Frequently Asked Questions

Here’s a list of some of the frequently asked questions we hear from users of this site. They are organized in the following sections:

Questions from potential customers

Questions from existing customers

Questions about a question

Questions about additional products

Questions about Security+ next version (SY0-601)

Generic Questions



Questions from Potential Customers

Can I purchase the Security+ performance-based questions separately?

Question: I’ve heard a lot of good things about the Security+ performance-based questions. Can I purchase them separately?

Answer: I’m grateful that so many people are finding these useful. However, they are not available as a separate purchase.


They are available with any of the Security+ study packages with practice test questions. All of these are priced relatively low when compared to other vendors.

How do I get access to the online products?

Question: After I pay, how do I get access?

Answer: After your payment is received, an email is sent to the email address you provided during the payment process. It’ll look something like this:

We have finished processing your order.

Your account has been created.
Please log in here:
https://gcgapremium.com/log-in/

Note that you can change your password anytime on the Members Home page.

Log in at that page and you’ll have access to all the content you purchased.

Do these packages work on a MAC/PC/tablet?

Question: Do these packages work on a MAC? Do these packages work on a PC? Do these packages work on a Tablet?

Answer: Yes.

You access the practice test questions and flashcards through a web browser. If you have a web browser, you can access the content. You can see how it works here:

You download the audio via your web browser, and then put it on your MP3 player.

Do you have ebook or PDF files available?

Question: Do you have ebooks available?

Answer: Yes.

Kindle versions are available for many of the study resources (for $9.99 or less) and Amazon created free apps for just about any platform.

The Kindle versions have a Table of Contents with hyperlinks for almost every subsection throughout the books. They also have a search function allowing you to search on any text. This allows you to click to what you want quickly, focus on what you need, and click back to the Table of Contents. Or you can read through the book from front to back.

The text-to-speech function is also enabled on these Kindle books.

If you’re looking for a printed version, printed versions are available for many of the resources such as:

CompTIA Security+ Get Certified Get Ahead: SY0-601 Study Guide

Question: Do you sell PDF files?

Answer: Sorry but no.

PDF files are not available for the practice test questions, the flashcards, the study guide, or any other resources on this site.

Can you give me your online products for free?

Question: I purchased your book(s) from Amazon.

  • Can I get the audio for free?
  • Can I get the online flashcards for free?
  • Can I get the online practice test questions for free?

Answer: Sorry but no. These are separate products and have their own set of costs. Some of these costs include:

  • Renting a server to host the products
  • Buying software to serve the products
  • Paying editors to help ensure the content is clear
  • Paying a professional voice actor to record the audio
  • Paying assistants for data entry and to help maintain the site

However, I have done my best to keep the costs reasonable, especially when compared to some of the other organizations selling resources to help people pass certification exams.

Can you give me a special discounted price?

Question: Can you give me a special discounted price?

  • because of my special situation.
  • because I purchased another product.
  • because I purchased your book(s) from Amazon.
  • because I meant to renew at the discounted price after receiving the reminder, but [fill in the blank].

Answer: Sorry but no.

Unfortunately, we receive way too many requests for special discounted prices for a wide assortment of reasons. Creating a special product with a special price takes a lot of time and effort.

Instead of treating the people that ask for discounted prices special, we instead strive to treat everyone equally and offer the same options to everyone.

Also, many people don’t recognize the costs associated with running this site. Some of these costs include:

  • Renting a server to host the products
  • Buying software to serve the products
  • Paying editors to help ensure the content is clear
  • Paying a professional voice actor to record the audio
  • Paying assistants for data entry and to help maintain the site

However, I have done my best to keep the costs reasonable, especially when compared to some of the other organizations selling resources to help people pass certification exams.


Dilemna: Should people be treated equally? Or should some people be treated as special and others as “less than special”?

Depends on how you ask.

Here’s how Napoleon handled it….

Commandment seven:

All animals are equal.

Animal Farm by George Orwell

Revised commandments:

All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others.

– Napoleon

Do I have to pay with PayPal?

Question: Do I have to pay with PayPal?

No.

Question: Can I pay with a credit card?

Yes.

PayPal is one of the credit card processors we use and you can pay with a PayPal account or with a credit card.

