Put Yourself to the Test

The following series of questions and observations is designed to help you determine how much work you must do to pursue CompTIA Network+ certification and what kinds of resources you may consult on your quest. Be absolutely honest in your answers, or you'll end up wasting money on an exam you're not yet ready to take. There are no right or wrong answers, only steps along the path to certification. Only you can decide where you really belong in the broad spectrum of aspiring candidates.

Two things should be clear from the outset, however:

• Even a modest background in computer science will be helpful.

• Hands-on experience using network technologies is an important ingredient to certification successbut not mandatory.

Educational Background

1. Have you ever taken any networking concepts or technologies classes? [Yes or No]

   If Yes, proceed to question 2; if No, you might want to augment the material in the Exam Cram with a book that approaches the topic of network from an independent point of view and not from a certification point of view. When looking for a suitable title, look for those that explain technologies such as TCP/IP, routing, network design, and others in a clear and concise manner.

2. Do you have experience using and working with a network? [Yes or No]

   If Yes, you will probably be able to better understand CompTIA's Network+ objectives. Even being around networks as a user makes you familiar with how they are designed to function. If you're rusty, brush up on basic networking concepts and terminologyespecially networking media as it relates to the TCP/IP suite, network security, dial-up fundamentals, and remote connectivity. Then, proceed to question 3.

   If No, you might need to delve a little deeper into networking concepts. This is as simple as taking a trip to the local bookstore and getting an easy-to-read, up-to-date networking basics title.

3. Do you have experience working with network and client operating systems? [Yes or No]

   If Yes, you are on the right track. Network+ requires knowledge of working with both client-side operating systems such as Windows 98/Me and network-operating systems such as Windows 2000. Knowing how to navigate such OSs can be a benefit when configuring and troubleshooting network connectivity from within an operating system.

   If No, crank up a computer with an OS on it and start going through it. Look for the network configuration screens. Look to the help file within the OS for quick tutorials and for help in configuring the client system for network connectivity.

If this sounds like a lot, it isn't. Perhaps the single most important element for the successful completion is a desire to learn all about networking. It is, after all, really quite interesting. Once the desire to learn kicks in, the test becomes that much easier.

Hands-on Experience

CompTIA cites hands-on experience as a key to success on the CompTIA Network+ test. This is true because hands-on experience reinforces what is written in the book. However, Network+ covers a broad range of networking technologiessome of which you might never see in your networking career. In such a case, all you can do is rely on the book knowledge. So can you pass the exam without reinforcing knowledge with practical hands-on experience? Yes. Is it advised? No. Bottom linethe more experience, the better. If we leave you with only one realization after taking this self-assessment, it should be that there's no substitute for time spent installing, configuring, and using the various networking products upon which you'll be tested repeatedly and in depth. If you have never worked with any of the networking products or operating systems mentioned earlier, you would be well advised to review this work at least three or four times.

Testing Your Exam Readiness

Whether you attend a formal class on a specific topic to get ready for an exam or use written materials to study on your own, some preparation for the Network+ certification exam is essential. At $207 a try ($155 for CompTIA members), pass or fail, you want to do everything you can to pass on your first try. That's where studying comes in.

For any given subject, consider taking a class if you've tackled self-study materials, taken the test, and failed anyway. The opportunity to interact with an instructor and fellow students can make all the difference in the world, if you can afford that privilege.

If you can't afford to take a class, try the Training Resources link at www.comptia.com for any pointers to free practice exams. And even if you can't afford to spend much at all, you should still invest in some low-cost practice exams from commercial vendors because they can help you assess your readiness to pass a test better than any other tool.

We have included practice questions at the end of each chapter, plus two practice exams at the end of the book. If you don't do that well on the questions at the end of the chapters, you can study more and then tackle the practice exams. From there, feel free to surf the Web and do a little research on the Network+ exam. Newsgroups are a good place to look because there are a number of people willing to chat about their experiences studying and taking the Network+ exam.

If you take the practice tests and score 85 percent or better, you're probably ready to tackle the real thing. If your score isn't above that crucial threshold, obtain all the free and low-budget practice tests you can find and get to work. Keep at it until you can break the passing threshold comfortably.

When it comes to assessing your test readiness, there is no better way than to take a good-quality practice exam and pass with a score of 85 percent or better. When we're preparing ourselves, we shoot for 90-plus percent, just to leave room for the "weirdness factor" that sometimes shows up on CompTIA exams.

Because the Internet is the most rapidly changing segment of Information Technology (IT), the test might change, but this book's material is sufficiently comprehensive that it will be a good preparation tool regardless. Also, you should be aware that CompTIA and other certifications reserve the right to a function known as slipstreaming, in which questions are removed and new ones are added without announcement. We scoured the latest trends and interviewed many industry veterans in an attempt to prepare you for the inevitable changes that will occur.