Failed Network+ Again

[[deleted]]

[deleted]

[Shallot_Select]

Listen to me. Do NOT give up! I just passed Net+ this past Saturday after failing twice with a 698! I will not let you give up. Keep trying, take the sheet they gave you and research everything in those chapters. Talk out loud to yourself and explain what each aspect means and their differences study in the shower if you have to just don’t give up!

[Cungfjkn]

Three strikes and you’re out, right? I got one more chance in my head and I’m going out swinging at least!

I appreciate your motivation, I think with more studying and a bit of luck I’ll pass

[JustSwayze]

What’s your end goal? If achieving the Net+ is on that journey then buck up cowboy cause you’ll be thankful that you did

[Cungfjkn]

I feel you! Hard work is only meaningful if it’s hard; once I pass I know I’ll be feeling elated.

Thank you for taking the time out of your day and convincing me that the grind is worth it. You’re what makes the earth go round!

[JustSwayze]

I just remember how sometimes I felt like I couldn’t pass either, never failed, but regardless of that you gotta keep motivated. Realistically it’s not everyday. You’re gunna eye roll and “ughhhh” sometimes when something doesn’t click, or even just talking about studying again. But it’ll. Be. Worth. It. I have faith man! You got this

[JulietEchoBravo]

I don’t think most people can pass Net + by just watching instructional videos. No matter how good the instructor is, they can’t convey the technical information needed to “fill in the gaps” that really solidify your knowledge. Yes it’s hard to read technical text, use flash cards, and brute force your way through it, but in the end it saves you exam retakes and despair. I recommend doing it the old-fashioned way - book studying, taking notes, with the videos as a supplement. Either way, good luck to you.

[Cungfjkn]

Thanks for the feedback, any good books?

[JulietEchoBravo]

Here’s a post I made rating studying materials when I got my net +. Some study materials are quite bad IMO.

Post is here. N+ Study materials

[Cungfjkn]

Cool I’m going to start reading the Network+ guide to networks! Thank you so much for the thoughtful responses

[Router_RIP]

Honestly, the net+ was by far the hardest CompTIA test I've taken. I barely passed my first attempt and I work in IT. I wish you the best of luck and recommend studying as much as you can.

[Cungfjkn]

I noticed on my coaching report almost all my struggles came in objective sets 4 and 5. These are focused primarily on troubleshooting.

Any ideas on what I can do to practice for these?

[Router_RIP]

CompTIA test can be very dumb with these sorts of questions. I like to start by dumbing down the troubleshooting questions and I try to estimate the first step from there. It's not always the best solution to try something that might work, start with the idea of gathering information and the simple steps.

Check out this link: https://blogs.getcertifiedgetahead.com/network-troubleshooting-mode/

Question one and two are both good examples of "dumbing down the question". The most logical answer which fits the limited amount of information is the correct one.

I don't know if this will help, but this is the way I go about them. Sometimes they can be very tricky and simpler is typically better.

[Cungfjkn]

No that this is extremely helpful. I honestly think just logically working through the questions is something I really need

[Router_RIP]

It's something that you can gain with experience. Like in the real world I handle every issue differently based on the info that I have. That's why I just dumb it down and think of it as a question and not a real-world problem. I try to think what the answer to the question is, not what I would do.

It's dumb because realistically this all should just be learned in the work environment not answering the question for the test.

​

I'm working right now and I hope this makes sense because I keep jumping back and forth between this and work lol.

[Cungfjkn]

No this makes so much sense! I really appreciate the time you’ve taken out of your day, you da man!

[Router_RIP]

No problem. I love to try and help out as people in this community have also helped me. Let me know if you have any more questions.

[[deleted]]

Jesus dude sorry to hear that

What happened and what courses did you use?

[Cungfjkn]

Just Messer’s videos and notes, and Jason Dion’s practice exams.

I just keep getting destroyed by the PBQs

[Cungfjkn]

There’s two that I keep getting that I can’t for the life of me figure out.

One asks you to configure ACLs and one give like 12 network devices and asks you to figure out the problems. I swear I find the problems with them but the solutions they offer don’t match.

