What N10-007 actually tests

The CompTIA Network+ N10-007 exam is broad, practical, and very much aimed at the technician or junior administrator who has to understand how networks are built, secured, and fixed. It is not a deep specialist exam. It is a wide one.

Expect questions across five domains:

Networking Concepts — 23%
Infrastructure — 18%
Network Operations — 17%
Network Security — 20%
Network Troubleshooting and Tools — 22%

That weighting matters. If you spend all your time memorizing cable standards and ignore troubleshooting, you are studying the wrong exam.

The exam format typically includes:

Up to 90 questions
90 minutes
Multiple choice and performance-based questions (PBQs)
A passing score of 720 on a 100–900 scale

This version of Network+ still expects you to know classic networking thoroughly: OSI/TCP-IP models, ports, VLANs, routing, switching, wireless standards, subnetting, cabling, high availability, monitoring, documentation, and structured troubleshooting. It also includes modern operational topics such as virtualization, cloud concepts, SIEM, NAC, SCADA/ICS, mobile devices, and SDN basics.

If you have hands-on desktop support experience or have worked around switches, wireless, patch panels, IP addressing, and ticket-based troubleshooting, this exam is manageable. If you are new to networking, the hard part is not one single topic. It is learning how all the pieces fit together.

Start with the packet path: Networking Concepts (23%)

This is the foundation domain. If you do not understand how traffic moves from one host to another, the rest of the exam becomes disconnected facts.

Build your study around the packet path:

A client gets an IP configuration.
It resolves names.
It decides whether the destination is local or remote.
It forwards traffic to a switch or default gateway.
Routers move the packet based on routes.
The remote host responds.

Study the concepts in that order.

Know the models, but use them practically

You need both the OSI model and the TCP/IP model, but CompTIA rarely rewards pure memorization alone. Know what devices and protocols operate at each layer:

Layer 1: cables, hubs, repeaters, radio frequency, physical signaling
Layer 2: switches, bridges, MAC addresses, VLANs, STP
Layer 3: routers, IP, ICMP
Layer 4: TCP, UDP, ports
Layer 7: DNS, DHCP, HTTP, HTTPS, SMTP, SNMP, SSH

Be able to map symptoms to layers. If link lights are down, that is not a DNS problem.

Ports and protocols are easy points if you drill them

You should know the common ones cold:

20/21 FTP, 22 SSH, 23 Telnet
25 SMTP, 53 DNS, 67/68 DHCP
69 TFTP, 80 HTTP, 110 POP3, 143 IMAP
161/162 SNMP, 389 LDAP, 443 HTTPS
445 SMB, 3389 RDP
Also know NTP, SIP, RTP, AFP, Syslog, SMB/CIFS, SCP, SFTP

Do not just memorize numbers. Know what the protocol does and whether it is secure by default.

IP addressing and subnetting: non-negotiable

N10-007 expects real competence here.

You need to work comfortably with:

IPv4 classes and why classful thinking still appears in exam questions
CIDR notation
Subnet masks
Public vs private addressing
APIPA
Loopback
Default gateway logic
NAT/PAT
IPv6 address types: global unicast, link-local, multicast, anycast
IPv6 notation and shortening rules

For subnetting, be able to answer quickly:

How many hosts fit in /27, /28, /29?
What subnet contains a given IP?
What is the broadcast address?
Which hosts are usable?

You do not need CCNA-level depth, but you do need speed.

Routing, switching, and segmentation

This exam expects you to know the difference between forwarding inside a LAN and moving traffic between networks.

Focus on:

Static vs dynamic routing
Basic awareness of RIP, OSPF, EIGRP, BGP
Default routes
Route metrics
Switching concepts: MAC tables, collision domains, broadcast domains
VLANs and 802.1Q trunking
Inter-VLAN routing
Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) and why loops are dangerous
Port mirroring/SPAN

A typical question will describe a network issue and expect you to know whether the fix belongs on a switchport, VLAN assignment, default gateway, or router.

