Total Seminars E-books now Available
Total Seminars E-books now available in one secure online space—the Total Seminars Training Hub.
Total Seminars is excited to announce the availability of CompTIA and AWS E-books via the Total Seminars Training Hub. This online E-book experience is the result of a cooperative agreement between Total Seminars and McGraw Hill. E-books may be purchased on the Total Seminars website. Content is immediately available 24 hours/day, 7 days/week. Users can now reinforce learning as they read the E-books side-by-side with other electronic study materials on the Total Seminars training hub.
Dudley Lehmer, Total Seminars’ CEO, explains that the “E-book addition is part of our overall plan to expand the ways our products meet our customer needs. In a world of digital delivery the ability to safely and conveniently access E-book content is important to publishers and users. By offering online E-books on our Total Seminars training hub, we ensure that content is secure and easily accessible for on-demand use.”
With plans to continually add IT titles to the Total Seminars catalog of E-books, current offerings include:
- CompTIA IT Fundamentals (ITF+) All-in-One Exam Guide
- CompTIA A+ Certification All-in-One Exam Guide
- Mike Meyers’ CompTIA A+ Certification Passport
- CompTIA Network+ All-in-One Certification Exam Guide
- Mike Meyers’ CompTIA Network+ Certification Passport
- Mike Meyers’ CompTIA Security+ Certification Guide
- Mike Meyers Passport Series: CompTIA Security+
- CompTIA CySA+ Cybersecurity Analyst Certification All-in-One Exam Guide
- CompTIA Cloud+ Certification Study Guide
- CompTIA PenTest+ Certification All-in-One Exam Guide
- AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate All-in-One Exam Guide
Standalone E-book and E-book/hard copy combination product availability varies by title.
Total Seminars E-books are now available
Check out all of our E-Book titles. Available 24/7 for immediate access on the Total Seminars Training Hub.
Discount Exam Vouchers
Save on your CompTIA exams by purchasing vouchers from Total Seminars web site.
Try our TotalSims
Prepare for performance-based questions and do hands-on exercises to reinforce concepts while studying for the exams.
Try our TotalTester
Hundreds of questions with customizable exams. Each new exam is pulled from a pool of questions, so each exam is different. Create exams by objectives or by chapter. Take your custom test in Exam mode or in Practice mode with hints, explanations and study references. Get results graded by exam objective so you know where to focus your review. The best way to prepare for the exam questions is to practice as many questions as you can.
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More Certifications = More $$
IT Certifications have value both in the knowledge you learn and the credential you can show employers. Studying for a certification alone adds a whole new skill set to your tool box. Learning these new skills keeps you sharp and drives interest in “what’s next”. This attitude is necessary in a field that requires lifelong learning. The IT field is rapidly changing and you must keep up by continuing to study and learn. Certifications are the way you show others that you are leaning.
Turning that learning into Certifications is how you show employers that you are constantly growing and gives a method to verify your current level of knowledge. The proof is in the paycheck and the opportunities those additional skills provide.
The data from the Certification Magazine Salary Survey for 2015 shows the value of IT Certification. More importantly it shows the value of continuing to learn and add additional certifications to your resume.
The most common foundational certification is CompTIA’s A+ Certification. Most techs begin with A+ then advance to Network+ and Security+ certification. The salary survey shows how quickly the addition of more certifications leads to rapid jumps in salary. More Certifications = More $$:
- A+ Certification with no other certifications = $47,500 / year
- A+ Certification with 1 or 2 other active certs. = $84,250 / year
- A+ Certification with 3 or 4 other active certs. = $92,080 / year
- A+ Certification with 5 or 6 other active certs. = $97,310 / year
- A+ Certification with 7 or 8 other active certs. = $105,150 / year
The knowledge you gain builds one certification upon another. More importantly your income potential grows right along with it. If you stop at A+ your earning potential is likely to be somewhat limited. Adding even 1 or 2 additional certifications (such as Network+ and Security+) rapidly opens a whole new world of opportunity to grow your career and your earnings.
Total Seminars has resources to help you study for your CompTIA Certifications
Total Seminars E-books are now available: Check out all of our E-Book titles. Available 24/7 for immediate access on the Total Seminars Training Hub.
Practice Tests: TotalTester has hundreds of questions in a pool that allows you to create custom exams by exam domain or by chapter. Take exams in Practice mode with assistance (hints and explanations) or in Final mode to see if you are ready for the real exams. Complete explanations for each question.
Lab Simulations: TotalSims for A+ and Network+ have hundreds of online labs. Prepare for CompTIA’s performance-based questions and learn more about technical concepts covered on the exams.
Discount Exam Vouchers: Purchase a CompTIA voucher and save on the cost of your exams.
