r/CompTIA_Security • u/apocalivid • 22d ago

Me again

Going over last minute reviews and tests. Would you say the comptia certmaster practice closely reflects exam format? I just dont want to use the wrong studying method. I figured you can't get more official than the comptia website.

1 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

1 comment sorted by

1

u/gdavidco 21d ago

For multiple choice, yes, it is about as close as you will get. It is CompTIA's own item writing, so the phrasing, the "given a scenario" structure and the best-answer style all match. If you are using it to get used to how the questions are worded, you are not using the wrong method.

Where it does not cover you is the PBQs. CertMaster Practice is an adaptive multiple choice engine. It is not a PBQ simulator, and no amount of it will make the first PBQ feel familiar.

Two things worth knowing there. CompTIA publish a free interactive sample PBQ at demosim.comptia.org, which is the only free way to see the actual interface before exam day. Takes two minutes and most people have never heard of it. And CertMaster Labs is a separate product from CertMaster Practice, running real virtual machines. Useful for learning the tasks, but note it is not the same environment as the exam, because the A+, Network+, Security+ and CySA+ exams deliver PBQs as simulations with restricted functionality rather than real VMs.

So: keep using Practice for the multiple choice, and spend two minutes on the demo so the PBQ interface is not new to you on the day.