Hello CINers,

I'm thrilled to have reached this significant milestone in my cloud infrastructure and services journey by passing CloudNetX CNX-001 exam today!

Thank you so much @Stephen Schneiter for the voucher

Hi everyone! I am not a new teacher, but I am new to teaching IT classes. I've taught math mostly and some PLTW computer science/programming-focused courses the last several years. Our district realized that while our community has very little need for programmers, we have a tremendous need for IT workers in all sectors. Additionally, new dual credit partnerships with the local community college have come in and out with PLTW and in with CompTIA! The district actually purchased TestOut licenses, but...

This year I will have 3 levels of IT classes - the classes were determined by the District and Community College
Year1: Tech+ (and other intro to computers skills MS Office suite, HTML)
Year2: A+
Year3: Net+ (1st sem) and Linux+ (2nd sem)

I am still relatively new to the world of IT myself - I took my A+ Cert last with the students! I do have some experience and interest in the IT world, but I am more broad than deep. I plan to do the same route for certification this year with Net+ and Linux+, but I am looking for suggestions from the more experienced teachers that might be here as to how best to run the "day to day" with my students.

Do you use digital notebooks? Do you use CertMaster (or another program)? Last year I showed videos from TestOut, pausing them for discussions and connections, but students filled out guided note sheets that I created. The notes followed the videos and then forced them to scavenger hunt the "text". It was a ton of work for me, but it did work well.
What works well for you?

I also want my students to have some hands-on and authentic experiences, but I do not have much in the way of resources. My 1st year students always take apart and reassemble old computers and laptops - they don't work however. For A+, I gave my students a box of parts and had them assemble the computer as a review, but they were the same old computers my first years use. I also had my A+ students last year make patch cables and test them. I am absolutely looking for any other low-cost, easy-to-implement hands-on labs/activities.

Finally, this year I should have access to 20-ish working computers obsoleted from the district, but they have been completely erased - NO Windows OS, and I am not allowed to reconnect them to the district network. Aside from installing Linux on them (which is very likely) are there any free resources you would suggest I put on them? Ultimately, these older laptops will probably have to serve my classes for several years - and I want them secured so that I can do that, but I also need some ideas of what I can actually DO with them.

Thank you all for reading through this and for any help and suggestions you might offer!

I’ve been in a junior IT support role for about a year, and I’m debating whether going for the CompTIA A+ is still worth it at this stage. My day-to-day already covers a lot of hardware, OS, and networking basics, but I’ve noticed the exam objectives still focus heavily on legacy systems and older troubleshooting methodologies.

For those who’ve taken it recently, did you find the content aligned with current workplace realities, things like cloud-based endpoint management, MDM tools, and modern security protocols? Or did it feel more like a formal check-the-box credential for HR filters?

I found one training program that integrates real-world simulations and labs that mimic enterprise environments (instead of just rote Q&A drills). That hands-on approach sounds promising, but I’m wondering if the A+ itself goes deep enough to make it worthwhile in 2025.

Hi everyone,

Was wondering where I can access the PDF for the Instructor Guide and the Official PowerPoint slides for Training.
How do we usually get these materials? Are they provided after enrollment, or do we need to request them separately?

Any help or guidance would be greatly appreciated.


Thank you in advance!

When I go to resources all I see is past TTT sessions. Where can I find the next course, or how to get notified for the coming classes?

Saul M.

I was able to complete this lab but don't understand where Telnet and SSH factor in. The lab states that only these commands should be allowed on the network but the solution doesn't require specifying Telnet or SSH, nor their ports 23 and 22. It seems that the solution allows ANY traffic into these networks.

The CompTIA AI Essentials will start soon don’t forget to join the sessions

I need to know what the difference is between the A+ Learn and A+ Perform courses. That will help me determine which course I will be using this fall. I begin teaching this next week, but haven't gotten a response from my account manager. Any help would be appreciated.