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The CompTIA Cybersecurity Career Pathway
IT Fundamentals > A+ > Network+ > Security+ > CySA+ or PenTest+ > CASP
With cybercrime on the rise and vulnerabilities constantly being exposed, it is imperative that organizations take a proactive stance to protecting assets and employing skilled cybersecurity professionals. In fact, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the number of information security jobs will increase 28 percent from 2016 to 2026, making it one of the fastest-growing fields. Jobs requiring cybersecurity skills continue to grow rapidly, with more than 313,000 cybersecurity job openings, according to Cyberseek. Employers, from government to Fortune 500 companies, value CompTIA as an authority in cybersecurity certifications.
- $116,323/year; Average Salary for Penetration Tester for 2021 (ZipRecruiter).
- $99,815/year; Average Salary for Cybersecurity Analyst for 2021 (ZipRecruiter).
- Information security jobs will increase by 28% from 2016 to 2026
- There are more than 313,000 cybersecurity job openings
- 96% of managers use certifications as recruitment criteria.
How to Get into Cybersecurity
The CompTIA Cybersecurity Career Pathway helps IT pros achieve cybersecurity mastery, from beginning to end. The centerpiece is the CompTIA Security+ certification. It establishes the foundational knowledge required of any cybersecurity role and provides a springboard to intermediate-level cybersecurity jobs. With performance-based questions, it emphasizes the hands-on practical skills used by junior IT auditors, systems administrators, network administrators and security administrators.
After earning CompTIA Security+, cybersecurity professionals can take the next step by pursuing an intermediate skills-level cybersecurity certification, such as CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+) or CompTIA PenTest+.
The CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst certification assesses the skills needed to apply behavioral analytics to networks to improve the overall state of IT security. The certification covers tools such as packet sniffers, intrusion detection systems (IDS) and security information and event management (SIEM) systems. After the seminal Target attack of 2014, the security analyst job role has gained more importance, making these skills essential for most organizations.
While CySA+ focuses on defense through incident detection and response, CompTIA PenTest+ focuses on offense through penetration testing and vulnerability assessment. It involves launching attacks on systems, discovering the vulnerabilities and managing them and is intended for cybersecurity professionals tasked with identifying, exploiting, reporting and managing vulnerabilities on a network.
As of Jan 28, 2021 the average annual salary for Penetration Tester is $116,323*.
The Average Salary for Cybersecurity Analyst for 2021 is $99,815/year (ZipRecruiter).
This career is in one of the fastest-growing job markets**.
The progression from CompTIA Security+ to CompTIA CySA+ and/or CompTIA PenTest+ is logical because Security+ assesses the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) an IT professional demonstrates after two years of cybersecurity field work, and CySA+ and PenTest+ assess three to four years of cybersecurity field work.
IT pros can pursue CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP+) to prove their mastery of cybersecurity skills required at the 5- to 10-year experience level. CASP+ is the pinnacle of cybersecurity certifications and includes performance-based questions. It is intended for those who wish to remain immersed in hands-on enterprise security, incident response and architecture, for example, as opposed to strictly managing cybersecurity policy and frameworks.
Total Seminars has resources to help you study for your CompTIA Certifications
Total Seminars E-books are now available: Check out all of our E-Book titles. Available 24/7 for immediate access on the Total Seminars Training Hub.
Practice Tests: TotalTester has hundreds of questions in a pool that allows you to create custom exams by exam domain or by chapter. Take exams in Practice mode with assistance (hints and explanations) or in Final mode to see if you are ready for the real exams. Complete explanations for each question.
Lab Simulations: TotalSims for A+ and Network+ have hundreds of online labs. Prepare for CompTIA’s performance-based questions and learn more about technical concepts covered on the exams.
Discount Exam Vouchers: Purchase a CompTIA voucher and save on the cost of your exams.
The Building Blocks of Cybersecurity
But how do you get into cybersecurity with no experience? If you have limited experience in IT and aren’t quite ready to start with CompTIA Security+, then you’ll want to start earlier on the pathway.
CompTIA A+ validates the skills employers look for in new and aspiring IT support professionals. In addition to covering today’s core technologies in operating systems, cloud, data management and more, the new CompTIA A+ Core Series covers baseline security skills at the end point device level, including malware detection and removal, privacy concerns, physical security and device hardening.
Where CompTIA A+ considers connectivity from the perspective of the user and their device, CompTIA Network+ focuses on the connections from (and between) the core systems to the endpoint devices. It validates the essential knowledge and skills needed to design, configure, manage and troubleshoot wired and wireless networks. To best support and ultimately secure the systems that exchange information on your network, you must first understand how the network functions.
