(Part 3) Top products from r/CompTIA

Study Materials
I used this book almost exclusively. It is $10 on the Kindle (this if the 401 version). I got a 73 on the pre-assessment test, and after reading the book an 86 on the post.
As many on this sub-reddit have mentioned, Professor Messer - I gave his videos a try. Of course it's subjective, but he puts me to sleep. The other problem (no specific examples), I found some of the things he said contradicting or just different enough from my readings that it was confusing me. So I stopped using his videos.
CBT Nuggets is available for me through work, and I used Keith Barker's videos. If this is available to you, use it. They have a 7-day free trial, use that and if you can get it all in in 7 days (definitely possible and I don't know if the trial allows full access), get it done for free in 7 days). Otherwise, $88 for a month, and if it helps you pass the exam/understand the material better, do it. Best of all, what Keith was saying seemed directly in-line with my studies, no contradictions and whatever slight variances there were compared to my studies, were explained and made sense.

Practice Exams
I used the ExamCompass practice exams and CertMaster practice exams. Other than validating that I knew my stuff, they don't teach you anything. ExamCompass is free and one of the first results that comes up if you search for CompTIA security practice exam. CertMaster is yours if you get the re-take bundle through CompTIA. Since my work paid for my exam, I had them pay for that one. I'm fortunate to have a workplace that pays for these things, and HR doesn't check anything just approves whatever's put in front of them.

The Exam
The exam itself was nothing like the practice exams. The simulation questions were laughably easy - almost like put the square block in the circular hole type questions - but I'm sure there's variance in this and your results may vary. The questions themselves were nothing like ANY of the practice exams. I felt like I was taking the wrong test or something. Literally felt like it was asking me Cat is to 75786 as Microwave is to
a) carpet
b) hammer
c) wall
d) hamster.
Then again, CompTIA always has those questions not related to the exam for some kind of evaluation purpose - so maybe that's what those were. You will have these kinds of questions, and some of them on a second look can help you see things differently, you might notice a port number in that string of output that you can use to "guess" the correct answer because the multiple choice is a bunch of protocols and one of those protocols matches that port number.
I finished with ~20 minutes to spare, though I used that time to go back and review my questions and answers. On review though, on all but 3 questions, I said to myself, "that's the same answer I would've chosen anyway." I went through that tense moment of answering the demographic questions, and getting to the anticlimactic page telling me I had passed.

Advice
Use what works for you. Gibson's book really worked for me - and Keith Barker's videos were informative and entertaining (...and I'd like to thank you, for watching). Other's here have mentioned a lot of success with Messer, and fwiw, it works for them. If it works for you, use his videos. He's put a lot of work into them - they're free, and people have passed by his videos alone.
Know your gosh-darned port numbers - you should've been doing this since A+ and definitely in your Net+ studies. Though you don't have to take the Net+ prior to the Sec+, I understand why they recommend having it first. There were at least 2 questions that I was able to (easily) answer due to my Network studies.
There's no mention of this in any of my studies, but I got that POODLE question. If I hadn't read about that, literally the day of the exam on this sub-reddit, it would've been a complete guess. I got that one question right because of staying up-to-date on this.
If you are a native English speaker, and are taking this exam in English, you can reasonably correctly guess some of the terms and vocabulary answers - still, study how CompTIA wants you to know things like Threat, Vulnerability, Risk, etc.

Right now CySa+ materials are going on sale because the test is going to change. A new test is coming in the next 6 months or so. That being said it might be worth while getting Net+ first. As I'm sure you noticed while taking Sec+ there is a lot of Networking involved. However, if you are comfortable with networking then I'd just straight to CySa+ while the materials are cheep and your Sec+ knowledge is still fresh.

>New CompTIA CySA+ (CS0-002) exam coming in Q2 2020!

This study bundle is 51% off on amazon currently.

CySa+, like Sec+, is DoD approved so it's (typically) worth more in the job market than Net+

> CompTIA CySA+ meets the ISO 17024 standard and is approved by U.S. Department of Defense to fulfill Directive 8570.01-M requirements. It is compliant with government regulations under the Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA). Regulators and government rely on ANSI accreditation because it provides confidence and trust in the outputs of an accredited program.

