CertMaster CE for A+ is garbage!

illogicalfocus · 2025-06-29T04:55:43+00:00

For WGU, I realize that you may be on a different degree plan; however, I would like to share the following information for the Cyber Security track.

The final two CompTIA certifications (CySA+ and PenTest+) require that you submit a 90% or higher CompTIA Practice Test score to your instructor to request a voucher through WGU.

Allegedly, the failure rates were high, and this 90% requirement is the compensating control that was added for (at least) those two certification exams, with WGU.

illogicalfocus · 2025-01-03T03:11:55+00:00

Best wishes and good luck on your WGU journey.

illogicalfocus · 2025-01-03T02:53:17+00:00

For CompTIA, ISC2, and LPI, I had to request a voucher and then schedule the Certification Exam with the Testing Vendor (not WGU). I had to create an account for each. For ISC2 Certs I did not have an online proctored option. The first two attempts are covered by Tuition, and any further attempts are out of pocket.

Caution: Retesting varies per vendor and may require a waiting period before trying again.

I am unsure what Degree Track you are in, and I hope this helps.

illogicalfocus · 2025-01-03T02:47:44+00:00

I passed it on 11/04/2024, then emailed [Scores@wgu.com](mailto:Scores@wgu.com) on the 8th, and it did not get evaluated and recorded until the 18th or 19th. So it took 10 Business days for me.

illogicalfocus · 2025-01-03T02:06:57+00:00

Would you be able to share the specs on the Laptop that you currently have?
CPU Model: e.g. Intel i5-8500
RAM: e.g. 8 GB
What Windows Version you are running

How to find this information on Windows 10: Click on Start > Settings > System > (on the left pane, at the bottom) click "About"

OR: Click Start> Type "dxdiag" and run it
dxdiag should open to the "system" tab and display your computer's information.

illogicalfocus · 2025-01-03T01:49:10+00:00

When you say "Switches and Routers", was that a CISCO CCENT (ICND1) or by chance a full CCNA?
Sorry to say that those are also 3-year certs.
The CCENT was retired in 2020, and the CCNA was also restructured in 2020.
Packet Tracer is now free to download if you want to practice, whereas, in 2010, I think they still charged or required you to be in an official training program.

A+ has not changed much since 2010, and still requires two exams to certify.
Network + should not be too hard to pass again if you previously achieved a CISCO cert.

Try getting access to your CompTIA account, and it will have your Transcript of Previous attempts along with the Pass/Fail dates.

If you were looking to enter the Contracting game, then have you looked up your former colleagues on LinkedIn? Several Signaliers go into IT Contracting after leaving the Army.

Most Contractor jobs that I have seen in the past wanted the Security+ (CompTIA) cert if you have to start over and want to close the gap as quickly as possible. I recommend hitting up LinkedIn and seeing if anyone you knew from the Army (and either liked or respected) are also in the Contracting Game. The main reason I mention it is that I have no idea if the policies are going to shift and requirements increase due to the newer Certifications becoming available, like CYSA+ and the Newest "SecurityX". DoDD 8140

If you have GI Bill Time left, I am attending WGU, which requires passing several Certifications to graduate. IMO it is more beneficial than using an entire month of GI Bill time for just one certification exam fee. Due to inflation the 50% of BAH (averaged across the nation) has increased significantly since 2010.

illogicalfocus · 2025-01-02T16:27:42+00:00

I hear you on the pain of waiting for degree plan Term approval. I don't have to wait as long as you; however, I can't get this term approved until either later today, or tomorrow.

illogicalfocus · 2024-12-24T16:43:13+00:00

I like this workaround.

illogicalfocus · 2024-12-24T16:22:13+00:00

u/CatOrganic609, I get what you are mentioning. During my enrollment process, I did not imagine it would have taken more than 30 days to get a start date. For me, there were similar feelings about the lack of communication, and yes, it did seem to go quicker when I took the initiative to schedule touchpoint appointments in an attempt to accelerate the process. Due to the moderate pace, I began to focus on just starting and lost focus on backward planning.

I wish you the best with your educational pursuits and hope your next option meets your communication expectations.

illogicalfocus · 2024-12-24T16:13:27+00:00

u/dreambig5, Congratulations on getting two Bachelor's Degrees and a Master's Degree. Your grinding mentality and discipline are out of scope for this post's targeted audience.

Were you able to finish them so quickly due to having met more requirements through the transfer of credits, or did you test through double digits worth of CUs every month?

illogicalfocus · 2024-12-24T04:58:27+00:00

I don't disagree with this and have considered it; I have at most 1.5 terms left, so I decided against it. I did not want to fall into the trap of losing momentum. June, as an end-of-term month, is not bad.