CompTIA A+ and CompTIA Network+ follow a progression consistent with the KSAs an IT professional exhibits as they move from an early career technical support role with 9 to 12 months of general IT experience to one with 1 to 2 years of general IT experience, and with a significant part of that specific to network support and administration.
CompTIA Network+ is also an important and strongly recommended prerequisite to CompTIA Security+. Before you can secure a network, you must understand how it functions. In other words, you shouldn’t skip algebra to start with calculus. Otherwise, you are learning security skills and applying them to a network you don’t understand.
Now that we’ve covered the certifications in the cybersecurity pathway, let’s explore some of the common questions surrounding it.
Questions About the CompTIA Cybersecurity Career Pathway
Where should I start on the CompTIA Cybersecurity Career Pathway?
The pathway is intended to help people get into the field of cybersecurity. IT pros can enter at any point, depending on their IT experience, existing certifications or course of study. There are no required prerequisites for these CompTIA certifications. For example, if you have two years of IT security experience or equivalent knowledge, you can jump into the pathway at CompTIA Security+ to prove your knowledge. If you already have CompTIA Security+, you can jump in at CompTIA CSA+, etc. See the CompTIA Cybersecurity Career Pathway graphic to find your place on the pathway.
Do I need to take these certifications in order? Do I need to take all of them?
No. This is a recommended pathway, but it’s not a requirement. It depends on your job needs or interests. In general, the pathway follows a hierarchy of skills needed for IT security; each certification builds upon the skills from the previous one. You can find the recommended level of experience for each certification on the page, Which Certification Is Right for Me?
Can I take these exams with no IT or cybersecurity experience?
es, you can, however we recommend a minimum amount of hands-on experience before taking any of our certifications. (Each one has different recommendations, found in the Exam Details section of the certification webpage.) But hands-on experience doesn’t have to be on-the-job experience. It could mean any hands-on work, including practical experience gained while taking a class or through self-study or by helping friends, family or local nonprofits with their IT and cybersecurity issues. CompTIA certifications mirror the current job roles of IT professionals, so it makes sense to earn these certifications to validate the knowledge and hands-on skills currently being used in the workforce, whether you have job experience or not.
Do these certifications replace on-the-job experience?
If you are an IT professional or an employer, you understand the value of on-the-job experience. IT certifications are a great place to start, but they do not replace hands-on experience. If you have CompTIA certifications and on-the-job experience, you have the best of both worlds. In summary, the recommended CompTIA Cybersecurity Career Pathway offers guidance for IT pros, employers, instructors and students. You can start wherever it makes sense, depending on your personal background, job requirements or course of study. The pathway is unique because it offers vendor-neutral skills for IT professionals to achieve cybersecurity mastery, from beginning to end.
*www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/Penetration-Tester-Salary
**US Bureau of Labor Statistics, www.bls. gov
Read MoreNever Pay Full Price for CompTIA Exams
Save with CompTIA Discount Exam Vouchers.
You don’t have to pay full price for CompTIA Exams. You can purchase Discount Exam Vouchers and save on the cost of the exams. CompTIA partners can provide discount prices on exam vouchers and pass the savings along to their students.
Here’s how it works: CompTIA member companies like Total Seminars are able to purchase vouchers for the CompTIA exams and resell them to our students at a discount to the full price you would pay when you register with VUE or buy at the CompTIA web store.
Before you register for your CompTIA exam, go to Total Seminars web site and purchase a Discount Voucher. Your order will be processed, and you will receive an email with your voucher number.
When you register for your CompTIA exam online at the VUE web site, you have an option to pay by credit card or by voucher. Select “voucher” and type in the voucher number you received by email when you purchased the Discount Vouchers from Total Seminars.
Total Seminars’ vouchers are only good in the US and Canada. If you live outside of the US or Canada search the web for CompTIA discount vouchers in the country where you live.
When you purchase a discount voucher it is good for up to 11 months (the exact date the voucher expires is included in your email). You must register for your exam online with VUE before the date the discount voucher expires.
Online Testing is now available. Take you CompTIA exam online at home. Here’s a link to our blog with all the details.
Total Seminars E-books are now available
Check out all of our E-Book titles. Available 24/7 for immediate access on the Total Seminars Training Hub.
Discount Exam Vouchers
Save on your CompTIA exams by purchasing vouchers from Total Seminars web site.
Try our TotalSims
Prepare for performance-based questions and do hands-on exercises to reinforce concepts while studying for the exams.
Try our TotalTester
Hundreds of questions with customizable exams. Each new exam is pulled from a pool of questions, so each exam is different. Create exams by objectives or by chapter. Take your custom test in Exam mode or in Practice mode with hints, explanations and study references. Get results graded by exam objective so you know where to focus your review. The best way to prepare for the exam questions is to practice as many questions as you can.
