Guys, you talk about TTT Vouchers. But if he has Voucher from Non TTT Events, they might be transferable.(like payed by him in Advanced.)
Yeah, but usually we talk here about TTT Vouchers. IF they are shared or sold (happend in the Past), Stephen has a lot of Trouble, and the CIN Member might be banned from recieving TTT Vouchers again. CompTIA and VUE can Track the Name <-> VoucherCode assigned from the TTT.

BrianFord said:

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.

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Timely info, folk. Thanks for sharing. Will there be any other event within the month to catch up with live? I'll watch this on demand anyways.

One of the things I've always appreciated about CompTIA's method is the layered approach for certs. A candidate might start with Tech+, before going to A+, to Net+, Sec+ and so on.

<soapbox>
The problem I have always observed with students is patience. Students don't want to have to, as @jasoneckert pointed out in the last TTT session for Linux+, invest the "sweat equity" in order to gain the skills. In my experience, this is so true because many of these exams and the associated skills require time. Time to learn the theory; time to learn the skills, processes, - the how and why things are done. They either want the quick-and-easy path to acquiring a certification, or they just don't truly have the aspiration to achieve.

As @BrianFord pointed out, we can dump tons of knowledge onto them, but if they aren't willing to put in the time - real time, to learn, then no amount of teaching by any instructor, no matter how good he/she is, will meet the goal.

I personally have little grace for students who opt to cut corners or even cheat their way to a cert, just because they are impatient or lazy. I remember all the hours that I've had to personally put in to get to where I am - and many of the 'old-salts' here in the forum can say the same thing. The late nights, studying until bleary eyed and unable to keep my eyes open, the sacrifices made, all of that. In my 35 years of doing IT, I don't regret the hours of learning, but I do become irate at students who don't want to put in the time and effort.

Students who are genuine and want to learn will put in the time and will appreciate the journey, no matter how arduous. The ones that are there for a piece of paper, well, not really worth my time.
</soapbox>

mohammed khati said:

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

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Praying for that.

Did you get yours,

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.

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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

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

What color is the ribbon for Cybersecurity Awareness?

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.

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

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.

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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 !

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?

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.

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

videsh31 said:

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

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

mohammed khati said:

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

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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.

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

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.

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

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Thanks another.
Sounds a very good plan.

Ibrahim Mohamed said:

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

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

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

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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 !!

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

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?

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