I plan on taking the CompTIA Security+ certification at the end of this month. I bought 4 books for this and have been reading them daily. For those of you that have this Security+ certification, what was your experience taking the test like? Any curveballs? I have my Network+ certification and I found that to be a breeze. I, however, felt that I got about 95% of the answers on the Network+ correct, yet the computer claims I only got about 80%+. Odd! I know that the Security+ exam is harder so I'm a little worried.

If and when I get this Security+, I am going for my MCSE since this counts as an elective. And then I go for my Linux+ and maybe CCNA.

Good luck. I don't have any experience with Security + but work just purchased the book for me (hint hint) so I am sure I will get to that guy soon. I am still studying for Linux+.

i took the security + exam about a month ago, be sure to read up on Mandatory Access Control Role Based Access Control, Stenography, Assemetrical encryption and Symmetrical Enctryption. It seems the makers of this paticular test have no idea what they are testing you on, as the vocabulary on the exam is poor at best. There are also many vague questions, so read each question atleast twice. I had a few questions where i was supposed to compare things like DMZ's to physical barriers, mantraps etc. If you could get a practice test thats resonably priced go for it, just because of the reasons i stated earlier.

After reading 2 books i thought MAC and RBAC reffered to people based roles. On the comptia exam they were referring to certificates and encryption. (why, i have no idea)

P.S. if you find a cheap practice test post a link for me please, as i failed the test by 6 points

I passed my exam, but barely. I scored a 781. You need a minimum of 765 to pass.

Chrisortiz, you are right! I found the test questions to be difficult than the answer(s)! A lot of them were very vague, and I found that if you thought about the questions too much, then you would second guess yourself or over analyze the situation. For example, I had this one question which was really dumb:

Obviously it's not answer A), but answer B, C, and D could possibly be it. I just guess answer B) because I assume the word "isolate" meant in a DMZ and segregated from the LAN. You see, I'm not too sure! Another stupid question:

But as you can, those answers are all legitimate, but which is the BEST? I had no clue and guessed.

another one:
I really had no clue which he should do first since if that were me, I'd do everything that was listed. I just guessed changing the password. Who knows if that was even the correct answer.


I found A LOT of the questions to be like this. There were very few answers that were either right or wrong. I just had a bunch of questions like what I posted and I was stressed out and thought I was going to fail!

I do have a PDF practice test if you want it. I ended up joining an online practice test website and they give you free PDF practice tests.

All I can say is that I'm glad I passed and my next certification may be Linux+ (looks hard) or the long awaited MCSE (not looking forward to it, but Security+ counts as an elective for the MCSE). If you have any questions on Security+, ask me now before I forget. LOL I just took it yesterday (2/9/07)

PLEASE post how your Linux+ exam went and let us know anything that was odd or difficult on the exam. I could not find that many resources online for the LInux+, and Amazon.com does not have many study books on the Linux+

D) *I can't remember this one*

That was seriously one of the answers on the test? I'm stunned.

Thats the kind of unprofessional blarny id expect on a joke webform.

CompTIA just went down in my estimation. Which is bad! Because i've spent several hours writing a proposal have a qualification through them funded to me. I hope that inane example doesnt indicate a general problem with their service standard.

*Edit, realised you might be kidding and just didnt recall the question. Least i hope so lol

Whoops! I meant that D) *I can't remember this one* was myself that could not remember the answer. There were 4 choices but I could only recall 3 of them. There's no way CompTIA would put that on a test. My fault - I should have been more clear that that was me who could not remember one of the answer. I do, however, still feel that the test was very confusing. I barely had "simple" questions about "What port does so-and-so run on..." or "Which of these are symmetric encryption". I just hate questions that have scenarios in them, which I got tons of!