After studying for the Security+ exam off and on for about six months, I decided to focus on it seriously for three weeks. Eventually, I passed the certification test, and I probably could have done it sooner if I had concentrated earlier. Moving forward, I’ve realized that inconsistent studying won’t lead to results. This is something to keep in mind if you’re preparing for any certification. I’d like to share the exam tips and resources that helped me pass.
First, your reading comprehension will greatly influence your score. Many of the exam questions are worded in a way that can be confusing or overly broad. While having a solid understanding of the topics is important, understanding the questions themselves is just as crucial. My tip for dealing with tricky questions is to flag them and revisit them later. You don’t have to wait until the end of the exam—just giving yourself a break from the question might help you view it from a different angle. This approach can save you time and help you answer more confidently.
My second tip is to flag the labs, which will typically be the first few questions you encounter. You might get anywhere from two to five labs, and they can seem overwhelming at first glance. By flagging them and going through the rest of the exam questions first, you give yourself time to think about the labs without feeling rushed. When I did this, I found I had time at the end to make any last-minute adjustments and tackle the labs more thoughtfully.
As for study resources, I used Professor Messer’s videos and Anki flashcards for practice questions. I recommend having a video series, book, or any form of media that covers all the exam objectives so that you have a solid foundation before moving into practice questions. Once you feel confident in your knowledge, start refining the areas you’re less sure about by doing practice tests. I used Jason Dion’s practice exams to gauge if I was ready. Scoring well on those practice exams gave me the confidence I needed to take the actual test, where I scored decently.
In terms of hands-on preparation, Security+ is more focused on security theories than practical labs, so you won’t need extensive lab work beyond basic command prompts. After earning my CompTIA trifecta, I’m now looking forward to building hands-on experience, possibly by setting up a home lab or working with platforms like Azure. I’ll keep you posted on how that goes!
Thanks for reading, and I hope you have a great day!
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