It really depends on how much you want to spend on it. If you want to GUARANTEE success, Comptia does have first party books. - and I would suggest the subscription to ITPROTV. Certain concepts such as subnetting and VLSM are just conveyed better through video, and ITPROTV does the best job at it. I would highly highly suggest you get a boogieboard too for your IT endeavors - Just good as a solid sketch pad. Certain things like just writing down your OSI Model layers and the encapsulation over and over from memory, and the IP Classes/routable IP address ranges over and over really makes traditional paper unconventional.


So the 3 links I would suggest are here:

https://www.itpro.tv/courses/comptia/network-n10007/ (Go with the 48/month plan so you have labs, network + is the hardest of the A+, Net+, Sec+ trifecta.)

https://www.amazon.com/CompTIA-Network-Study-Guide-Authorized/dp/1119432251 (Suggested book)

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=boogie+board&i=electronics&ref=nb_sb_noss_2 (Boogie board)

I posted this in another thread but check it out, it might help.


Here is some information. Note that I still haven't taken my Net+ but this is the information that seems to be widely used:

All Hail Professor Messer:

http://www.professormesser.com/network-plus/n10-006/n10-006-course-index/

ExamCompass Practice Tests:

http://www.examcompass.com/comptia-network-plus-certification-practice-test-1-exam-n10-006

Crucial Exams Practice Tests:

https://crucialexams.com/

AioTestKing:

http://www.aiotestking.com/comptia/

Also, if you want hardcopy material look into Mike Meyer's series. I think it is this one:

http://www.amazon.com/CompTIA-Network-Guide-Sixth-N10-006/dp/0071848223/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1453823065&sr=8-1&keywords=mike+meyers+network+%2B

Good luck and happy studying!

I would say the BEST book is this one, A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide)–Fifth Edition.

The reason why, is the PMP/CAMP/Project+ are all based on this book. So not only will it get you Project+, but it will also prepare you for the other two certs from PMI. It's not short, I mean it's 600 pages, but it really is the best for these certs.

Otherwise, I think the Sybex book is your best bet. It's half the size and will only focus on the topics covered in Project+

Just scored 827 on the 220-801 exam. I'm using this text though I hear great things about the Meyers book. Watch these videos and puchase his study guides they're excellent value. Read a chapter then watch the appropriate video, a few a week is a great pace. Then once you get through and are somewhat confident in answering the questions in the book, book your exam and have a week where you really blitz the material (around 3 chapters a day). Practice exams would be bonus, I used the ones that came with this but that was a loaner from a friend.

I didn't find many good free tests. I would say examcompass is ok for 1001 but they have some straight up wrong answers for the 1002.

Here is what I used- https://www.amazon.com/CompTIA-Certification-Guide-220-901-220-902-ebook/dp/B019HX5EOM

The book is 30 bucks and the book is ok if a little too in depth, but comes with free access to totalsem.com, which is amazing in terms of practice tests. It even has a few simulations that were actual PBQ's ripped from the test.

Between the totalsem tests and professormesser i just passed my A+ and got certified earlier today.

I am currently studying for my Network+ exam. I am using this book for my studies:

http://www.amazon.com/CompTIA-Network-Certification-Study-N10-006/dp/0071848886/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1457751965&sr=8-6&keywords=comptia+network%2B

The nice thing about this book is that it comes with a CD that has almost 600 test prep questions along with a lab manual and a bunch of extras. Its not too expensive and I think it is definitely worth the money.

Looking to take my exam later this month and I feel like this book and its resources have been really helpful.

http://www.examcompass.com/comptia/security-plus-certification/free-security-plus-practice-tests

these helped me alot when I was preparing for my Security+ test. I tooked the 301, but I'm guessing it will be helpful for the 401 as well.

Also, Darril Gibson's practice questions were very helpful, but i paid for the book (about $28?). The kindle edition is $10:
http://www.amazon.com/CompTIA-Security-Get-Certified-Ahead/dp/1939136032/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1427784974&sr=8-2&keywords=darril+gibson+security%2B+401

Congrats! I used the book I’m attaching below. Read the 1002 portion in its entirety. I failed the first time, but after reading this, my score went up by about 150 points and I passed! It covers all the material I saw on the test really well. The only thing the test throws at you that are kinda curveballs are the “BEST” questions. You really just have to stop and NOT overthink it. Read through every option and pick your first gut instinct. Don’t change your answer after that. Good luck!!!

CompTIA A+ Complete Review Guide: Exam Core 1 220-1001 and Exam Core 2 220-1002 https://www.amazon.com/dp/1119516951/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_wUY3CbAG7GWXR

Your plan looks solid. Here is Security +. Working on N+!