Wireless is part of the core, not a side topic

Know the major standards and what changed over time:

802.11a/b/g/n/ac
Frequencies: 2.4 GHz vs 5 GHz
Channel overlap and non-overlapping channels
Throughput vs range tradeoffs
SSID, BSSID, beamforming, MIMO, omnidirectional vs directional antennas
Wireless encryption: WEP, WPA, WPA2, and enterprise vs personal modes

Also know common wireless problems:

Interference
Channel overlap
Signal attenuation
Incorrect security settings
Roaming issues
AP placement problems

WAN and remote connectivity

N10-007 still includes traditional WAN technologies. You should recognize:

MPLS
Metro Ethernet
Leased lines
DSL, Cable, Fiber
ISDN, T1/T3, OCx at a recognition level
VPN technologies and tunneling concepts

Do not over-study legacy WAN math. Do know when a business would use each connectivity type.

Infrastructure: cables, devices, and the way networks are built (18%)

This domain is where a lot of candidates get sloppy because the topics look familiar. That is a mistake. CompTIA likes exact terminology here.

Media and connectors

Know the characteristics, limits, and use cases of:

UTP/STP categories: Cat 5, 5e, 6, 6a
Coaxial
Fiber: single-mode vs multimode
Connectors: RJ-45, RJ-11, LC, SC, ST, MTRJ, F-type, BNC
Transceivers and interfaces: SFP, GBIC, QSFP

Be clear on:

Maximum copper Ethernet segment lengths
When fiber is preferred
EMI concerns
Bend radius and physical handling

Topologies and network design basics

You should be able to identify and compare:

Star, mesh, bus, ring, hub-and-spoke
Client-server vs peer-to-peer
On-premises vs cloud
Physical vs logical topology

CompTIA also expects awareness of redundancy and high availability:

Load balancers
Active-active and active-passive
NIC teaming
Power redundancy
UPS and generator support
Failover concepts

Devices and their roles

Do not just memorize a list. Know what each device does in a real environment:

Router
Layer 2/Layer 3 switch
Firewall
IDS/IPS
Proxy
Load balancer
Bridge
Hub
Access point
Controller
Modem
Media converter
CSU/DSU
VoIP devices

If a question asks which device would segment broadcast domains, it is not asking for trivia. It is asking whether you understand network behavior.

Virtualization and cloud

This version of Network+ includes enough cloud and virtualization to matter.

Study:

Virtual switches
Virtual NICs
Hypervisors
VLANs in virtual environments
IaaS, PaaS, SaaS
Public, private, hybrid cloud
vNIC-to-pNIC mapping
Elasticity and basic cloud characteristics

You do not need deep AWS or Azure knowledge. You do need to understand how virtualization changes traffic flow and management.

Operations and security: what keeps the network usable and defensible

N10-007 splits these into separate domains, but for study purposes they belong together. In real life, operations and security overlap constantly.

Network Operations (17%)

This domain is documentation-heavy and process-heavy. Many candidates underprepare for it.

Documentation you should recognize and use

Know the purpose of:

Physical and logical network diagrams
Rack diagrams
Cable maps
Asset inventory
Baselines
Configuration management records
Change management documentation
Standard operating procedures
Policies

CompTIA likes to ask which document or process is most appropriate in a given scenario.

Monitoring and management

You should know the role of:

SNMP
Syslog
NetFlow
SIEM
Packet capture tools
Performance monitors
Port scanners
Environmental monitoring in server rooms and MDF/IDF spaces

Also understand key metrics:

Bandwidth
Throughput
Latency
Jitter
Packet loss
Availability
Mean time between failures and mean time to repair

Business continuity and disaster recovery

This exam does test operational resilience:

Backups
Off-site storage
Cold, warm, hot sites
RPO and RTO
UPS and power planning
Environmental controls

Know the difference between keeping services highly available and recovering after failure.

Network Security (20%)

This is not Security+, but it is more than a basic overview.

Common security controls on the network

Study these carefully:

ACLs
Firewalls
Port security
802.1X
NAC
VPNs
DMZ
Content filtering
Proxy servers
Segmentation using VLANs and subnets
Jump servers
Air gaps

Authentication and wireless security

Know the difference between:

RADIUS and TACACS+
MFA concepts
Certificates and PKI basics
WPA/WPA2 personal vs enterprise
Captive portals

Threats and vulnerabilities you are expected to spot

You should be able to identify and mitigate:

DoS/DDoS
Spoofing
Man-in-the-middle
VLAN hopping
ARP poisoning
Rogue DHCP server
Rogue AP / evil twin
MAC flooding
Social engineering
Unpatched firmware
Default credentials

Specialized environments

N10-007 includes some topics many people skip until the last minute:

SCADA and ICS
BYOD policies
Mobile device management concepts
IoT risks

These are usually straightforward if you understand why limited-purpose devices, legacy protocols, and operational technology networks need stronger segmentation and tighter control.

