Fall is a great time to buckle down and finish strong, especially if your CompTIA Security+ training is already underway. Whether you’re reviewing the basics or preparing for your exam, a solid plan can take some of the pressure off. Even if you’ve been studying off and on for a while, now is the right moment to pull everything together.
This exam is more than just a box to check. It builds the base for understanding all kinds of security situations. Knowing how to get ready matters, especially when your time and energy are limited. These tips are meant to help you make the most of your fall study season so you can walk into your exam with confidence.
How Fall Timing Can Help Your Study Plan
Fall brings a steady rhythm that can work in your favor. With summer distractions out of the way and the holiday rush still a few weeks off, it’s easier to stick to a calm routine. Even cooler evenings and shorter days can help push focus in the right direction.
• Use weekends to line up study blocks for the week ahead. Shorter sessions spread across a few days can help things stick better than long, cramming sessions.
• Plan around your weekly rhythm so study doesn’t compete with work or other life priorities. Give yourself breaks so you don’t run out of steam too early.
• Build habits into your routine, reading for 30 minutes before dinner or reviewing terms during your morning commute can keep things moving without feeling heavy.
At our academy, training schedules are available in both daytime and evening formats, so you can create a study plan that works with your personal routine.
We all have busy schedules, but using the fall calendar to carve out steady time can really help your brain settle into study mode.
What to Cover First Before You Dive Into Practice Tests
Before jumping into quizzes or test samples, it helps to check whether you understand the basics. Even if you’ve looked at them before, going over them again with a fresh eye can help.
• Start by reviewing the core topics in the Security+ exam objectives. This includes basic security principles, network setup, access control, and risk management. Knowing the outline helps you see where to focus.
• Revisit terms and definitions you might confuse. For example, make sure you understand the differences between threats, vulnerabilities, and risks, as well as where network devices fit into the bigger picture of securing systems.
• Watch for areas where words sound alike but have different meanings, like encryption types or older versus newer protocols. Those common mix-ups can trip you up if you’re relying only on memory.
Our Security+ courses are mapped to current DoD 8570 requirements and follow the latest CompTIA exam objectives to ensure your study sessions are focused on what actually counts.
Once you feel solid about these areas, you’re less likely to waste time later re-learning things when practice tests bring up tough questions.
Training Tips That Will Actually Stick
Studying doesn’t have to feel like flipping through a thick textbook on repeat. Often, it’s how you go about training, not just how much of it you do, that makes a difference.
• Look for ways to get into hands-on practice with actual apps, settings, or mock problems. Doing the thing helps you understand it better than just reading about it.
• Try some time with a study group. Whether it’s a video call once a week or an online chat where you toss around questions, hearing how others explain ideas gives your brain another way to learn.
• Keep things active with small quizzes or term matching. Even making your own flashcards can help new information stick better than reading the same notes over and over.
These simple changes can turn study time from something you have to get through into something that actually helps.
What to Expect on Exam Day and How to Stay Calm
When test day is around the corner, it’s easy to feel nervous. But a little preparation can take a lot of the worry out of the process.
• Get familiar with how the Security+ test works. The mix of performance-based and multiple-choice questions means you’ll need to be both fast and thoughtful. Practice managing your time so you don’t run out.
• Try to mimic the real test timing as you practice so your brain knows what to expect. If you feel rushed, slow down and focus on answering the question you’re looking at.
• Pack what you need the night before: ID, allowed items, directions to the test center. Set a bedtime that gives you real rest. A calm morning goes a long way.
You don’t need to know everything. You just need to feel ready to think through the questions in front of you.
Your Best Next Steps After Security+ Prep
After putting in the time and energy to complete your CompTIA Security+ training, the next move feels clearer. Whether you’re thinking about what comes next or just want to make your current skills stronger, fall is a natural time to keep up that momentum.
Keep using the strategies that helped during prep, weekly check-ins, hands-on practice, and connecting with others who share your goals. Learning to apply what you study is just as important as passing the test itself.
Fall gives you a solid window to reinforce what you’ve learned and move forward without feeling rushed. Build on that progress, stay steady, and use this season to turn what you studied into something you know how to use.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If you’re planning to stay on track with long-term goals, having support during your prep can make all the difference. We’ve helped many learners build their confidence, one step at a time, starting with strong basics and steady study habits. Whether you’re just getting started or ready to take that final step, our CompTIA Security+ training can help you feel prepared. Applied Technology Academy is here when you’re ready. Send us a message to get started.
