A+ Certification

[ibex333]

Hello.

I want to get an A+ Certification, and before I start preparing for the test I'd like to know what areas I'm lacking in. I don't want to learn everything because I already know a large part of what the test contains. Anyway, I was wondering if anyone knows where I can get some sample tests, so I can pinpoint where I'm lacking the knowledge. I need recent tests not the outdated ones. Links please?

Also if anyone can recommend a good book or a resource, I'd really appreciate it.

Thank you.

 

[SoulAssassin]

Can I ask how old you are and what kind of job you're going for? Unless you're a teenager going for your first computer job doing desktop support it's not going to get you much.

 

[jonmcc33]

^^^True but it is a start and it's forever, unlike Cisco and Microsoft certs.

 

[Fritzo]

Favorite joke: I got a B- on my A+ test.

 

[ibex333]

Originally posted by: SoulAssassin
Can I ask how old you are and what kind of job you're going for? Unless you're a teenager going for your first computer job doing desktop support it's not going to get you much.

I am not a teenager. I'm a 25 year old bum who never had a job in his life. (in my defence that's because I have very poor health and I've been sick pretty much all my life)

I'm feeling a little better lately, and because I know computers, I thought I'd get certified. I know many will say to go to college, but I tried that in the past, and that didnt go well at all due to constant "sick leaves" and absences.

I'm not looking for a career or a high paying job. I'm looking for ANY computer job with ANY paycheck, and that's why I got interested in A+ Certification.

 

[SparkyJJO]

Originally posted by: Fritzo
Favorite joke: I got a B- on my A+ test.

lol

 

[Bateluer]

An A+ cert will get you a relatively low paying job in basic PC support. Some higher level jobs want their employees to have it as well.

In my case, one of the courses required for my degree is an A+ Prep course. Thats not exactly something I want to sit through since I already know most of it. By getting the A+ cert, I qualify for course credit. The school says I will still have to pay for the course, but I'll get an automatic A in the course by having the cert. This will free up that block of time for a more productive course.


Edit - It might not be a bad idea to go for your Network+ cert as well. Its not that difficult to get either.

 

[pstylesss]

IMO its a worthless cert that companies' HR departments who don't know any better require. Stuff on the A+ test was important 10 years ago. Most PC repair places will sit you in front of a computer and tell you to fix it. That will usually tell them if you're qualified.

 

[BradT]

I went through exactly what you are going through now. I heard exactly what you are hearing now as well. Everyone on here will say that it is useless. For awhile, I listened, but I eventually just took it. Yes, it is expensive. And yes if might not be terribly important on some upper level related jobs. However, it is another thing that you can add to your collection of pieces to put on a resume. In fact, many if not most (all in my area) require that you have the A+ cert. for their entry level jobs.

Just take it. It'll get your foot in the door.

 

[0roo0roo]

Originally posted by: ZeroIQ
IMO its a worthless cert that companies' HR departments who don't know any better require. Stuff on the A+ test was important 10 years ago. Most PC repair places will sit you in front of a computer and tell you to fix it. That will usually tell them if you're qualified.

it is sorta worthless, but it saves hr from having to basically give you an a+ test themselves no?

 

[nageov3t]

I'll let you know in a couple months

my company just brought in a new guy to oversee all of my company's nocs across the world (previous the chain of command was, in each noc, shift team leader -> that noc's manager -> CTO... now it's going to be team leader -> noc's manager -> overall noc manager -> CTO).

anyways... one of the new policy's he's instituting is requiring everyone to at least have a min. of A+ cert. pretty sure it's to stop a couple of the managers from just hiring random friends/family members and hoping it works out for the best.

 

[Apple Of Sodom]

Please please please...if you get an A+ Certificate, do NOT sign your emails with it like it is a credential. I hate it when people do that and it makes others think that YOU think A+ is great/important/hard to get/etc.

