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Home > Archive > Security+ > January 2004 > Practice tests - Can we really trust them?
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Practice tests - Can we really trust them?
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| jlauri 2004-01-14, 7:15 pm |
| Hi hard studiers,
This is not a new matter, but each time I find doubtful answers in some simple questions.
The more you study, using good official resources (this includes Tcat pdf, which is very good and not expensive), more doubt yourself when you check the answers.
Please give me your feeling about this topic and experiences regarding Sec+ exam...
(taking next week)
Cheers!!! | |
| RussS 2004-01-15, 12:20 am |
| Practice tests - CBT's - Books .. they all contain errors so it is always adviseable to use multiple sourses of study and when you find a conflict in opinion search out more sources to confirm or deny what you believe. | |
| DaDnDe 2004-01-15, 3:48 pm |
| hey books are written by humans.
humans make mistakes
even the best experts do even after 5 levels of proofing before going to print it still happens.
i advise you that if you see something that doesnt sound right, verify it somewheres else in at least 2 other places. and check to make sure that it is a different source. if the site you check has the same info almost word for word, then i wouldnt consider it valid.
also check the errata page online for the book. most all that are worth having will have a list of errors online that you can check, add to, or discuss. | |
| jlauri 2004-01-15, 8:51 pm |
| I agree with all you. I've been playing in this field for some time, and I had never found a perfect book neither a perfect test. Even the official exams have mistakes.
My goal here is tell people to doubt the book, test or exam if you not agree with the answer you got.
By the way, for those who are studying for Sec+, a good resource to go deep and gather knowledge are the CISSP books. | |
| DaDnDe 2004-01-16, 12:46 am |
| yes and one needs to keep in mind that a few "givens" may change as new technology comes on board.
if you are reading a book, then you must know that it is at least 6 months behind the the current technology.
well a lot can change in 6 months or a year. and sometimes, new technology can change the answers to some questions.
i remember reading an article about modems dated about 1992. one of the statements went something along the lines of
At 14,400 bps, we have reached the limit of what copper wire can handle. its no longer a question of improving the technology to gain more speed. The only thing that will help us now is changing the law of physics.
sooo... whats true today, may not be true tommorrow. this sentiment was echoed by Groth when he was explaining the obstacles his team went through to provide an accurate, up-to-date study guide. | |
| Freddy 2004-01-21, 12:40 am |
| Just my .02 but practice tests have great value in exam prep. When you get to the place that you can spot the errors in the simulators then you know that you are ready for the real thing...
Speaking as one who writes practice tests, remember that we are human beings, we have jobs, school families and everything else that anyone else has tearing at their time. In my spare time I write questions and study more material to continuously learn more and more about the subjects. Mistakes do happen, they are a fact of life. If you find a mistake, first, make sure that it is indeed wrong and not just a tricky question. Then nicely inform the test writer of the error so it can be corrected. | |
| jdmurray 2004-01-21, 6:04 pm |
| Also to consider is the the release date of the exam you are taking. For example, the current revision of the Security+ exam was released in 12/2002. Thus, changes in information security technology since mid-2002 need not be considerd for passing the exam. No bleeding-edge stuff on cert exams for sure!
Many study guides and exam preps have much more information than is actually in the exams itself (this is sure true of Boson). It may seem frustrating to learn a bunch of material that you won't be tested on, but remember that the ultimate goal is not to pass a cert exam, but instead to learn as much about the technology as possible.
You need not pass an exam to prove that you learned something--but hopefully you'll pass and impress that nerdy girl down the street with your new cert!
Note: If she's not into CCNAs or MCSEs then you may have to get your Extra Class HAM Radio license to get to first base.  |
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