To purchase via credit card, click Buy Now.

On the checkout page, scroll down and select Proceed to PayPal.

Scroll down and select with Pay with Debit or Credit Card.

On the checkout page, scroll down and select Credit Card.

How do I access the (fill in the blank)?

Question: How do I access the audio files? or….

  • How do I access the simulated performance based questions?
  • How do I access the test banks?
  • How do I access the flashcards?
  • How do I access the (fill in the blank)?

Please log in here:
https://gcgapremiumpass.com/ucanpass/
Use the password you created during checkout or you may reset the password using the link in the Log in page.
This will redirect you to the Member Home page where you can click the product to access the materials.



Questions from Customers

I can't log in. Can you help?

Question: I can’t log in. Can you help?

Answer: Here are the steps to log in.

Go here: https://gcgapremium.com/log-in/

  • Use your email address as your username.
  • Use the password you entered during checkout.
    Passwords are case sensitive – PaSsWoRd is not the same as password or PASSWORD.

You’ll be taken to the Member-Home page where you can access the materials you purchased.

Did you forget your password?

The email is typically sent right away but it may go to your junk or spam folder.

Need further assistance? please contact us here. We typically respond within 24 hours.

If you don’t receive a response from us, please check your email account. There are instances that we receive a delivery notification such as indicating a user is “overquota”.

When the mail server sends an “overquota” warning message, it means the user’s mailbox has or will soon exceed its default email account space limitation.

In this instance, we strongly suggest you send us your alternative email address so we can assist you further.

I never received the login email. What should I do?

Question: What should I do if I haven’t received the email after paying?

Answer: Normally, the email is sent within a minute after your payment has been received. However, depending on a variety of different issues with the Internet, and Internet service providers, it might take as long as 30 minutes to arrive. If you haven’t received it after 30 minutes, try this:

  1. Look in your spam or junk folder. The email is sometimes sent to a spam or junk folder.
  2. Send us a message via this page: https://gcgapremium.com/contact-us/. We’ll typically get back to you within one business day.

The most common reason why a person doesn’t receive the login email is because they incorrectly entered their email address during the payment process.

For example, if John Smith’s email is johnsmith@myisp.com and he enters johsmith@myisp.com (notice the missing ‘n’) during the payment process, the log-in information will be sent to johsmith@myisp.com and John Smith won’t receive it.

While it’s best to avoid the problem by correctly entering the email address, mistakes can happen. However, it does take a little time to identify and correct the problem after we’re notified.

How do I get access to the online products after I pay?

Question: After I pay, how do I get access?

Answer: After your payment is received, an email is sent to the email address you provided during the payment process. It sometimes goes into the spam folder.

If you haven’t received an email, you may log in at: https://gcgapremium.com/log-in/

using the password you created during checkout. This will redirect you to the Member Home page.

On the Member Home page, click the registered course to access the materials.

What browser do these materials work with?

Question: What browser do these materials work with?

Answer: We regularly test these materials using Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge and they work with both of these browsers.

However, our testing is done without any added extensions. If you experience a problem with a browser that has extensions added, you can either remove/disable the extensions, or try the alternate browser without any extensions.

Many other browsers work too, but we don’t test them as aggressively.

Can I play the audio on my phone?

Question: Can I play the audio on my smartphone?

Answer: Yes.

Most (if not all) smartphones can play MP3 files. After downloading the MP3 files, you can transfer them to your smartphone and play them from there.

How do you transfer the files to your smartphone? It depends.

A Google search should help you find the steps to copy the MP3 files to your phone.

How can I copy mp3 files to my iphone?


How can I copy mp3 files to my Android phone?

If your phone doesn’t play MP3 files, you can copy the MP3 files to an MP3 player. This is my favorite: Sandisk 8GB Clip Jam MP3 Player.

How can I download the audio?

Question: How can I download the audio?

Answer:

Log in here:
https://gcgapremium.com/log-in/
After you log in, you can access the materials on the Member Home page.
On the Member Home page, follow these steps:
1) Click the course listed in the registered course section.
This will redirect you to the Course Content.
2) Click Audio in the Course Content list.
This will redirect you to the download page.
3) Click each down arrow to view the download link.