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Testing Strategies for CompTIA Exams
CompTIA includes performance-based questions on their exams to make them more practical and keep up with trends in certification testing. Knowing what to expect and how to approach these question types is key to your success in passing the exams. First, let me fill you in on some facts about the exams.
Exam facts:
There are several different types of questions you may see in your CompTIA exam:
- Multiple choice – the standard question, choose the right answer
- Multiple response – choose all answers that apply with more than one correct answer
- Fill in the blank – fill in the answer to the question
- Drag-and-drop – image or question where you drag answers to match the image or text
- Exhibits – answer questions relating to an attached picture or diagram (variation to multiple choice)
- Performance-based – detailed question, open dialog boxes or other configuration windows and configure as needed
CompTIA has added more of the newer drag-and-drop and performance-based questions to their exam pool. You may get as few as 2-3 or as many as 10-12 of these type of questions depending on which exam you are taking. The more of these questions you get, the fewer of the traditional multiple choice, multiple response or exhibit-type questions you will have, depending on the difficulty of the performance-based questions you get.
Total Seminars E-books are now available
Check out all of our E-Book titles. Available 24/7 for immediate access on the Total Seminars Training Hub.
Save on your CompTIA exams by purchasing from our web site
How new question types are graded:
Two important pieces of information about the new drag-and-drop and performance-based questions that you need to know:
- Partial credit – Scoring credit may be offered if a candidate answers only part of a question correctly.
- No negative credit – CompTIA does not employ negative scoring on exam questions, so you won’t lose points for incorrect answers. A candidate should answer every exam question, even on the ones where they are not sure of the answer.
Testing strategies:
The new question types, like drag-and-drop and performance-based questions, show up at the beginning of the exams. These questions can be more complex and take longer to answer than traditional multiple-choice questions. DON’T GET BOGGED DOWN WITH THE PERFORMANCE-BASED QUESTIONS. You can skip questions and come back and answer them at the end. Here are some strategies to use when taking the exams:
- Skip the performance-based questions and come back at the end to answer them so you aren’t bogged down and run out of time
- Count the performance-based questions as you skip them so you know how many you have to do when you come back to them at the end
- Read over all the performance-based questions and answer the ones you are most comfortable with first; leave the ones you are less confident about until the end
- If you are not sure about some of the steps in the performance-based or drag-and-drop questions, give it your best guess, you may receive partial credit.
CompTIA provides information that may be helpful in preparing for the exams at the following links:
- CompTIA Exam Taking Tips: http://certification.comptia.org/testing/about-testing
- Performance-Based Questions (PBQs) – http://certification.comptia.org/testing/about-testing/performance-based-questions-explained
Prepare for performance-based questions and do hands-on exercises to reinforce concepts while studying for the exams
Hundreds of questions with customizable practice exams, the best way to prepare for exam questions is to practice as many as you can
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CompTIA Exams Now Available Online with OnVUE
CompTIA is now offering their exams delivered online 24/7. Beginning April 15, 2020 CompTIA is delivering their exams using VUE’s online testing platform, called OnVUE.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic CompTIA is allowing students to take their exams 24/7 from the security and privacy of their own homes.
All existing vouchers are good either at a VUE testing center or online through OnVUE. The OnVUE platform uses live proctors and AI to monitor your test. There are only three simple requirements:
- Quiet, private location
- Reliable device with a webcam
- Strong reliable internet connection.
Not all candidates will be able to test online 4/15. US only at first with the rest of the word rolling out later. Note: Server+ available 5/1 and CIT+ and site licenses available in the fall.
Exams will be available in various languages, but proctors speak English only.
NOTE: OnVUE requires your system to install their software. Be sure you have permission to install software on your system.
To get started purchase a Discount Voucher to save on the cost of the exam. Then go to the OnVUE web site to schedule your exam. There are three steps:
- Run a system test. Make sure you do this well ahead of scheduling or taking the exam. This will confirm that your system will work properly during the online exam. Be sure to run your test on the same network and computer you will use on exam day.
- Schedule your exam. Create or Login to your account to schedule an OnVUE exam. After you’ve selected the exam you want to take, choose the “home or office” option. Follow the remaining prompts to complete the scheduling process. Once you have successfully scheduled your exam appointment, you will be sent a confirmation email that will provide you with your appointment details and important things to know for your exam.
- Take your online exam. When it is time to take your exam, login to your account to begin the exam.
Total Seminars E-books are now available
Check out all of our E-Book titles. Available 24/7 for immediate access on the Total Seminars Training Hub.
Discount CompTIA Exam Vouchers
Save on your CompTIA exams by purchasing vouchers from Total Seminars web site.
Try our TotalSims
Prepare for performance-based questions and do hands-on exercises to reinforce concepts while studying for the exams.
