If you’ve searched “how to cheat on CompTIA A+ exam” or “how to cheat on CompTIA Security+ exam,” it’s likely you’ve ended up here. And while CompTIA obviously doesn’t encourage cheating – we do want individuals pursuing IT certifications to understand why cheating is so damaging to your career, to your employer and to the reputation of CompTIA certifications. Instead of resorting to cheating, let’s talk about how you can actually learn the skills covered by CompTIA A+ and CompTIA Security+ the right way and ethically earn yourself an IT job that you’re qualified for. Millions of people have done it – and you can too.
What Does CompTIA Consider Cheating?
First and foremost, let’s talk about how CompTIA defines cheating. The CompTIA policy states that unauthorized training materials may include websites, PDF files, social media pages or chat sessions, etc., that contain certification exam content. The content included in unauthorized training materials is exactly the same or substantially similar to questions appearing on a CompTIA certification.
You should know that CompTIA’s exam content is never released to the general public. Therefore, if you come across materials that claim to include exam content, you will know that it was fraudulently obtained. Using these materials is considered cheating.
You may be thinking: “If I’ve never taken the CompTIA A+ certification exam, how will I know if the material I am studying from is exactly or similar to the exam content?” That’s a great question. Let’s look at some examples of unauthorized training materials.
Brain Dumps
Brain dumps were born when people who took a CompTIA exam pooled their memories of the questions and answers into an online cheat sheet, and this practice has become quite the business.
Today, companies or site operators invest in an online presence and then hire test takers or obtain exam questions so they can sell so-called test preparation tools, study guides, practice tests and other resources to candidates. They usually call themselves “brain dumps” and advertise “actual exam questions.”
These are your red flags – stay away.
What’s wrong with adding to brain dumps? Participating in a brain dump breaks the CompTIA candidate agreement. Violators of the agreement will lose their certification status.
What’s wrong with using brain dumps to study? Well, it’s not really a slam dunk like it sounds. Just because somebody says a question was on a real exam and this is the answer, doesn’t mean it’s true. Furthermore, if you memorize content from a brain dump and CompTIA discovers it, you’ll be banned from taking CompTIA exams for at least 12 months and will lose your IT certification.
Pass Guarantees
CompTIA cannot and does not guarantee you will pass a certification exam. We do offer plenty of study materials to train and prepare you for the exam. But in the end, it’s up to you to pass it. However, some online sites make this claim.
If you see any type of guarantee that you’ll pass your exam after using these materials – abort mission!
Usually these sites will promote “real exam questions” or “real practice questions” and will include a comprehensive list of any IT certification currently available – from CompTIA to Microsoft to Cisco. They’ll give you access to all this information for one flat price.
Another indicator that a resource is selling unauthorized content is touting immediate updates after a vendor exam is refreshed. Legitimate training companies can’t update their training materials this quickly after a public release date.
What’s wrong with using unauthorized materials to study? Again, it’s is in direct conflict with the candidate agreement – and not allowed. But even more important, memorizing information to pass a test doesn’t prove you actually have the requisite knowledge and skills to perform on the job. And it can, in fact, get you in trouble on the job when you find yourself in over your head without real world know how.
Free or Very Cheap Resources
If a resource is free or very cheap, it may be questionable in terms of quality and legitimacy. Some clues are if the URL or materials contain terms like: passforsure, actualtests, cheatyourexams, dumpsactual or something similar – these are highly suspect. Likewise, if you receive a random PDF file from someone that contains a very long list of test questions and answers without any relevant source – please report it.
Questions About the Legitimacy of a Resource?
Contact us at [emailprotected].
If you think you have discovered a site or provider that appears to be selling or distributing unauthorized training materials containing CompTIA exam content, please inform us via the exam security hotline
Why Is Cheating Serious?
Preventing cheating preserves the high value of CompTIA certifications. Because we take cheating so very seriously, we’re keeping our IT professionals on a pedestal. Essentially, we’re saying that if an individual holds a CompTIA certification, they’ve proven they have a specific set of skills needed for the job. If someone has cheated, we can’t say that. Cheaters may have passed the exam, but they don’t actually have the skills.
There’s a lot of reasons why cheating is never the home run it often appears to be. In the simplest terms, the consequences of cheating are serious. You can lose your certification, you can lose your right to take future certification exams, you could face penalties at your school or place of business. In the most serious situations, you may even face a lawsuit.