Remember This

Question and Answers

Chapter Reviews

4) Click Download… Zip File here.

This works without a problem in Google Chrome and Internet Explorer.

However, Microsoft Edge has the Smart Filter installed by default and sometimes blocks zip files. If you’re using Edge and having problems, there are two solutions.

1) Use a different browser such as Google Chrome

2) Start Internet Explorer from within Edge and use it instead (instructions below).

3) Turn off the Smart Filter (instructions below).


Launch Internet Explorer from within Edge

1) Start Edge.

2) Click on More (three dots … in the upper right).

3) Select Open Internet Explorer.

4) After opening Internet Explorer, you can log in again and repeat the process to access the download page.

Disable the Smart Filter within Edge

1) Start Edge.

2) Click on More (three dots … in the upper right).

3) Select Settings.

4) Scroll down and select View Advanced Settings.

5) Scroll down to the bottom of the Advanced Settings page.

6) Click on the setting to turn the SmartScreen Filter off.

After downloading the audio, you can turn the SmartScreen Filter back on, if desired.

I cannot download the audio files. I keep getting the same message: 'Failed - Network Error'. Can you help?

The error: network failed or Failed – Network Error is triggered by the following:

1. Network connectivity issue
This can often be resolved by resetting your router or rebooting your PC.

2. AntiVirus Software of a user’s PC is blocking the downloads
This can be resolved by pausing the AntiVirus software for the site.

3. A browser extension is blocking the downloadable files
This can be resolved by disabling the browser extension or using a browser with no add-ons or extensions installed.

4. A browser theme is blocking the downloadable files
This can be resolved by disabling a browser theme or using a browser with no add-on theme activated.

If you’re still having difficulty downloading the audio files, kindly contact us and let us know the following information:

  • The operating system you’re using and its version.
  • The browser you’re using and its version.
  • A list of extensions or add-ons you’re using in your browser.
Where can I find the voucher code?

This page has step-by-step directions on how to redeem the code.

Why doesn't the voucher code work?

Question: Why doesn’t the voucher code work?

Answer: I’m frequently asked this question but when I check, it works. Here are the common issues.

  • This coupon code is good for any CompTIA vouchers. However, it is NOT valid for any of the CompTIA packages or bundles at this time.
  • This coupon code is good for vouchers purchased on the CompTIA website. It is NOT valid on other sites, such as the Pearson Vue site.

This page has step-by-step directions on how to redeem the code.

How can I see my past quiz scores?

Question: How can I see my past quiz scores?

Answer: Your scores are available on the Quiz History page via Member Home menu.

Note that you need to be logged in to access this page.

How can I get an invoice/receipt?

Question: How can I get an invoice/receipt for my purchase(s).

Answer: We used to do these manually. However, you can now get them yourself by following these steps.

  1. Log in here: https://gcgapremium.com/log-inThis will take you to the Member-Home page.
  2. Select Member Home -> Invoice
  3. Click Download Invoice PDF.
How can I renew my membership?

1. Log in here: https://gcgapremium.com/log-in/

Click the product on the Member Home.

This will redirect you to the Course Content page.

2. Click the “Need to renew your subscription? Read More”
(on top of the Course Content list)

This will expand the section showing the details on how to renew.

3. Click the Renew Now link.

Note: This offer is only available while your current access is active and the link will not be available after your access expires.

Can I renew my membership for 3 days, 6 days, 10 days, xx days?

Question: Can I renew my membership for 3 days, 6 days, 10 days, xx days?

Answer: Sorry, but no.

Unfortunately, we receive way too many requests for special extensions for a wide assortment of reasons. Creating a special product with a special price takes a lot of time and effort.

Instead of treating the people that ask for special extensions special, we instead strive to treat everyone equally and offer the same options to everyone.

If you want to renew, you can do so following the steps to renew in the previous FAQ: How can I renew my membership?

Remember though, you can only renew at the discounted price while your subscription is still active.

Am I Ready?

Security+ (SY0-601) Certification Exam

Look at your quiz history on the Member Home menu.

Did you use all the materials?