Try our TotalTester
Hundreds of questions with customizable exams. Each new exam is pulled from a pool of questions, so each exam is different. Create exams by objectives or by chapter. Take your custom test in Exam mode or in Practice mode with hints, explanations and study references. Get results graded by exam objective so you know where to focus your review. The best way to prepare for the exam questions is to practice as many questions as you can.
FAQ
System requirements:
| Operating System | Windows 10 Windows 8.1 (32-bit and 64-bit) Mac OS 10.13 and above (excluding beta versions) |
Note: Windows Operating Systems must pass Genuine Windows Validation.
|
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| Firewall | Do not take your exam in a setting with a corporate firewall (including VPN), or, alert your Network Administrator to the network configuration requirements. We recommend testing on a personal computer. Work computers generally have more restrictions that may prevent successful delivery. |
| RAM | OS specified minimum RAM
4 GB RAM or more |
| Display | Minimum Resolution: 1024 x 768 in 16-bit color.
Additional monitors are forbidden. |
| Internet Browser | The newest versions of Microsoft Edge, Safari, Chrome, and Firefox or Internet Explorer 11. |
| Internet Connection | A consistent connection speed of 1 Mbps down/up is required.
We recommend testing on a wired network as opposed to a wireless network. Tethering to a mobile hotspot is explicitly prohibited. |
| Webcam | Webcam must have a minimum resolution of 640×480 @ 10 fps. Webcam may be internal or may be external and connected to the computer.Mac users may need to allow OnVUE within their ‘System Preferences: Security & Privacy: Privacy’ settings for Microphone, Camera, Automation and Input Monitoring. |
| Sound & Microphone | Verify the audio and microphone are not set on mute in Windows.
Mac users may need to allow OnVUE within their ‘System Preferences: Security & Privacy: Privacy’ settings for Microphone, Camera, Automation and Input Monitoring. |
| Browser Settings | Internet Cookies must be enabled. Any Pop-Up blocking setting(s) must be disabled. |
| Device | All tablets are strictly forbidden, unless it has a physical keyboard and also meets the operating system requirements mentioned earlier. |
| Power | Ensure you are connected to a power source before starting your exam to avoid draining your battery during the exam |
Policies and Procedures:
Q. Where can I test?
A. You can test at home or in your office. Wherever you test, you should be in a walled room, with a closed door and without distractions. No one else is permitted in the room with you while you are testing.
Q. How do I know my computer will work with the online proctored software?
A. Perform a system test to download the OnVUE online proctoring software in advance to ensure that your system will work with our software. Please check our list of minimum system requirements and shut down all non-essential applications before launching the software.
Q. Can I receive any exam assistance during the exam?
A.
- You may not receive any assistance from other individuals while taking the exam, and you may not allow other individuals to see the computer screen that presents the exam questions.
- If another person enters the room while you are testing, your exam will be terminated.
- The proctor cannot answer questions related to exam content.
Q. Is technical software assistance available during the exam?
A. Most technical issues can be avoided by completing a system test in advance. Common technical issues are lack of a stable internet connection and running illegal applications during the exam, both of which the system test can indicate. Either way, staff is on hand to support the issue. Please see the customer service information on this page if you require assistance.
Q. What other important information do I need to know?
A.
- By taking this exam, you acknowledge that the proctor will continuously monitor you by video and audio while you take your exam, and you acknowledge and consent to audio and video recording of your face, voice, the physical room where you are seated, and the location during exam delivery. You recognize that you have no right to privacy at your current location during exam delivery and that you waive any and all claims asserting a right to privacy. If you do not wish to be recorded (either by video or audio), please notify the proctor immediately of your intent not to proceed with the exam.
- If you do not follow the online proctored policies or are suspected of cheating or tampering with Pearson VUE’s or its subcontractor’s software, or if a third party is detected in the physical room where you are seated during the exam, the exam will be immediately terminated. This will be reported to Pearson VUE and the testing sponsor/program, along with audio and/or video evidence of the infraction. Your exam may be invalidated, and the testing sponsor/program may take other action, such as decertifying you and precluding all future participation in the testing program.
Q. Where do I go to schedule my exam?
A. Sign in to your web account to schedule your exam. After you’ve selected the exam you want to take, choose the “home or office” option. Follow the remaining prompts to complete the scheduling process. Once you have successfully scheduled your exam appointment, you will be sent a confirmation email that will provide you with your appointment details and important things to know for your exam.
- Is my workspace okay for testing?
- During the check-in process, you will be asked to take photos of your work area, which will be checked by a proctor prior to exam launch. Please ensure that your desktop is clean and that you are not within arm’s reach of books, notepads, sticky notes, papers, pens, pencils, and other writing instruments/objects. Additional monitors and computers must be unplugged and turned off. Items on the wall with writing on them, such as whiteboards, will be inspected. If your workspace does not pass a room scan, you are not permitted to proceed with taking the exam.
