Overcoming Fear: My Journey to Passing the CompTIA Security+ Exam on the First Attempt

I’m thrilled to share that I successfully passed the CompTIA Security+ certification exam on my first try! If you’re contemplating this journey but feel uncertain about your readiness, let me reassure you: the exam was not as challenging as I had anticipated.

While the exam certainly had its difficulties, it was manageable. There were only a few questions that could have been phrased more clearly, but overall, I found the format straightforward. Perhaps the biggest surprise for me was the simulation sections. I had expected them to demand extensive command-line knowledge or intricate problem-solving. Instead, they resembled more of a matching exercise or utilized drop-down menus—much simpler than my imagination had led me to believe.

For a long time, I hesitated to schedule my exam due to concerns about these simulations, convincing myself that I needed more practice. In reality, I was simply overthinking it, which delayed my progress.

Here’s my top tip for you: once you’ve completed your study materials, use practice exams to gauge your understanding and comfort level. Aim for consistent passing scores on these practice tests. If you encounter a question you can’t answer immediately, skip it and mark it for review. You might find that another question triggers your memory, which could help you tackle the previous one later. This strategy will keep you on track and ensure you don’t get bogged down during the exam.

I also want to extend my gratitude to the incredible community on this subreddit. The wealth of information, resources, and support from fellow cybersecurity enthusiasts has been invaluable on my journey. Your contributions have made a significant impact.

Wishing you all the best on your exam preparation!

Edit: Thank you all for the kind words and recognition! Your support means a lot to me, and I couldn’t have achieved this without you!