A+ Certification

[groovepapa]

There's gotta be some people out there who are A+ certified...

How much is the test, what all does it cover?

I'm looking to get A+ certified, but I heard it was about $800. That must have included a training course, right? What is the process involved in getting A+ certified? I've built/fixed/re-built PC's now for about a year...would I need a course too, or just a few good textbooks? Thanks...

 

[Adul]

i had a book from exam cram for my A+. I barely even looked at the bok wheni took my test. it was in two parts and cost 130 each test. Or was it ~140? well something liek that.

 

[ojai00]

I'm looking to get A+ certified as well. I have Michael Meyers A+ Certification Exam Guide. However, I haven't gotten around to reading it yet. In the introduction, he mentions that the certification test now includes operating systems, so you would have to study that as well. I've seen good reviews on his book. People who have bought his book have also bought an exam cram study guide, so you might want to look into that. As for the test, I think it's around $100...I think (double-check that...). Good luck on getting your certification.

 

[CaptianScooby]

im going for it too and the test is about 125 dollars and the books and videos I have cost me about 400 dollars. LearnKey makes good stuff and the book you want is A+ All-In-One Certification Exam Guide by Mike Myers
have fun and I hope to see you inn the field some day

 

[CaptianScooby]

CompTiawill have all the info you want because they administer the test and give the certification

 

[vi edit]

Go to local book store. Buy A+ study guide for $30. Read. Review.

Got to local Comp TIA testing center, take test. Like Adul said, it'll cost you a little under $300 for both tests.

IMHO, the A+ isn't worth it. It was valued "back in the day", when PC's were first becoming popular, but anymore it just isn't a very highly reguarded cert.

I most certainly would not pay $800 for the training. If you've had any indepth experience using computer equipment and troubleshooting them you'll know 75% of the questions without needing a study guide anyway. The rest are just nitpicky things. It used to be questions on the working parts of a laser printer, but I think they've revamped it some.

 

[groovepapa]

The reason I'm wanting to do it is because I've heard that you can use your A+ ID to get parts from companies for computers that are still under warranty....I'd like to be able to at least repair my own computer(s) that are under warranty, and also to be able to repair my friends' computers for them....does anyone know if Gateway or Dell or whoever will let you request warranty replacement parts if you're not A+ certified?

 

[vi edit]

I can't say I've EVER been asked if I was A+ certified before having replacement parts shipped out to me. I've worked with Dell, Gateway, Compaq, and a whole slew of tier 3 resellers. Not a single tech has ever asked if I had been A+ approved before sending out parts.

You may be confusing this with something else. At one time Dell and Compaq required techs doing repairs as a business to be Dell or Compaq certified before the Dell or Compaq would allow you to be an authorized repair technician. But that's as an operating business. Not a guy trying to replace a hard drive in his home PC.

 

[Demonicon]

I'm A+ certified and work for a Authorized Reseller, and I can say that I had to pass exams from the major computer companies (IBM, Dell, Compaq, HP, Toshiba, etc.) before I could order parts and repair machines still under warranty(your shop at the very least will have to have someone certified with the certain mfg., to be able to order, much less replace parts under warranty.

That is what I know, I can't speak to what you can and can't do on your own with the major manufacturers. I need to be an authorized repair technician, because of warranty reimbursement and all that good happy stuff.

 

[MWink]

<< The reason I'm wanting to do it is because I've heard that you can use your A+ ID to get parts from companies for computers that are still under warranty....I'd like to be able to at least repair my own computer(s) that are under warranty, and also to be able to repair my friends' computers for them....does anyone know if Gateway or Dell or whoever will let you request warranty replacement parts if you're not A+ certified? >>



I have NEVER heard of this. I don't think it is true.

As for the test, it is easy as pi squared multiplyed by 34 divided by 2.12321. Seriously, it is really easy. My rich relatives bought me a $800+ pile of books that I hardly opened. They were of absolutely no use. I could have taken the test never touching a book about it and passed with flying colors. The best tip I can give is, give it the answer THEY WANT to hear (even if you know it is not really true).

 

[mboy]

I took a class over the summer. (used computers for long time, but never opened or built one myself before that), Never got around to taking the tests, just read up on the net on a bunch of places and learned a TON from Anandtech.
Now I am a Network Admin for a manufacturing company and I have yet to take the test. I never will I imagine. But I will eventually get my MCSE and most likely CCNA within a couple of yrs.
GO straigt to MCSE and dont bother with A+ if you can build a computer already.

 

[PlatinumGold]

there are 2 a+ exams about $125 each.

not difficult, some of the DOS stuff might get some of you younguns out there.

at least on the current exam they've removed all the Win 3.1 stuff. what a waste of time that stuff was.

 

[BD231]

What is MCSE?. Im 17 and im ready to start my computer career but I dont really know where to start. I built my first computer when I was 12 and ever since then have been completely hooked on computers. Im positive I could pass the A+ test with no trouble at all, but I guess its a waste. Can any of you give me an Idea, or more so, a direction to head in?

 

[jcmkk]

So I can get A+ certification even though I'm only 16?

 

[BD231]

Of course you can, why would there be an age limit?

 

[jcmkk]

I just figured that you had to atleast have some college training. It is not like I can get a job to use the certifications now, but it would still be a cool accomplishment. That is for MCSE (Microsoft Certified System Engineer) certification. By the way, how much does it cost to get MCSE certification?

 

[CStroman]

I can get A+ training sponsored by my school. They only give three scholarships a year, and I was the fourth person last year; they gave the scholarships to the older people.

 

[darktyco]

Hehe, heck no. I got my A+ and Network+ certs last year while I was in high school. All you have to do is take a test showing that you know the stuff. Lucky for me the school payed for one of my tests in full!

 

[groovepapa]

So I should be able to call Gateway and ask for a replacement DVD drive even if I'm not A+ certified? Will they ask me to ship them the bad one, or what?