AoS

 

[Boztech]

I had to take the Depot Technician A+ for a previous job in field services. It's not as simple as some would let on. Funny, I find usually that these are the same people who couldn't tell you the functional differences between all the SCSI or RAID types, who think they are "above" the A+ certs.

 

[Marinski]

I have A+ cert. It was a waste of time a money. Didn't help me get a job.

 

[keeleysam]

I was bored so I took it a couple years ago, no studying, my job isn't in IT, and it was honestly the easiest test I've ever taken. It was boring.

 

[NoShangriLa]

I got mine A+ in 1999 beside MCSE after a CS degrees and it look impressive on the resume, but wasn't a requirement to get a job or pay raises. A+ & MCSE was the buzz word at the height of .com era, but become worthless along with .bomb crash.

No education is bad, but IMHO it is better to spend that time & money on something else that may produce better employment result if that is your goal.

Try part time schooling and/or on line learning, and you can take courses from ivy league schools with out the need to attend classes.

 

[nageov3t]

I've always kinda felt like having the intro-level certs don't particularly help you, but not having them can indeed hurt.

 

[amdhunter]

Originally posted by: ibex333

Originally posted by: SoulAssassin
Can I ask how old you are and what kind of job you're going for? Unless you're a teenager going for your first computer job doing desktop support it's not going to get you much.

I am not a teenager. I'm a 25 year old bum who never had a job in his life. (in my defence that's because I have very poor health and I've been sick pretty much all my life)

I'm feeling a little better lately, and because I know computers, I thought I'd get certified. I know many will say to go to college, but I tried that in the past, and that didnt go well at all due to constant "sick leaves" and absences.

I'm not looking for a career or a high paying job. I'm looking for ANY computer job with ANY paycheck, and that's why I got interested in A+ Certification.

Heh, getting my A+ got me a contractor job with Time Warner cable back in the day. To this day, the contractors in Manhattan are DYING for A+ techs to do the modem/phone installs, and are desperately looking for help.

If you do end up getting your A+, I can give you the number to a cable company that will start you $13/hr to train, then $15 when you start on the field on your own. (Usually after 4 weeks.) Plus, you make incentive for every job, and can milk the shit out of overtime.

Since you are in Brooklyn I can get the info for you, but you definitely need your A+ for it.

 

[SpunkyJones]

I don't have much use for the A+, but in the OP's specific situation, having it would be more helpful than not.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: ZeroIQ
IMO its a worthless cert that companies' HR departments who don't know any better require. Stuff on the A+ test was important 10 years ago. Most PC repair places will sit you in front of a computer and tell you to fix it. That will usually tell them if you're qualified.

Unfortunately without A+ cert, those same people will not give you a talk back.

A+ is a good start, but I'd just go for MVP or MCSE. If you like the net side then CCNA or the new CCNIT (or something).

 

[ibex333]

Ehhh... Thanx for your replies guys, but I'm still waiting for someone to recommend some training books if you know of any, and some links where I can get sample tests.

 

[MBony]

I have A+, it can also be used as an elective for MCSA along with Network+. So there is something good about it.

 

[vailr]

I'd recommend the LearnKey (Mike Meyers) instructional videos.
The recently revised A+ certification exams now include 4 components, instead of the previous 2.
So, you're correct in wanting the newest study materials.

 

[Jadow]

not a great cert, but it's better than nothing and will automatically put you ahead of the peeps without one, and it's for life, which is nice.

I recommend Network + before A+ actually.

 

[Verse914]

The A+ is nice to have as I have seen alot of companies looking for it as a requirement. It may not be a big help in jobs higher than a PC Support Tech, but it doesnt hurt at all.

I used the Transcender discs from school and i got a 840 out of 900 on my A+ IT Technician app...did great on my A+ Essentials too...I took the A+ exams this summer. Here is a link to the Transcender website, but I got mine from school for $50 each...
http://www.transcender.com/dept.aspx?dept%5Fid=110100

The transcender discs were very helpful and Im glad I got them. Definitely $100 worth spending.