You've heard that PBQs (Performance-Based Questions) are the hardest part of CompTIA exams. So it makes sense to focus most of your study time there, right?
Not exactly. While PBQ practice is essential, it's only one piece of the puzzle. Candidates who rely solely on PBQ practice often struggle with knowledge gaps that surface in multiple-choice questions.
The Ideal Study Balance
Based on feedback from successful candidates, here's the recommended time allocation:
What Each Method Covers
PBQ Practice
- Command syntax
- Configuration tasks
- Troubleshooting steps
- Interface navigation
Hands-On Labs
- Concept connections
- System interactions
- Real troubleshooting
- Muscle memory
Practice Tests
- Theory knowledge
- Exam format familiarity
- Time management
- Weak area identification
Why PBQs Alone Aren't Enough
Consider this scenario:
Question: A company wants to ensure that employees can only access specific applications based on their job function. Which access control model should they implement?
- MAC (Mandatory Access Control)
- DAC (Discretionary Access Control)
- RBAC (Role-Based Access Control)
- ABAC (Attribute-Based Access Control)
This tests conceptual knowledge—not something a PBQ would cover. You need practice tests to identify and fill these knowledge gaps.
Common Mistake
Many candidates spend 80% of their time on PBQ practice and only 20% on everything else. They ace the PBQs but fail the exam because they couldn't answer enough MCQs correctly.
The Passing Formula
Labs connect everything: they reinforce PBQ skills while building the conceptual knowledge tested in MCQs.
The Right Approach
Here's how to balance your study effectively:
- Start with labs — Build foundational knowledge through hands-on exploration
- Add PBQ practice — Apply what you've learned in exam-style scenarios
- Use practice tests — Identify knowledge gaps and theory weaknesses
- Return to labs — Address gaps with targeted hands-on practice
Platforms like certlabz.com combine all three elements—labs, PBQs, and assessments—in one integrated experience, making it easier to maintain the right balance.
Key Insight
The most effective study approach treats PBQs as the culmination of learning, not the starting point. Labs build understanding, practice tests verify knowledge, and PBQs prove you can apply everything together.
⚖️ Get the Right Balance
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