Troubleshooting and tools: the 22% domain that decides scores

This domain is heavily weighted and often separates people who can recite terms from people who can work through a problem.

Learn CompTIA's troubleshooting method exactly

Memorize and use the six-step process:

Identify the problem
Establish a theory of probable cause
Test the theory to determine cause
Establish a plan of action and implement the solution
Verify full system functionality and implement preventive measures
Document findings, actions, and outcomes

CompTIA will absolutely ask what the next best step is.

Master the common tools and what each proves

Know when to use:

ping — basic reachability and latency
ipconfig / ifconfig — local addressing
netstat — active sessions and listening ports
tracert / traceroute — path and hop visibility
nslookup / dig — DNS resolution
arp — local IP-to-MAC cache issues
route — routing table review
nmap — host/port discovery
tcpdump / Wireshark — packet analysis
toner probe — cable tracing
cable tester — wiring faults
loopback plug — NIC/interface testing
multimeter — electrical checks
crimper, punchdown tool, TDR, OTDR

You do not need to become a packet analysis expert, but you should know what a tool can confirm or rule out.

Troubleshooting by symptom

Organize your review around symptoms, not just technologies.

Wired issues

No link light
Speed/duplex mismatch
Bad patch cable
Incorrect VLAN
Wrong gateway
Duplicate IP
DHCP failure
DNS misconfiguration

Wireless issues

Weak signal
Interference from microwave/Bluetooth/neighbor APs
Wrong channel width or overlap
Wrong SSID/security key
Insufficient AP coverage
Client incompatibility with standards/bands

Routing and switching issues

Missing route
Incorrect subnet mask
STP loop/blocking state confusion
Trunk mismatch
Native VLAN mismatch
ACL blocking traffic

Name resolution and services

Can ping IP but not hostname
Wrong DNS server
Stale records
Service port blocked
Proxy misconfiguration

PBQs often simulate exactly this kind of diagnosis. They are usually not trick questions. They reward orderly thinking.

A study plan that fits your background

For this exam, the right timeline depends heavily on whether you already work around networks.

If you are new to networking: 8 to 10 weeks

Plan on 8–12 hours per week.

Weeks 1–2

OSI/TCP-IP models
Ethernet basics
Common ports and protocols
IPv4 addressing fundamentals

Weeks 3–4

Subnetting every day
Routing vs switching
VLANs, trunks, STP
DHCP, DNS, NAT

Weeks 5–6

Wireless standards and security
Cabling, fiber, connectors, transceivers
WAN technologies
Virtualization and cloud basics

Week 7

Network operations: documentation, monitoring, change management, DR/BC
Security controls and attacks

Weeks 8–9

Troubleshooting tools and scenarios
PBQ-style practice
Full practice exams
Review weak domains only

Week 10

Light review
Ports, standards, subnetting refresh
No cramming the night before

If you have help desk or desktop support experience: 5 to 7 weeks

Plan on 7–10 hours per week.

Spend less time on terminology and more on:

Subnetting speed
Routing/switching behavior
Wireless troubleshooting
Security controls
PBQs and command-line tools

If you already work as a network technician or junior admin: 3 to 4 weeks

Plan on 5–7 focused hours per week.

Your likely weak spots are not the obvious ones. They are usually:

CompTIA wording
Memorization-heavy standards and connectors
Documentation/process questions
Legacy WAN technologies
Security terminology outside your day job

Order matters

Study in this order:

Networking Concepts
Infrastructure
Operations + Security
Troubleshooting and Tools
Full mixed practice

That sequence works because troubleshooting only makes sense once you understand what normal looks like.

Resources worth your time for N10-007

Use a short list of solid resources and go deep. Do not collect ten courses and finish none.

Official source

CompTIA Network+ N10-007 Exam Objectives — this is your blueprint. Print it or keep it open while studying.

