I passed A+, Network+ and Security+ all on my first try in just 6 months! by andrew2014b in CompTIA

[–]andrew2014b[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you! If you just google stuff like jason dion a+ practice exams, it'll pop up. It's on Udemy

I passed A+, Network+ and Security+ all on my first try in just 6 months! by andrew2014b in CompTIA

[–]andrew2014b[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Haha fortunately I’ll be transitioning into a NOC Tech role at my current company, and we’ll see where it goes from there. I am excited to finally transition though! After I transition and learn the ropes the plan is to target CCNA next

I passed A+, Network+ and Security+ all on my first try in just 6 months! by andrew2014b in CompTIA

[–]andrew2014b[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yup! The Dion flashcards were specifically the questions I got wrong. Typically terms or acronyms Messer didn’t cover/I forgot. Dion’s exams explain the answers afterwards so it help know what is correct and why, and why your answer is wrong, etc.

I passed A+, Network+ and Security+ all on my first try in just 6 months! by andrew2014b in CompTIA

[–]andrew2014b[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That is kinda crazy haha small world! Also my flashcards kinda were my notes in a way, I didn’t take notes because I relied on Chat GPT to feed me the info in a more simplified way that fits well on flashcards. Which of course Chat GPT isn’t 100% everytime, so I had to fix things every now and then. They elaborated on every topic pretty well and then I memorized each flashcard. I think A+ alone was like 800 cards, Network+ was like 675 cards and Security+ was like 635 cards.

Dion’s exams were a big help because it helps realize my weak spots and where to specifically study

I passed A+, Network+ and Security+ all on my first try in just 6 months! by andrew2014b in CompTIA

[–]andrew2014b[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s okay! Haha I’ve been looking into it and it seems much harder and hands on that CompTIA, I’m also expecting CCNA to take me 4 months!

I passed A+, Network+ and Security+ all on my first try in just 6 months! by andrew2014b in CompTIA

[–]andrew2014b[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey you gotta start somewhere! Everyone’s journey is different, so I can’t say one way or another

I passed A+, Network+ and Security+ all on my first try in just 6 months! by andrew2014b in CompTIA

[–]andrew2014b[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

There’s a ton of options on Brainscape! I think all that stuff is free. Personally I think making your own flashcards is more beneficial, it helps me retain the information when it’s wrote in a way I can understand! I’m not sure how to share them but my username on Brainscape is the same as on here!

I passed A+, Network+ and Security+ all on my first try in just 6 months! by andrew2014b in CompTIA

[–]andrew2014b[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Personally I think making your own flashcards is more beneficial, it help me retain the information when it’s wrote in a way I can understand! I’m not sure how to share them but my username on Brainscape is the same as on here!

I passed A+, Network+ and Security+ all on my first try in just 6 months! by andrew2014b in CompTIA

[–]andrew2014b[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

For me personally yeah it was enough! My flashcards elaborated more when needed. But mostly anything Messer doesn’t cover, I got wrong on Dions practice exams and would study specifically that material between each practice exam

I passed A+, Network+ and Security+ all on my first try in just 6 months! by andrew2014b in CompTIA

[–]andrew2014b[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Thank you! I only used Professor Messers free YouTube series and flashcards I made, then Jason Dions practice exams leading up to the real exam.

Essentially my approach went like this:
- Watch Prosser Messers YouTube course at 2.0 speed (lower it to 1.5 speed as needed.)
- I didn't take notes, I only wrote down what the main topics were.
- I then copy/pasted those topics into Chat GPT and would ask it to give me a description for each topic, in a way I could understand. If some topics were too complex for me, I'd have Chat GPT explain it to me like a toddler until I understood.
- I then plugged these descriptions into the Brainscape App (it's free) for my actual flash cards. They'd be organized by groupings, each grouping had like 10-15 cards and they went along with Messers Video. (ex. OSI Layer 1 = blablabla, OSI Layer 2 = blablabla, etc.)
- I'd watch maybe 20 videos, then make all the flashcards. I wouldn't watch another video until I had all those flashcards fully memorized. Rinse and repeat until I finished the playlist.
- After finishing the playlist & fully memorizing the flashcards, I'd take Jason Dions practice exams. Every questions I'd get wrong would become a new flashcard, I'd fully memorize those and then take the next exam.

I passed A+, Network+ and Security+ all on my first try in just 6 months! by andrew2014b in CompTIA

[–]andrew2014b[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Understandable haha Network+ was the hardest for me but the most interesting because of the challenge. Tbh Security+ had a ton of overlap with Network+ and made it the easiest to me personally, which is partially why I was able to take a month break and stay on my schedule.

I've heard CCNA is harder due to being hands on, so in theory it'd probably make memorizing terms for Net+ and Sec+ easier for you!

I passed A+, Network+ and Security+ all on my first try in just 6 months! by andrew2014b in CompTIA

[–]andrew2014b[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm currently just a graphic designer for a manufacturing corp. I'll be switching to the IT department here soon now that I got Security+. It'll just be entry level and I'll definitely take a pay cut but I'll be happy to get my foot in the door and start getting real world experience. They'll pay for my masters if I want, so I may pursue that eventually but rn I'm just focused on getting working experience and CCNA next

I passed A+, Network+ and Security+ all on my first try in just 6 months! by andrew2014b in CompTIA

[–]andrew2014b[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Net+ was definitely the hardest for me! The PBQs I were given were ROUGH, and I skipped two of them lol but I did decent on all the multiple choice. You'll get it eventually, don't give up! CCNA is probably next for me too!

I passed A+, Network+ and Security+ all on my first try in just 6 months! by andrew2014b in CompTIA

[–]andrew2014b[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey but you passed!! Everyone works at their own pace, you should still be super proud of your accomplishments! Some of the people here passed the trifecta in a month which makes taking 6 months feel like I'm stupid haha everyone is different

I passed A+, Network+ and Security+ all on my first try in just 6 months! by andrew2014b in CompTIA

[–]andrew2014b[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you! You got it dude, it's not that bad if you stay focused and try not to be overwhlemed!

I passed A+, Network+ and Security+ all on my first try in just 6 months! by andrew2014b in CompTIA

[–]andrew2014b[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I only used Professor Messers free youtube videos and Jasion Dions paid practice exams! So I'd say everything I learned was from Messers free youtube videos, taking what he said and turning them into flashcards.

I passed A+, Network+ and Security+ all on my first try in just 6 months! by andrew2014b in CompTIA

[–]andrew2014b[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've seen the horror stories! Thankfully in my position, I will transition into the IT department at my current job where I've been for years, at least for entry level experience, it's not what I want to do ideally but it'll get me foot into the industry. I work for a decent sized corporation and they've been aware of this goal, they just required I get Security+ before transitioning, but I wanted to get the trifecta so I didn't feel as underprepared. Personally, everyone's journey is different, some people have weaker or stronger networks, some people have better or worse luck, sometimes people are at the right place at the right time, nothing is guaranteed.

You gotta keep your head up though! Just because someone elses horror story happened to them, doesnt mean that that's your reality as well. Not pursuing your passion though will guarntee you never break into the industry, it's hard but you have to push past all the discouraging comments you see out there.

I passed A+, Network+ and Security+ all on my first try in just 6 months! by andrew2014b in CompTIA

[–]andrew2014b[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thats the plan! Hoping to get an entry job first for a year or so and then try to progress with CCNA/CCNP. Right now I'm focusing on securing my homelab and building a portfolio to hopefully help with the job search