Q. What type of identification will I be required to present?
A. You are required to present a current government-issued ID. The name on your ID must match the name in your web account profile and in your appointment confirmation email.
Acceptable forms of identification include: driver’s license, military ID, identification card (national/state/province identity card), alien registration card (green card, permanent resident, visa), and government-issued local language ID (not in roman characters and accepted only if issued by the country in which you are testing).
Minors who are under the age of 18 are permitted to present a valid student ID as a form of identification. A minor’s guardian must also present a valid ID and provide verbal consent during the check-in process.
Q. How do I check in for my test on exam day?
A. You will be able to start checking in for your exam 30 minutes ahead of your scheduled appointment time. To start, click the “Sign in” button on this page to sign in to your web account.
- The exam you are scheduled to take will appear once you log in to your account under “Open Online Exams.” Select the exam link and then select “Begin exam.”
Important: if the “Begin exam” button is not visible, you are either too early or too late for your exam. Please check your appointment details to make sure you’re trying to start at the proper time. - You will be asked to download OnVUE, the online proctoring software, if you haven’t before. Follow the prompts in the application to complete the required check-in steps.
- Have your acceptable identification available so that the proctor can verify your identity.
- Shut down any non‐essential applications such as email, chat, Facebook, and Skype.
- You will be placed in a queue and connected with the next available proctor to begin your exam.
- The check-in process takes approximately 15 minutes for candidates who have previously completed a system test.
- Being late is not an option. To allow time for the check-in procedure, please be ready when the check-in window opens 30 minutes before the exam start time.
Q. What are the exam rules on personal belongings?
A.
- During the exam, you may not access the following types of personal items: mobile phones, headphones or headsets (wired or bluetooth), handheld computers or other electronic devices, pagers, watches, wallets, purses, hats (or other head coverings), bags, coats, books, notes, or any other materials not specifically approved.
- During the exam session, you are not allowed to use exam-specific materials or scratch paper, erasable whiteboards, or any other physical writing object, such as a pen, marker, or pencil.
- Watches must be removed and placed out of sight/reach during the exam.
- You may have the option to use the whiteboard feature in the OnVUE software while taking the exam online. Read more about this feature.
Q. Can I eat, drink or take a break during the exam?
A. CompTIA does not allow breaks for any reason during delivery of any CompTIA exam. If you leave your computer during your exam the proctor will end your session, you will be unable to continue testing and you may forfeit your exam fee. We recommend you use the restroom prior to checking in with the online proctor to initiate your CompTIA exam. Water in a glass is allowed during testing; however, eating, smoking, and chewing gum are prohibited.
Q. Are accommodations available for online proctored exams?
A. ADA accommodations continue to be available through Pearson VUE Testing Centers. Other accommodations may be available on a case by case basis for online proctored exams. To request other accommodations for online proctored exams, candidates should follow the process to request an accommodation with Pearson VUE.
Get Your Discount CompTIA Exam Vouchers
Save on your CompTIA exams by purchasing vouchers from Total Seminars web site.
Try our TotalSims
Prepare for performance-based questions and do hands-on exercises to reinforce concepts while studying for the exams.
Try our TotalTester
Hundreds of questions with customizable exams.
Read More
Don’t Be Scared to Test at Home This Halloween!
Does the thought of taking your test at home send shivers up your spine? Are you scared that you will fail because you won’t be ready? Does the idea of having someone watch you make you feel like you’re in a bad 1980s video sung by Rockwell and Michael Jackson?
It’s OK to get a little nervous before plunging into the unfamiliar. This may be not only your first time taking a CompTIA exam, but also your first time testing from home! Luckily, you’re not alone in having those feelings as this is a new process for most of us.
Not a proctor, just the world’s creepiest shoulder surfer.
I Ain’t Afraid of No Ghosts
We’ll help you overcome your fears by helping you prepare. Fortunately, many others before you have already done it successfully. After all, CompTIA allowed testing from home on April 15. Other vendors like Certiport and Cisco, among others, have done the same.
By the way, if you want to check out those other certifications or get some more last-minute practice, then check out our materials here:
Total Seminars on Certifications
- TotalVideo video-based training courses
- TotalSims performance-based question prep
- TotalTester practice tests
Ready to test?
Click here to get CompTIA Discount Exam Vouchers
Test at Your Favorite Haunt
With a strong Internet connection, a computer that meets the requirements, the right ID materials, and no prohibited materials or distractions in the room, then you can test safely from home. Also, make sure that you plugged your computer into a reliable power source and aren’t relying on the battery.
