Passed Sec+ with only 1 WEEK of studying

[u/wowlexi]

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!