And, ultimately, if you are taking the easy road to pass an exam, you’re doing yourself and your career a disservice. When you land a job that requires an IT certification, you’re expected to know how to perform the related tasks. If you cheated to get certified, you’d be in a bind when you need those skills on the job.
How Does CompTIA Prevent Cheating?
Each and every CompTIA exam is proctored to prevent cheating. It doesn’t matter if you take the exam in person or online through Pearson VUE – a proctor is present at all times. Additionally, anybody who takes a CompTIA certification exam must sign the CompTIA candidate agreement at the beginning of every exam. The purpose of the agreement is to make sure all parties taking CompTIA exams understand the policies and procedures.
Specifically, the conduct section of the agreement states that “you will not participate in any cheating incident, breach of security, misconduct or any other behavior that could be considered a compromise of the integrity or confidentiality of any CompTIA certification examination or any CompTIA certification.”
CompTIA also requires candidates to provide an acceptable form of identification prior to registering for an exam to maintain security and authentication and uses data forensics as a basis for enforcement and action. If the validity of an examination score is in question due to statistical anomalies identified during analysis, CompTIA will invalidate candidate scores and notify the individual of applicable invalidations and/or suspensions.
Why You Shouldn’t Cheat
Sometimes the easy way seems like the best way. But when it comes to training for a career in technology, we can tell you with 100% assurance, in the long run, cheating never pays off. The scary fact is, if you are caught cheating, you could be facing decertification and even lawsuits.
If you’ve misrepresented yourself and your skills, you could not only lose your job, but your organization may have grounds to take you to court – especially if your misrepresentation contributed to a company-wide breach or other unfortunate incident.
But truthfully, when you cheat, the person you are really cheating is yourself. If you feel the urge to cheat, ask yourself why?
- Are you overwhelmed with the amount of content to be learned?
- Do you feel like you’re behind where you should be?
- Are you having a hard time understanding the content?
- Do you feel disinterested in what you’re learning?
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, give yourself more time. You can reschedule your exam up to 24 hours prior to your exam date and time.
If you feel like you’re behind, reassess your plan. Maybe you need to be dedicating more time to your studies. Maybe your timeline needs to be adjusted.
If you feel like you aren’t understanding the content, maybe you need to reevaluate how you’re studying. There are a variety of legitimate training resources out there suitable for all types of learners – perhaps you just need to change it up.
However, if you feel disinterested with what you’re learning you should take a hard look at why you’re going after a particular IT certification in the first place. It’s possible that you thought you would enjoy a certain specialization, but you don’t! That’s okay. There’s plenty to choose from in the world of technology.
It’s also possible that you thought you were suited for a career in IT, and now that you see what it entails, you’ve found it’s not for you. That’s okay too.
The bottom line is, if you feel the need to cheat, please ask yourself why you’re here in the first place and reassess until you find the root cause for wanting to take the easy way out.
Alternatives to Cheating: Using Authorized Resources
If you’re in for the right reasons, choose the right training resources. There are so many approved training tools available to you that we simply can’t list them all here. But here’s a rundown on where you should be turning to prepare for your CompTIA certification exam.
Official CompTIA Exam Objectives
We always recommend beginning your CompTIA certification training by downloading the exam objectives. Doing so will provide you with a comprehensive overview of the topic areas tested in your certification exam. Use these objectives to ensure you’re covering all test topics.
We also suggest creating a study plan. Use this customizable worksheet to help you get started.
CompTIA Training Solutions
Everything you need to prepare for your certification exam is available to you from CompTIA. Our training options fit various learning styles and timelines. Whether you prefer self-study or classroom training, we have you covered.
- CertMaster Learn is an interactive, self-paced eLearning solution that includes a customizable learning plan and performance-based questions that take you on a path of consistent learning toward your certification exam.
- CertMaster Labs allow you to acquire the necessary hands-on skills for your certification exam by developing a deeper understanding of the subject matter and reinforcing the practical aspects of the exam objectives.
- CertMaster Practice is an adaptive online companion tool that assesses your knowledge and exam readiness by confirming strong areas and filling knowledge gaps in weaker areas to help you feel more confident and prepared going into your exam.
- eBooks and Study Guides are an option if you prefer traditional textbook style learning. Our fully illustrated Official CompTIA Content books are packed with informative and accessible content that covers all exam objectives.
- CompTIA Live Online Training is great if you’re looking for an instructor-led experience. Similar to traditional classroom training in that you’re attending live classes in real time, but everything is conducted virtually, so you can participate from your home, office or anywhere with an internet connection. CompTIA Live Online Training is currently available for CompTIA A+, Network+ and Security+, but we’re looking to add more certifications in the future.