Good news! You don’t even have to test at home; you can test from work, or also a public library! You can’t take the test from a tablet or mobile phone at this time.
What happens when you keep putting off scheduling the test.
Bad Things Come in Threes … Unless You Prepare!
First, you should check if your computer would work under exam conditions. Take the official system test to see how well it would perform on the day of the test:
Assuming that you pass, then your next biggest concern will involve having a high bandwidth because you will use streaming video and audio for the entire two hour test. You should try a speed test.
Ideally a wired connection works best. If you have only a wireless connection, then ensure that others in your area turned off their connections temporarily. Better yet, have them leave during test time. Yes, Big Brother is watching you, so give him a gift card for a coffee, send him trick or treating somewhere, or give him a book to read.
Now that you know you have the proper equipment, you need to get familiar with the test format. Unfortunately, because you cannot use notes on paper or electronic devices to remember things, draw diagrams, summon spells, or perform calculations, you’ll use a sheet on the screen for your notes. We really, REALLY recommend that you practice using this feature before so that you don’t waste precious time learning how it works during the test itself:
https://home.pearsonvue.com/onvue/whiteboard
My proctor quit after I tested for some reason.
Now, if you do these three things, you’re pretty much ready to test at home by this point. But you should also know what to do for the test itself.
Don’t Ghost Your Test at Home!
Just as with any standard test center, you should arrive 30 minutes early. The check in process takes 15 minutes. If you’re scheduled at 1 PM, then get online and be ready by 12:30 PM.
Screams and tears won’t make you any less late. Arrive early to avoid upsets! No exceptions!
The proctor will explain the dos and don’ts. You will provide an ID copy, just like at a testing center, but good idea to bring two in case one doesn’t count.
The proctor will validate your ID with the Web camera and explain the rules. This means that you will need to make sure that your camera, microphone, and speakers work.
Just Because You’re Paranoid Doesn’t Mean They’re Not Watching You
The camera must be positioned so that the proctor can see you, the screen, and keyboard. Software will record your test screen even if you somehow block the Web camera with your hand, so you can’t “accidentally” block the screen. Trust us, we thought about it and they beat us to it already.
You cannot wear any phones, headphones, headsets, electronic devices, pagers (if you’re in a 1980s costume I guess), watches, wallets, purses, hats, head coverings, bags, coats, books, notepads, pocket protectors, or anything else not approved. Clothes are optional but we highly recommend them.
Wait, so we’re supposed to be afraid of her for not wearing a mask? Clown world indeed. Go, 2020!
I Can See Your House From Here…
The proctor will also make you pick up the Web camera and do a 360 view of the entire room. Therefore, you must remove all electronic devices, audio devices, notes, cards, books, scrawls on the wall/ceiling, floor, and any people who could possibly give hints, tips or cheats.
You can’t have notes, books, papers, pens, pencils, monitors or computers (or at least they must be turned off and unplugged), whiteboards, blackboards, Ouija boards, bloody messages scrawled on the wall, etc.
Are you moving it or did the mouse run out of battery and stop syncing again?
You won’t pass if you fail this preview of the room. The camera also will help the proctor to see if you’re checking your pockets, looking at the floor, or glancing around during the test looking at things that can help you during the test. Basically, you must look at the screen only.
Sure it’s disturbing, but at least they can’t accuse you of cheating on the test!
Don’t Rely on Phantom Power
You will also need to enable your microphone. That system test that you did earlier should check the microphone component. CompTIA doesn’t want someone to record the questions with hidden microphone, therefore you cannot talk to yourself during the test. Besides, it’s kind of weird. Psychic communication with spirits is technically not prohibited, but since they’d probably only know old versions of the test anyway any ghosts in the machine won’t help you very much.
We prefer the term living impaired, thank you.
CompTIA Will Soon Mean for Computer TestIng At Home (The H is Silent)
That’s pretty much it! You can now take the test and with our help you’ll know all the content so that you can pass the exams with ease. Once you’re done, the test will ask demographic and basic questions – just like they do at the test site examinations – and THEN it will give you your results. You will get a hard copy in the mail and you can get a digital copy on the spot.
We hope that you have a safe and Happy Halloween and that you succeed on your exams! Now go study, register, and test, then let us know how it goes!
Uh, you go first. I’ll be right behind you.
Live from Houston: It’s Monday, Wednesday, and Friday Afternoon Q & A !
…OK, so we’re still working on a new tagline. But the point is every Monday and Wednesday from 2-4 PM Central Standard Time, we at Total Seminars have a live Q & A session with bestselling CompTIA author Mike Meyers. It’s entirely free and you’ll finally get the answers to your burning IT questions!
You can literally Ask Mike Anything!
