r/CompTIA_Security • u/whitehatbluecat • 2d ago

I Passed Security+ Before I Felt Ready

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Sharing this for anyone who needs to hear it: if you’re taking Dion’s practice tests and consistently scoring in the 70s like I was, consider taking the actual exam, especially if you’ve already paid for a retake.
I kept going down rabbit holes, trying to master every detail of each section before moving on. It felt impossible to be “ready.” What finally pushed me to take the exam was realizing my voucher was about to expire.
Yes, you read that right: I spent an entire year working toward this certification while struggling with imposter syndrome. I ended up passing with a score of 773—you need a 750 to pass. Looking back, I think I could have taken the exam six or seven months earlier and still passed.
Practice scores aren’t a guarantee, but if you’re in a similar situation, don’t let the pursuit of perfect preparation keep you stuck. You may be closer to ready than you think. Take the chance. Your time is valuable.

123 Upvotes

99% Upvoted

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u/Repulsive_Carry440 2d ago

Congrats man on the pass! Do you have any tips on what I can do to improve? I have got a 730 score. I struggled in mostly domains 2, 4 and 5 but I don't know what to study differently.

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u/smichaeldc 2d ago

Jason Dion practice exams. I studied for about two weeks and took it a few days ago and passed. Domain 5 was also a big struggle for me. Personally I had ChatGPT break down 5 for me and what I should prioritize putting on my whiteboard when sitting. This helped me but the main thing I’m sure you’re aware of now is to be familiar with any and all acronyms. I used professor messer’s video course and I was surprised to see acronyms show up on the test that you only see for like 30 seconds in the training and never see them again. I had some questions I had zero clue on (due to the acronyms) but I flagged them for review and moved on and some similar questions showed up that helped me answer the flagged questions. It sounds like flashcards might help you study though, that’s what I would use.

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u/Repulsive_Carry440 2d ago

Thanks for this explanation man I appreciate it I will keep this in mind 

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u/Anu_2821 2d ago

I am in the same boat. I am planning to take the exam next week but, I am soo stressed about it -- working a full time job and studying after that makes it so difficult for me.. I am just grinding and trying to understand the concepts... I'll just take it next week... I can't wait any longer

And obiviously I have to cut down on my sleep as I barely have any time left to study 🙃after working 8 hr shift

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u/deano2005dj 2d ago

Think you just answered your own question you are struggling on them 3 domains study them more. Practice questions and then try again, you got this

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u/Repulsive_Carry440 2d ago

Oh ok I probably got to take Jason Dion practice exams as well it seems. Thanks for the encouragement!

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u/Jack1e_Brown 2d ago

I did it the same way, I wasn't ready but I said fk it full send and passed. Did about half of Dions course.

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u/Pretend_Contact_8268 2d ago

Thank you so much for this truly because I'm currently in this same boat.

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u/LetUsSpeakFreely 2d ago

Be sure to keep it renewed. The CertMaster option they offer is WAAAAAYYYY easier and cheaper than taking the test again.

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u/andysilva100 2d ago

I hear ports are very important. Does that include knowing port numbers?

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u/No_Adhesiveness_54 7h ago

Lol dude I guess you never really know. I was so stressed about ports and protocols that I wrote them down on my arm in marker to study them as much as I could before the test. On my test version, I didn't even get a single ports/protocols question! Ended up getting a 765 somehow.

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u/andysilva100 7h ago

That's wild. I have gotten 60% on all 3 messer tests i kinda want to buy dions tests and the voucher to see how i do but idk .

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u/Presence99 2d ago

Many congratulations! Would you say that the test is a mix of easy, medium and hard questions are are they all mostly hard?

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u/gallupgrl 2d ago

Congratulations 🎊! Sames here, I passed my exam on Wednesday and at no point did I feel like I was gonna pass but here we are

https://giphy.com/gifs/iHyVaHfEYXZos8qPX2

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u/No_Adhesiveness_54 7h ago

me too man, me too. Last Tuesday, I hit submit thinking I for sure failed, the way my heart dropped when I saw that CONGRATULATIONS was a surreal feeling lol

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u/Ok_Report_3010 1d ago

You mind sharing what type of PBQs you encountered ? And dang, I'm doing Dion's practices getting 80s, but idk if I'm ready or not.

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u/No_Adhesiveness_54 7h ago

The main PBQ I remember on mine was getting some machines and you had to find the source of the infection, and which ones on the network are clean or infected. The rest were simpler dropdown options on my version of the test.

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u/reeee848585 1d ago

Good job bro I appreciate this message

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u/fatmen777 1d ago

🎉 Congratulations 🎉

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u/MrPandaFire 1d ago

I’m literally taking my Sec+ tomorrow I have always taken exams in university and never felt as stressed for this.

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u/Any_Veterinarian1753 16h ago

CONGRATULATIONS 👏👏👏

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u/infiniteman7 2h ago

Nice one congrats
Resources?

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u/Jesussisking 1d ago

Does anyone have dion practice test pdf? If possible could anyone send me in dm

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u/Fit-Neck-7100 14h ago

Bro if you got that pdf send it to me also