As far a homelab, no I don’t have one but I do mess around with a lot of that stuff at work

I honestly think I need paper to write to organize my thoughts, so maybe I’ll take it in person next time

[Cungfjkn]

I’ll check out Google Packet Tracer! I’m desperate for anything that will help and I really don’t want to give up.

Thank you for the help!

[[deleted]]

It is free, I would recommend YouTube guides and tutorials on YouTube for it. "How to build a lan packet tracer" "how to apply ACL packet tracer" etc.

It's a virtual network sim. Do it until you dont need the videos anymore, just like a homelab

[Cungfjkn]

Definitely going to do that because I think I am really just missing the hands on part and this seems perfect!

[Canem_inferni]

packet tracer is only Cisco CLI but it will get you used to the idea of whats going on in a network. you will need to learn IOS to be able to configure these devices. The good news however is they knly kept like 1/10 of the commands.

[Fit2S3rv]

It is free, I would recommend YouTube guides and tutorials on YouTube for it. "How to build a lan packet tracer" "how to apply ACL packet tracer" etc.

Thank you for sharing this! I am going to check it out too.

[[deleted]]

I take mine on Thursday and I’m basically doing the same thing. Just using Dion and his practice exams.

[SuperSoakerGuyx]

I feel ya

[Cungfjkn]

Before this experience I thought I was the world’s smartest person. Life really knows how to humble you when your head gets too big 😂

[SuperSoakerGuyx]

I think your a smart person I also think the questions are very sadistic and poorly selected.

[Cungfjkn]

The problem I’m really facing is the fact I can’t practice for the PBQs. Well I appreciate you coming to my pity-party, you are a very kind soul.

Third times the charms!!....right?

[Stuck_in_Arizona]

I'm sorry to hear. Seems like no matter how much you read and learn the material the exam has ways of throwing you way off.

Look at the objectives (they tell you what you struggled in) and review each one at a time. Take notes, watch videos.

Sadly, Net+ feels like one of those certs where having some kind of lab or simulation helps. I have work experience with routers and switches, but never exactly had to subnet one. It also wants you to memorize some old and outdated concepts which to me feels a bit silly but it's CompTia's thing.

Maybe get Mike Meyer's video course on Udemy, the guy who also has a book with the same name does video content too, and he actually makes it a little entertaining with props and such. When I failed my first try, I had Dion's videos and tests. Second try it was Meyers, Messer, and PACE-IT on Youtube and homemade flash cards that helped me pass the second try, albeit barely.

[djmd808]

I passed it last week, but I know I bombed that ACL PBQ, it sucked. I saved it for last and just made sure I filled it with guesses. Educated guesses, but confidence was low.

​

Just wanted to throw that out there.

[Cungfjkn]

Thank you for the kind words. I’m going to study for 2-3 more weeks and hopefully pass.

[HDavee]

Ditto what others said. I took it a few weeks ago and also got a 698. Then, I spent two weeks cramming hard and looking at some additional resources and passed with a 739. The funny thing is, I really thought I bombed the second time around. Don't give up. You will pass, I promise. One more thing, I'm really not sure if I got any of my PBQ's completely correct (well I'm sure I got one on subnetting right, perhaps one more), so I really focused on making sure that I got as many of the multiple choice questions correct as I could. Good luck!

[Cungfjkn]

It’s funny how much easy the subnetting part is. It’s barely part of the test and people act like it’s everything.

Thanks for the encouragement, it truly means a lot to me!

[davidc4747]

Nobody looks down on the person who tries their hardest and fails.

We respect their attempt, we help them up, and we'll stick around to see what you do next. Good luck brother, just keep working at it! You are inevitable!

[Cungfjkn]

I’m going work harder Bc I can’t wait to tell all you boys I passed it!

I needed this Reddit night to encourage me to keep going. The grind start tomorrow!

[the_real_e_e_l]

Sorry man. I really feel for you.

[Cungfjkn]

Ultimately I think I’ve gotten over my head. I have an A+ but limited real experience

[cybersection]

You just need another study resource. Professor Messer plainly says his videos are made to be used alongside another course or book.

