Latest activity

Ibrahim Mohamed · Oct 6, 2025

mohammed khati said:
Hope you get the voucher soon so you can wrap it up

Praying for that.

Did you get yours,

Ibrahim Mohamed · Oct 6, 2025

BrianFord said:
Interesting question. You mentioned both A+ and Network+ which are foundational level courses. For those courses I believe that the exams are more theory (a better description might be protocol or standards) based and I present my material based on that. Why? Because the exams ask multiple choice questions based on simulated real-world environments. These exams don't use virtual environments, where students have to demonstrate knowledge of commands. I always tell my students about labs that are offered and I specifically tell them why I think that lab is important and what knowledge they should gain completing that lab. I offer them support if they encounter issues completing the lab. That said I don't ask 'who completed this lab' because nothing good comes out of that sort of query. It's like asking the class who didn't study for two hours the night before; some students study for 30 minutes and sail through the exam while others study 3-4 hours per evening and fail. We can lead students to knowledge but we can't force them to use it.

Good points you have here.
That said, I agree with you these are core (foundation) courses as you said. Concentrating on students getting the knowledge required for the next level course is essential, but still we need to encourage the students to do the Labs to aim the skills they need for the real life work.
I agree most of the Labs are basic, but don't forget that most of the students don't have the basics.
For the exam part, totally agreed that knowledge is the main core of these exam.
As I said in a previous reply, customization according to your audience is the key here to be able to deliver the training in away that is beneficial to both types of students (Who came for learning and thise who came to prepare for exam).
Regards

Rick Butler · Oct 6, 2025

So the question I've always wondered - there's a ribbon for every focus/awareness month.

What color is the ribbon for Cybersecurity Awareness?

jasoneckert · Oct 6, 2025

Tess Sluijter said:
As I'm going through the book, to match reading materials to my classes, I notice more oversights.

SysV init was removed from the objectives in version XK0-005. Bresnahan and Blum left all the SysV contents from the 004 book in place and didn't remove it. The 006 still has it, even if SysV init hasn't been on the objectives for years now.

Similarly, localization options were removed from the 006 objectives, but the book still has them.

I'm not too happy about this new book's quality.

Honestly @jasoneckert , I'd love to use your book with my students but I just can't justify doubling the study book budget. I once bought your 5th or 6th edition book to check it out and I mostly loved it. But pricewise it's almost 1.5x the Sybex book, which is hard to pay for my non-profit, non-accredited customer.

Maybe I can still win them over... when's the new book coming? I also wonder if McGraw-Hill and Pearson are coming with new books, because I'm getting close to switching away from Sybex.

You might also consider using the CompTIA CertMaster materials, complemented by the custom lab resources I developed for the Linux+ TTT session.

mohammed khati · Oct 6, 2025

BrianFord said:
Interesting question. You mentioned both A+ and Network+ which are foundational level courses. For those courses I believe that the exams are more theory (a better description might be protocol or standards) based and I present my material based on that. Why? Because the exams ask multiple choice questions based on simulated real-world environments. These exams don't use virtual environments, where students have to demonstrate knowledge of commands. I always tell my students about labs that are offered and I specifically tell them why I think that lab is important and what knowledge they should gain completing that lab. I offer them support if they encounter issues completing the lab. That said I don't ask 'who completed this lab' because nothing good comes out of that sort of query. It's like asking the class who didn't study for two hours the night before; some students study for 30 minutes and sail through the exam while others study 3-4 hours per evening and fail. We can lead students to knowledge but we can't force them to use it.

That makes a lot of sense. I agree, theory is the backbone of these exams, and the way you link labs to the knowledge students should gain is really helpful. I like the part where you said we can lead students to knowledge but not force them very true !

BrianFord · Oct 6, 2025

Please be aware that October is Cybersecurity Awareness month. There are many different cybersecurity organizations that recognize and offer additional educational resources around this designation. One such are the folks at StaySafeOnline:

https://www.staysafeonline.org/cybersecurity-awareness-month

They offered an online event on October 1, 2025. You can watch the recording at the link above. Their messaging for this year is that small actions can make a big difference. They have focusing on the Core 4. Four easy steps anyone can take to boost their online safety:

Use strong passwords and a password manager
Turn on multifactor authentication
Recognize and report scams
Update your software

As instructors I encourage everyone to help spread messaging about the 'Core 4' and talk about how students can use these and more advanced techniques as well as how they can spread the word about improving cybersecurity.

BrianFord · Oct 6, 2025

I believe I saw that the course will be available early next year. Any update on the course delivery format? Any update on an exam?

BrianFord · Oct 6, 2025

Interesting question. You mentioned both A+ and Network+ which are foundational level courses. For those courses I believe that the exams are more theory (a better description might be protocol or standards) based and I present my material based on that. Why? Because the exams ask multiple choice questions based on simulated real-world environments. These exams don't use virtual environments, where students have to demonstrate knowledge of commands. I always tell my students about labs that are offered and I specifically tell them why I think that lab is important and what knowledge they should gain completing that lab. I offer them support if they encounter issues completing the lab. That said I don't ask 'who completed this lab' because nothing good comes out of that sort of query. It's like asking the class who didn't study for two hours the night before; some students study for 30 minutes and sail through the exam while others study 3-4 hours per evening and fail. We can lead students to knowledge but we can't force them to use it.

mohammed khati · Oct 6, 2025

Hope you get the voucher soon so you can wrap it up

mohammed khati · Oct 6, 2025

Stay curious, stay ahead

mohammed khati · Oct 6, 2025

videsh31 said:
Please share the vouchers with others if you do not intend to use them this year.

