Exam Day Strategies
Exam Day Strategies
Pre-exam preparation extends beyond knowledge to include logistics and mental preparation. Schedule exams during personal peak performance times—morning people shouldn't force afternoon exams. Whether choosing online proctored or test center delivery, understand requirements and prepare accordingly. Test centers require early arrival and identification, while online exams need reliable internet, clean testing spaces, and proper equipment. Technical issues during online exams create unnecessary stress.
Time management during the 90-minute exam proves crucial for success. With up to 90 questions including performance-based simulations, maintaining steady pace prevents rushed endings. Most successful candidates spend 30-45 seconds on standard questions, flagging difficult ones for review. Performance-based questions requiring 5-10 minutes each should be attempted first or last to prevent time anxiety. Leave 10-15 minutes for reviewing flagged questions.
Question interpretation strategies prevent costly misunderstandings. CompTIA questions often include extra information testing ability to identify relevant details. Read questions completely before reviewing answers, identifying key words like "FIRST," "BEST," or "MOST secure." Eliminate obviously incorrect answers before analyzing remaining options. When stuck between two choices, consider which aligns most closely with Security+ principles of defense-in-depth and least privilege.
Managing exam anxiety improves performance significantly. Deep breathing exercises, positive visualization, and confidence from thorough preparation reduce stress. Remember that Security+ allows missing several questions while still passing—perfectionism creates unnecessary pressure. If encountering difficult questions early, maintain confidence knowing easier questions likely follow. Many successful candidates report that staying calm and methodical led to better scores than rushed, anxious attempts.