Taking the Security+ exam

[Andrew111]

I'm getting a chance to take the Security+ exam free of charge by my employer. Has anyone acquired this certification and have any insight on what to pay particular attention to to prepare for the exam? They kind of put me on the spot by giving me only a few days notice. I have 3 years in IT but my experience isn't focused mainly on securing systems...more on solving network/general hardware problems. Given my background, what subjects should I do some cramming on to prepare for the security+ exam? I'm thinking encryption techniques is a big one.....what others should I study up on?

 

[SagaLore]

Go grab the latest exam cram book for security+.

Also, sign up on Measureup.com - you can buy small increments of time - and take the full quiz. Print off all the answers you got wrong, memorize them, retake. Keep doing it until you get higher than a 90%.

 

[Maxspeed996]

where are you taking your test at brother? I'm looking into tryint to getting A+ Net+ and Secur+ from the local community college. I've been digging for more info on the web this morning but haven't found much yet as far as availability. And do you know the averable cost of these exams? Don't mean to hi-jack the thread!! Thanks!

 

[xchangx]

Originally posted by: SagaLore
Go grab the latest exam cram book for security+.

Also, sign up on Measureup.com - you can buy small increments of time - and take the full quiz. Print off all the answers you got wrong, memorize them, retake. Keep doing it until you get higher than a 90%.

That's what brings down certifications. Just learn the stuff and take the test, don't try to cheat the system, there's nothing like a Network+ employee that doesn't know what a switch is.

 

[SagaLore]

Originally posted by: xchangx

Originally posted by: SagaLore
Go grab the latest exam cram book for security+.

Also, sign up on Measureup.com - you can buy small increments of time - and take the full quiz. Print off all the answers you got wrong, memorize them, retake. Keep doing it until you get higher than a 90%.

That's what brings down certifications. Just learn the stuff and take the test, don't try to cheat the system, there's nothing like a Network+ employee that doesn't know what a switch is.

The security+ isn't designed for someone with real world experience. I have 5+ years direct systems and network security experience, and I still had to cram to take the test. It has all sorts of stupid questions that you wouldn't ever deal with on a daily basis.

He said he had short notice. So I gave him correct advise to pass the test. Only a poor manager would hire someone just because they have a network+ cert without really figuring out what they know during the interview.

 

[DCFife]

When I took the Security+ to finish off my MCSA I was given a one hour class that covered a few definitions, such as the definition of a "honey pot". The answers are rediculous - most of the time the answer is very obvious because the other three or four answers are flat out silly. When I took the test several of us were laughing because the wrong answers can be quite amusing.

If you're good at taking tests and have rudimentary IT experience you should pass without any issues at all.

 

[ViviTheMage]

Originally posted by: DCFife
When I took the Security+ to finish off my MCSA I was given a one hour class that covered a few definitions, such as the definition of a "honey pot". The answers are rediculous - most of the time the answer is very obvious because the other three or four answers are flat out silly. When I took the test several of us were laughing because the wrong answers can be quite amusing.

If you're good at taking tests and have rudimentary IT experience you should pass without any issues at all.

that seems like most cert tets though , hhaha

 

[DCFife]

Originally posted by: ViviTheMage

Originally posted by: DCFife
When I took the Security+ to finish off my MCSA I was given a one hour class that covered a few definitions, such as the definition of a "honey pot". The answers are rediculous - most of the time the answer is very obvious because the other three or four answers are flat out silly. When I took the test several of us were laughing because the wrong answers can be quite amusing.

If you're good at taking tests and have rudimentary IT experience you should pass without any issues at all.

that seems like most cert tets though , hhaha

Yeah, pretty much. But the Security+ test...it really is in a league all its own!

 

[Andrew111]

Originally posted by: Maxspeed996
where are you taking your test at brother? I'm looking into tryint to getting A+ Net+ and Secur+ from the local community college. I've been digging for more info on the web this morning but haven't found much yet as far as availability. And do you know the averable cost of these exams? Don't mean to hi-jack the thread!! Thanks!

I'm in Germany at the moment so I couldn't really give you any useful information on where to take the test as I'm only aware of the places here. Every big city probably has a place that will administer the exam....I think it costs around $250.

 

[Andrew111]

Originally posted by: SagaLore

Originally posted by: xchangx

Originally posted by: SagaLore
Go grab the latest exam cram book for security+.

Also, sign up on Measureup.com - you can buy small increments of time - and take the full quiz. Print off all the answers you got wrong, memorize them, retake. Keep doing it until you get higher than a 90%.

That's what brings down certifications. Just learn the stuff and take the test, don't try to cheat the system, there's nothing like a Network+ employee that doesn't know what a switch is.

The security+ isn't designed for someone with real world experience. I have 5+ years direct systems and network security experience, and I still had to cram to take the test. It has all sorts of stupid questions that you wouldn't ever deal with on a daily basis.

He said he had short notice. So I gave him correct advise to pass the test. Only a poor manager would hire someone just because they have a network+ cert without really figuring out what they know during the interview.

That's what I've heard.....lots of the weird questions that are worded in ways designed to trick you. I took a few practice exams from security+ books I borrowed from a friend.....one was super easy while the other one was almost purely scenario based and kinda tricky. My employer scheduled a company to come down and administer a test that's supposed to be harder then the actual Security+ exam tomorrow.......if I pass that I should be sitting pretty:laugh:

 

[Maxspeed996]

What about the A+ is it the same? I've been doing tech work on the side for 5 years and am fairly affluent with the workings of a machine , and some history of the parts themselves. Any experience with that test?