Secure Link Established.... Accessing Library... SCP initated....


Darril Gibsons Security +


Mike Meyers' Security +


GTS Learning Security +


....Deconstrucing Tunnel...Link Terminated.



VPN constructed... UDP Session Initialized...Buffering...


Professer Messer Security+ *Free


Mike Chapple Security+ Free


..Session Terminated...Warning:VPN Deconstructed



*Hydra initialized...SSH Cracked.. SCP exams.docx /all

[Professor Messer's Pop Quizes Free](http://www.professormesser.com/popquiz/)


[Crucial Exams Free](https://crucialexams.com/exams/comptia/security+/)


[ExamCompass Free](http://www.examcompass.com/comptia/security-plus-certification/free-security-plus-practice-tests)


[GoCertify Free](http://www.gocertify.com/table/comptia/security-quizzes/)


[Darril Gibson's Exam/Study App Paid](http://learnzapp.com/partners/darrilgibson/)


Warning IPS Activated.......Sub7 payload deployed....Ending Session



Simulations Initialized......


[Darril Gibson's Sims Paid](http://blogs.getcertifiedgetahead.com/security-blog-links/#Performance)


[Testout Paid](http://www.testout.com/home/it-certification-training/labsim-certification-training/security-pro)


[GTS Learning Paid](https://www.gtslearning.com/comptia-securityplus-ebook-plus-labs-pm/#1468334556896-4996a61c-f05d)



Lab Broken.... Rebuilding....



Native applications loaded...

SoundAGiraffeMakes Pass Post


Tennyson24 Pass Post

Deathrus Pass Post

Thank you for The Community Post..**

Congrats! I've read through the following a few months ago and am hoping to do the same soon:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/d/Books/CompTIA-Certification-LX0-103-LX0-104-101-400/0071841687/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_14_t_0?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=N6W14D8WP5GW0JVTJ0Q5

Did you feel the exam was easy having taken classes, or stretched your skills?

Secure Link Established.... Accessing Library... SCP initated....


Darril Gibsons Security +


Mike Meyers' Security +


GTS Learning Security +


....Deconstrucing Tunnel...Link Terminated.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

This option is $22 for Kindle version of Meyers book:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B019HX5EOM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_NPJwBb5D89824

Download a free sample and see if you like it.

You can also listen to it and it will turn pages for you if you have iOS or Android phone:

Check these links for setting up the audio feature:.

https://youtu.be/BxrkYFd63E8

https://youtu.be/0mXkme9abiU

If you like the features of the digital version, buy it and with the savings you can afford Messer's notes too!!

Just repeating the definitions/knowledge isn't enough, you have to know it well enough to apply it in a real-world scenario. Good luck!

The review guide by Troy McMillan is the reason I passed my 902.

https://www.amazon.com/CompTIA-Complete-Review-Guide-220-901/dp/1119137888

I have enjoyed the Sybex series, https://smile.amazon.com/CompTIA-Complete-Study-Guide-220-1001/dp/1119515939/ref=sr_1_5?crid=39NGOO1J9JE1G&keywords=comptia+a%2B+1001&qid=1575104128&sprefix=comptia+a%2Caps%2C170&sr=8-5

But I dare say the majority I've seen on this sub forum seem to prefer the all in one series, and Mike Meyers did the one for the A+,

https://smile.amazon.com/CompTIA-Certification-Guide-220-1001-220-1002-ebook-dp-B07PPY7P1T/dp/B07PPY7P1T/ref=mt_kindle?_encoding=UTF8&me=&qid=

But thats just my opinion on books, take it with a huge grain of salt as I have not passed the A+.

This is what I'm working with now and I just passed the 801.

Professor Messer Videos, free on Youtube

Professor Messer Study Guides, $10 each

Study Book, This book doesn't feel like a text book like some of the other study guides do.

Definitely get this. It's helping me a ton right now.

Is it the Mike Meyers All in One book by any chance? that book will leave you completely lost its full of alot of fluff not needed for the exam. I recommend getting this book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/d/cka/Comptia-Complete-Review-Guide-Exams-220-901-220-902/1119137888/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1494878071&sr=8-9&keywords=comptia+a%2B

it is nothing but facts and follows the exam structure in order same as the professor messer video. Make sure you get the review version and not the study guide. you could read one objective then watch professor messer videos that correlate to the objectives. I use Mike Meyers books purely as laptop stands.

