A+ or Network+?

[Wellcky]

Which cert. would be a better choice for a newbie to have who's just getting into the IS field(s)?

edit: ..or should they just look directly to MCSE?

 

[Robor]

You might look into the MCSA first. It's 4 courses rather than the MCSE's 7 and you can always get an MCSE after an MCSA.

 

[IJump]

Or you could take the Net+ and A+ as part of the MCSA. MS allows those two tests to be used as one of the electives in the MCSA. Then you end up with 4 certifications:

A+
Net+
MCP (I know, I know, but it is still a cert.)
MCSA

 

[Tarca]

Like Ijump said plus don't you need server+ for that MCSA?

The thing about going the A+... route is you have a solid foundation to build each cert off of. The only reason you would not is if you want to save money.

My office will look at your certs and does not frown on A+ being one of them. In fact they require that all techs are A+ certified so that they can get recognition for it.

 

[IJump]

<< Like Ijump said plus don't you need server+ for that MCSA? >>



Net+ & A+ or Server+ & A+

If you take Server+, you won't need Net+

MS MCSA Requirements

 

[Baldy18]

I'm going through the same thing right now and I do have my Network+ certification. I would also have A+ certification but I failed the OS test. Bunch of gay crap on that test about if you wanted to find this or that configuration screen what route would you take to get there....blah>blah>blah>blah. I know how to get there if you put it in front of me but I can't tell you off my head. Stupid test if you ask me. I have also taken a few of the MCSE classes but did not take any of the tests. Personally I am just looking for a PC repair job and nothing more but finding a job like that without starting your own place is hard to come by. Working at McDonalds is starting to piss me off.:|

 

[Zim Hosein]

<< Working at McDonalds is starting to piss me off. >>



Agreed Baldy18, but I suppose we both have to work while we strive for what we want. I don't work at McDonalds, but I do have a "crappy" retail job

 

[bot2600]

I would also like to mention, if you take the MCSA track that the new 70-218 test is not very hard. I took it early when it first came out and went ahead and blinded it, there werent any books or practice tests yet and I passed it. I dont know my score, all you get is a pass or a fail, but it didnt seem all that hard. I didnt get to be a charter member though, I wasnt quite fast enough. That leaves me with MCSD, MCDBA and MCSA.

 

[Tarca]

<<

<< Like Ijump said plus don't you need server+ for that MCSA? >>



Net+ & A+ or Server+ & A+

If you take Server+, you won't need Net+

MS MCSA Requirements >>



Thanks for the clarification on that Ijump

I hate that about MS exams... no score... how do I know how close I came... That pissed me off when I went and took the XP test and failed.

Oh that A+ OS test sucked too... like baldy said I can find it, but hell if I can tell you how to get there Just like when your driving in the car with your wife... I know where I'm going

 

[IJump]

<< Just like when your driving in the car with your wife... I know where I'm going >>




That works for you? :Q

 

[Crazee]

He didn't say it worked, just that he uses it

 

[Eltano1]

Iy you pass any of the MCSA OR MCSE test you are a MCP (just one test)

Eltano

 

[Tarca]

<< He didn't say it worked, just that he uses it >>




You got that right...


That reminds me I need to right a book: Women are like Hard Drives, Men are like Ram.

 

[Stallion]

I just had my last A+ class yesterday. I took the hardware test and passes pretty easily but I'm not to sure about the software part not looking forward to that at all.

I was thinking about taking the Net+ class net but heard that the cisco classes incorperate alot of the net+. not sure if that's right by what I have read here though.

 

[Wellcky]

Thanks for all the input guy/gals.

 

[Baldy18]

Stallion- The Cisco program would deffinetly be more than enough for you to pass the Network+ test. However, taking network plus first can be a big help if you are fairly new to networking and the way network protocols work. Otherwise the Cisco program can be a lot to digest at once.

Also before you take the software part of the A+ test spend a day or two just navigating around Widows 95/98/2000 and finding the different ways to get to configuration screens such as take manager and MMC (make sure you know several paths to such screens). Also notice the different names that different versions of Windows give to items in the control pannel.

I personally am morally objected to things that are "busy work" or teach "book Knowledge" but provide very little real world help or experience, so this test really pisses me off.:|

 

[Assimilator1]

Thats not encouraging Baldy! ,I'm doing a home study A+ course ,I'm gonna be taking the Hardware exam soon ,the OS latter on
Now all I need to do is to stop coming on here so often & get on with my work!:Q

Tarca
My office will look at your certs and does not frown on A+ being one of them. In fact they require that all techs are A+ certified so that they can get recognition for it.

That's good to hear (even if you are in the USA) ,the sooner I ditch being a mechanic & go into IT the better!

 

[oslama]

how hard is A+, especailly for a intermidiate knowledge of pcs.

i took the sample test on sybex A+ etrainer and flunked the hardware part (old school questions about microchannel,irq hex and vesa/isa compatibility)

i can build/configure a small network and have 3 yr of retail experience.

 

[Baldy18]

oslama- The test changed at the end of March and some of the old school stuff got replaced with Windows 2000 type questions so that should help you with that. I didn't think the hardware one was hard at all but then again I'm sort of a hardware junkie. My best advice is to get a computer repair book (basically any will work but preffereable one geared towards the A+ program), read it through and then take as many sample tests as you can. It really isn't that hard.

Now I need to get studying for that OS test (<--gay) so I can get me a job.