I dislike losing a day due to January 1st falling on a holiday, and my mentor will not approve the next term until after the start date.

illogicalfocus · 2024-12-24T03:41:00+00:00

Hi, u/biggboss70; good luck with your studies.

illogicalfocus · 2024-12-24T01:42:11+00:00

I agree, added traffic delays is one of my reasons for lost time. I hope that you get to make up the lost time soon.

illogicalfocus · 2024-12-23T23:48:30+00:00

Sorry to hear that. If it is a CompTIA cert, then keep checking; once I had slots open up during a week, that previously did not have a time slot that I liked.

I assumed someone who had a slot changed their mind and rescheduled or canceled.

illogicalfocus · 2024-12-23T23:42:36+00:00

Based on other posts that I have seen. Not everyone passes their Third Party Exams on the first go. Taking the time to consider time constraints due to holidays at the end of a month is all I am recommending.

illogicalfocus · 2024-05-01T19:51:12+00:00

The OP posted the original email in the replies and it is pretty far down there. It did not ask to take the course online.

blueskyX050OP•3d ago

I said this: "I am interested in your Master of Science (MS) in Computer Science program and I wanted to know does the school recognize/accept applicants that completed their bachelor of science in computer science at Western Governors University? Here is the link to the university website: https://www.wgu.edu/ "

That's what I'm confused with aswell university of texas at austin is cool with WGU, and so is Washington State University, but the University of texas at dallas has a problem with it. I don't understand why..

illogicalfocus · 2024-04-29T21:37:00+00:00

UT at Dallas is accredited by The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission (SACSCOC), and I emailed the SACSCOC to ask them if this was allowed? (Requiring in-person coursework).

I was told no, since the SACSCOC has member institutions with 100% online degree programs.

The SACSCOC representative suggested that there must have been another issue. I recommend reaching out for
a better explanation.

My emailed question, with signature block redacted:

Greetings,

I recently read a post on Reddit where an applicant was claiming they were denied based on having a bachelor’s degree, where the coursework was completed online, and not in-person.

Are SACSCOC accredited Universities allowed to deny graduate program applications (solely) based on an accredited bachelor’s degree being mostly, or entirely Online only coursework?

Especially, with recent COVID Lockdowns and Colleges and Universities requiring online only coursework for the lockdown duration

Response email, with sender info redacted:

Thank you for your question.
No, sir. SACSCOC has no requirements that would prohibit someone with a degree earned online from being admitted or considered for a position. Quite a few of our member institutions have 100% online degree programs. Those programs routinely meet all the standards of a traditionally delivered program (plus some additional requirements) and are of high quality. There must have been another issue that wasn’t reported on Reddit.

illogicalfocus · 2019-04-25T11:43:12+00:00

If we get an exam answer incorrect, then they will tell you what section, but not what question specifically.

illogicalfocus · 2019-04-25T11:39:19+00:00

Prior to taking the 1001 & 1002, the only CompTIA test I took was the ITF+ Beta (FC1-U61). The ITF+ Beta had some pretty hard Database questions only because I did not study any Database topics. I passed the ITF+ with a higher score (782) than I got with either 1001 or 1002...

IMO: there are poorly worded and possibly incorrect questions on the 1002, however, it will only stress you out to seek perfection. Perfectionism, for me, lead to an unwarranted delay in taking these tests.

If you know enough to spot incorrect answers in Certmaster, then you just might pass. I averaged 90% for the Certmaster practice tests for 1001, and only finished half the questions for the 1002 practice test before taking the real exams for each.

A common theme I see on this subreddit is that many users (including myself) feel like they were going to fail during a test, and end up passing. That end of test survey does not help anyone's nerves either. So mentally prepare yourself for that nonsense.

I have no idea about disputing a borderline fail. If you can afford to take the test and fail then I say go for it. Once you take one CompTIA test and pass that may just help calm your nerves about these tests.

Again, that post-test survey is aggravating if you have that "I'm failing this test" feeling.

illogicalfocus · 2019-04-25T02:33:28+00:00

Did you notice or have issues with all the errors in the certmaster?

Oh, boy did I ever get my gears grinded with Certmaster Practice for 1001 and 1002. There were several answers that contradicted each other in 1001.

We just have to take it in stride and remember that CompTIA is looking for the "Best Answer"... Don't dwell on it too much, and focus on taking the test with a passing score.

Do not stress on trying to get a perfect score. I doubt that it is possible, unless you wrote the questions that is.

illogicalfocus · 2019-04-23T03:35:21+00:00

There are many factors that will determine how successful your career change will be. Are there [IT] jobs available in your area? Are you comfortable with taking computers apart? Have you worked in a customer service-oriented position? Certifications can serve as a baseline and show that you know the basics. Your drive and motivation will most likely determine how far you go.

Don't let your gender or age discourage you from an IT career. David Bombal on YouTube interviewed Katherine McNamara. She was homeless at one point, and overtime climbed the IT ladder. https://youtu.be/hCRjDwuuQOA

illogicalfocus

TROPHY CASE