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SecAI+ - Certmaster

Hello everyone,
Is anyone currently going through the CertMaster for SecAI+?
Overall, I think the material is well-organized and well designed.
However, I couldn’t find any student or instructor handouts that could serve as an "offline" resource?

Also, regarding the interactive labs, which I must say, great job CompTIA!, I noticed that when resuming labs from a saved point, some tools and steps don’t work properly due to poor connectivity, often internet-related issues.
A simple DNS refresh or reset usually fixes this, but it might be helpful to mention this somewhere for students who aren't experienced in troubleshooting, as they might expect everything to work seamlessly.
Of course, at this certification level, students should have enough proficiency to handle such issues themselves, but I bring this up because many might assume such guides are provided upon purchase?

Took the DataSys+ beta

I took the DataSys+ beta earlier this week. I like the updates to this exam. It seems better scoped than the current version. It took a little bit of Net+, a bit of Cloud+, a good chunk of Sec+--all in the context of databases--and then mixed in lots of database content. I had 4-5 PBQs (can't remember exactly), and a total of about 115 questions, with a better mix of difficulty than the current exam and more technical knowledge required. Finished a good hour early.

Anyone else taken this one yet? What did you think?

CloudNetX renewal

I'm in the process of reviewing my CompTIA certs to make certain I have the required CEUs for renewal. i don't like to wait until the last minute. I typically get them done within the first year or two. CloudNetX has been a particular challenge.

1. No other CompTIA certification gives full or partial credit for CEUs.
2. No other non-CompTIA certifications gives full or partial credit for CEUs
3. The only options are as follows:

20 hours of webinars max
20 hours of conference attendance max
75 hours of attending training max
Retaking the newest version of the exam

By having the fewest renewal options, this makes the CloudNetX certification one of the most difficult ones to renew. DataAI has the same renewal options.

Passed DA0-002: CompTIA Data+ Certification Exam

Today I passed the DA0-002: CompTIA Data+ Certification Exam. I had already passed the previous version DA0-001, and I thought this one was much easier.

One PBQ, 79 M/C questions. A few AI questions scattered throughout, but otherwise not much new.

Overall, it's a good introductory data certification for people getting started on their career path in data analytics.

I'll be taking the new DataSys+ soon. I'm interested to see how much it has changed since the previous version.

CIN 2026 Webinars Feedback Wanted

Hello Everyone! We have been in the process of building out a webinar schedule for the rest of the 2026. Below is the outcome of the planning we have so far. We would like feedback from CIN as to what you think is missing? What topics would you like to see offered? Are there any proposed launches from the CompTIA Product Roadmap that you think should be covered? We will add to our webinar list based on feedback and interests.

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CIN Instructor Toolbox: How to create an agent: 007 key skills that every student – and instructor – needs to know

In this 2-hour hands-on session, CompTIA’s @James Stanger will walk you step-by-step through how to design, build, and test a practical AI agent. Think of the agent as a Q-branch, customized digital tech assistant.

By the end of this session, you will be able to:
  • Create a basic AI agent using free and pay-tier platforms
  • Plan your agent like a project— understand why, like painting a house, success is all in the preparation
  • Evaluate AI agent tools and platforms and decide which ones fit your needs
  • Map and document workflows during the planning before even considering building an agent
  • Apply industry best practices for building agents, including setting goals, organizing the information that your agent needs, setting boundaries, and the vital testing and security measures you should consider
Join CompTIA’s Dr. James Stanger to move beyond AI buzzwords and leave with a clear, practical roadmap for building an AI agent you, your students, and industry workers can use.

WHAT: CIN Instructor Toolbox
WHEN: Thursday April 23, 2026, 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM CT
WHO: James Stanger, Chief Technology Evangelist, CompTIA
WHERE: ON24

Register Here

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  • Question
Is the CertMaster content enough to pass SecurityX exam

I've got 25 years IT experience and over 16 specializing in security, so I'm not coming into this completely ignorant. But in taking the unit quizzes and practice exam in CertMaster, the questions seem way different than the material I've been studying the last couple months. I'm also going through the TTT recordings now but that seems in line with the CM material.
Are the exercises relevant for the test? Also, is there a better alternative for learning what I need to pass the exam?
Thanks in advance!
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Exam scoring

I want to settle this once and for all. How does CompTIA score their exams?