Books

CompTIA Network+ Certification All-in-One Exam Guide, Exam N10-007 by Mike Meyers
CompTIA Network+ Study Guide: Exam N10-007 by Todd Lammle
CompTIA Network+ Deluxe Study Guide: Exam N10-007 by Jon Buhagiar

Mike Meyers is strong for broad understanding. Lammle is especially good if you want clearer networking explanations and stronger subnetting help.

Video courses

Professor Messer Network+ N10-007 course
Mike Meyers' Network+ course on Udemy or Total Seminars
Jason Dion Network+ course and practice exams

Professor Messer is concise and objective-focused. Mike Meyers is more conversational and practical. Jason Dion is useful for exam-style pacing and practice.

Labs and practice

For Network+, hands-on beats passive review.

Use:

Cisco Packet Tracer for basic switching, routing, VLANs, and topology behavior
Wireshark for packet inspection
A small home lab if possible: old router, managed switch, AP, spare laptop
Truekia practice questions — with 700 available, use them deliberately, not just for score chasing

When you miss a practice question, classify the miss:

Did you not know the fact?
Did you misunderstand the scenario?
Did you rush and miss a keyword?

That matters more than your raw percentage.

Vendor documentation and practical references

Use official docs selectively:

Cisco documentation for VLANs, STP, trunking, and routing basics
Wireshark documentation for filter basics
Microsoft documentation for ipconfig, name resolution, and Windows networking behavior
ISC DHCP or general DHCP/DNS references if those services are weak areas

You do not need to master vendor syntax. You do need to recognize how real devices behave.

How to use practice questions without fooling yourself

Practice questions are useful for N10-007 because CompTIA often tests your ability to choose the best answer, not just a technically possible one.

With a bank as large as 700 questions, do this instead of random drilling:

First pass: domain mode

Work by domain:

Networking Concepts
Infrastructure
Network Operations
Network Security
Troubleshooting and Tools

Do not move on until you can explain why each wrong answer is wrong.

Second pass: mixed mode

Once your domain scores stabilize, switch to mixed sets of 30–50 questions. This forces context switching, which is what the real exam does.

Third pass: timed mode

Run full-length timed sessions. Practice flagging and returning. CompTIA exams punish people who get stuck.

PBQ preparation

You cannot memorize PBQs exactly, but you can prepare for the patterns:

Match ports to services
Place devices in a topology
Troubleshoot IP configuration
Interpret switch/router output
Identify the best wireless fix
Apply ACL or segmentation logic

If a PBQ appears first, you do not have to finish it immediately. Many experienced candidates skip PBQs, answer the multiple-choice questions first, then return with the remaining time.

Exam-day tactics for the CompTIA format

A few practical habits make a real difference on Network+.

Before the exam

Be fresh on ports, subnetting, wireless standards, cable types, and troubleshooting steps.
Do one light review session. Not a six-hour cram.
If you test online, verify system requirements early. If you test at a center, arrive early.

During the exam

Expect PBQs early. Flag them if they look time-heavy.
Read the last line of the question first when scenarios are long. Know what they are asking before reading the story.
Watch for qualifiers: best, first, most secure, least disruptive, next step.
Eliminate distractors aggressively. CompTIA often gives two plausible answers and one is better because it fits process or scope.

Time management

A good rhythm is:

Quick pass through standard questions
Flag long or uncertain items
Return to PBQs and hard scenarios
Leave a few minutes for review

CompTIA-specific mindset

CompTIA likes answers that reflect structured support behavior:

Follow the troubleshooting process
Prefer documentation and change control where appropriate
Choose the least disruptive fix if the scenario suggests production impact
Think like a technician supporting a business, not like someone showing off obscure knowledge

Final review checklist

If you are scoring inconsistently, the usual weak spots on N10-007 are:

Subnetting under time pressure
VLAN/trunk/STP behavior
Wireless standards and interference
Security acronyms and control placement
Operations documentation and recovery terms
Tool selection in troubleshooting scenarios

Fix those, and the exam becomes much more predictable.

This is a very passable certification if you study the objectives in proportion to their weight and spend real time on troubleshooting. Treat it like a practical networking exam, not a vocabulary test.