7 MISTAKES TO AVOID FAILING your CompTIA Exam. (2023)

Summary

In this video, the speaker shares essential tips for passing IT certification exams, drawing from personal experience. Key advice includes getting adequate rest and hydration before the exam, re-reading questions carefully, and flagging uncertain ones for review later. The importance of paying attention to subtle wording in questions and understanding performance-based tasks is emphasized. Additionally, the speaker recommends taking practice exams before study sessions to stimulate motivation and improve retention. Lastly, focusing on personal weak points and ensuring you are studying the most current material are crucial for success.

Takeaways

• 😀 Get a good night's rest before the exam to ensure your brain is functioning at peak performance.
• 😀 Eat a light snack and stay hydrated before the test to maintain focus and mental clarity.
• 😀 Re-read each question carefully, as subtle differences in phrasing can affect the correct answer.
• 😀 Flag any questions you're unsure of and come back to them later for re-evaluation.
• 😀 Be mindful of keywords like 'best', 'first', 'next', and 'not' in the questions as they can change the answer you're looking for.
• 😀 Multiple-selection questions may have more than one correct answer, so consider all options carefully.
• 😀 Performance-based questions may be difficult at first, but don't get stuck on them; move on and come back later.
• 😀 Taking practice exams before studying helps trigger an emotional response that motivates you to learn and retain information more effectively.
• 😀 Focus on your weakest areas before the exam and dedicate extra time to improving them.
• 😀 Make sure the study materials you use are up-to-date and relevant to the current version of the exam to avoid wasting time on outdated content.
• 😀 Verify the source of your study materials to ensure they align with the correct certification and exam version you're preparing for.

Q & A

Why is it important to get a good night's rest before an exam?

A good night's rest ensures your brain is functioning at peak performance, which is crucial for concentration and problem-solving during the exam. A well-rested brain processes information more efficiently, just like a computer performs better when it has the necessary power and cooling.

How does hydration affect brain performance during an exam?

Hydration is essential for proper neurotransmission in the brain. Electrolytes, which are crucial for transmitting nerve impulses, are impacted by dehydration, potentially lowering cognitive function. Staying hydrated helps keep your brain sharp and responsive during the exam.

What is the benefit of re-reading exam questions?

Re-reading exam questions helps you fully understand what's being asked and prevents common mistakes from rushing. The phrasing in exams, especially CompTIA exams, can be tricky, and subtle wording differences can drastically change the meaning of a question.

What should you do if you're unsure about a question during the exam?

If you're unsure about a question, flag it and move on. This allows you to focus on questions you're confident about, and you can return to the flagged questions later, possibly gaining new insights from other questions that help you answer them more confidently.

Why is it important to pay attention to keywords like 'best,' 'first,' 'next,' and 'not'?

These keywords can drastically change the meaning of the question. For example, ‘which of these is not the correct answer’ may seem easy but becomes tricky if you miss the word 'not.' Carefully reading for these words is crucial to avoid making errors.

What should you know about multiple-selection questions?

Multiple-selection questions may have more than one correct answer. If a question seems to have more than one valid response, it’s likely correct. These questions require extra attention to detail, as they are designed to test your ability to recognize multiple correct answers.

How should you approach performance-based questions during the exam?

Performance-based questions can be daunting, but don't panic. They often include tasks like filling in diagrams or configurations. If you find them difficult, flag them for later and return once you've completed the rest of the exam, as they might become easier with context from other questions.

Why is it recommended to take practice exams before studying the course material?

Taking practice exams before studying is a powerful technique because it triggers an emotional response to failure, motivating your brain to retain information. When you fail a practice exam, you’ll be more driven to learn and understand the material in order to avoid the feeling of failure in the future.

How can you improve your weak areas before the exam?

Identify the areas you're weakest in and allocate extra time to focus on them. For instance, if you're struggling with networking concepts or port numbers, spend more time reviewing and practicing those topics. Strengthening these weak areas will help you feel more confident and prepared.

What is the importance of using current study materials for exam preparation?

Using outdated or incorrect study materials can mislead you into preparing for the wrong version of the exam. Some courses re-upload old content, which might not align with the current exam objectives. Ensure you're using the most up-to-date and relevant material for your exam to avoid wasting time and effort.