CompTIA Authorized Partners
The CompTIA Authorized Partner Program is a group of academic institutions, training organizations and content publishers that CompTIA has authorized to provide training solutions. We collaborate with partners to attract future learners and provide them with the necessary tools to pursue a successful career in IT.
Other Trusted Resources
There are many IT instructors – such as Professor Messer – and IT pros who create videos and offer online training around CompTIA certifications. A quick Google or Reddit search can help you find the most popular ones. As long as you don’t encounter any of the red flags we mentioned, watching these videos to enhance your studies is not considered cheating.
Save Money on Training and Certifications
We realize that training for and getting certified can be expensive. But your CompTIA certification is an investment in yourself and your career, and with every investment comes a cost. The retail price for exam vouchers can be daunting, but there are ways to save money.
Purchasing a bundle is the easiest way for anyone to get a discount – and to get authorized training materials. You could save up to 29% off the retail price when purchasing a bundle. And there are ways to make bundles even cheaper. When you join the CompTIA Store Club, you get 20% off every CompTIA product for a whole year – even bundles! If you subscribe to our free IT Career Newsletter (click on the link at the bottom of this article), you’ll get 10% off your next purchase, including bundles, as well as great articles like this one delivered right to your inbox. There’s also the CompTIA Academic Store, where qualifying students can save 40% to 65% off products and financing options.
Learn more about these discounts.
Whatever you decide to pursue, CompTIA is here to help you, from choosing your IT career pathway to training, taking your exam, marketing yourself, finding a job and setting your next goal.
Get the in-demand skills you need with CompTIA certifications and training solutions. Subscribe to CompTIA’s IT Career Newsletter and get 10% off your next purchase.
FAQs
Can you cheat on CompTIA Security+ exam online? ›
Each and every CompTIA exam is proctored to prevent cheating. It doesn't matter if you take the exam in person or online through Pearson VUE – a proctor is present at all times. Additionally, anybody who takes a CompTIA certification exam must sign the CompTIA candidate agreement at the beginning of every exam.
Do people cheat on CompTIA? ›And 12% have directly witnessed someone cheating on a certification exam. "Cheating is up by about 10%," says Jill Burroughs, director of exam services at CompTIA, which offers 11 certifications for IT professionals including CompTIA A+ and CompTIA Security +.
How can I pass my security+ Fast? ›- Become familiar with the Security+ exam domains. ...
- Create a study plan. ...
- Take practice exams. ...
- Get plenty of rest. ...
- Get to know your exam. ...
- Leverage free exam-prep resources. ...
- Get involved in an exam prep course. ...
- Join a Security+ online community.
There are 90 questions on the Security Plus exam. The exam is 90 minutes in length, and you could get up to 90 questions during the exam. You're graded on a scale between 100 and 900 and of that scale, you need to get a 750 to pass your exam.
Can you pass Security+ without experience? ›One of the great things about a CompTIA Security+ certification is that it doesn't have any prerequisites. This makes it an accessible way for newer cybersecurity graduates to demonstrate their knowledge and skills without necessarily having any prior experience as they look for their first job in the industry.
How many times can you fail security Plus? ›CompTIA Security + does not require any waiting period between the first and second retake. Students must wait 14 days for a third or subsequent retake exam. There is no annual limit on the number of attempts on the same exam.
Do you have to pay again if you fail CompTIA A+? ›Candidates must pay the exam price each time they attempt the exam. CompTIA does not offer any free re-tests or discounts on retakes.
Is the CompTIA A+ exam monitored? ›CompTIA Online Testing
It uses the same exam delivery platform as in-person testing centers do, but your proctor is monitoring you remotely through your device instead of being in the same room as you.
According to a survey of 70,000 students across the United States, 95 percent of students admitted to cheating in some capacity. According to a survey of 70,000 students across the United States, 95 percent of students admitted to cheating in some capacity.
Is CompTIA Security+ difficult? ›Although CompTIA Security+ is entry-level for cybersecurity, the average person, and even entry-level IT pros, may not consider it easy. It covers cybersecurity concepts in depth and requires adequate preparation.
Is Network+ harder than security+? ›
CompTIA Security+ primarily covers concepts in cybersecurity and also requires significant study. Some IT pros may find it more difficult than CompTIA Network+, but others may find CompTIA Network+ to be harder. It all depends on an IT professional's strengths, weaknesses and experience.
