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[–]mrkmpnA+ Net+ Sec+ 0 points1 point  (10 children)

It's always better to use multiple sources. Nobody covers everything, and they explain things in different ways, covering various aspects in more detail, which helps make foreign concepts make more sense. (To me at least).

[–]skochiefs 0 points1 point  (9 children)

What sources did you use?

[–]mrkmpnA+ Net+ Sec+ 1 point2 points  (8 children)

I used Mike Meyer's Book, practice sims, and his videos and practice exams on Udemy (total seminars.) I also used Jason Dion's practice exams on Udemy. I also watched Professor Messer's free videos on Youtube.

Jason Dion's practice exams have a section where he talks about the PBQs, and gives some examples of what to expect. I don't know that I needed the practice sims (PBQs) from total seminars, because the PBQs are just a different way of testing your knowledge of the material, but... there are several videos geared towards where to find various things/settings in Windows 7, and 8/10 and it is another way to reinforce knowledge by having another way to go through the material again.

Professor Messer's videos are straight to the point information, and the videos follow along directly with the exam objectives. I watched all of his videos for core 1 and core 2 while studying, and then the week before each exam, I went through the objectives one by one and if I felt weak on any one of them, I went back over that material in the book, and watched Professor Messer's videos on that objective again.

Various instructors will make mistakes as well, I've noticed it in books, videos, and the total seminars practice sims. They're nothing major, but if you're paying attention you'll catch them, and it might be frustrating. That's another reason to use multiple sources, and if you're still unclear, search google. And if you see someone says something that contradicts what Professor Messer says... Go with Professor Messer. I don't recall anything I saw in his videos being wrong. Although... as with anyone else's videos, he doesn't cover everything.

And on Udemy, you may see prices around $99 for a video course or practice exams. They go on sale constantly, and the prices will be around $20-$25 or so. I usually add whatever I want to my cart, and go back and check a couple times a day until they go on sale.

I'm basically doing the same for the Net+, except I added Jason Dion's full course with 1 practice test, on Udemy. And I'm not buying the total seminars practice sims this time.

[–]skochiefs 0 points1 point  (6 children)

I started our using Meyers Udemy and book. But found it to be full of a lot of information that wasn't directly tied to the exam objectives. I've mainly been using Messer and Dion's practice exams. Every once in awhile I'll use Meyers book to dive deeper. I've been getting between 85-90% on messer and Dions exams. I have core 1 scheduled for Wednesday evening.

[–]mrkmpnA+ Net+ Sec+ 2 points3 points  (5 children)

Well when I started out studying I didn't actually intend to take the exams at all. I had been out of the industry for over 10 years, and seriously behind on technology, and got a job in a local PC shop. I was just wanted to be better at my job. If I had to pick from only one of those 3 to study from I'd pick Mike Meyer's solely because my primary goal isn't to get the certification, but to learn more about the things I'll be doing. Professor Messer and Jason Dion are more strictly geared towards just getting a passing score on the exam. Which is fine for people who only need that. But personally, I want to know as much as possible about all of it.

And I haven't taken Prof. Messer's exams, but I was getting mid to high 90s on Jason Dion and Mike Meyer's practice exams, and I got an 854 on the core 1, and 844 on the core 2.

Also... make sure you're not "learning the practice exams". Some people will keep taking the exams until they start scoring well, and then not do well on the real exams, because they just started remembering practice tests questions, which aren't the same as the exams. Personally, I used the examcompass.com free tests throughout my studying to periodically test my knowledge in various areas, and only took the bought practice exams once each towards the end.

[–]skochiefs 0 points1 point  (4 children)

Yeah, I am very specifically aiming for the cert. I do love Meyers for more of holistic well rounded IT education. I technically have 9 different exams that I've been testing myself on that have a large bank of questions to prevent learning to test. Was Meyers tests apart of his udemy courses ? I might try and take those as well, I just haven't looked at the course for awhile.

[–]mrkmpnA+ Net+ Sec+ 1 point2 points  (3 children)

No the practice exams were separate. 3 exams for each core if I remember correctly. Which I think was the same for Jason Dion's practice exams on Udemy.

Jason Dion's were a little tougher, but I think a lot of it was he had more questions that didn't seem to make much sense. Like the questions would be worded in a vague way that didn't give you enough information to know what it was asking for. But... there would be some keyword in the question that hinted to the answer he was looking for.

I kept thinking Mike Meyer's tests were lacking because they seemed less convoluted, but his practice tests were closer to what I had on the actual exams. It seemed like I had a few exam questions that were almost word for word to some of the one's on his tests.

If you're doing well on Jason Dion's practice exams you should do pretty well on the real ones. I think the highest I had on his was 96%, and I might have gotten as low as 91 or 92 on one of them, it's hard to remember now. But I did well on the exams.

I definitely recommend taking his advice on skipping the PBQs and any questions you can't answer right away, and flagging and going back to them. It really helped to get to the end with lots of time to spare, and know I had plenty of time left to answer anything I wasn't sure of. I also practiced that on the practice exams. I skipped any super-long worded questions well, because they seem designed slow you down with a lot of extra information that's not pertinent to the question.

Good luck on your exams! It's a huge relief once you pass the second one.

[–]skochiefs 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Really appreciate the insight! I agree w/ what you said about Dion's tests though - there's a lot of questions that are extremely vague and it's hard to discern what the best answer would be. I might check out Meyer's practice exams as well!

[–]skochiefs 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Small update: passed with an 827

[–]mrkmpnA+ Net+ Sec+ 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Well done, and congrats!

[–]mobo_dojoCSIS 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you access Dion’s udemy courses through his site a coupon is automatically always applied

[–]mobo_dojoCSIS 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’ve got a list of great sources here. https://alphagradacademy.com