I see that CompTIA removed the PBQ practice questions in the CertMaster courses. Are the labs the sole replacement for that? I found that my students really enjoyed working with the practice PBQs in the 1100 series CertMaster.

Any alternatives out there that others are using with students?

Future TTT courses should include a session on how to answer a mock simulation question in exam so we can train our students well or can tell what they will looking for in the simulation exam. Most of students get scared when they think the simulation will be like lab exercise.

In TTT we should be trained on our training a mock simulation exam, it will be very helpful to trainer when teaching the course.

smashed the exam today!
Huge thanks to CIN and a big shoutout to @Stephen Schneiter & CompTIA for making it happen.
On to the next one! SecurityX

I am sure William Shakespeare would agree that it does not matter, but as I preen over passing CAS-005 yesterday, I wonder if CompTIA's marketing department might not have taken a wrong turn on this one.

Certified Advanced Security Practitioner... it sounds reverential - a title to be respected. When the Advanced Security Professional walks in you step aside and follow his lead because he (or she) knows of what they speak.

SecurityX... I don't know... it sounds a bit millennial. If you think that might be a compliment then get off my lawn! I was not involved in the conversations around it but I am trying to wrap my head around the thinking on this one. What is CompTIA trying to do with this name? Can anyone explain it? I would love to put the old cert on a business card but this... I really don't know.

CompTIA CySA+ TTT series sessions are really informative.

Information Systems of Maryland (ISM), LLC is seeking a CompTIA Instructor with an entrepreneurial spirit to join our growing team. ISM is a technology consulting firm that specializes in providing small, medium, large and public sector organizations with technology project solutions, security solutions and human capital services. To meet the increasing needs of our organization we are seeking an CompTIA Instructor that wants to take part in our success and become a key member of the company. We offer an exceptional compensation package and fast-tracked opportunity for growth. If you would like to learn more about ISM, please visit us on the web at www.is-md.com

We have immediate needs to sponsor and/or get our own personnel classroom trained and exam ready for A+ CE, Network+ CE and Security+ (full course).

A class participant openly has learning challenges and CANNOT do these in a virtual format, so we're looking for private 1:1 training and/or classroom group-based training to accommodate this.

Past these immediate needs, our company is in discussions of acquiring an existing training school in Virginia, who currently offers training in a totally different industry, and would be an excellent opportunity for us to bolt on CompTIA training capabilities, among some others we have desires of doing. If you are an instructor/educationalist at heart and want to teach other subjects, upon the completion of said acquisition, we would be more than open and happy to acquaint and credential instructors for the other training industry currently served.

If you are interested, please contact us by e-mail to get a conversation started, [email protected]

https://www.comptia.org/en-us/experts/network-of-experts/​

Are you looking for a way to use your knowledge, expertise, and experience to make an impact?​

• Give back - Join other thought leaders to help build and strengthen the IT workforce.
• Shape the future - Pave the way for the future of the IT industry.
• Unlock potential - Inform the learning content that helps individuals get and thrive in tech jobs.
• Make an impact - Contribute expertise that helps professionals navigate their tech careers.
  

Advisory role​

Help set the strategic direction for CompTIA certifications and products.

Provide guidance on the direction of CompTIA products and advise on how to drive adoption of certifications to ensure a qualified and efficient global workforce, e.g., as a member of an advisory board, in user groups or as a part of a focus group.

Lab checker​

Work with peers and CompTIA staff to use your deep knowledge, expertise and experience to assist in the development, maintenance and revisions of CompTIA learning content associated with the technologies, skills and best practices used by IT professionals.

Requirements: Candidates must have experience with applicable technology and tools according to the specific workshop requirements and be CompTIA-certified. Trainers, authors, instructors or individuals who may profit or materially benefit from knowledge of the CompTIA credential content in any way are not eligible to participate.

Instructor​

Teach and guide learners through their certification and training journeys.

