Common Exam Pitfalls and How to Overcome Them

CompTIA examinations can indeed be tough, particularly to those who are fresh. There are many students who are not good at managing time, while there are others who simply try too hard to figure out performance-based questions.

As instructors, let’s share tips to help our learners prepare effectively, control anxiety and have a go at the examination.

Jumping the line

A student reach out to me asking about getting the Sec+ certification. They attempted the Net+ exam and failed (scoring a 518). They asked if they can 'skip' over the Net+ and go straight for the Security +. My response was a resounding no. The student did explain that they've completed their associates degree in IT and they're not working in the profession yet.

I encouraged the student to seek their A+ first. Is it just me, or are students 'jumping the line' for higher certifications. Particularly, without the requisite knowledge, training, or real world experience that aid in learning and progressing.

To the fellow CINers, what's your take on this.

CIN Sneak Peek - CloudNetX CNX-001

Dear CINners,

Due to overlapping engagements, I will be unable to attend the CIN Sneak Peek, on this coming Thursday, December 12, at 1pm CST. Is there anyone else planning to attend, whom I can trust, to take attendance in my absence? Let me know.

Thank you in advance!

Microsoft Patch Tuesday

Microsoft issued 71 patches for December Patch Tuesday to address vulnerabilities that include a zero-day bug in the Windows Common Log File System, which is under active exploit, and could enable system-level privileges.

Other critical vulnerabilities include a remote code execution flaw in Windows Lightweight Directory Access Protocol, and one in Hyper-V, that could allow code execution on the host operating system.

71 patches? Just for the month of December? Ouch!!!!

Well, as the old saying goes, "it's all relative" - I say that because, relative to the year's total of 1,020 patches for the very popular OS, 71 for a single month ain't that bad P-)

Peace and blessings to all those with the responsibility of guarding the Microsoft Windows OS palace!!!
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Microsoft Sharepoint

Hello CINners,

Does anyone know what is responsible for the Microsoft Sharepoint process
to automatically run? Each time I awake my computer from "sleep" mode,
or start from a cold boot, that Microsoft Sharepoint process is going to
appear in the list of processes, on the Processes tab in Task Manager.

Is there something in Windows 10 that requires Microsoft Sharepoint to be
running?

The great news is that I can terminate it, using the "End Task" button in
Task Manager, and it will go away for the duration of my computer running.

That Microsoft Sharepoint process isn't causing any issues - none that I know
of anyway. I'm just trying to lighten the load of my CPU - it's old like I am!!

Thanks CINners!!!

Need Guidance for CompTIA CTT+ (TK0-201 & TK0-202/203) Preparation

Hi Everyone,

I’m P. Divakaran, an IT instructor with experience teaching hardware and software troubleshooting. I’m planning to earn the CompTIA CTT+ certification to enhance my teaching credentials. I’d appreciate your guidance on:

  1. The best resources for studying TK0-201 and preparing for the TK0-202 video submission.
  2. Tips for recording and submitting a video for the performance-based exam.
  3. Any personal experiences or insights about the exam process, particularly the online proctoring option.
Thank you in advance for your support!

  • Question
TestOut Network Pro retirement

I'm at a loss here. A student had a Title IX situation late in the semester. I offered them an "incomplete" grade to give them more time to complete the materials for TestOut (TO) Network Pro and another TO title. Unfortunately, the student can't complete the materials before Network Pro retires on Dec. 20th. I believe in this student, and it took a bit to convince them to take the incomplete grade. Now, I feel like I've set them up for failure on the Network Pro. Any ideas?

Happy Holidays!! What Are Your Traditions?

Hello CINners!

At this time of year, the world is preparing to celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Diwali, or another celebration.

We would like to know what you are celebrating. What traditions make this time of year special to you? Is there something you look forward to this time of year, a favorite event, activity or food & beverage?

Let's share with the community so we can all celebrate together!

Open to work as an CompTIA Instructor.

Hello everyone,

I am excited to be a part of this forum and would like to introduce myself. My name is Ashief Ahmed, and I have been passionately teaching Cybersecurity courses since 2014. Over the years, I have had the privilege of sharing my knowledge and expertise with students across Canada, teaching at various colleges and universities.

I am a certified instructor with ISC2, ISACA, and PECB, which enables me to deliver a wide range of professional certification courses, including CompTIA, ISC2, and ISACA programs. In addition to my teaching credentials, I hold 58 industry-leading certifications, reflecting my dedication to continuous learning and staying updated in the ever-evolving field of cybersecurity.

If you are interested, you can learn more about my professional background and connect with me through my LinkedIn profile:

👉 LinkedIn - Ashief Ahmed

I am eager to engage in meaningful discussions with training centers and collaborate on initiatives to advance cybersecurity education. I also look forward to sharing my experiences and learning from the wealth of knowledge this community of educators brings to the table.

Let’s connect and grow together!

Best regards,
Ashief Ahmed

Process in "Suspended" State

Hello CINners,

1734987896793.png

The above pic is a partial snapshot of Task Manager, in a Windows 10 environment.

Either that "Search Background Task Host" process, or that "Search" process, is ALWAYS in a "suspended" state.
Anybody got a clue as to why that is?

Also, that "Microsoft Store" process that appears in that same snapshot always cranks up when I boot my machine.
Why does that bad boy kickoff?

As a famous person once asked: Why? Why!? Why?'
Who was that person :)
Always a time for a little trivia, even when taking care of serious business!!!


Okay CINners, that's all I've got for this episode of "Why Does This Do That?"
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  • Question
Firefox Processes Launching

Hello CINners,

Got a question for the Windows 10 Elite!

When I power-up my computer, or wake it up from sleep mode, I will often times see
a couple (anywhere from 2 to 4) of Firefox processes running in Task Manager. Now,
the processes don't run indefinitely, and no actual browser is opened. However, just
the running of those Firefox processes consumes vital resources (CPU and Memory)
for the duration that they do run.

My question: Why do those Firefox processes launch automatically like that? If you do
know the why, are you able to guide me on how to prevent this from happening?

Remember, this is a question for the Windows 10 Elite, not the petite (i.e. neophytes or
casual users)!!!

Many thanks CINners.

So...Network+ I thought there wouldn't be a book...

And I was told over and over at Summit that CertMaster Perform was going to be the de facto text, rather than a study guide/printed book - that there wouldn't be a book. I was even asked, directly, "why would you even want a book, etc etc"

And then, one of our curriculum folks sent this to me:

1734570435405.png

So naturally I am perplexed....is CompTIA back in the book writing business again, given that it would seem less of a popularity with having CertMaster Perform take the place of a bona fide textbook?

Or do I have something wrong / missed something, etc etc? Wouldn't be the FIRST time, but I'm wondering now...

Saw ebooks for Tech+ as well...

/r

Apparent Errors in Labsim Quiz

Hello,

Just started going through the labsim material for Cloud+ and I have noticed a couple of typo errors and errors in some questions. look at the explanation for why Office 365 is wrong in this question for 2.5 Module Quiz. There is no mention of G Suite in the original question.

1734637716688.png

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