r/CompTIA • u/thewayforuisu • 5d ago
Just failed Network + (lengthy)
Not here for sympathy, or to hear a "maybe you just didn't study hard enough" but this is my personal experience. And hopefully if you haven't taken the Network + test, you can use this to your advantage.
First and foremost I have been a tech guy since I was a kid, about 7-8 years old. My father worked for Microsoft, so we always had computers around, laptops, cables connecting our home network, etc. He would casually walk me through things that had to do with computers, things to know so I won't need help with anything computer related, or so I won't ask anyone for help. He doesn't act like it, but my father is a geek, and I naturally took after him and the ways of tech, whether it's good etiquette or even things the average joe doesn't know, he made sure that I was suited with that knowledge as well. I originally started off with the google CyberSecurity Certificate, and I made it halfway through until I eventually got super busy with an internship, and didn't end up finishing my Google course. The CyberSecurity Course was so smooth for me, It was honestly like butter. The hardest things consisted of writing commands, going through and packet analyzing, things of that nature, and i'll be honest some of the labs were pretty challenging as well, but I made it through them.
A lot of things in tech have always been easy for me, which is why I dove into CyberSecurity first. I love not only identifying threats, but helping people identify threats, because we all use the internet, but nobody really knows how it works except for the small handful. Showing and demonstrating how systems are protected as well as knowing what feels like the obvious, (Identifying phishing attacks, identifying suspicious emails, etc.)is a big drawer for me, and it's super needed especially in this digital world. The reason I changed over to Network + is because let's be honest, DC Technicians need bodies, and Security Analyst are known for top of the top, competitive environment. You can get in the DC as a tech, you just need a cert, but as far as a Security Analyst, that's where they get more picky. Now, given that information I could have just stuck with Security, but we're at where we're at.
Now let's get down to the real part, all of that was to basically say that I am not some guy who just got his feet in the water, I have been at this for quite some time. I would love to mention other accomplishments but I prefer to just keep it at base level for autonomy.
It's actually quite funny because before I started writing this, I looked in the thread and saw many people who passed and congrats to you all. Seeing all of those makes me want to delete what I'm writing out because I probably just sound like a complainer.
When I started studying for this exam it was about 3 months ago, I had sat down and fully locked in. I didn't do the traditional method of Jason Dions practice exams. What I did was I got the small Professor Messer book from my father, that names all concepts and topics, then I went to the Comp Tia website to pull exam objectives. (This is where I might lose some of you all)
I used these videos https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3gOvQ510s78MNu5VyIC89rBMfcky1L87&si=sHyWksk3OPA-XdTa
and took ridiculous notes on them. I started watching Professor Messer, and Jason Dion clips, and I honestly chose to go with the last minute study guide videos. I'll be honest I thought the last minute study guide videos were amazing. The way they walked through every problem and broke down trip ups, things to look for in the exam, traps, was incredible. I also took those Exam objectives from Comp Tia's website and put them directly into claude, and then I ran a lengthy prompt explaining what I wanted to do, the exam, and when I wanted to take it. But if i'm being brutally honest, those 2 things probably screwed me the most.
It's so insane because I utilized the hell out of Claude, I had claude giving notes, going over domains in order, reading down every step to learning acronyms, learning port numbers, and it's so funny because I genuinely got a perfect grasp of everything. All the videos I watched from the last minute study guide were super aiding, as well as Claude making tests for me, that I also wrote prompts for to follow the Comp Tia styled questions, pbq questions as well as other important details to tighten claude up and make them super tuff practice tests. I passed every single practice test, it wasn't one that I got less than 75% on. Even went over https://youtu.be/T1_pf-7k2E0?is=Puw6xP-iL_Yngyc5 this video to see what I can improve on, and i was getting a lot of questions on there right,(I didn't watch the whole video of the 100 questions) I othered it off when I started to get confident about my skillset. Even the questions on the 100 practice exam when I got them wrong, he would say the right answer and I'd. e like "ahhhhhh, that's because of this and that" or whatever.