Every exam has a handful of PBQs, while the overwhelming majority of questions are multiple-choice. Most exams have a maximum of 90 questions, but could have fewer. All exams are on a 100-900 scale, with the exception of a few exams that are pass/fail only.

A well-known trainer posted this on another forum:

Questions have different weighting. CompTIA has never released score values from questions but it is estimated that a multiple choice question (MCQ) is about 9 points, multi-select questions (MSQs) are worth 9 points X however many correct answers there are to select and PBQs run around 90 points (partial credit can be earned).

I have no idea where he got this information. I taught classes FOR COMPTIA and never once did they mention how they scored their exams. I helped write exam questions and never once did they mention how they scored their exams.


My question is this: Does anyone have corroborating evidence that clearly shows CompTIA publicly announcing how they score their exams?
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  • Question
How do you find the Account Executive for your university?

An admin, Stephen, said in one of his posts that that the best approach anytime anyone needs a voucher or discount is to reach out to their Account Executive. How do you find the Account Executive for your university? The Account Executive for DeVry University is no longer with CompTIA. How do I find the new Account Executive for DeVry University? I called the CompTIA Customer Support and they told me to reach out to my university to find out who the Account Executive is. However, I'm the contact! So, I cannot reach out to myself. Please help!

CIN Sneak Peek AutoOps+ V1

Are you ready for the brand new AutoOps+ certification from CompTIA? Join us as we welcome @James Stanger and @Tyler Harris as they walk us through this new cert.

CompTIA AutoOps+ validates your skills to automate, secure, and optimize IT operations across cloud and hybrid environments. As part of CompTIA’s new Expansion Series, AutoOps+ is designed to augment your core IT competencies with specialized expertise in automation, scripting, and infrastructure management. Gain hands-on experience to bridge traditional IT roles with modern DevOps practices. The certification launches in June 2026.

Skills covered:
  • Use scripting and automation to streamline IT workflows and manage enterprise systems efficiently.
  • Automate configuration, provisioning, and maintenance using infrastructure-as-code and modern tool chains.
  • Build and manage CI pipelines to automate testing, ensure quality, and improve collaboration between teams.
  • Implement secure, compliant delivery pipelines that enable rapid, reliable deployment and operational efficiency.

WHAT: CIN Sneak Peek AutoOps+ V1
WHEN: Thursday April 16, 2026, 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM CT
WHO: James Stanger, Chief Technology Evangelist, CompTIA and Tyler Harris
WHERE: ON24

Register Here!
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The best way to teach...

I started to write a post here about the skills that are required to be a good or great or excellent technical trainer... but it got pretty long, and I decided to post it to my blog. I hope you click through and enjoy it, and I look forward to reading your thoughts on it!

From Buzzword to Baseline Skill: Introducing CompTIA AI Fundamentals for Every Student

AI is quickly becoming a baseline literacy for every student, not just those in technology. Students across all majors are using AI tools in work, study, and everyday life, often without guidance on how to use them effectively or responsibly.

Join Henry Mann, Senior Director of Product Development at CompTIA, for a tour of CompTIA AI Fundamentals, a new, vendor-neutral course designed for teaching students critical AI skills.

During the webinar, we'll explore how AI Fundamentals:
  • Builds practical AI literacy for all learners, with no prior tech experience required
  • Embeds responsible and secure AI use across disciplines
  • Provides hands-on AI practice in a secure environment, no third-party tools or extra accounts
  • Aligns with workforce expectations and recognizes skills with the CompTIA AI Fundamentals CompCert
AI Fundamentals will be available in June 2026. Register now to explore the new CompTIA AI Fundamentals course and see how teaching AI literacy today can better prepare your students for tomorrow's workforce.

What: CompTIA Academic Webinar
When: Wednesday, March 11, 2026, 2:00 - 3:00 PM CT
Who: Henry Mann, Sr Director Product Development, CompTIA
Where: ON24
Register Here

Fulfillments... Are we no longer fulfilled?

Hey folks!

