1

Spiceheads,

Just a personal question. How hard is the Network plus exam? Let me give some background on me.

A+ Cert

Training for CCNA

Read through Network + Book

Passing Tests with above 90% marks (the ones that came with the book).

Decent grasp in Visualization, Cable Types and Topologies, Subnetting, etc.

Have hands on network administration for about 9 months (worked in IT prior just never networking)

The reason I ask is because on CompTIA’s site, Im not getting any higher than the 80% range on their practice exams.

Anything come out of left field on the CompTIA exam that you just didnt know?

Thanks

12 Spice ups
2

I haven’t taken a CompTIA exam in a few years, but they tend to be pretty easy. Even if you are not sure ou can usually get the multiple guess down to 1-2 answers with elimination.

3

I’m also studying for the CCNA and my instructor said that the Network + cert is easier and just as respected as the CCNA.

You should have no problems if your passing the CCNA curriculum.

Hope this helps & good luck.

4

I got my N+ in December of 2011. It was challenging, but if you’ve been studying for your CCNA you have a great start. Most of it was about protocols and layer 2/3 stuff. Example router/packets switches/frames. Also a lot on cable mediums and types. Fiber and copper standards.

5

All

Thanks for the responses! That puts my mind at ease.

Ill continue to memorize every fiber/copper cable type in history.

Thanks!

6

I took it about 10 years ago.

I will say about half was the OSI model.

7

It took it back in 2008. At the time I was doing my first internship and studying for that on the side. I didn’t have much “real world” experience at that point but was able to pass by following the OSI model and also eliminating the obvious wrong answers. If you are passing the practice tests now you should be good to go. Just don’t get nervous during the cert’s like i do!

8

I took my Net+ back in '08 as well and my test was mostly simple troubleshooting like: User A is on Subnet A and cannot communicate with User B in Subnet B, what is the first address you would ping. Simple questions like that.

9

I passed mine in '10. I remember a lot of subnetting and some basic routing questions more than anything else. It wasn’t much harder than the A+ though. Based on your background it sounds like you shouldn’t have any issues.

10

All,

Thanks for the feedback! On a rather odd side note, a new employee at my business who wasnt hired for IT saw the Network + book in my office. He said he had both the Network+ and Security+ tests if I wanted them.

Ide personally rather learn the knowledge (i.e. suffer through the mistakes and learn :)), but I thought it was odd enough to share. Ill be taking the exam in the morning, sans cheat sheet.

His position is not IT related (Field Service Op Coordinator/Deployment/etc…).

Thanks

11

I just passed the test a couple of weeks ago. I agree that there was a lot on the OSI Layer that I don’t foresee me ever needing again. Also a bit about routers and the protocols. I passed but went in nervous. The OSI Stuff was the hardest for me and it seems almost impossible for me to keep it stuck in my head.

12

Took mine at the end of '10 and got an 850 i think. I read the Sybex Network + book and that was it. Test wasnt that bad. Don’t remember much that was on it. It was fairly easy.

13

Jryandrum wrote:

All,

Thanks for the feedback! On a rather odd side note, a new employee at my business who wasnt hired for IT saw the Network + book in my office. He said he had both the Network+ and Security+ tests if I wanted them.

Ide personally rather learn the knowledge (i.e. suffer through the mistakes and learn :)), but I thought it was odd enough to share. Ill be taking the exam in the morning, sans cheat sheet.

His position is not IT related (Field Service Op Coordinator/Deployment/etc…).

Thanks

Don’t cheat, it isn’t worth it. Plus everyone who cheats and doesn’t have the knowledge devalues the certification for everyone else. If you can’t pass a cert exam without a cheat sheet you shouldn’t have that cert.

1 Spice up
14

Justin,

Completely agree. I took the test on my own merits (like I hope the mentioned employees previous coworkers did) and passed with ease. Im not a cheater, but Im curious to know HOW he got the test.

Im not the most knowledgeable person, but it seems like CompTIA would keep that on lock down (like any normal vendor would).

Possible friendliness going on at the testing centers?

I know a few testing centers by previous co workers went to were not the most attentive at catching cheating, but he gave discounts so all my coworkers went.

Personally, I like have 1 less reason for the administrators to fire me. :slight_smile:

15

Full tests are readily available for purchase, I came accross a lot because I tended to buy my study materials used to save money. Do an ebay search for any cert test number and you’ll see.

16

Never thought to do that! I guess theres a market so someones selling em.