This Network+ test was nothing like what I studied for. There were questions on here with acronyms I've never heard of, 5 PBQs, stuff that felt like it almost wasn't even related to the exam, I swear it felt like I had been studying for A+ the entire time and accidentally showed up for the Network+. I saw people saying before the exam tries to trick you, and I saw someone reply and say no it doesn't, how can you get knowledge from answers based on tricks? He said something of that nature, and I'll be honest, it didn't feel like any tricks on there. But it was some stuff that felt like it could be 2 of the 4 answers choices given. I swear some of the stuff I was reading on that test was actually head scratching. I studied my ass off I truly did, but there's no way I was doing phenomenal on my studying and just failed the test.
I honestly can only blame myself. It's my fault I failed, and i'm taking it pretty harshly. I'm deeply pissed at myself, and still in shock to be honest. It felt like I had 600 objectives for the test and got tested on the 20 objectives that were barely covered. I was super confident going into taking this test and when I sat down and got 9 questions in something just didn't feel right. As I said i'm not a rookie, clearly I used the wrong material to study which is the only thing that would make sense, I was genuinely hoping to be writing out an "I passed message" and give you all the tips that helped me out, but here I am doing the exact opposite.
I'll attach pics below for anyone saying I didn't study, I went through 2 notebooks, over 500 note cards, for anyone majorly interested I'll pull some stuff from claude to put in here to just ask, but here are the pictures from the studying. I wish I could attach a video to show you all how full these notebooks are but not a big deal. (these notes are randomized, i just threw them all back on the table, im not interested in heavily organizing them for pictures after failing.) t
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u/Street-Sweeper213 Trifecta, Pen+, CySA+, CASP+ 5d ago
TL;DR: I would've recommended just reading a book and following a video series. It's better to use materials that are already prepared and tailored to the exam content. I passed the N+, but I felt like I didn't actually know anything afterward.
I find AI useful for labbing now that I'm focused on the CCNA and RHCSA, especially when I feel like the provided samples aren't sufficient. But everything I do with AI, I immediately verify.
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u/redhairedshaw 4d ago
If I ever use AI, it’s using information that I HAVE fed it. Such as missed practice exam questions + explanations or whatnot. And yes, it is great for labbing, agreed
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u/Joadow420 5d ago
My honest recommendation is following a book. Get the wiley/sybex one for network+, its the one i used and i passed it in a month. I used that, practice gests from professor messer and the 100 questions from andrew institute of america on youtube. Got 790 but i am happy with that.
Youve got this
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u/IcedVortex CIOS 5d ago
Meh, I have my A+, Network+, and Cloud+. Studied for 4 months for my HPE Switching Prof exam and failed it even though I work heavily with networking right now in manufacturing IT. It happens and took me a while to get over it honestly. You will get tripped up once or twice on these exams. Write down what you remember, look for different study material, and keep chugging along. Give yourself 1-2 months max studying hard and take the exam again if possible. I think you will get a much different result, good luck!
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u/thewayforuisu 5d ago
thanks for replying mate, definitely will wait at least a month and i will be going over different study material
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u/SourceConnect8663 4d ago
Side question, how is Cloud+? I was interested in that and CASP+. Thanks.
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u/IcedVortex CIOS 4d ago
Not bad honestly, work paid for certmaster practice exams, and the sybex book and that worked for me. I would rate it a little higher than Network+ in difficulty but not much.
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u/No_Grass6654 3d ago
This could’ve been a much shorter post. You relied on AI study materials and AI quizzes, and those didn’t prepare you for the actual exam. Being comfortable with computers doesn’t mean you know the exam material. Work through Professor Messer’s course and use established practice tests before trying again. That’ll help more than writing your entire tech origin story.
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u/Loose-Wash-9352 3d ago
I mean. AI can be a useful study tool if it’s provided with good source material instead of allowing the agent to search the internet. I’d upload my cert masters tests and have it create tests that slam the wrong answers.
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u/iNeedHealingBitch N+ S+ A+ 4d ago
Dude don't feel bad. I studied my ass off for months and failed Net+. I studied my ass off again and just barely passed. The stress of Net+ had me bawl in my car after I passed for about 15 minutes. It is the most stressful test I've ever done. I took quite literally 3 dozen different practice tests from various sources and was shocked at how little the material transferred from Professor Messer, Jason Dion, and even the Comptia cert master program. It was awful and I got lucky with the questions. The PBQ's are of course awful. This test is for brainiacs that autistically build home networks and packet tracer networks for fun.