Is security plus harder than A+? ›Which certificate is harder, A+ or Security+? A+ delves into a broad range of topics, while Security+ is focused solely on cybersecurity. If you juggle multiple study areas, you might find A+ easier, but if you want to focus on one topic, then Security+ is perfect for you.
How many hours a day should I study for Security+? ›CompTIA recommends studying no more than one or two units per day. Expect to put in about 60 hours of study time before you sit for the exam, so you may want to pace yourself over the course of several weeks.
How many questions can you miss on CompTIA A+? ›...
How many questions are there and how are they distributed?
Multiple choice and performance-based. Length of Test. 90 minutes. Passing Score. 750 (on a scale of 100-900)
Should I do a+ or Security+ first? ›Unless you already have a depth of field experience and training in the foundational areas of IT, you should probably start with A+ to set yourself up for success going forward. If you need some help getting ready, CompTIA Tech Career Academy offers comprehensive training to prepare you to pass the A+ exam.
Is Security+ an entry level? ›An entry-level credential, Security+ is ideal for individuals seeking to establish themselves as IT security professionals. The certification targets IT professionals who troubleshoot, configure and manage networks.
What score do I need to pass Security+ 601? ›The current version of CompTIA Security is the SY0–601 released November 12, 2020. The cost is $381 USD and $240 USD for students. The maximum number of questions is 90 with multiple choice and performance-based questions. The passing score is 750 (on a scale of 100–900) or 83%.
What is 750 on a scale of 100 900? ›Passing score: 750
The passing score is 750 on a scale of 100-900. This equates roughly to a passing score of 81%, though it is difficult to compute exactly. Many candidates will prepare with practice exams and attempt to score 85% or higher in order to be ready for the real exam.
If you are renewing your Security+ certification with CEUs, you must pay an annual $50 fee, for a total of $150. If you decide to take additional certifications or renew by taking a recertification exam, you do not need to pay this fee. The exam fee itself is $381.
How much do people make with security plus? ›
Average pay after CompTIA Security+ certification
According to the Certification Magazine 2022 Salary Survey, the average salary of a Security+ certified professional is $115,170 in the U.S. and 106,910 worldwide.
Newcomers with no experience who didn't take online training are likely to take more than 5 months to prepare for the 220-1001, while people who take good online training probably prepare in less than 3 months.
What are the hardest part of the A+ exam? ›In the above topics, the basic networking and installing, configuration and upgrading are the most difficult topics in the A+ certification exam when compared to the other topics. Upgrading, configuration and installation: For most of the candidates, this will be considered as the most difficult topic.
Can employers check CompTIA certification? ›There are two CompTIA-approved methods for you to provide verification of your CompTIA certification(s) to schools, employers or other representatives: Download a PDF certificate. Create a transcript.
Can you use notes on CompTIA exam? ›During your exam session, you are not allowed to use exam-specific materials or scratch paper, erasable whiteboards or any other physical writing object like a pen, marker or pencil. However, you'll have the option to use a built-in digital whiteboard feature to do scratch work or take notes.
How do professors know if you cheated? ›But, just as you would have a test proctor in a regular classroom during a test, there's technology that aids in online test proctoring to ensure students are not cheating. This is done through software that uses technology to scan your biometrics to ensure you are who you say you are.
What happens if someone is caught cheating in an exam? ›If you're caught cheating, you may fail the assignment, an entire module or even the whole degree. Failing a year or being expelled due to cheating is a costly mistake to make – on top of the hundreds or thousands of pounds charged by essay mills to produce a single piece of work.
What is the hardest security certification? ›GIAC Security Expert (GSE) is also considered one of the best cybersecurity certifications, but this senior-level certification is among the most challenging to earn. There are several prerequisite certifications required for the GSE exam, including the GSEC, GCIA and GCIH – all offered by GIAC/SANS Institute.
What is the easiest security certification to get? ›- CompTIA Security+
- Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) Security Fundamentals.
- CSX Cybersecurity Fundamentals Certificate.
- Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP)
i-Net+ is the easiest, Security+ is the hardest. Really depends on your level of experience. I was new to a lot of the Security concepts in teh Security+, but I had a lot of experience with the Network+. To me the Netowrk+ was far easier.
Which is harder CCNA or Security+? ›
Although both the CCNA and the Security+ are difficult entry-level examinations, most test-takers will find the Security+ topics and problems to be more difficult. With adequate hands-on experience, the Cisco CCNA should be the simpler of the two exams.
How long does IT take to get Security+ exam results? ›Please allow five business days after you take your exam for your exam information to appear in your certification account.