Learn more about CompTIA testing. Meet other people studying for CompTIA certifications. Discover new experts and special guests. Maybe even win a prize! We also have special limited-time discount codes available nowhere else.
Speaking of, check out our other items:
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Ready to test?
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If that’s not enough, then check our channel out every Friday from 2-4 PM Central Standard Time as we feature CompTIA instructor Dave Rush as he hosts a live, interactive Q & A for Raspberry Pi-day Fridays!
Why are you still reading? You could be watching free videos instead! Ah, sweet, sweet, passive learning. Come and check out our most recent episodes. If you like our videos, well, then like our videos on YouTube and then hit subscribe for the latest updates.
See you soon!
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Join Us Friday, September 25 from 2-4 PM CDT for Raspberry Pi Creator Dr. Eben Upton!
Mark your calendars because we have a special Dave Rush LIVE Q&A as we’ll host Dr. Eben Upton, creator of the Raspberry Pi and co-founder of the Raspberry Pi Foundation on our YouTube channel!
Meet Dr. Eben Upton: He’s ‘Berry Accomplished
Dr. Eben Upton holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Physics and Engineering from the University of Cambridge. He later received a Cambridge Diploma in Computer Science and a Ph.D.
Eben also holds a Master of Business Administration from the Cambridge Judge Business School.
Some Juice on the Raspberry Pi
In 2012, the Raspberry Pi Foundation (RPiF) released the Model B. Within two years it sold over two million units and eventually became the best-selling UK PC of all time!
The RPiF aims to “promote the study of computer science and related topics, especially at school level, and to put the fun back into learning computing.” That’s a mission we support!
Total Seminars Helps You Certify:
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When you’re ready to test:
CompTIA Discount Exam Vouchers
Just Desserts
If you haven’t yet seen them, then catch the earlier episodes of our Senior Instructor Dave Rush hosting Raspberry Pi Fridays.
Every episode includes useful information about these cool machines as Dave answers your CompTIA and IT industry questions live.
Win a Raspberry Pi!
Plus, you could win one of several Raspberry Pis or other prizes that we’re giving away!
To qualify for your slice of the Pi and to get your questions to Eben, you must be present to win.
Remember to mark your calendar for Friday Pi Day, September 25 from 2-4 PM Central Time for our live AMA. Don’t flake out; come early and get served up a piece of the fun. It’ll be as American as Raspberry Pi! (OK that’s enough pie puns for today, don’t get crusty with me).
Come Get Your Fill!
Hungry for more knowledge? Check our zero-calorie offerings at Total Seminars.
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Ready to test?
Click here to get CompTIA Discount Exam Vouchers
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CompTIA online testing coming April 15th
CompTIA Online testing coming April 15th
CompTIA uses Pearson / VUE testing centers to administrate their Certification Exams. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic many of the VUE testing centers have closed around the world. In response to this, CompTIA is working with VUE to launch their online testing program.
CompTIA has been working on creating an online testing alternative for over a year and hoped to launch it by the end of 2020. Due to the Covid-19 issues they have accelerated the launch of their online testing program and CompTIA will be launching online testing April 15th.
CompTIA is partnering with VUE to use VUE’s new OnVUE platform to administer the online exams. You can learn more about OnVUE HERE.
Here are some details from CompTIA:
- Online Testing: StartingApril 15, 2020, CompTIA will be offering online testing, with remote proctoring, that will allow candidates to take their CompTIA exam at home, anytime, while maintaining a secure testing environment.
Note: Please be aware there is high demand for online testing with remote proctoring. Candidates will be able “schedule” their exam starting April 15th; however this does not mean that candidates will all be able test on that date.
- Online testing will NOT be available: Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan, Syria, Japan, Slovenia, China and South Korea. Pearson OnVUE platform is not available in these select locations.
- Exams Available:All exams are available, with a few exceptions. Server+ won’t be available until May 1st, 2020. Not Available: CTT+ and any site licenses.
- Languages:Remote tests are available in all languages for which the exam is currently offered, however the proctors are English speaking only. The Pearson OnVUE platform is also English only.
- Rescheduling Exams: Candidates may reschedule an exam at a Pearson VUE testing center at any time. If candidates would instead like to take an online exam, please reschedule your exam on or after April 15, 2020.
We will update this blog as additional information becomes available next week.
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Prepare for performance-based questions and do hands-on exercises to reinforce concepts while studying for the exams.
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Hundreds of questions with customizable exams. Each new exam is pulled from a pool of questions, so each exam is different. Create exams by objectives or by chapter. Take your custom test in Exam mode or in Practice mode with hints, explanations and study references. Get results graded by exam objective so you know where to focus your review. The best way to prepare for the exam questions is to practice as many questions as you can.
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