How I Passed the CompTIA CySa+ Exam: My Study Plan and Resources

When I first enrolled in my Cybersecurity Master’s program, I didn’t realize the importance of having foundational certifications like A+, Network+, or Security+. I had already earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Information Technology Management, and thought the Master’s program would be a natural progression. However, reality hit hard when I realized that I was lacking the essential foundational knowledge needed for advanced certifications, like CompTIA CySA+.

At first, I was unprepared for the challenges that came with the program. With no previous certifications or hands-on experience in cybersecurity, I quickly learned how crucial those foundational exams were to a deeper understanding of the field. But despite this, I decided to push forward.

I committed myself to studying for the CompTIA CySA+ exam, and within just three months, I passed the exam on my first try. It wasn’t an easy road, and there were many moments when I questioned if I could succeed. But through perseverance, determination, and a structured study plan, I was able to prove that it's not about years of field experience—it’s about the will to push through the challenges and the right approach to preparation.

Key Takeaway: Don’t let anyone tell you that you need years of experience before attempting this exam. With the right preparation, anyone can pass it, no matter their prior experience level.

Looking back, I’m grateful for the steep learning curve. It was challenging, but it also taught me that we are capable of far more than we realize. Passing the CySA+ exam was just the beginning, and it reaffirmed my belief that with persistence, anything is possible.

1. Start with Comprehensive Courses

To begin, I took multiple courses to ensure I covered all the exam topics thoroughly. Each course offered unique insights into different areas of the CySA+ exam:

• Jason Dion’s Course: Jason’s course offers a clear and structured breakdown of the exam objectives, with practical examples.

• Mike Chappell’s Course: Mike’s course digs into the key concepts and provides hands-on guidance for more technical aspects.

• Certify Breakfast’s Course: This course is concise and great for reinforcing what I learned in the other two, covering material in a way that complements both.

Tip: The goal isn’t just to pass the exam, but to understand the material. Make sure you can explain the concepts in your own words.

2. Review CompTIA’s Exam Objectives and Use AI for Clarifications

After completing the courses, I moved on to reviewing the official CompTIA CySA+ Exam Objectives from the CompTIA website. This is a crucial step because the exam objectives outline exactly what you’ll be tested on, and it’s important to ensure you’re familiar with every area.

Here's where AI comes in: I sent the exam objectives to an AI (like ChatGPT) and asked for an explanation of each item. For each objective, the AI broke it down, helping me understand exactly what I needed to know for each topic.

Why this helps: AI can simplify complex topics and provide additional context or examples, ensuring you understand the material in depth.

3. Use Quizlets for Active Recall (No Quizzes, Just Review)

To reinforce what I learned, I used Quizlets as a tool for active recall. I reviewed many different Quizlet sets for various sections of the test. If I was struggling with a certain topic of set of ideas then i would narrow my quizlet selections to that. I reviewed many quizlets many times over. There are an abundance of options and make sure to diversify to be able to see topics from different points of view and review a wide birth of topics as well.

4. Practice Tests and Review with AI After Every Question

One of the most effective ways I studied was by doing practice tests. After answering each question, I immediately went to AI (like ChatGPT) with the following prompt:

"I’m going to submit questions to you, and I have rules you need to abide by:
#1. Give me an explanation of the answer and what I will need to know when answering similar questions.
#2. Provide definitions for each answer choice (not related to the question).
#3. Give me a summary of everything discussed.
#4. Provide quick memorization definitions for each answer choice (again, not related to the question)."

By following this process, I could ask AI to break down the reasoning for each answer, the meaning of each answer choice, and the core concepts that would help me tackle similar questions in the future. Over time, this deep dive helped me gain a thorough understanding of the exam content, one question at a time.

Why this helps: It makes the practice test more than just a test of knowledge—it becomes a learning experience. Reviewing questions this way ensured that I internalized the material and built a solid foundation for tackling the exam.

I recommend doing this with any practice test you use, whether it’s from Jason Dion’s practice tests or another resource. Over the course of taking these tests, you’ll significantly improve your understanding of the CySA+ material.

The learning module quizzes from Comptia were extremely helpful as well. I would do this process in the same way however with Comptia it would make me repeat the questions i gor wrong till i got them correct making learning items stick in my head better.

Tip: Don’t just memorize the answers—really dive into why things are correct or incorrect, which will help retain the knowledge for the exam.

5. The Final Push: Cramming and Test Day

In the final days leading up to the exam, I made sure to cram for two days before the test, reviewing everything I could. On the test day, I made sure to arrive several hours early at the exam site, giving myself plenty of time to relax, review notes, and mentally prepare.

Tip: Get a good night’s sleep the night before the test. Mental fatigue is one of the biggest threats to your performance, so make sure you're well-rested and alert.

Conclusion

By following this study plan, I felt confident and well-prepared for the CySA+ exam. The key was to take a structured approach with a combination of courses, active recall with Quizlets, and deep analysis of each question with AI after practice tests. It’s not just about memorizing answers; it’s about understanding why things are the way they are and being able to apply that knowledge under exam conditions.

If you follow this approach, stay consistent, and commit to understanding the material, you’ll be well on your way to passing the CySA+ exam. Good luck!