  • All the multiple-choice questions
  • All of the performance-based questions
  • All of the Extras quizzes
  • The Test Your Readiness quiz

If you haven’t used all the materials, you probably aren’t ready.

Are you consistently scoring higher than 90% on the quizzes?

If not, you aren’t as prepared as you could be.

Have you memorized the answers?

If you’ve been taking the same quiz repeatedly in the same day, you may have inadvertently memorized the questions and answers.

If so, you aren’t as prepared as you could be. Memorization is not a formula for success.

Ideally, you should be able to look at any question and not just know why the correct answer is correct, but also why the incorrect answers are incorrect. This way, you have the best chance of accurately interpreting the actual questions on the CompTIA exam and answering them correctly.

Are you using a study guide?

If not, you may not be prepared. A study guide goes into topics in-depth and helps you understand the testable concepts.

If you aren’t prepared, you’ll find this exam very difficult and you may find that you need to take it again. In contrast, people that are prepared often find it difficult, but they pass.

If you drop the exam, I encourage you to look at the study self-assessment and answer the questions honestly.


When people tell me that they’ve failed after using the materials on the site, I typically see one (or more) of the following issues:

  • They didn’t use all the materials.
  • They didn’t get recommended scores of 90% on all the materials.
  • They memorized the questions and answers.

Look at your scores. What do you see?

  • Did you use all the materials?
  • Did you ultimately score higher than 90% on all the quizzes?
  • Did you take any of the quizzes more than once in the same day?
  • Did you remind yourself why the correct answers were correct and why the incorrect answers were incorrect, or did you zip through the quizzes because you had memorized the questions and answers?

Example Timing that Indicates Memorization

  • January 09, 2018 10:14 am. Score – 82%. 40 out of 49 question(s). Points 40/51.
  • January 09, 2018 10:19 am. Score – 100%. 49 out of 49 question(s). Points 51/51.

Notice that the second quiz ended at 10:19, five minutes after the user took the same quiz.

  • 5 minutes / 49 questions = .10.
  • .10 * 60 seconds = an average of about 6 seconds per question.

While an average of 6 seconds per question is enough time to pick out the correct answer for a quiz someone just completed, it isn’t enough time for most people to review all the incorrect answers.

Why review the incorrect answers? Many people report that this method helped them when taking the actual exam.

In other words, they found that by understanding the incorrect answers in the practice test questions, it helped them to correctly answer a question on the actual exam. In contrast, when people memorize the questions and answers, it only helps them if they see the exact questions on the live exam, which isn’t very likely.



Questions about a question

Can you explain this question/answer?

Question: Can you explain this question/answer?

Answer: Not if I can’t find it.

However, if you send me a clear question and give me the information I need to find the question you’re asking about, I will give you a clear answer.

I’ve written thousands and thousands of questions and while I have a good memory, I haven’t memorized all the questions I’ve written.

Most online questions are randomized so unless you give me specifics about the question so that I can find it, I have two choices:

  • Spend 20-30 minutes going through test banks and questions one-by-one until I can find it.
  • Ask you to help me help you by giving me specifics so that I can find it.

Please help me find the question by giving me some information such as:

  • the certification
  • the book or online package you’re using
  • the test bank
  • the first sentence of the question (a question number (such as 17) doesn’t work for online questions because questions are randomized)

Here’s an example of a query that I can answer.

“Can you help me understand this question in the SY0-601 Domain 2 Set 1 Test Mode quiz.

“The first sentence is Users within an organization frequently access public web servers using HTTPS.

“My question is why isn’t OCSP the correct answer? It was the correct answer for another question that was similar.”

This query gives me the  certification (Security+ SY0-601), the quiz (Domain 2 Set 1) and the first sentence makes it easy to do a search and land on the question within seconds after accessing the quiz questions.

*Note that this question is not in Domain 2 Set 1 section, but instead it’s just an example.


Here’s an example of a question that I wasn’t able to answer.

“I also had questions about questions 35 and 38 on my random test. I think 38 was a subnetting question. Something about creating a subnet with only 12 hosts. But none of the options would provide 12 hosts. /29 would give 6 but only for a single subnet. The wording of the question suggested a single subnet, not two.”

Because questions on a random test are randomized, the question numbers don’t help me find it.

