A realistic eight-week plan at roughly 6 to 8 hours per week. Practise subnetting regularly and the troubleshooting steps until they are automatic.
| Week | Focus | Checkpoint |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | OSI model, topologies, addressing | You can place a protocol on the right OSI layer |
| 2 | Subnetting, ports and protocols | You can subnet and recall common ports |
| 3 | Routing and switching concepts | You can explain how traffic is forwarded |
| 4 | Wireless and cabling | You can compare wireless standards |
| 5 | Network operations and availability | You can describe monitoring and DR basics |
| 6 | Network security | You can list common hardening measures |
| 7 | Troubleshooting methodology and tools | You can apply the seven-step method |
| 8 | Full-length timed reviews + PBQs | You consistently pass timed reviews |
Final tips
Networking Concepts and Troubleshooting are the two heaviest domains — give them extra time, and drill the performance-based questions. Avoid “exam dump” sites — they breach CompTIA policy and copyright.