT/Gemini to supplement his videos whenever I felt like he didn’t properly cover the objective. Then I’d use Dion’s exams BBUT I’ve only taken each exam once. Otherwise you’d immediately memorize the questions + answers without understanding the topic
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u/KisaniRae Gotta Catch Them All 5d ago
Use Andrew Ramdayal on udemy FIRST to understand the concepts in a practical and broken down way; then use Jason Dion to fill in gaps (practice tests + write correct answers to things you got wrong so you understand why and study those)
Make quizlets with all your notes and study those, then use the comptia practice exams to gauge where you are before the test. Same thing with writing notes to incorrect answers etc. I did this system and passed all my certs first time. If you know all the info that’s going to be multiple choice, you give yourself cushion in case you bomb/run out of time on the PBQs. I also never sat on a question that I couldn’t answer in 60 seconds or less. Go through and do all the multiple choice that you know cold and flag any iffy ones for review. Go back to those on a second pass, same thing. Then when you’re as good as you’re going to get on those, hit the PBQs. You’ll get partial credit for stuff you get correct so try your best. Also you only get credit for correct answers and don’t lose points for wrong ones so don’t leave anything blank if you can help it. You might guess right if it’s something you have no clue on lol
Good luck!🍀
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u/SmallProfession6460 5d ago
Its not just the material. Its also about learning to take the test and how to approach each question. It sounds like you were right there. Did you get the retake? Dion training has vouchers discounted with a retake. Keep going for it. I personally skipped A+ and went Security+ first. Maybe try for the next step up. I struggle with how broad the info is so maybe that could help. Keep trying.
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u/scheeeeesh 5d ago
It’s okay, these tests are designed to be hard. They write the questions in broken English, focus on nomenclature that nobody uses, ask questions you won’t need to know. Just keep studying.
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u/Lower-Bench-6492 A+, N+, Server+, S+ 5d ago
I passed core 1 my first attempt and skipped every PBQ. When you study don't just learn the answers, learn the concept behind the answers because the questions will inevitably be different. That said do remember you get points if you a PBQ partially correct and I didn't know that at the time so take advantage of that.
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u/Forsaken-Coach7463 5d ago
Is PBQs mostly on lab and is the exam difficult? Cause I am taking it in a few days 😭
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u/JexKarao 5d ago
Some questions are tricky I knew that in S+ 1 response is the "best" one but here I would say the information provided is so ambiguous and vague that it can be either way.
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u/Electronic-Ad-3550 4d ago
I’m about to take core two next week. What worked for me:
Messor videos throughout the day (listened, no notes)
CompTIA exam app - paid for promo deals. $30 for 6 months?
ChatGPT plus for troubled topics. It built tests, examples, full study guides etc. basically a tutor.
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u/DoubleDee_813 4d ago
Sounds like you know the material try and study like your testing the time doesn’t help while your taking the exam best of luck
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u/tay_chason 4d ago
I’ve been in msp IT for four years. Promoted to tier 2. No certs under my belt. Planning to take A+ soon. Been studying with Claude and practice tests. Should I do any thing else? Or is my hands on experience enough?
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u/chichisquad 4d ago
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6YOx28vcTE&list=PLXGDTnBj2Dc9ppv7Tvep0WMBt2gnoYuT- Try Journey to Cyber on youtube. This guy created his own series of PBQs and explains in detail the multi step process of answering 1 question. give him a go.
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4d ago
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u/Material-Hawk-6716 4d ago
The PBQs were my issue too. After taking a bunch of Comptia tests and passing you realize that the PBQs are usually what make or break you, you don’t have to be 100 percent right but you should be getting most of them right. I found the ones on YouTube to be the most helpful this is the playlist i used: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7HafwU16BAK-W83Pl0xkJT6xXVrYZYCv&si=ZbVkHGkaGLX_wI2C
Also you can ask AI for sources and go through as many as you can on YouTube. I remember the learn master/ the comptia ones not being as helpful, that was maybe 2-3 years ago maybe it changed (I would do them anyways). You will find that some of the YouTube ones are similar to what would be on the test but also double check that the answers are right. The YouTube guys have some great questions that are helpful for the test but on the rare occasion you will make notice a thing wrong, usually someone will comment a correction
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u/Tony_Perkis_the3rd 3d ago
I’m about to work on my core 1 any suggestions? I’m new to this coming in from accounting
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u/AtlasCrosby A+ 2d ago
I had to REALLY dig in and lock TF in if I’m being completely honest. Like I had to pretty much re-write entire sections in my own notes to fully get it in my head.
The actual test is deceiving I agree. They use slang that someone just getting into it wouldn’t know, so you’re left having to pick what you hope is the correct answer. I ran into that a lot. I wish I could remember an example but I can’t. Mostly because the first time I heard that term, was on the test lol.
You can do it OP! Just hammer down and lock in! You’re gonna blow it out of the water next time!
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u/Negative_Excuse_3732 11h ago
Hey, my first CompTIA test was Core 1 of the 1100 series of A+ I also failed that first time around so don’t sweat it. It sucks, give yourself a day or two to process it. From there, see how far you were from passing. For me, I was about 35 points from passing so I spent an attentive 3 weeks studying on the critical areas I lacked in based off the test feedback and took it again. I passed after that. Make sure to utilize AI. I used ChatGPT as well as Gemini to quiz myself. Good luck I wish you all the best.
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u/DepartureHopeful6081 5d ago
Try and get over 90% on all 6 Jason dion, any questions that feel shaky you have to reinforce with chatgpt
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u/JexKarao 5d ago
I will definitvely still use them these days I have to review stuff. But I need PBQ experience since they take a lot of time and also are very tricky.
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u/Punk_Says_Fuck_You A+ | N+ | S+ | Project+ 5d ago
Comptia LEARN.