I could spend 20 to 30 minutes scanning through 500 or so questions. However, even I did so, there are multiple subnet questions and I’d have to guess which question the person was asking about.

Additionally, there isn’t a a clear question (and a search for a question mark comes up empty) so it’s difficult to understand what the reader is asking.


If I can’t find the question you’re asking about, or I don’t understand your question, I will ask for clarification.

You can choose to:

  • Give me the information I need to find the question and understand your query.
    • If you do, I’ll be able to give you a useful answer.
  • Not give me the information I need to find the question and not clarify your query with a clear question.
    • If you do, I probably won’t be able to give you a useful answer.

The choice is yours.

Can you explain this question and the answers? (Here's the info so that you can find it.)

Question: Can you explain this question and the answers? (I’ve included the information so that you can find it.)

Answer: I’d much rather have you answer it.

As a slight twist on an old piece of wisdom, give a man an answer and he’ll keep asking questions. Teach a man how to read the explanation and he’ll be able to learn for a lifetime.

More, teach a man (or woman) how to read the explanation, and he’ll have a much better chance of passing the certification exam the first time he takes it.

Based on your knowledge the explanation might not make sense to you. This is especially true if you have holes in your prerequisite knowledge.

The performance-based questions are complex with multiple elements to them. If you have a question related to one of them, I’d suggest you break it down into simpler pieces. This blog post may help.

You can use the blog post to help you formulate one clear question related to the performance-based question and then try to answer it.

If you still can’t answer it, and want help from me, send me an email with the following information:

  • The certification (such as Security+):
  • The quiz bank or set (such as Set 1):
  • The first sentence of the question so that I can find it (questions are randomized so giving me a number doesn’t help me find it):
  • Your one clear question:
  • What you think the answer to your question is:

If you send me a question such as the following, you are unlikely to get an answer that helps you:

“please tel me what the graphic meenss in the simulatedquestion”

  • There are multiple sets of performance-based questions
  • There are many performance-based questions within these sets
  • Many of these have graphics and/or diagrams

Also, I won’t open files that can be infected with malware. Most IT-security-conscious people know that malware is often hidden in .zip files. However, did you know that ransomware can be hidden in infected Word files too? Criminals continue to find new ways to steal money from innocent people, and use innocent people’s computers to send malware to others.

What is the order of volatility?

Question: What is the order of volatility?

Answer: It depends.

There are some questions in these quizzes that ask about order of volatility. However, they are different questions and they have different answers.

More, they are a great example of how CompTIA can slightly modify a question to completely change it. CompTIA does this to give you an opportunity to prove you truly understand the concepts and didn’t just memorize questions and answers.

If you memorize questions and answers (on purpose or inadvertently) it’s possible to see part of a question and assume it’s the same thing. However, a subtle change in the question results in a completely different answer.

As an example, compare the following two questions.

Q. Which of the following numbers is the greatest number?

A. 1

B. 2

C. 3

D. 4

E. 5

Q. Which of the following numbers is the greatest even number?

A. 1

B. 2

C. 3

D. 4

E. 5

Clearly the answer to the first question is 5. Of the given numbers, 5 is the greatest.

The answer to the second question is 4. If you overlook the word “even” in “greatest even number” you might answer this question with 5.

When you grade the test you might be confused on why it’s incorrect. However, if you read the explanation, it should give you insight.

How can you avoid this mistake? RTFQ and RTFE.

Read The Full Question.

And then Read The Full Explanation.

If you’ve purchased any of the Security+ packages that include practice test questions, you have 4 sets of performance-based questions. Do Performance-Based Question Set 4 to see how questions can be slightly modified to give different answers. Each of the explanations are accurate.

I answered a question correctly so why was it marked wrong?

Think you answered it correctly, but it was marked wrong?

Check out the section on the Member-Home page titled
“Think you answered it correctly, but it was marked wrong?”

Another resource that mentions this is the video on firewall rules and the Security+ exam

Last, and probably MOST important, is the value of reading the explanations in the questions.

Ideally you should be able to look at any question and know why the correct answer is correct, and why the incorrect answers are incorrect. This way no matter how CompTIA words the questions, you’ll be able to answer it correctly.

