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Hi guys, there are probably a lot of similar questions, but just in case anybody else has recently taken Net+, I was wondering if you had any type of tips like:

“I wish I knew a little more about x”

Should I try to cram and refresh on acronyms, or common ports, 802xx junk, routing protocols, subnetting, binary math, command line tools and parameters? What might be most helpful to refresh on?

I’m not very good on gateway protocols and some of the crazier “monster network” terms and technologies, but I think I have a grasp on most everything else.

I’m refreshing through one big Mike Meyers book as well as watching professor messer’s Youtube stuff.

Also, if I pass it, and have networking on the brain, should I go and try to take Microsoft’s Networking Fundamentals? I’d like to take the path to MCITP in server or virtualization. So wondering if passing Net+ means I could turn around and get MS NF without much trouble.or if that is a lot different than Net+. I’ve heard it’s more simple.

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Do they still ask historical questions? It’s super useful to know about ring networks and bridges…

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From what you have said, I think you should be set!

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Not bad at all.

Aren’t you interested in CCNA ?

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Sounds like you’ll be fine.

When I took the exam last year they did ask a few legacy networking questions, which Mike Meyers’ book did cover quite well.

Better to be over-prepared. I remember timing myself calculating subnets and trying to get as fast as possible in decimal to binary conversions and vice versa - only to find there wasn’t a question or exercise on the exam about it. Though it very well could be on the exam you take, and everyone in the field should understand and be able to do this without question.

Definitely know your protocol → default port numbers, they were a bunch of those.

Also know the command prompt tools in and out. ipconfig, netstat, tracert, etc.

Good luck!

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I refreshed the exam two weeks ago. Overall I thought it was excellent and did a wonderful job of sticking to pretty current technologies instead of asking about things we no longer use.

One huge tip - your performance-based questions will be “front-loaded” at the beginning of your exam. Be sure to not spend too much time in those or you will be in trouble on the many multiple choice questions that are left.

With the performance-based - just like the multiple choice - you will either know the answer or not - so no sense wasting time.

Kick ass and enjoy the experience.

Anthony Sequeira
Technical Instructor
CBT Nuggets

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There’s a lot of people that bash the net+, but I believe it’s a great cert! It builds a solid foundation for moving onto more advanced topics. Instead of the MTA (network fundamentals) which you just proved you have by passing the net+, why not grab a client cert like MCSA win7? The guy hiring you see’s that you know how networks work and you can solve client side issues (perfect help desk candidate?)

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As far as your question about after the Net+ -

My personal opinion is to invest into a certification that has some relevance to your current IT position. It will help you TREMENDOUSLY being able to apply what you’re learning. If you’re in school or don’t have a position I think the Microsoft MCSA/MCSE tracks would be beneficial to dig into. Microsoft is prevalent in businesses everywhere, so it’s not like you’d learn a skill that you’ll never use. Cisco CCENT/CCNA would be good too. I’m part way through my CCNP now, and even though all my network/infrastructure certifications are Cisco based, I have used my knowledge with Juniper, Netgear, and several other manufacturers. It may say Cisco, and they’ll definitely teach the Cisco way, but a lot of the material will carry over to other manufacturers. You’ll find tons of manufacturers in the real-world.

Also, don’t just go after a certification because someone says go for it. I previously worked for a Microsoft Gold Partner. I enjoy working with Microsoft Server products, but I much prefer the Cisco tracks. It was mandatory I pass the MS tests. I learned a lot, but believe me, it was MUCH more difficult to study for Microsoft than Cisco simply because I had to pass the MS tests and didn’t have as much interest.

I’m not affiliated with CBT Nuggets in any way, other than I subscribe to their training, but after your Net+ I’d check out their 7-day trial. Maybe you just pay for a month’s subscription and at least run through videos from different curriculum? This might give you some insight on what certs might be more appealing to you, yet appropriate in the industry.

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I don’t currently work in a place where any particular cert would be very helpful. In fact I spend more time studying Photoshop and web design than any IT technical stuff. there is a chance I could be getting another job in a couple of months and I know they use Windows servers and Cisco hardware. if they do use Cisco and I get the job I will definitely be going that way.

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Good Luck mate.

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Well I just got out and passed it!

As I figured would happen, I believe some of my missed answers were just acronym confusion. Sitting here contemplating some missed areas, I can think of a few wrong answers based on acronyms and I think I got one port question wrong.

Anyway, glad it’s over with!

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For any future people about to take the test, here is my advice.

  1. Don’t overthink things too much. You might be tempted to think the test is trying to trick you and present some overly complex scenario. Chances are good it is not, and the answer is more simple and obvious than you might think.

  2. While I did have trouble with acronyms, I worried too much about memorizing the acronyms than simply knowing what they represent. For example, it’s more important to know what TACACS+ is used FOR, or what it represents, rather than memorizing what the acronym means.

  3. Common ports and command line tools are a given, and I mean the most COMMON ones.

  4. The Mike Meyers book was great and I think covered all but a few of my questions. A few acronyms and concepts were thrown at me which I’m sure I’ve never heard of or read about ever. I would diversify your training just a little. Maybe go through two books or two different training sources instead of one just to be sure everything is covered.

  5. Review the exam objectives! They are actually extremely detailed about what specifically is covered. Just read down the list and question yourself “do I know about this thing?”. Then brush up on stuff you aren’t sure about.

  6. Subnetting. While many people report they didn’t even get a subnetting question, you are pretty likely to get one or a few just the same, it’s random. Basically, just know CIDR and be able to calculate “how many networks, how many hosts”. This will get you most of the way there.

Anyway, good luck!