Prepare for the CompTIA Cloud+ CV0-004 certification exam

Create a study plan

The optimal study plan establishes a roadmap, ensuring coverage of all aspects of the certification exam. Study environment, learning style and basic exam information are all essential parts of a study plan.

Create a study plan using the following steps:

• Set the stage. Dedicate a study location to prevent distraction. Create a schedule that places study times during the most productive hours of the day. These factors can look different for everyone, so candidates should learn what is most beneficial for them.
• Develop a learning style. Candidates should also investigate what learning style works best for them, whether that's reading, hearing or actively doing exercises. Emphasize whichever method helps retain the most information.
• Review the exam objectives. The CompTIA Cloud+ exam objectives are a critical resource. They provide a clear list of what material is on the test. Develop an understanding of all the concepts, including proper implementation of any specified cloud configurations.

Gather CompTIA Cloud+ resources

Gather study materials, but don't go overboard:

• Study guides. Dedicated CompTIA Cloud+ study guides can be very useful. They typically organize the information logically, with concepts building on each other. This includes courseware from any training attended. Spend some time examining reviews of the books. Read samples, if possible, to determine the efficacy of the author's writing style. Avoid books written for the outdated CV0-003 Cloud+ exam.
• Vendor documentation. Cloud service providers offer lots of online documentation. Be sure to spend time finding and bookmarking these resources. Be aware of the rapidly changing nature of cloud computing technologies -- sometimes the Cloud+ objectives cover older material.
• White papers. Supplement with articles and white papers, which are particularly useful resources because they relate specific cloud technologies to real-world problems.

Research CompTIA Cloud+ practice tests

Part of an effective study plan should include taking practice exams. Practice exams can provide a helpful benchmark to gauge a candidate's knowledge. They can also help to budget exam time and become familiar with the test format.

Quality practice exams with large question pools and evaluation options come at a cost. Be careful of free resources and carefully read practice exam reviews. A few practice exam options include the following:

• CertMaster Practice for Cloud+. Prepare for the CompTIA Cloud+ exam by using CompTIA's own assessment and training resource. This option provides analytics on knowledge gained and eLearning tools to practice necessary skills.
• MeasureUp Practice Test. This training tool offers two different modes for users: certification and practice. Certification mode lets users test and assess their knowledge. In practice mode, users can focus on their own specific problem areas.
• Pearson Exam Cram and Practice Test. Includes a study guide with hundreds of practice questions, real-time feedback and two practice exams for users to become acquainted with the CompTIA Cloud+ format.

Be cautious with practice exams. They aren't always an effective measure of your level of preparation. Be sure to take the new Cloud+ CV0-004 practice exam rather than the older CV0-003 exam.

Gain hands-on experience

Hands-on experience is a key component of exam preparation. Many training providers, including CompTIA's official training, offer lab environments to practice implementing specific technologies. This includes labs on VM deployments, virtual network peering and cloud monitoring.

AWS, Microsoft and Google offer a variety of free services to help cloud users get started with their technologies. Create an account and work with these cloud resources. Remember that CompTIA certification exams are vendor-agnostic, so focus on concepts rather than specific processes. Comparing deployments and services between two cloud providers helps solidify what is vendor specific and what is a general concept.

Candidates should also check in with their organization's IT team if the organization uses cloud technologies. See whether the cloud resources are available for learning. The team may have a dedicated lab environment to practice on or work with.

Expect some performance-based questions on the exam. These questions ask you to configure systems, organize resources and interact with the test software beyond mere multiple-choice questions. Consider additional certifications to develop relevant competencies before the exam, including CompTIA's Network+, Server+, Security+ and Linux+. CompTIA also suggests two to three years of hands-on experience as a systems administrator or cloud engineer.

Schedule the CompTIA Cloud+ certification exam

The final task is to schedule the exam. It may seem odd to schedule the test while preparing to study but paying for the exam and establishing a test date lends a sense of urgency. This can help candidates develop a more disciplined mindset toward their exam preparation.

Schedule an exam time by creating an account on CompTIA's website. There are two options for taking the exam: online and in person. Those taking an online exam should run CompTIA's system test to ensure they have a stable internet connection. Others interested in taking the exam in person must search for an authorized testing center during the exam sign-up process. CompTIA also offers various accommodations for anyone who requires a particular exam environment.

The current price for the CompTIA Cloud+ certification exam is $369. CompTIA offers training and certification bundles that provide economical options. Many third-party training providers also offer certification prep courses online and in person.

Damon Garn owns Cogspinner Coaction and provides freelance IT writing and editing services. He has written multiple CompTIA study guides, including the Linux+, Cloud Essentials+ and Server+ guides, and contributes extensively to TechTarget Editorial and CompTIA Blogs.