In some of the questions, you’ll see this at the beginning of the explanation:

  • The questions you answered correctly are highlighted with a green box.
  • The answers you answered incorrectly are highlighted with a red box (with the correct answer shown).
  • Note that this does not show what you actually selected.
Two questions in the test bank are the same. Is this intentional?

Question: Two questions in the test bank are the same. Is this intentional?

Answer: Yes. It is not an error.

First, if you read the explanations in both questions, it should explain it for you.

Second, it’s a type of question that requires the test taker to apply critical thinking skills, rather than just memorizing test questions and answers.

Consider these two questions:

Q1. Which number is the highest?
A. 1
B. 3
C. 7
D. 5

Q27. Which number is the highest?
A. 8
B. 3
C. 7
D. 5

Clearly the answer to Q1 is 7.

Imagine a test taker chooses to memorize “7” for the question, instead of taking the time to understand why 7 is correct and the other answers are incorrect.

Later, the test taker comes across Q27. He’s seen this before and “knows” the answer is 7 so he quickly selects C (7) and moves on.

He gets this question wrong, but doesn’t understand why.

People that use the same strategy when studying for the Security+ exam sometimes find themselves failing the exam repeatedly, but they don’t understand why.

The trick to avoid falling into this trap is to remind yourself why the correct answer is correct, and why the incorrect answers are incorrect. You can use the explanations to help you. This will help you accurately interpret the questions on the live exam and answer them correctly no matter how CompTIA words them.

Consider this alternative study method.

Imagine a test taker chooses to understand why 7 is correct for Q1 and why the other answers are incorrect.

Later, the test taker comes across Q27. He’s seen this before, but instead of jumping on a familiar answer, he looks at all the answers. He knows that 8 is correct in Q27 even though a previous question (Q1, which was identical to this question) had a correct answer of 7.

He answers both questions correctly because he understands the content.

More, because he has been taking the time to know why the correct answers are correct and why the incorrect answers are incorrect, he is better prepared to accurately interpret the questions on the live exam and answer them correctly.



Questions about other products

Can you recommend study materials for Linux+?

Question: Can you recommend study materials for Linux+?

Answer: Yes. Check out our online Linux study package.

Can you recommend a book for the SSCP?

Question: Can you recommend a book for the SSCP?

Answer: Yes. Check out the SSCP Systems Security Certified Practitioner All-in-One Exam Guide, Third Edition.

Can you recommend a book for CISSP?

Question: Can you recommend a book for CISSP?

Answer: Yes. Check out the CISSP (ISC)2 Certified Information Systems Security Professional Official Study Guide 9th Edition.

If you’d like some additional practice tests, check out this book: CISSP Official (ISC)2 Practice Tests book (3nd edition).

Do you have a book on CASP?

Question: Do you have a book on CASP? If not, can you recommend one?

Answer: Sorry, but no. I don’t have a book on CASP and don’t plan to create one in the near future.

I haven’t researched CASP books so I don’t have a recommendation.

Do you have any books on Network+?

Question: Do you have any books on Network+?

Answer: Sorry, but no. I don’t have a book on Network+ and don’t plan to create one in the near future.

We do have an online N10-007 Study Package available.

You can check out a demo here.

Do You Have any A+ Study Materials?

Question: Do You Have any A+Study Materials?

Answer: Sorry, but no. I don’t have a book or any study materials on A+ and don’t plan to create them in the near future.

You can check out Amazon for available study guides on the CompTIA A+ exam, but I don’t have any specific recommendations.

Do you have a book on CySA+ (previously known as CSA+)?

Question: Do you have a book on CySA+ (previously known as CSA+)?

Answer: Sorry, but no. I don’t have a book on CySA+ and don’t plan to create one in the near future.

At one time, I was seriously considering developing study materials for the CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst+ (CySA+) certification. However, when I saw the objectives I noticed some issues that made this look unnecessarily challenging. After trying unsuccessfully to get some clarification, I decided the best option for me was to let it go.

I may write some blog posts about CySA+ in the future. If I do, you can find them using these two steps.

1) Go to the blog site.

2) Enter key words from your query (such as CSA+ or CySA+) in the Search Site Custom Search box.