The exam voucher is non-transferable and can only be used by the person it was originally issued to

Ibrahim Mohamed · Oct 6, 2025

mohammed khati said:
any time !
don't forget to share with us your preparing journey

I guess it is the same for almost everyone.
For me, TTT series was like a road-map to what you should focus on.
The The official platform CompTIA CertMaster Learn & Labs, are the essential material for the details.

Professor Messer’s free video is like summing it up and the final visual notes.

My time frame is 1-2 hours a day for 1 month.
Was ready for the exam, but unfortunately didn't get my voucher yet.

Hope to get it soon, so as not to waste all these efforts.

mohammed khati · Oct 6, 2025

any time !
don't forget to share with us your preparing journey

Ibrahim Mohamed · Oct 6, 2025

Interesting discussion going on here.
couldn't agree more about the points raised here.
Hope to have another TTT soon to hear from Comptia about them.

Ibrahim Mohamed · Oct 6, 2025

mohammed khati said:
The official platform CompTIA CertMaster Learn & Labs
+
Professor Messer’s free videos (super helpful for review)

Prepare time: Around 1 - 1.5 month, studying a few hours daily

Thanks another.
Sounds a very good plan.

mohammed khati · Oct 6, 2025

Ibrahim Mohamed said:
It is not skipping this or that. It is about customizing your delivery according to your audience.

Absolutely! Both theory and labs are essential the real challenge is just finding the right balance for each group.

mohammed khati · Oct 6, 2025

VICTOR CHIDI OKPURUKA said:
For trainers that have experience delivering training over the years- its common knowledge that both theory and labs are important!

your balance for every batch or cohort will be dependent on the experience of the trainees

trainees with sufficient theoretical knowledge will need labs to complement and make them better and also I have seen persons in the field practicing for years but dont know the standards, jargons, principles and ethics or to put it lightly the how, why, when for different sceneries as they arise.

So bottom line - you cant skip any if you intend to benefit the participants

That’s a great point! I totally agree both theory and labs complement each other, and skipping either one leaves a gap.

From my side, what I’ve noticed is that labs make the theory “stick” faster, especially for new learners who might struggle to keep up with abstract concepts. On the other hand, theory provides the “why” behind the practice, which makes troubleshooting in real scenarios much more effective.

I think the real challenge as trainers is finding that sweet spot for each group sometimes 70% labs / 30% theory, sometimes the reverse, depending on their background.

Thanks for sharing this perspective !!

mohammed khati · Oct 6, 2025

The official platform CompTIA CertMaster Learn & Labs
+
Professor Messer’s free videos (super helpful for review)

Prepare time: Around 1 - 1.5 month, studying a few hours daily

Ibrahim Mohamed · Oct 6, 2025

mohammed khati said:
I just noticed how every trainer has a different ‘teaching style’ when delivering A+ or Network+. Some go deep into theory, others focus on troubleshooting labs. If you had to pick, what’s the one thing you never skip in your training sessions?

It is not skipping this or that. It is about customizing your delivery according to your audience.

Ibrahim Mohamed · Oct 6, 2025

videsh31 said:
Please share the vouchers with others if you do not intend to use them this year.

Voucher can not be shared

Ibrahim Mohamed · Oct 6, 2025

mohammed khati said:
From my experience, the TTT series is really useful, but it depends on your goal

If you’re preparing to take the A+ exam: TTT alone is not enough. You’ll definitely need extra resources like practice exams, CertMaster or additional resources to make sure you cover everything and get used to the exam style.

If your goal is to teach or train students: then the TTT series can actually be enough as a foundation, since it gives you the structure to explain concepts, but you should still explore extra materials to give your students richer examples.

Thank you @mohammfor you response.
Good point you mentioned here.
What material or site you used? Or you think it can help?.
What about time frame to prepare?

VICTOR CHIDI OKPURUKA · Oct 6, 2025

mohammed khati said:
I just noticed how every trainer has a different ‘teaching style’ when delivering A+ or Network+. Some go deep into theory, others focus on troubleshooting labs. If you had to pick, what’s the one thing you never skip in your training sessions?

For trainers that have experience delivering training over the years- its common knowledge that both theory and labs are important!

your balance for every batch or cohort will be dependent on the experience of the trainees

trainees with sufficient theoretical knowledge will need labs to complement and make them better and also I have seen persons in the field practicing for years but dont know the standards, jargons, principles and ethics or to put it lightly the how, why, when for different sceneries as they arise.

So bottom line - you cant skip any if you intend to benefit the participants

VICTOR CHIDI OKPURUKA · Oct 6, 2025

videsh31 said:
Please share the vouchers with others if you do not intend to use them this year.

@videsh31 Kindly note that vouchers cant be shared- they are name tied and have prerequisites which are clear( eg. mentoring or part of a training provider, participate in the live or on demand TTT sessions intended to help trainers deliver compTIA training or for CE etc.)

Vouchers normally have about 1yr duration so even if someone cant use it this year- next year upto June2026 is still an available timeline.

Thanks and awesome day ahead

Latest activity

Latest activity

Filter