A+ Cert advice

dxkj

Lifer
Feb 17, 2001
11,772
2
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I've done user support for Windows for 5 yrs during college and I work on a helpdesk right now (bleh)


Anyway, going to be taking the OS half of the test with little or no studying. I got away with that on the hardware and passed VERY easily, but Im not sure about what they might try to trip me up with on the Os test..


Any advice from those who took A+ in the last few years, and ran into a few tricky questions on the OS exam that they might not have been prepared for?
 

Scarpozzi

Lifer
Jun 13, 2000
26,392
1,780
126
I think they just ask a lot of DOS and Windows questions. I don't remember cause I got mine back in 2001... Jump in there and give it a try...you'll probably pass with no prob if you do windows support. Just go with your instincts on most questions and don't second guess yourself.;)
 

BriGy86

Diamond Member
Sep 10, 2004
4,537
1
91
i got asked a lot of NT questions and did better on the software than hardware
 

AdamSnow

Diamond Member
Nov 21, 2002
5,736
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Originally posted by: Mildlyamused
why bother? so you can work at staples and feel better than others....?

I dont even do anything related to actual "tech work" any more and my A+ is still valued compared to someone who doesnt have it.

Its the industry standard showing you know what your talking about. Just like a diploma -anyone can know their stuff... but the guy with the paper is going to get the job in most cases.
 

Vette73

Lifer
Jul 5, 2000
21,503
9
0
Originally posted by: AdamSnow
Originally posted by: Mildlyamused
why bother? so you can work at staples and feel better than others....?

I dont even do anything related to actual "tech work" any more and my A+ is still valued compared to someone who doesnt have it.

Its the industry standard showing you know what your talking about. Just like a diploma -anyone can know their stuff... but the guy with the paper is going to get the job in most cases.


Correct. I know a pile but don;t have my certs so people with certs will get at least a interview, me I am still looking. :(
 

dxkj

Lifer
Feb 17, 2001
11,772
2
81
Originally posted by: Marlin1975
Originally posted by: AdamSnow
Originally posted by: Mildlyamused
why bother? so you can work at staples and feel better than others....?

I dont even do anything related to actual "tech work" any more and my A+ is still valued compared to someone who doesnt have it.

Its the industry standard showing you know what your talking about. Just like a diploma -anyone can know their stuff... but the guy with the paper is going to get the job in most cases.


Correct. I know a pile but don;t have my certs so people with certs will get at least a interview, me I am still looking. :(




1) The Company is FORCING me to get A+ Certified... I have a BS in Compsci from a 4yr school already, this is just a label thing

2) They are paying for it

3) I got a 23% raise in advance and Senior Level title in advance, and I have to pass these to keep it. This is just an excuse the company is using to advance me so quickly compared to others who arent very good and have been passed over for advancement


That out of the way, nothing tricky yet :)


 

Audiotherapy

Senior member
Apr 21, 2004
471
0
0
Originally posted by: BriGy86
i hear cisco certs are the ones to get

yeah thats what those ppl tell you at those tech training center, ask them how many years of real world Cisco experience they have and how much they made...


 

BriGy86

Diamond Member
Sep 10, 2004
4,537
1
91
Originally posted by: audiotherapy
Originally posted by: BriGy86
i hear cisco certs are the ones to get

yeah thats what those ppl tell you at those tech training center, ask them how many years of real world Cisco experience they have and how much they made...

i have a feeling you know more than your telling :p
 

kami333

Diamond Member
Dec 12, 2001
5,110
2
76
Originally posted by: Mildlyamused
Originally posted by: dxkj
Originally posted by: Mildlyamused
why bother? so you can work at staples and feel better than others....?

lol, moron


Can't you get an MCSE cert with out an A+ certification?


Yes, they are completely different. But the A+ is relatively cheap and easy to get so why not get it, then enjoy the benefits (how ever slight they are) while you work on your MCSE?
 

dxkj

Lifer
Feb 17, 2001
11,772
2
81
Originally posted by: kami333
Originally posted by: Mildlyamused
Originally posted by: dxkj
Originally posted by: Mildlyamused
why bother? so you can work at staples and feel better than others....?

lol, moron


Can't you get an MCSE cert with out an A+ certification?


Yes, they are completely different. But the A+ is relatively cheap and easy to get so why not get it, then enjoy the benefits (how ever slight they are) while you work on your MCSE?



The A+ costs 182 dollars total, I think I can pass it without studying, and my work REQUIRED that I get the A+ within 60 days, so I really have no choice.
 

RagingBITCH

Lifer
Sep 27, 2003
17,618
2
76
O/S will ask you a lot of stupid sh!t about certain switches and commands that you'll never ever use in a real world environment. It's an otherwise easy test though.
 

Vette73

Lifer
Jul 5, 2000
21,503
9
0
Originally posted by: RagingBITCH
O/S will ask you a lot of stupid sh!t about certain switches and commands that you'll never ever use in a real world environment. It's an otherwise easy test though.


Yep that is why I do not want to take it yet. A pile of questions are things I have not had to do since Win98 (or even dos) days. So all the current and "new" stuff is nothing, its all the legacy junk

 

BriGy86

Diamond Member
Sep 10, 2004
4,537
1
91
Originally posted by: MaverickBP
dos is no longer in the testing either

i don't remember dos when i took it back in march either

it had a lot of NT stuff, and then the survey afterwards asked if i had ever used NT, i put no

so they may be taking out NT on future tests
 

TWills

Senior member
Jan 31, 2005
905
0
0
Originally posted by: RagingBITCH
O/S will ask you a lot of stupid sh!t about certain switches and commands that you'll never ever use in a real world environment. It's an otherwise easy test though.

It's the truth. They ask you too much about antique stuff like dos boot processes and windows 3.11 file management. I don't think there was a single winxp question in my test.:( Also memorize the important DMA's and IRQ's just to be safe...