Two good friends, Mike Chapple and David Seidl, wrote the CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CSA+) study guide. Both of these gentlemen are talented writers and very knowledgeable about technical security certifications so I highly recommend you check out this book.

Note that only the acronym is changing, not the actual certification.

Are you planning to write a book on the _ certification?

Question: Are you planning to write a book on the _____________ certification?

Answer: Unless I’ve mentioned it specifically within these FAQs, the answer is probably not.

The timeline for writing a book from scratch is anywhere from six months to a year.

So if you’re planning to take the ______________ certification, you can likely complete it way before I have a book on it, if I’m even planing to write it. Do a search on Amazon to see if you can find a book on the _________ certification.

Also, if I’m planing to write a new book, I won’t announce it publicly early in the process for two reasons.

  • The exact timeline won’t be clear
  • Talking about a project early in the process steals the energy from the process.

However, when it’s close to being done and I have a better idea when it can be published, I will announce the progress via the newsletter and share my excitement about it.

Can you recommend any study material for the __ certification?

Question: Can you recommend any study material for the Server+ certification?

Question: Can you recommend any study material for the Cloud+ certification?

Question: Can you recommend any study material for the CEH certification?

Question: Can you recommend any study material for the CCSA certification?

Question: Can you recommend any study material for the ____ certification?

Answer: Sorry, but no.

While I’m familiar with many certifications, I haven’t dug into all the available training materials for them (except for what I’ve listed in previous FAQs). Any recommendations I give would be educated guesses at best.

I recommend you do a search on Amazon for books that reviewers like or plug in your question using your favorite search engine. Here’s an example: study material for Server+ certification.



Questions about Security+ Next Version (SY0-601)

Has CompTIA released the objectives to the public for the SY0-601 exam?

Question: Has CompTIA released the objectives to the public for the SY0-601 exam?

Answer: Yes. They were posted on July 6, 2020. You can download them from the CompTIA site.

I analyzed them and pointed out some differences in this blog post. I’ve mentioned them in newsletters. You can sign up to the newsletter here: (http://eepurl.com/g44Of).

When will the SY0-601 exam be available?

Question: When will the SY0-601 exam be available?

Answer: CompTIA launched the SY0-601 exam on November 12, 2020.

How long will the SY0-501 exam remain available?

Question: How long will the SY0-501 exam remain available?

Answer: CompTIA has announced it will remain available until July 31, 2021.

This is inline with past versions. As an example, the SY0-501 exam went live in October 2017. The SY0-401 exam was retired on July 31, 2018. Retiring an exam in July allows high school students to take the exam after the end of the school year. 

Should I stop and study for the SY0-601 exam instead?

Question: I’ve been studying for the SY0-501 exam. Should I stop and study for the SY0-601 exam instead?

Answer: No. Unless it’s past July 31, 2021.

CompTIA will give you six months or so to complete the SY0-501 exam after the SY0-601 exam is released. This is plenty of time to complete your studies instead of starting over. 

Should I wait for the 601 exam?

Question: Should I wait for the 601 exam?

Answer: No.

The SY0-501 is a known entity. There are plenty of materials that cover the exam. As an example, we hear from people almost every day telling us that they passed the exam using the CompTIA Security+ Get Certified Get Ahead: SY0-501 Study Guide (https://amzn.to/2LXfMga) and/or study materials on this site such as the Full Study Package.

Additionally, most people take and pass the SY0-501 exam within about 45 days after they start studying. Some people do so in 30 days or less.

By pursuing the SY0-501 now, you’ll quickly have this cert in your rearview mirror. Many people need the Security+ certification for their current job or to get accepted in a better job. By waiting, you may miss out on what’s next for you.

The SY0-601 exam is somewhat of an unknown and it has about 40% new content. How will test item writers interpret these topics? Based on past exams, we can expect some surprises.

Will the 601 exam include new material?

Question: Will the SY0-601 exam include new material?

Answer: Absolutely.

This blog post shows that CompTIA added about 40 percent of new content.

