You absolutely need to strengthen your linux skills - there's no way around, without those you will waste time working on small problems! A good, practical way to go: Throw away your Windows desktop, replace it with a Linux one and master your daily work   - by this you'll automatically get in touch with bash scripting.

An additional language like Python (and/or basic C knowledge) is quite useful, but I think your time frame (until beginning of your labtime) is probably too small.

Your networking skills are a good basis and are more than enough to pwn through the lab/exam.

Regards.

MTux - I'm great at using other people's code and editing it for my environment. In my work I've 'written' dozens of scripts in many languages that just take examples from many places and mash them together to fit my needs.

Would you consider being able to dissect any given language for simple programs enough to go forward without worry?

I spent about 5 hours today at work going through Linux basics. At the end of the day I had this conversation:

Me: "This is damn boring. I've spent all day learning about basic tools. Here's a screwdriver - It drives screws. This is a hammer - You hold it like this." Etc...

Boss: "Yeah, I hear you. I gave up trying to learn about Linux a few years ago."

Me: "Yeah. But at least when I get done learning how to use the tools I get the chance to make bombs with them"

Boss: "Okay. That's Cool."

Yes should be enough, you do not need to know every language in detail  ... Then, try to focus on the linux part, which is more important.

Regards.

Tell me about it! Most of my day is Powershell or IOS.