Here’s How Long You'll Need to Study for the Linux+ Certification Exam

by Ross Heintzkill | Published on September 12, 2022

The Linux+ is an IT certification from CompTIA meant for relatively junior IT professionals looking to prove all-around familiarity with managing and securing Linux. Whether you work in development, cybersecurity or network and systems administration, earning Linux+ proves you can configure and manage the Linux OS in the cloud, on a server, or on a mobile device or desktop. You'll first have to pass the XK0-004, an exam that tests four distinct areas of Linux administration. 

Everyone wants to know how long it takes to prepare for the XK0-004 and what you should do to prepare for it. So CBT Nuggets polled 220 IT professionals via Twitter, LinkedIn, and over email. We took that data and combined it with information we already had about how long learners take to get through the CompTIA Linux+ online training from CBT Nuggets.

What we found says that training can make all the difference: Many people only needed a few weeks to get ready for Linux+. But about the same amount of respondents needed more than 5 months. It all comes down to the training and experience you bring to the table on test day.

How long did most people need to study for the Linux+ cert?

With 220 responses, you wouldn't expect the exact same number of people to say it took them less than 6 weeks to prepare for the XK0-004 as the number of people who said it took them more than 5 months. And yet, that's what we found. It took 26% of IT professionals with their Linux+ less than 6 weeks to prepare and it took another 26% more than 5 months. The remaining 48% were evenly split between under 3 months and over 3 months. The difference in study time lies in how you prepare.

People with no experience with Linux and no way to prepare for the XK0-004 other than self study will probably take more than 5 months to prepare for the Linux+. But if you have a guided course of study that gives you first-hand experience with the operating system in a number of different settings, you could take less than 6 weeks to prepare for the XK0-004. 

People with no experience with Linux and no way to prepare for the XK0-004 other than self study will probably take more than 5 months to prepare for the Linux+. But if you have a guided course of study that gives you first-hand experience with the operating system in a number of different settings, you could take less than 6 weeks to prepare for CompTIA’s Linux+ exam. 

But even the best online course won't be worth it if you don't stay faithful to your study routine. CBT Nuggets Senior Coach Molly Billow understands the difficulty of making a study habit that sticks. 

"If the same behaviors are repeated, you create new neural pathways," Billow says. She tells learners that creating a habit — by studying at the same time every day and rewarding yourself — is key. "If it's repeated often enough, a new habit is formed."

How should you prepare for the Linux+ (XK0-004) exam? 

The XK0-004 exam is mostly focused on working with servers running Linux. In order to prepare for it, you need to study Linux security, kernel modules, storage & virtualization, device management at the enterprise level, git & automation, firewalls, and master the command line interface. The CBT Nuggets CompTIA Linux+ online course covers each and every topic on the XK0-004 while giving you lots of opportunities to practice, which is the most important part of preparing for CompTIA certification tests.

According to Samantha Matta, a CBT Nuggets coach, a good way to prepare for the Linux+ is with other certifications that can precede it. 

"If you have completed CompTIA A+, CompTIA Network+ and CompTIA Server+ this is a good next step in the process," Matta says. "This course takes you from the ground up. It’s a good course to jump into even if you have no prior experience with Linux."

RELATED: This Free Linux Command Cheat Sheet Will Help You Navigate the Command Line Like a Pro

Tips to make sure you’re test-ready before Linux+ exam day:

Training and practice are the most important parts of exam prep because CompTIA exams aren't designed to test how much information you've memorized – they're designed to test your ability to actually perform. 

Learn from the experts

Learn from a Linux expert who understands what’s on the test and the best ways to prepare for it. Being hand-guided through the XK0-004 prep is the best way to ensure it doesn't take you more than 5 months to prepare for Linux+.

Use virtual labs

Virtual labs like the ones included in a CBT Nuggets subscription supplement your video training by providing a simulated environment that actually runs commands, so you can see what they do in a network that functions just like a real one.

Test yourself using practice exams

Make sure it doesn’t take 5 months to prepare for the XK0-004 with a practice exam. That way, you can stop studying the sections you already know well enough and focus on the areas where you need more work.