Thank you O2O for getting my Security+ certification for free

Thank you O2O for getting my Security+ certification for free

Well I finally received the CompTIA Security+ certification and it's thanks to O2O (Onward to Opportunity). I took the test on February 18, 2020 and received the certificate in March 10. It was a tough test, but I believe that I only studied for like less than 7-8 weeks (5 days each week, each day was like 1-3 hours of study). Therefore, I barely passed the test. I recommend that you take the Security+ topics seriously as the exam cost about $300. I believe I spent 4 weeks on the videos and maybe like 3-4 weeks on the book.

But first let me describe how I got a free certification from O2O. I just use a search engine and type "free certification for veterans" and Syracuse University pop up and I fill out the online form. I went to a 3 day cohort and by December 2019, I just studied the material. The software that was provided was from Skillsoft. Skillsoft provides online videos and online books for the students. I don't remember how many hours of total videos I watched, but I have to guess like 15 to 20 hours.

Skillsoft provides online eBooks for your Security+ education

I don't like eBooks, but SkillSoft does provide some eBooks that can only view online. The eBooks are decent: Mike Meyers' CompTIA Security+ Certification Guide, Second Edition and Chuck Christy's CompTIA Security+ Practice Tests: Exam SY0-501. I thought there were more, but it looks like some eBooks disappeared overnight. Anyway, these two have good reviews at Amazon. My preference is hardcovers/softcover books, so I can't review those two. I choose a different route and bought a used copy of David L. Prowse's CompTIA Security+ SY0-501 Cert Guide (4th Edition) at eBay. I believe I spent $20 for the book, but the best part is that it had unused online code for the online practice exams provided by Pearson.

Skillsoft has videos and books for Security+

Before I go any further, I want to talk about the videos that is provided by Skillsoft. Some are short and some are long. Some are interesting and some are so boring (I think I was going to sleep watching those), but they provided the right kind of material that I wanted to learn. In some moments, I just re-watch the video or in some cases I just went to YouTube and watch some videos from other people's tutorials. If you don’t understand a topic, then I recommend that you seek other sources and maybe that will assist you.

The quizzes were easy, but the exam at the end was tough. I just continue to take the exam every 3 days till I got 80-90% correct. After that I register to take the exam.

Pearson Test Prep's online Security + exams have over 300 questions

Let me tell you about the used book I bought at eBay. I bought and read David L. Prowse’s Security+ book. It was easy to read and have mini quizzes on each chapter. The book had an unused code for Pearson Test Prep’s online exam quizzes. There are over 300+ questions and I believe I only did up to 200 questions.

Professor Messer’s CompTIA SY0-501 Security+ Course

Now there are times when the topic was not clear enough, so there are times when I went to YouTube or Professor Messer’s CompTIA SY0-501 Security+ Course web site and study the topic a bit more. The videos are free, so there is no excuse for you not to check it out. I read many good reviews from Reddit’s CompTIA subreddit say that Messer’s videos are good for study material.

Quizlet security+ 501 flashcards

If you don’t want to spend the money, here are some web sites that provide some exams, flashcards, or quizzes that are free to use:

Well that's it for today and I will once again thank O2O for the free voucher.


Author: jesueRocha, Jesue Rocha

Oh, I'm the cutest!

Just another programmer/network/security person


Loves technology and retro video games. Likes to program on his spare time and rides a Kawasaki Ninja to the sunset 24/7.