Requirements: Candidates must have experience teaching and presenting online and be CompTIA-certified. Time commitment for instructor roles may vary.

Exam beta tester or pilot participant​

Give back to the industry and help establish the standards in your field by testing CompTIA learning products and certification exams to uncover any issues before general release.

Requirements: Criteria to qualify to be a beta exam tester will vary by exam. Your information will be reviewed, and candidates will be chosen based on qualifications and experience.

Author​

Author CompTIA learning content based on relevant and strong technical expertise, knowledge and experience in specific areas.

Requirements: Learning content developers cannot be contractually obligated to another publisher. Teaching and writing experience are appreciated but not required. A brief writing sample will be required. Time commitment for learning content development roles may vary.

Assessment question author or reviewer​

Write and review educational or certification-related test questions and problems that are aligned with learning content outcomes.

Requirements: Learning content developers cannot be contractually obligated to another publisher. A brief writing sample will be required. Time commitment for learning content development roles may vary.

Education script writer​

Write engaging and high-quality educational video scripts aligned with learning content outcomes. This includes scripts for animated “explainer” videos and scripts for videos demonstrating a tool, task, or process.

Requirements: A brief writing sample will be required. Time commitment for learning content development roles may vary.

Certification development subject matter expert​

Work with peers and CompTIA staff to create or review CompTIA certification exam items associated with the technologies, skills and best practices used by IT professionals.

Requirements: You must have experience according to certification-specific workshop requirements and complete a separate application to be considered to be a Certification Development Subject Matter Expert.

Certification development subject matter expert​

Work with peers and CompTIA staff to create or review CompTIA certification exam items associated with the technologies, skills and best practices used by IT professionals.

Requirements: You must have experience according to certification-specific workshop requirements and complete a separate application to be considered to be a Certification Development Subject Matter Expert.

Content contributor​

Showcase your knowledge, expertise and experience by sharing the challenges you face, what you like about your job and what it’s like to work in tech.

So, it would seem that I'm starting to reach artifact status here in the CIN....today, this came through:



So, hurriedly, I thought I'd check my new pixel acquisition and:



*sigh* Oh well - womp-womp.

Oh well. I guess that means @Stephen Schneiter owes me beer now.

/r

Hello,

I’ve created a new Canvas course for the 1200 series and would like to know if there’s a way to smoothly migrate students from my existing 1100 series course while preserving their progress in the new shell.

Has anyone successfully done this before, or is there a recommended method to handle this type of transition?

Thank you!

Hey guys, is pentest+ lab moved to latest version v3 moved to compTIA platform or still on LOD

i am looking for CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701) exam voucher and lab manual
can any one help?

As you know, everything starts with networks and operating systems, and with new technologies, it makes sense to refresh some topics. Personally, I have many Azure, AWS, and CompTIA certifications, so I think a refresher course with a voucher is needed.

Kindly confirm if you have distributed Security X and CloudNetX vouchers @Stephen Schneiter

We are looking to hire an A+ Trainer to start in September. Located in Winston-Salem, NC and the class will be in-person on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6pm - 8:30pm. Please let me know if you are interested by emailing me at [email protected].

Thank you,

Hi there
where i well find the voucher to access to courses and meterial of A+

Are there any good resources where I can get some good in-class exercises to do with my students for A+, Network+, and Security+? I know there are somethings included in CertMaster, but I am hoping to find material outside of CompTIA that could be useful.

Good Afternoon CIN,
We have had access to TestOut for ages. Then with all of the new course releases, we would receive them. With the new CertMaster Security+, we did not receive access. I tried calling CompTIA and was told to submit a help ticket. We used to have a CompTIA and a TestOut contact person, but now TestOut is no more. So my question is who can we reach out to. I have no idea who our sales person is. things have been great for so long that John Mongeon was our sales manager. We just found out about we have an issue because the new courses are starting up. Any assistance will be greatly appreciated.
Thank you,

Corey Douglas
PWC Training