A+ Certification

I'm not too sure if I'm on the good section but it's the only that seems appropriate.

So I'd need infos from people who got their certifications (or are training toward it). I'm planning to try to get it this year (maybe summer?).

When I checked at the prices, I though it was a bit pricy (from the offical store, $140 for the Essentials + 220-602 books) and $163 for each exams. When I looked at amazon , I saw many books (2006 or 2007 edition) that are far, far, far more cheaper (like $60 for All in One edition). I was wondering, are these quality books or BS compared to the "official ones" ?

I also saw the current expiration date for the vouchers is June 30th. Does that mean that the "2008 edition" will start from there or it's just a standard expiration date and there will be new ones after? I don't really feel like starting the 2006 edition now and be in a "bad" position (although I doubt there will be much difference, except Windows 2000 being replaced by Vista ).

Thanks!

 

you don't have to spend lots of money on books. this test is easy. if you can build yourself a computer and get everything working, you are half way there.

 

That's what I though. I got 7/10 on the practice test for Essentials & 6/10 for 220-602. Questions I missed were some useless things as for today like "He's using a very old printer, what kind of parallel port is he likely to use?"

The ethics questions were just logic.

I think I might setup on a $40 all in one book, and find informations on the internet if something in the objective list is missing.

Do you know of a good one that is also based on a CD? (like a flash based training, like those for the MCSE?)

 

There are many guides online for free for A+ certification. I would also buy a book from Amazon or something... no need to spend so much on "official" books. Also, the vouchers are just like movie tickets that let you get into the test... they just expire so you can't hold on to them forever. Sometimes you can find vouchers much cheaper that are about to expire, and as long as you use them you saved some money.

 

The A+ test is Half Common sense(trick questions out the ***) and Half knowledge from studying(mostly studying old stuff). Brush up on you Printer & Network knowledge. That's what kills people on the test.

PM me if you want some good study stuff.

 

Hmm okay thanks guys.

Is the voucher valid for both test or I need one for each (at 2x$164, I think I will skip the A+ test and already go for the MSCE one.....).

I did both Essentials & IT sample test on the website and frankly, none of those 10 questions are relevant to whither the guy is competent at fixing problems or not.

 

i've been thinking about getting certified just to make a little cash with my hobby, started with this site and branched out from there.

http://certification.about.com/cs/aresources/a/aplusguide.htm

 

Certification isn't to prove to yourself that you know stuff, it's to prove to other people that you do. Depending on your age and work experience, a certification can help you out quite a bit. Of course if it's easy to you, there's really no harm in taking it, because that means you know that stuff. The fact that there's a test for it means that others don't know it.

 

Its one of those things that looks good on a resume and is easy to do. I was able to pass it with general knowledge and a $40 A+ Certification for Dummies book. You don't need the official books to pass the test.

 

Okay thanks again

@Orev. Yup that's what I though. But I'll only be 17 next month, finishing high school this year. Natural Sciences at college next year. (2 years, then Comp Eng ). I think I should do it not too late from now. Then get a good job for April-August. I don't wanna work at Mcdonald's lol.
I know that pretty every technician jobs in Quebec city needs the certifcation . Even to install VGAs and RAM at FutureShop.

I'll look for the book at my city's public library (they now have free membership in Quebec). They probably have that book in the English section.

EDIT: That for dummies one?

 

I am in the same position JCMS. I am not sure exactly which one to take as I just want to do service calls, installs, and customer support. I plan to do business with emphasis on IT systems. Is the simple dual test starter worth it? or should I just bump to the next step?

Essentials + 602 is what I am looking at now for just some local job or Geek Squad, etc.

 

I think that's probably what I'm gonna do. But it costs money >_>

 

From my experiences...

Firstly, most of the computer-related certifications are easy to obtain, just need some cash and do an reading of the text the night before the test.

Getting certificates are very short-term in their validity (since you are required to renew them)... as compared to a full degree (Bachelor's)...

If you are wanting to work for someone else or some place, then getting an certification will get you there.... thats it.