I personally started with Dion’s video course, which I’m enjoying and it also follows almost chapter by chapter with the official Network+ Cert Guide book. So I watch a chapter or two of Dions, then read the associating chapter in the book. Once I am finished with both of these, I’m going to watch PM’s course kind of as “review” more or less. I also purchased Dion’s set of network+ tests on Udemy which I haven’t yet taken since I’m not done with watching / reading all of the material.

> I recommend George's book posted above.

This book?:

https://www.amazon.com/Penetration-Testing-Hands-Introduction-Hacking/dp/1593275641/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1523194816&sr=8-2-fkmr0&keywords=Pentest+handbook

I used this book to review last minute, it's very thorough.
I did not use flashcards, but listening to Professor Messer and cybrary.it videos really helped in my preparation as well.

Use Cybrary (free resource) for a video course to memorize commands and what their output looks like. Also, take practice tests using this book https://www.amazon.com/CompTIA-Linux-LPIC-Practice-Tests/dp/1119372690/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=LPIC+103+book&qid=1556591216&s=gateway&sr=8-3

Do you mean this?

It's actually in WGU's library for free. Just search for 'Comptia Project' and it'll be one of the first few results.

As for the test, I just recently took it and passed with a score in the mid 800s. The test was frustrating because the questions are worded as vaguely as possible to increase the difficulty. Know what the terms mean and its especially important to know the components of the different phases and plans.

For example, what components make up a scope statement and what phase is it created in. You won't see a question that specific on the test. Instead you'll generally see a vaguer version of something like this, 'You're afraid that work is being done in the project that wasn't part of the original plan. Where would you go to confirm this'.

Also, make sure you know the order of steps in processes, like schedule creation or a change request. Other than that, it's hard to say since each tests' questions are randomized, but I got a decent amount of questions on different types of risks and conflict resolution. Also can recall a few questions on the different chart types and cost/schedule variance calculations, but not that many.

If you want to pass the 103 and 104 try finding the text book by Jason Eckert... https://www.amazon.ca/CompTIA-Linux-Guide-Certification/dp/1305107160

I had Jason as my Linux teacher and his book is 100% gold. He personally claims going thru this book cover to cover 3 times makes for a pass on these exams!

[This one?] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1939136032/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER)

On that note, how long will SY0-401 be in use?

Here is the mobile version of your link

He does! I just bought the kindle version (only $10) to use for my own studies.

Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0071848223/

CompTIA Network+ N10-007 Cert Guide (Certification Guide) https://www.amazon.com/dp/0789759810/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_SaF1DbP9BW9RD

That's the Cert Guide book I've been using.

>The official study guide



Is it this one?

​

https://www.amazon.co.uk/CompTIA-Complete-Study-Guide-220-1001/dp/1119515939/ref=asc_df_1119515939/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=241430810118&hvpos=1o2&hvnetw=g&hvrand=12533844040823489630&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1006567&hvtargid=pla-696500029900&psc=1&th=1&psc=1

This.

Yea, in face this is the bundle I got:

https://www.amazon.com/CompTIA-Cybersecurity-Analyst-Certification-CS0-001/dp/1260453251/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=CySA%2B&qid=1558129385&s=gateway&sr=8-5

Penetration Testing: A Hands-On Introduction to Hacking https://www.amazon.com/dp/1593275641/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_h4oYAbTMDV0T3

I personally think it doesn't go into enough detail, which I suppose is to be expected for an introductory book that covers an absolutely massive subject. It doesn't help that there's not much info out there so I'm kinda flying blind.

I have a Safari Books subscription through my job so I'm trying to supplement it with CEH resources I find.

Great, thanks. I do a fair amount of project work already but between our limited capacity, my split responsibilities, and my lack of PM skills I feel like my wheels are always spinning and I'm not doing a great job.

I'm a big believer in offloading as much information as possible to systems designed to manage it, versus using our consistently poor memories and limited brain space, and I have no idea how to do that with projects. I'm hoping PM concepts and systems cater to this.

edit: are these the books you mentioned?

CompTIA Project+ Study Guide: Exam PK0-004 https://www.amazon.com/dp/1119280524/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_kdOxDbM2ZGBH1
CompTIA Project+ Practice Tests: Exam PK0-004 https://www.amazon.com/dp/1119363357/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_ceOxDbYYB9S8H