Study Plan12 min read

Network+ 90-Day Study Plan

A comprehensive 90-day roadmap to pass CompTIA Network+ (N10-009) with confidence.

Why 90 Days?

Network+ covers complex networking concepts that require time to internalize. A 90-day plan gives you enough time to learn theory, practice hands-on labs, and build confidence without burnout. This assumes 1-2 hours of daily study.

Month 1: Foundation (Weeks 1-4)

Week 1: Networking Basics & OSI Model

  • •Study the OSI and TCP/IP models thoroughly
  • •Learn common port numbers (80, 443, 22, 23, 25, 53, 67/68, 110, 143, 3389)
  • •Understand IP addressing fundamentals

Week 2: Subnetting & IPv4/IPv6

  • •Master subnetting calculations (CIDR notation, subnet masks)
  • •Practice subnet problems daily (at least 10-15 problems)
  • •Learn IPv6 addressing and notation

Week 3: Network Devices & Cabling

  • •Study switches, routers, hubs, firewalls, and access points
  • •Learn cable types (Cat 5e, Cat 6, fiber optic, coaxial)
  • •Understand wireless standards (802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax)

Week 4: Routing & Switching Basics

  • •Learn routing protocols (static, RIP, OSPF, EIGRP, BGP)
  • •Study VLANs and trunking
  • •Understand spanning tree protocol (STP)

Month 2: Deep Dive (Weeks 5-8)

Week 5: Network Services

  • •Master DHCP, DNS, and NTP
  • •Study NAT/PAT and port forwarding
  • •Learn load balancing concepts

Week 6: Network Security

  • •Study firewalls, ACLs, and VPNs
  • •Learn wireless security (WPA2, WPA3, EAP)
  • •Understand common network attacks and mitigations

Week 7: Network Operations

  • •Study documentation (network diagrams, cable management)
  • •Learn monitoring tools (SNMP, syslog, packet capture)
  • •Understand disaster recovery and backups

Week 8: Troubleshooting Methodology

  • •Master the CompTIA troubleshooting model
  • •Learn command-line tools (ping, traceroute, nslookup, ipconfig)
  • •Practice troubleshooting scenarios

Month 3: Practice & Polish (Weeks 9-12)

Weeks 9-10: Intensive Practice

  • •Complete 100+ practice questions daily
  • •Take full-length practice exams
  • •Focus heavily on PBQ simulations
  • •Review explanations for all incorrect answers

Week 11: Weak Areas Review

  • •Identify topics where you're scoring below 80%
  • •Re-study weak areas with videos and notes
  • •Practice subnetting if still struggling

Week 12: Final Review & Exam

  • •Take final practice exam - aim for 85%+
  • •Review port numbers, acronyms, and key concepts
  • •Schedule and take your exam!

Recommended Study Resources

Official Resources

  • ✓ CompTIA Network+ Exam Objectives (N10-009)
  • ✓ CompTIA CertMaster practice

Practice Questions

  • ✓ PassIt.Now (1000+ questions)
  • ✓ Focus on PBQ simulations

Video Courses

  • ✓ Professor Messer (free)
  • ✓ LinkedIn Learning courses

Hands-On Labs

  • ✓ Packet Tracer (Cisco)
  • ✓ GNS3 for network simulation

Pro Tips for Success

  • Subnetting is crucial: You'll likely see 5-10 subnetting questions. Practice until it's second nature.
  • Memorize port numbers: Know the common ports cold (HTTP, HTTPS, SSH, FTP, SMTP, DNS, etc.).
  • Hands-on practice matters: Use Packet Tracer or GNS3 to configure networks and troubleshoot.

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