What to Expect on the CompTIA Security+ Certification Exam
Earning certifications is one of the most effective ways to get ahead in the IT industry. Certifications are formal proof that you have a knowledge of in-demand IT skills and that you are capable of using them in a professional setting.
The CompTIA Security+ certification is one of the most widely-recognized certifications in cybersecurity and an excellent starting point for anyone looking to pivot to a career in cybersecurity, as well as cybersecurity professionals looking to verify their current skill set.
Earning your CompTIA Security+ certification requires you to pass the CompTIA Security+ certification exam administered by CompTIA. Exams can be a stressful experience and that stress can affect your performance on the exam itself. We are going to tell you what you can expect on the exam to help ease some of that stress.
Question Types
The CompTIA Security+ exam does not restrict itself to a single type of question. In fact, the questions you encounter on the exam can be broken down into two different categories: multiple choice, and performance-based.
Multiple-choice questions should be a familiar concept as they have been a test-taking standard for years. Selecting the right answer out of a collection of pre-determined answers can be very easy if you have a robust knowledge of the subject matter being tested.
Performance-based questions might be new to you if you’ve never had to take an exam that tests your practical ability. Essentially, performance-based questions have you demonstrate your skill by solving problems in a simulated environment. Questions of this nature will have you working with approximations of virtual environments you will encounter in your line of work, such as firewalls or operating system.
The exam’s focus on practical ability is one of the reasons that CompTIA certifications are regarded so highly in the industry.
Exam Format
While the exact format of the exam will vary in each instance, there are some constants you can keep in mind. The CompTIA Security+ exam is a computer-based exam. You are able to take the exam from the comfort of your own home, or in a testing centre if you so choose.
If you end up taking the exam more than once, you will notice that the exact same questions will not appear, and if they do appear, it may not be in the same place they appeared on a previous attempt. While the exact questions and their placement may vary, CompTIA advises that performance-based questions are more likely to appear at the beginning of the exam. You can use this knowledge to better plan your test-taking strategy.
Exam Length
The exact number of questions will vary on the exam, but the maximum number of questions you can encounter on the CompTIA Security+ exam is 90. The time allotted for the exam is 90 minutes.
Preparation
Now, that you know what to expect on the exam, your next step is to get CompTIA Security+ training. TechnoEdge Learning offers a 5-day, bootcamp style CompTIA Security+ exam prep course that will fully prepare you for success on your exam. TechnoEdge has a partnership with CompTIA which means the prep course is taught using the most up-to-date exam objectives and information. TechnoEdge instructors are all CompTIA Security+ certified and skilled at helping students learn effectively and efficiently.
Once you’ve attained your CompTIA Security+ certification, you can begin to pursue your CompTIA CySA+ certification, an intermediate level cybersecurity certification. TechnoEdge also offers CompTIA CySA+ training.
Whether you’re looking to move into cybersecurity, just starting out in the field, or you’ve been working in it for several years, TechnoEdge can help you make the next important step in your career. Register now for one of their upcoming courses and earn the certifications you need.