People regularly pass certification exams using quality practice test questions. This includes passing the Security+ exam.
Unfortunately, the Internet is filled with poor quality Security+ practice test questions. These often have incorrect answers and lack explanations. As a result, people using them are encouraged to memorize material that isn’t accurate. I’ve heard from several people expressing dismay that they failed the exam saying that they memorized close to 100% of these questions and answers.
Quality Practice Test Question Include Explanations
One of the key things to look for when using practice test questions for any exam is to ensure they have explanations. These help you understand why the correct answers are correct, and why the incorrect answers are incorrect. This knowledge gives you the best chance of answering the questions no matter how they are worded on the exam.
Another benefit of this method is that it allows you to absorb the content with less questions. Consider the following question:
What is the sum of 6 and 3?
A. 2
B. 3
C. 9
D. 18
C is correct. To answer this, you need to know that the sum indicates you are adding 6 + 3 so the answer is 9.
If it asked for the quotient, you’d need to know this means division (6 / 3) so the answer is 2.
If it asked for the difference, you’d need to know this means subtraction (6 – 3) so the answer is 3.
It if asked for the product, you’d need to know this means multiplication (6 x 3) so the answer is 18.
By digging into the explanation, it helps you reaffirm your knowledge of addition, subtraction, division, and multiplication. However, someone that memorizes “6 and 3” may miss the following question:
What is the product of 6 and 3?
Answer Elimination
One other benefit of digging into the explanation to understand why the correct answers are correct, and why the incorrect answers are incorrect, is that it helps you eliminate obvious incorrect answers on the live exam. Some questions on the live exam don’t have obvious correct answers. However, by eliminating obvious incorrect answers, it helps you arrive at the correct answer even though it wasn’t obvious originally.
Treat Every Practice Question as Four Questions
When you take the time to understand why incorrect answers are incorrect, each question can often be the equivalent of four questions.
What is the sum of 6 and 3?
- 2
- 3
- 9
- 18
What is the difference of 6 and 3?
- 2
- 3
- 9
- 18
What is the quotient of 6 and 3?
- 2
- 3
- 9
- 18
What is the product of 6 and 3?
- 2
- 3
- 9
- 18
Remember This
- One of the key things to look for when using practice test questions for any exam is to ensure they have explanations.
- When they have explanations, and you use them, it helps you understand why the correct answers are correct, and why the incorrect answers are incorrect.
- This will help you eliminate obvious incorrect answers on the live exam giving you a better chance of passing the first time.
