Learning As a Process

To best understand the nature of preparation for the exams, it is important to understand learning as a process. You are probably aware of how you best learn new material. You might find that outlining works best for you, or you might be a visual learner who needs to “see” things. Whatever your learning style, test preparation takes place over time. Obviously, you cannot start studying for the Network+ exam the night before you take it; it is very important to understand that learning is a developmental process. And as part of that process, you need to focus on what you know and what you have yet to learn.

Learning takes place when we match new information to old. You have some previous experience with computers, and now you are preparing for the Network+ exam. Using this book, software, and supplementary materials will not just add incrementally to what you know; as you study, you will actually change the organization of your knowledge as you integrate this new information into your existing knowledge base. This will lead you to a more comprehensive understanding of the tasks and concepts outlined in the CompTIA objectives and of computing in general. Again, this happens as a repetitive process rather than as a singular event. If you keep this model of learning in mind as you prepare for the exam, you will make the best decisions concerning what to study and how much more studying you need to do.