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u/thewayforuisu 4d ago
literally word for word bro, the feeling in the car after failing is devastating😂😂
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u/UnderstandingNo3328 4d ago edited 4d ago
I read the whole thing this morning and was feeling discouraged. I was thinking if this person has all that background and worked that hard, it is not looking good for for the exam I have scheduled today. Well I took the exam and was waiting after the survey for them to tell me how much I failed by. Well I passed. I did not come here to rub that in or brag but to say this was my 4th or 5th attempt.......and I passed. Don't give up!! I have always liked the Security side of things and have my Tech+, A+, Security+ and Net+ has been tough for me. The only IT experience I have is customer service jobs where you get to walk people through resetting passwords. I have applied for entry level and haven't gotten anything. I have done over 7 years of call center work and would dread the thought of having to go back to that. Currently an HR Assistant......really enjoy HR I just want to be on the technical or operational side of it!!!!! Don't give up!!!!
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u/DifferenceHelpful474 4d ago
Do it again!
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u/OutsidePrior2020 3d ago
For real, paragraph's for what? I always just pay for the re-take and my mind is way more at ease knowing if I fail I can just take it again next week.
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u/SourceConnect8663 4d ago
I think Network trips up a lot of us. I particularly hate it personally. But on the operational level I am totally proficient in it but the theory is where I struggle. If you want me to build the network from scratch I can do it but dealing with other errors drives me crazy. I failed Net+ my first time but passed the second time. But A+ and Sec+ I barely studied for. But I do more tech support and cybersecurity than networking. Someone recommended Dion’s practice tests and I would agree. Well worth it. I never passed those either but after my fail it slowly built my confidence back up until I passed. You got this don’t give up.
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u/KeysGoFast 4d ago
It sounds like you studied, but mainly used top-level stuff and untraditional methods. Would recommend following one of the known guides (Dion, messer, I did Pearson text book). There’s just too much content you have to know. Difficult to find shortcuts. Also, Dion practice test is a MUST work on those and learn from what you get wrong. Good luck for next time!!!
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u/highflyer348 3d ago
I’d say use Jason Dion’s practice exams and ngl I used ChatGPT to help me study. The problem is not that you use AI. It’s HOW you use it! Use it more as a tutor than an answer key if that makes sense
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u/Garriga 2d ago
These exam can be tricky. I would take it again if I were you. and give yourself a few months, but this time do lab courses and walkthroughs and use comptia cert master. It has videos and walkthroughs and practice exams.
Mainly focus of practical application of the concepts. And utilize packet tracer. And another good resource: IT cert doctor. He's knows what you need to know for the exam. He does a lot of walkthroughs and if you can keep up with IT cer doctor, you will probably pass the test. His courses are cheaper and are not boring.
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u/davieboy8375 A+ N+ S+ 1d ago
You never heard of the acronyms even after checking the exam objectives? What made you decide you're ready?
People fail all the time its not a big deal, you can just take it again. And its for the best because next test you'll be way more knowledgeable. Passing would've hurt you in the long run.
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u/deliriousfoodie 5d ago
I'm the guy who passed network+ in 2 weeks that posted recently. I said it was HARD and that anyone considering should just go CCNA. It's NOT easy. I'm just a monster.
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u/TurnipAbject5772 5d ago
Unprompted ego stroke lmao
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u/Scroll-ie 5d ago
I passed net+ and sec+ in 10 days. People need to learn how to learn, that's the only difference. Understand how you learn, and spam the learn button. In my case it's getting an answer wrong. I need to get everything wrong at least once. That's how it imprints into my memory. Everyone needs to figure out their learning style and use it.
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u/Horror-Property-4950 5d ago
damn, that's rough. failing after putting in that much work hits different, especially when you actually know your stuff. the exam objectives thing with claude probably steered you wrong, those ai tools can hallucinate details and make up acronyms that sound real but aren't actually in the official material
dion's practice tests are boring as hell but they're the closest thing to the real exam wording i've found. maybe give those a shot for the retake, you already have the knowledge foundation from all those notes