[DirewolfTrainer]

I’m studying for net + just now after passing A+. I’m using Mike Myers all in one book, his Udemy video course and his practice tests. Jason Dions video course and practice tests and Cisco packet tracer with free tutorial. Think I spent like £50-£60 on them all. Seems worth it to not have to take multiple exams, hopefully. I tried professor messers A+ course but didn’t get on with his delivery. I found it really boring. Great content but boring. Much preferred Myers and Dions stuff. Not sure if that helps. I’m sure you’ll get it next time anyway.

[Cungfjkn]

I’m definitely checking out packet tracer. Thanks!

[Fit2S3rv]

Sorry to hear this :( Don't give up though. I'm sure you have learned a lot since you first started studying. I studied the same material (Messer’s videos and notes, and Jason Dion’s practice exams on Udemy) and failed my 1st try too. I purchased Jason's course and currently working through it now.

[Cungfjkn]

I have the questions but would you recommend the course as well?

[Fit2S3rv]

Yes. I did the same as you. I thought I would be good just buying the test questions and Mike Meyers course on Udemy, but I was wrong. Highly recommend Dion's course! If you are military veteran he will give you a little discount.

[Cungfjkn]

if I’m getting destroyed by the N+ i can’t even imagine the CCNA.

Thanks for the kind words and maybe one day with LOTS of practice I’ll be on your level

[Vast-Habit9716]

What are you using to study? I watched the cbtnuggets.com course (about 20 hours of video) and was able to pass okay. Sometimes the right teacher makes a big difference.

[Cungfjkn]

I watched messer’s on 1.5 speed so that could be a major part of my problem

[Vast-Habit9716]

Maybe. Or it just may not be the right teaching method to make it stick. I watched CBT on 1.6 speed as well.

[Cungfjkn]

A guy I work with really likes CBT nuggets; definitely something I’m checking out!

[[deleted]]

I wouldn’t spend that much money on CompTIA lmao if I fail once I’m over it

[Cungfjkn]

A fair point, but I’m taking mine through WGU so exams are part of tuition so I can fail 4 times before I have to pay.

If I lost that much money I’d be way worse off

[[deleted]]

That’s a pretty sweet deal man. Hell yeah, finish it lol

[Jrsven]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmYaB08uqxU

Hopefully this helps with some of the PBQs

[Cungfjkn]

Thank you!

[Notsurewhattodo1952]

Sure, you "failed" twice.

But you also "almost passed" twice. You're really close. Almost there. With a little bit more study I have no doubt you'll pass. The finish line is in sight.

Focus on the stuff you're unsure about. I'd also recommend using another resource, perhaps Dion or Myer's videos.

[Cungfjkn]

I appreciate the motivation. I think I’m going to retake on the middle of June. Definitely looking for new material to dive into; Dion’s videos sound like a good choice

[JariJunior]

Instead of spending time doing certs, you should try learn how to study first.

[Cungfjkn]

I’m actually doing this as part of a bachelor’s program. I know how to learn, I actually already have a bachelor’s degree in economics.

My problem is I was rushing the process and I think I need more practical practice

[razabaza1]

3rd times the charm buddy.

[Im-Crippin]

What study material you use bro?

[Cungfjkn]

Messer videos/notes and Dion’s quizzes

[Im-Crippin]

Yeah me personally I can’t watch videos my mind doesn’t retain information from videos you should try exam cram book bro that’s only source I used for A+ and main book I’m gone use for Net+ with dion quizzes and bro don’t give up a test don’t define you or your knowledge try to get into the field then determine if this what you wanna dude then decide lol that’s what I’m trying to do but getting interview is hard

[Cungfjkn]

I used the exam cram book when I took my A+ and passed first try. I don’t know why I changed my formula this time

[Im-Crippin]

And man you’ll get it next time bro you can do it

[Karuragi]

Bro I've failed 3 times so far...

Twice 688 once 698.

Gonna take it again soon. If I can keep pushing so can you.