CompTIA announced the SY0-601 exam will verify the successful candidate has the knowledge and skills required to:

  • assess the security posture of an enterprise environment and recommend and implement appropriate security solutions
  • monitor and secure hybrid environments, including cloud, mobile, and IoT
  • operate with an awareness of applicable laws and policies, including principles of governance, risk, and compliance
  • identify, analyze, and respond to security events and incidents.

Gratefully, some of the material is familiar, even if the objective writers chose to modify the terms slightly.

Will my certification still be valid after the SY0-601 exam is active?

Question: If I take and pass the SY0-501 exam, will my certification still be valid after the SY0-601 exam is active?

Answer: Yes. After passing a Security+ exam, your certification is valid for three years.

Is there any benefit to passing the SY0-601 exam over the SY0-501 exam?

Question: Is there any benefit to passing the SY0-601 exam over the SY0-501 exam?

Answer: Not really.

If you pass a Security+ certification exam, you are Security+ certified.

Hiring managers only want to know if you have the certification. They don’t care what version you took and passed, as long as your cert is still valid and hasn’t expired.

Some people value “bragging rights.” In other words, they want to be able to say that they passed the newest exam. For them, passing the SY0-601 exam gives them these bragging rights.

Will you develop any materials for the SY0-601 version of the Security+ exam?

Question: Will you develop any materials for the SY0-601 version of the Security+ exam?

Answer: Absolutely.

We’ve released packages of the SY0-601 Practice Test Questions and some audio.

I will let people know via my newsletter when we release new SY0-601 materials. You can sign up to the newsletter here: (http://eepurl.com/g44Of)

Update:

The SY0-601 Full Study package is now available here.

The SY0-601 Practice Test Questions package is now available here.

The SY0-601 Flashcards is now available here.

The SY0-601 All Audio Files is now available here.

The SY0-601 Remember This Audio Files is now available here.

The SY0-601 Question and Answer Audio Files is now available here.

Will you write an SY0-601 version of the CompTIA Security+ Get Certified Get Ahead: SY0-501 Study Guide?

Question: Will you write an SY0-601 version of the CompTIA Security+ Get Certified Get Ahead: SY0-501 Study Guide?

Answer: Absolutely.

When will you release the SY0-601 version of the CompTIA Security+ Get Certified Get Ahead Study Guide?

Question: When will you release the SY0-601 version of the CompTIA Security+ Get Certified Get Ahead Study Guide?

I expect to release the Kindle edition by May 15 and the paperback edition by May 31. This is later than originally planned, but still gives people at least 60 days to prepare for this exam.

I will let people know via my newsletter if these dates change, and when the book is released. You can sign up to the newsletter here: (http://eepurl.com/g44Of).

Update:

The Paperback edition of the CompTIA Security+ Get Certified Get Ahead: SY0-601 Study Guide is now available.

The Kindle edition of the CompTIA Security+ Get Certified Get Ahead: SY0-601 Study Guide is now available for pre-order.

CompTIA Security+ Get Certified Get Ahead: SY0-601 Study Guide

When will you have instructor materials available?

Question: When will you have instructor materials available for the CompTIA Security+ Get Certified Get Ahead: SY0-601 Study Guide?

Answer: We now have PowerPoint slides for the CompTIA Security+ Get Certified Get Ahead: SY0-601 Study Guide .

If you are an instructor/trainer/teacher/professor, and plan to teach the course with the CompTIA Security+ Get Certified Get Ahead: SY0-601 Study Guide, and your students will have a copy of the CompTIA Security+ Get Certified Get Ahead: SY0-601 Study Guide, send us an email with the information requested on this page.

Please note that these free resources were created for instructors teaching from the CompTIA Security+ Get Certified Get Ahead: SY0-601 Study Guide to a class of students that have the CompTIA Security+ Get Certified Get Ahead: SY0-601 Study Guide. Some organizations. These free resources were not created for classes where the students do not have a copy of the CompTIA Security+ Get Certified Get Ahead: SY0-601 Study Guide.

Many organizations use the gift option to buy multiple copies of the $9.99 Kindle edition and give each student a copy.



Generic Questions

Do you have any information on CEUs?
Question: Do you have any information on CEUs?

Answer: There is one course available here.

This page includes many FAQs on CEUs.

1 thought on “Frequently Asked Questions”

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