You will earn the CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP+) certification by passing one exam that includes multiple-choice and performance-based questions. While there isn’t one right way to pass the exam, there is some common-sense advice that can increase your chance to succeed in achieving CASP+ certification status.
In its very basic nature, the CASP+ exam is not that much different from any other written test that you may have taken. The exam includes a variety of question types to verify your knowledge in specific areas of cybersecurity, such as the following:
Being well-prepared remains your best bet to score a positive exam outcome, namely passing the test and being awarded the CASP+ certification.
While everybody prefers to study in different ways, there’s a simple strategy that can get you started and that may make it easier to keep yourself organized during your exam preparation process.
Step 1: Understand What’s Expected of You
Not knowing what’s on the exam is like driving blind into a snow storm. A better approach is to spend some time reading about CASP+ and what it takes to pass the exam.
It’s important to understand that CASP+ is a performance certification. This means you’ll not only answer questions, but also demonstrate hands-on skills associated with a specific job or responsibility. When you take your CASP+ exam, you will be expected to answer both multiple-choice and performance-based questions.
The following will help you to get a general understanding of what’s on the exam:
Step 2: Understand the Gap Between What You Already Know and What’s Expected of You
CASP+ exam takers come from all walks of life with in-depth experience levels in IT and cybersecurity. Although there are no prerequisites for CASP+, we recommend a minimum of 10 years of experience in IT administration, including at least 5 years of hands-on technical security experience before taking the exam.
The degree and quality of experience in cybersecurity you have already acquired has a substantial impact on the knowledge gap between what you know and what you’re expected to know.
Regardless of experience, everyone needs to take inventory of the exam areas that they don’t know or know little about. Being honest with yourself will help you focus on what you need to learn and, ultimately, make your studies more effective.
Step 3: Understand How You Can Close Your Knowledge Gap
CompTIA now offers a set of comprehensive learning resources that include books, eLearning, labs and exam prep software. These resources are developed in house by CompTIA, based
on feedback we hear from learners like you and provide you with a variety of ways to acquire all or some of the knowledge that is outlined in the CASP+ exam objectives.
Self-Study and Test Preparation
The self-study guide will teach you the fundamental principles of analyzing and applying advanced security concepts, principles and implementation. It will prepare you to take the CASP+ exam
by providing 100 percent coverage of the exam objectives and content examples listed on the syllabus. Browse our store or visit the Official CompTIA CASP+ Study Guide page to learn more.
Another great way to get an idea of what questions you can expect is to download a set of practice questions. Keep in mind that these practice questions are not questions that will be on the actual test and that there are different kinds of questions.
Classroom Training
For some, self-study isn’t the way to go and classroom training may simply the better choice. CASP+ certification training is offered by many public academic institutions, such as colleges, as well
as private academic institutions, such as professional training centers.
The cost of classroom training can range from a few hundred to several thousands of dollars. You can find classroom training in your area on our classroom training page. For organizations looking for instructor-led training, CompTIA offers Classroom Training for Organizations.
In short, there’s no simple answer to this question because it all depends on how much you already know, how much you have to learn, how quickly you will learn and when you will feel confident enough to take the exam and pass it.
For example, some classroom training teaches all CompTIA CASP+ material in a matter of one week while others stretch over several months. If you choose the path to learn on your own, you may similarly be able to acquire the necessary knowledge within a few days, weeks or months – depending on how much knowledge and security experience you already have.
While we cannot tell you how long it will take you personally to get your CASP+ certification, we do recommend that you invest enough time in your exam preparation and ensure you know what gaps exist instead of racing through the curriculum.
Our high-stakes exams are proctored at a Pearson VUE testing center in a highly secure environment. Visit Pearson VUE to find a testing center near you. However, here’s what you should know about the testing process and what steps you need to take.
Step 1: Buy Your Voucher or Voucher/Training Bundle
When you’re ready to take the exam, purchase your CASP+ voucher from the CompTIA Store. A voucher is a code that will
enable you to sign up for your exam. Not sure what cost to expect? Read more about What does CASP+ cost?
Keep in mind that you may be able to purchase a bundle and combine training with your voucher to save a good chunk of money on the way to your CASP+ certification.
Step 2: Schedule Your Exam
Next, you’ll need to take your CASP+ exam from an approved location. As mentioned above, CompTIA works with Pearson VUE testing centers, that has locations
around the world, where you can schedule an appointment to take the exam. Members of the U.S. military may be eligible to take the CASP+ exam from an on-base testing center.
We frequently get questions from test takers on how long they should plan for their exam to take. The allotted time for the exam is 165 minutes. Everyone is different, and passing the exam is not about speed. Go into your exam with confidence and answer the questions at a pace that you feel comfortable with, while remembering that the CASP+ exam consists of a maximum of 90 questions.
CompTIA now offers a number of exam training options for CASP+ to fit your particular learning style and schedule, many of which may be used in combination with each other as you prepare for your exam.
There’s a wealth of information to take you from deciding if CompTIA CASP+ is right for you, all the way to taking your exam. We’re with you every step of the way!