If you want to fail the Security+ exam, there are some things you can do to help ensure success.
That is, if successfully failing the Security+ exam is what you really want.
I frequently hear from readers telling me similar stories. They go something like this:
“Help. I’ve failed the Security+ exam three times in the past six months. I don’t understand. I didn’t get a study guide because …I couldn’t afford it… I didn’t have time to read one… they are too long/big… I don’t like to read…fill in the blank…. but I’ve memorized all the braindumps I can find. I have to pass this for my job. Please help.”
A clear pattern of similar activities has emerged in these emails. I won’t guarantee you’ll fail if you adopt these activities, but if you’re determined to fail the Security+ exam, these steps might help.
- Skip the study guide
- Focus on quantity, not quality
- Memorize answers from braindumps
- Ask for help, but ignore the advice you receive
- Blame others when you fail
Step 1 to Fail the Security+ Exam
Skip the Study Guide
Sure, there are many good Security+ study guides out there, but they cost money and they take time to read.
Don’t bother.
Instead, just study from practice test questions.
Alternative
As an alternative, you can get a good study guide such as the CompTIA Security+: Get Certified Get Ahead: SY0-401 Study Guide. Here are a few comments from people that used it:
- “Well written. After 3 weeks of study I passed with an 816.”
- “I read a chapter and a half a day for two weeks, took my test and passed.”
- “I got this book and studied like crazy for one month….After all my preparation, I take the test and score 841 of 900!!”
- “This Book is simply amazing….I was required to take this for my job, and was only given 9 days to study. I am happy to report that I managed to score an 841.”
- “The information is provided in a clear and concise fashion that highlights aspects of the text that need to be remembered for the test. Bottom line I read this in three days, took the exam and passed with an 885.”
Most people that meet the prerequisites for the Security+ exam can take and pass it within 45 days of getting the CompTIA Security+: Get Certified Get Ahead: SY0-401 Study Guide. This post outlines a 30-day study plan.
Fail the Security+ Exam Step 2
Focus on Quantity, Not Quality
When looking for practice test questions, the most important thing is to find as many as you can.
Don’t worry about how good they are. Just do as many as you can.
Sure, many of these don’t have explanations, but explanations just take more time to read. They’ll only slow you down.
Alternative
As an alternative, you can use only one or two sets of quality practice test questions (along with a good study guide) and you’ll be able to pass.
I hear from people almost daily telling me they have passed the Security+ exam using the CompTIA Security+: Get Certified Get Ahead: SY0-401 Study Guide and/or online resources such as audio, flashcards, and practice performance-based questions on this site.
These resources have detailed explanations so that you’ll understand why the correct answers are correct, and why the incorrect answers are incorrect. This way, no matter how CompTIA words the questions, you’ll be able to answer them correctly.
Fail the Security+ Exam Step 3
Memorize Answers from Braindumps
When using braindumps, memorize as many answers as you can.
Don’t bother trying to understand why the answers are marked as correct. And don’t worry about the fact that many braindumps have incorrect answers. Just memorize them.
And don’t concern yourself about CompTIAs policy of banning people from taking certification exams, or revoking their certifications if they use braindumps. After all, you’re lucky, right?
Alternative
Reputable sources of study resources do extensive research to ensure their answers are correct.
And if errors creep in, they either fix them or they use errata sheets to let people know.
Successful people have three common habits.
- They figure out what works and keep doing it.
- They figure out what doesn’t work and stop.
- They try new things.
If you didn’t pass the first time, your first method didn’t work. Stop.
Try new things.
Fail the Security+ Exam Step 4
Ask for Help but Ignore the Advice
Find an expert in the field and ask for advice.
Don’t waste your time telling the expert that you appreciate anything they’ve done. Instead, just complain about how hard this exam is and how you can’t pass it. Tell them you are depending on them to help you pass. After all, you can’t do it on your own.
And if the expert answers, don’t waste your time reading the response or trying to implement the advice. Just ask more questions.
Alternative
As an alternative, you can take the time to soak in the advice that the expert provided.
If he/she provided you links to read, read them. Soak them in.
When people write to me asking for help, I try to provide helpful advice and typically include links to relevant posts.
However, some follow-on emails make it clear to me that some people aren’t even reading the posts I’ve shared with them. Instead, they’re asking questions that are clearly answered in the posts.
Remember, there’s no substitute for basic studying. Or, as Jim Rohn once said, “You can’t hire someone else to do your push ups for you.”
Fail the Security+ Exam Step 5
Blame CompTIA
If you fail, remember that it’s not your fault.
Blame CompTIA. Or Pearson Vue. Or sunspots. Or El Niño.
Sure more than 50,000 people have earned this certification before you. If you can’t, it must be someone else’s fault.
“The most important decision we make is whether we believe we live in a friendly or hostile universe.”
– Albert Einstein
Do we receive what we expect?
Alternative
Look within and change your response.
In The Success Principles book, Jack Canfield describes the formula E + R = O, or
Event + Response = Outcome
You can rarely control what happens to you (the event). Things happen.
- If you don’t get what you want, you can blame the event.
- Of course, that won’t change the outcome.
You can always control your response.
- If you’re not getting the outcome you want, change your response.
- Start by giving up all your excuses
I think you mixed up ‘quality’ and ‘quantity’ in the bullet points below the red ‘FAIL’
You’re correct Johua. Thanks for letting me know. I fixed it.