Is Security+ a lifetime? ›Your CompTIA Security+ certification is good for three years from the date you pass your certification exam. Through our continuing education (CE) program, you can easily renew CompTIA Security+ and extend it for additional three-year periods.
What do I need to study before Security+? ›Though Security+ is an entry-level credential, CompTIA strongly recommends getting the A+ and Network+ credentials before proceeding to the Security+ certification, so you have the technical skills you need, such as configuring, managing and troubleshooting networks.
How do I pass my CompTIA A+ first time? ›- Getting Familiar with Course Content. ...
- Review the Exam Objectives and Format. ...
- Book Your CompTIA A+ Exam. ...
- Exam Details and Specifics. ...
- Find Your Method of Studying. ...
- Build a Desktop Computer. ...
- Set Up Your CompTIA A+ Test Lab. ...
- Prepare for Performance-Based Questions.
Like I said, 50% is realistic for CompTIA for us. Many classes may only have a 30% success rate.
Which CompTIA A+ exam is easier? ›The CompTIA Network+ tops our list of easiest exams offered by CompTIA, because it requires a manageable amount of content knowledge which can be easily reinforced by hands-on practice.
What percentage do you need to pass CompTIA? ›The passing score for the 220-1002 exam is 700 (on a scale of 100-900). This equates roughly to a required passing score of 72% and 75% respectively, though it is difficult to compute the exact worth of each question.
Can you cheat online test at home? ›A study conducted by Dr. Donald McCabe has indicated that 95% of students admitted to cheating in some form, whether during online exams or homework assignments. Fast technological development and the widespread adoption of e-learning have made things even worse.
Can I cheat on an online test? ›The short answer is yes. Online exams can detect cheating. Authentication procedures, web monitoring, data forensics, and proctoring (just to name a few) make it hard for examinees to get away with cheating.
How does Pearson Vue detect cheating? ›
PPCs and many of Pearson's authorised partner centres use digital video surveillance to monitor and record any misconduct during the testing process.
Is the CompTIA Security+ test hard? ›Although CompTIA Security+ is entry-level for cybersecurity, the average person, and even entry-level IT pros, may not consider it easy. It covers cybersecurity concepts in depth and requires adequate preparation.
Is it cheating to look up before the test answers? ›So no, not cheating.
Is looking at answers before a test cheating? ›To emphasize, it doesn't just seem to be cheating, it is cheating: it's not just that you are aware of others cheating, but you yourself have already gained illicit knowledge about questions that will be on the exam.
Can proctored exams detect phones? ›Detect Cell Phones & Other Devices
Honorlock's remote proctoring software can detect cell phone, tablet, and laptop use while a student is taking the exam. Our AI can detect when students attempt to use their cell phones to access test bank content during the exam.
If they catch you exam dumping, they'll revoke your certification credentials. And here's the other thing – they'll even revoke the credentials of anyone using exam dumps to pass a cert. In some cases, they'll even ban you for life.
What is the best website to cheat on a test? ›- Wikipedia Encylopedia.
- Yahoo! Answers Social & content sharing site.
- Answers.com Social & content sharing site.
- Slideshare Social and content sharing site.
- OPPapers.com Cheat site & paper mill.
- Scribd Social & content sharing site.
- Course Hero Homework & academic site.
Like stealing and lying, cheating is morally and ethically wrong. It's as simple as that. Every time you cheat on a test, you are acting as if you've done the work yourself, which is just like lying.
Can professors tell if you cheated? ›Online proctoring: This method can either involve automated proctoring programs that monitor your behavior through your webcam, or a live proctor who watches the class through their webcams in person. Automated programs can be unreliable, and often identify innocent behavior as signs of cheating.
How do professors know if you are cheating? ›Proctors In Online Tests
But, just as you would have a test proctor in a regular classroom during a test, there's technology that aids in online test proctoring to ensure students are not cheating. This is done through software that uses technology to scan your biometrics to ensure you are who you say you are.
Does Pearson VUE trick work right after exam? ›
Sources vary regarding how long you should wait to try the Pearson Vue NCLEX trick after testing. While some people try the trick within an hour or so after completing the NCLEX exam, giving yourself a two-to-four-hour post-test window seems to be the best.
Is CompTIA A+ Easier Than Security+? ›A+ delves into a broad range of topics, while Security+ is focused solely on cybersecurity. If you juggle multiple study areas, you might find A+ easier, but if you want to focus on one topic, then Security+ is perfect for you.