I did not even notice it when I did not get a fulfillment package for my last couple of certifications. I was telling my students recently (they are doing Tech+ A+ and Network+) that when you earn a new certification CompTIA will mail you a hard copy of the certificate and wallet card. One of my students told me this morning that he asked for it and was given the option to purchase one, but they are not provided. Can anyone tell me when that changed?

Thanks in advance!

A+ Certmaster Perform - Instructor Opinions on prioritizing labs assigned

Looking for any opinions on Certmaster Perform and the Labs for A+ (at this point specifically Core 2). I am finding with the course I am teaching for a company, I need to take some of the labs out of required ones that I assign to my students. I do not have them do the Challenge Labs already. Before I go through the labs again and determine these myself, is there a document somewhere or any forums/posts with opinions on the labs and which ones may be a priority?

Why recertify?

I've been a technical trainer for 25+ years. I've taken more than 16 different cert exams from CompTIA and re-certified in many of them two, three, four, five, or even six times. I've even re-certified in two CompTIA certs that were "good for life" certifications. Mostly, this was due to requirements from end clients who wanted me to hold the most recent version of the cert exam that they wanted me to teach. It doesn't matter that I've passed Security+ in 2005, 2010, 2019, 2021, and 2023. They don't trust that my 25+ years of technical training experience, list of certs, and continuing education make me qualified to teach the latest version of the exam. Because they think that the exam is different now, since the version number changed.

Honestly, I never studied for recertification exams. By teaching the courses on a regular basis, I drilled the information into my long-term memory. Every time an exam versions, only 10%-15% of the exam objectives change, mostly because they gradually add new content. But the evolution of the exams is extremely slow. There are lots of topics on my first Security+ exam that are still on the most recent Security+ exam.

It's strange because the same clients don't seem to care that I've only taken the ISC2 CISSP, ISC2 CCSP, ISACA CISM, or any other exam only one time each. They only seem concerned that I've passed THE MOST RECENT version of the CompTIA exam, apparently because passing a previous version doesn't matter in their eyes.

CompTIA doesn't print the version number on the certifications. And they don't care if you renew the cert by taking the new version, or by racking up CEUs, or by passing a different industry cert. That's what I've been doing the last few years.

Out of all my current active CompTIA certs, the one that expires the soonest is in 2027, and the one that expires the furthest out is 2031.

I really have to thank CompTIA for all the free certs and the free and discounted Beta exams over the years. Honestly, if it weren't for them, I probably wouldn't have taken as many exams as I have over the years. The costs add up quickly. Students complain nonstop about voucher costs, when CompTIA is one of the most affordable options on the market. Go check the cost of ISC2, ISACA, OffSec, and GIAC exams if you don't believe me.

I have chosen NOT to take new versions of the exam for certs I already hold. I don't learn anything new by studying for a cert that I've already passed multiple times. I'm completely fine renewing my certs by getting different certs or by racking up CEUs from webinars, conference attendance, and other educational opportunities.

I've got vouchers for Linux+. DataAI, and I'm still waiting on a voucher for Data+ (which I let expire). I'm attending the SecAI TTT, and am looking forward to taking a crack at that exam to see if there's anything new for me on that exam. Mostly, I'm looking for new challenges, not just repeating old challenges.

For those who choose to pass version after version of the CompTIA exams, I wish you the best. If that works for you, I will not disparage it. It just doesn't work for me any more.

  • Question
CEU's for SecurityX

I was wondering if anyone has some information and resources to CEU's that have been submitted in the past to update their SecurityX (CASP+) certification. I know CompTIA provides a list of options like CISM, or CISSP, but I'm sure there are other options, like courses and educational videos to participate in as well. Just trying to create a list of options for those who have passed their CASP but don't want to take a higher level certification.

If You Had to Restart Security+, What Would You Do Differently?

Seeing so many people sharing their Security+ journeys here is motivating 💪🏽

Quick question for those who’ve already passed or are deep into studying:

If you had to start Security+ all over again, what would you do differently?

Would you:

  • Focus more on practice exams?
  • Spend more time on hands-on labs?
  • Use fewer resources but go deeper?
  • Or follow a completely different study strategy?
I’m especially interested in real-world advice (what actually helped you pass, not just what sounds good).

Also, for those who passed recently — how long did you study and what resources made the biggest difference?

Appreciate any insights 🙏🏽

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