A+, N+, and other cert questions

[HobbesAB]

I'm looking into getting these certs but I would rather not have to spend the money on new study material. A buddy of mine has books that he used but they are 2-3 years old. Will these materials be sufficient or have the tests been updated more recently than this to reflect newer technology and/or advancements??

thanks for the help.

By the way, I know they're worthless but I want them merely as resume filler. I graduated with a BS in chemistry and I recently joined the IT dept after spending 5 years in R&D. I am going back to school this winter to finish my BS in Computer Science. I am already more than halfway there and I expect to finish in 1.5-2 years due to the school's degree continuation program. In the interim, I wanted to make myself more competitive by getting these certs.

Any other certs worth getting?? Also how valuable is the MCSD cert??

Thanks again.

 

[notfred]

You're going to have two science degrees and you think anyone's gonig to give a crap about A+? Do you want to work at best buy installing video cards or something?

 

[thenerdguy]

the A+ test changes lafter this year. I think that its dropping dos and win95 and covers a little of win98. it is supposed to focus on win2000 and winxp. The hardware is supposed to be the same. Im taking my A+ cert test the last week of this month.

 

[Dracos]

I was thinking of getting my Network + and RHCE later in the year just have to get the funds together for that RHCE class......$2500...whoo got that lying around somewhere...

 

[HobbesAB]

The certs are merely filler in the interim - I don't have my BS in computer science YET. Also, I unfortunately work in an area in which management prefers the certs and degrees - I have my BS in chemistry so that helped me in my careeer change. However, in order to advance, I need to meet certain levels of qualifications in order to apply for the higher paying, more advanced positions so in the short term I need the certs - I don't want to tread water if I can swim a little further upstream while working on my computer science degree. In 2 years, my computer science degree combined with all of my work experience as well as the certs will make me a very strong candidate.

So back to the original question, are the tests still based on material from a couple years back?? I was aware of the A+ update in June so I already took and passed the Hardware test earlier today. I'm taking the OS exam on Tuesday.

Are the N+ and MCSE and MCSD exams still based on earlier information?? When were they last updated??

Thanks.