If you want to do your own housecalls and business... certifications are worthless.

It will be your experience, knowledge, your track record, and most importantly.... your passion/enjoyment that will make you successful.

If you are doing it just for the money, then you will find that you will not be better than the next guy that is actually passionate about his work... which shows when he wants to be more up to date with his interests and more productive since it would not feel boring.

I am that "next guy" if you are wondering, I enjoy my consultation so much, that I would not care if I got paid... as long as learned something and feel like I helped someone... especially if I know that they could not afford bringing their computers into a repair place (that rips you off... like Geek Squad).

This is the basis for my future.

If done correctly, I will be in Forbes and Fortune within 2 years.... and then you will know my identity.

Hope this helps,
-Gophn

 

Not so fast. Certifications are useful, maybe even more so in this case, especially if you are just starting out. How is a potential customer going to know that you're worth something? Any schmo will take you at your word, but those aren't the kind of people that will get you the big business later on. Someone who is more discerning will want some sort of credentials.

Yes, passion for something helps, and it's always good to like what you do. Also important is staying grounded in reality. I don't read Forbes, but I would be surprised if they put some guy who does PC consulting in it.

 

I am the same way as you Gophn, my only issue is that soon I will be on my own and while I work on BA then MA, I have to make money to pay for it all. TY for all your input, I will go out for the basic essntial+levl1.

 

The A+ is for life. I think the Network+ is too.

I think it's the Cisco certs that you have to keep renewing.

Not sure about the MS tests.

QFT!!!!!!!

Good Luck

BTW ..... I'm taking my A+ this Monday coming up.

Been taking "Pass4sure" and "Transcender" tests over and over.

 

Live: How long have you studied for? Like a double read of the guides or some serious studying? I am going to go grab a guide off Amazon in a bit, so I am just thinking about the amount of time I should expect. I usually read and am ready, but I just want to see how others been doing it. Also, which guide did you use/recommend?

 

Guys,

Oh boy I did done with A+ Certification back in July 2000 and I got two awards pix below.





Pride and lots of fun.

Dg

 

I been studying since Nov off & on. I was told my friends who also took it, that the practice exams I listed on previous posts cover at least 65% of the test.

If you know your basic hardware, networking, and OS stuff .....then you should past. Also you have to train yourself how to take a test, cause I ran into a lot of trick questions on the practice exams.

I also personally know people that past just buy reading A+ for dummies and/or the Micheal Myers A+ book.

 

I've been passing history/geography/economics exams with 90%+ just by awnsering the most logicial awnser. Are those thests similar >_> (because they aren't in physics or chemestry xd)

 

Somewhat, but you will definitely need to know some specifics.

 

My average on those were 8's of the Comptia site, I had a couple 10's and some 7's.... so I guess I know where to flip to. I have learned more today then I learned last week at school.

 

Same. Most of the questions I missed were some pretty useless stuff. Like putting the // inside of the other one. I, unfortunately, don't know how to do the other board on a french canadian keyboard so lol. It works anyway.

 

Just passed the first part(essentials) with a score of 810/900. Going to take the second half in probably a week or so.

BTW .... Half the questions on the test were exactly the same questions on the "Pass4Sure" Practice exams.

 

Nice

whats the passin grade?

 

Passing grade is 675.

 

675/900. That shouldn't be that bad.

EDIT: I just did one of the pass4sure 601 and I got 65 lol. There are too many useless questions that I missed. I missed things like, "how many pins on a SVGA connector", or "What is the minimum requirement for Windows XP" (I missed since it was boosted with SP2 >_>, I didn't know the SP0 numbers lol)

 

do they still focus printer repair in a big way??
back in the 90's they had quite a few questions about printer repair, laser printers in particular.

just curious,
bigozone

 

Yes there was some. I think I'll be waiting for the new edition, since the current edition is Windows 2000 and XP SP0/1 and I don't really know them. I guess there should be a new edition soon with SP2 & Vista. I don't really care about the commandlines of a Windows 2000 boot diskette.