Going back and getting the trifecta and more to fulfill degree program reqs. I spent maybe 3-4 hours out of 2 days of real hands on study using certmaster and dion’s practice tests and place in the mid 80s for both. 

I currently work in DFIR, and have worked from tier 1 up, so this was mostly a “hey, remember your tier one work?” Knowledge check. 

As someone who has experience, certmaster’s styling and “look and feel” gave me footing when getting served with my myriad of pbqs.

I want to give some specific advice to those trying to enter the field. Troubleshooting and problem solving is the mindset you want to develop with all of these certs. You build understanding and learn to interpret how comptia wants you to engage. 

Understanding key terms is great and studying how printers work was an important refresher for me, but the main goal is to get you into the mindset that lets you fix the issue. 

Dont take practice tests until you memorize the questions, ask yourself “why did the fix i selected not work”. Comptia (clearly) has a near-biblical process for troubleshooting that is a foundation for how you interpret and answer their questions. 

If you’re new to IT as a field, please give yourself more than 2ish days of rewatching Hellsing Abridged, spamming Professor Messer at the gym, taking two practice tests, and then scheduling your attempt. Dont be me. 

Or do, just know that preparedness and solid foundations are what actually built my career skills into the infosec industry, not memorizing ports, but sitting in wireshark watching services over a network. 

This cert prepares you to do something that will be asked of you by every one beside, above, and below you. That something is to critically think, and rely or your foundation to problem solve on your feet.

I wish all new core 1 attempters luck starting their journey! 

A+ Core 1 Passed!