Anybody get A+ certified?

[intogamer]

I would like to take the A+ Certification as something to accomplish. I'll be 16 next year and it could possibly help for a job I guess. If it doesn't the oh well...

I feel that my weakness is remembering commands and networking. I never had to setup a router etc. But I wouldn't have any problems figuring out how to do it.

Questions like...
-Which IP class is 200.168.212.226?
-Which connector is used on a parallel port?
-Which of the following provides the ability to mask internal IP addresses while mapping those addresses to a common external IP address?
-Which of the following files can load drivers during boot-up for Windows 98?

With that said, I can do what most the ATOTers can do. Build a rig, know which software to use, specifications of stuff...

I mean all a PC technician needs to do is upgrade parts, and remove spyware right? Some of the questions are noobish and I wouldn't know. But I would be able to get a task done regardless. For example, I wouldn't know the name of the specific connector for a parallel port. But I know what the hell it looks like, it wouldn't even be a problem recognizing it.

My question is would a PC enthusiast like myself be able to pass the test? I feel after taking the sample questions that the test deals somespecific acronyms and questions I wouldn't know.

 

[Leros]

I took all those classes while in high school just for fun, never bothered to take any of the exams. Technically I could be A+, MSCE and Cisco (or whatever, I cant remember the exact name of the certifications) certified right now.

Most people in those classes were not college bound and got decent IT jobs when they graduated high school.

And to answer your question, no you will probably not be able to pass the tests. You don't know all the material, although most of the material you still need to learn will be rather useless to you.

 

[manlymatt83]

A+ certification doesn't mean jack in my opinion UNLESS its someone your age... it might help get the foot in the door for you if you want to get a job somewhere for the Summer or something.

I'd say go for it... but a test doesn't mean much in my opinion, I'd much rather just know that I know the information. If an employer wanted to hire me based on a test, I'd say forget it.

 

[mobobuff]

I've been A+ certified for about 5 years now. What has it done for me? Probably not much. But I'm glad I have it.

The test is very easy, just buy a CompTIA Certified A+ study book, study it in about 2 weeks and you're golden. Don't rush through the test, you'll have plenty of time. I think I finished it with 45 minutes to spare.

 

[TallBill]

General consensus is that the A+ cert is useless, yet its still given, so obviously employers somewhere are looking for it. At the age of 16 its a great idea to pick it up. Just get a study guide, and you should be good. I personally never got around to taking it. Perhaps when I go back to school I'll knock it out for fun.

 

[Leros]

Originally posted by: TallBill
General consensus is that the A+ cert is useless, yet its still given, so obviously employers somewhere are looking for it. At the age of 16 its a great idea to pick it up. Just get a study guide, and you should be good. I personally never got around to taking it. Perhaps when I go back to school I'll knock it out for fun.

A+ is something that nobody cares if you have it, but they care if you don't have it.

 

[intogamer]

Yes. I would like to take it for fun. But I wouldn't want to fail (retake) when I have to pay $126? Yeah it would be a bonus when I want to work at Bestbuy or something.

I don't plan to use it to secure the future... just a little something for now.

 

[intogamer]

Originally posted by: Leros

Originally posted by: TallBill
General consensus is that the A+ cert is useless, yet its still given, so obviously employers somewhere are looking for it. At the age of 16 its a great idea to pick it up. Just get a study guide, and you should be good. I personally never got around to taking it. Perhaps when I go back to school I'll knock it out for fun.

A+ is something that nobody cares if you have it, but they care if you don't have it.

Another question. Would it be ideal if you had A+ on your resume when you have a degree in say... Finance?

 

[TallBill]

Originally posted by: intogamer

Originally posted by: Leros

Originally posted by: TallBill
General consensus is that the A+ cert is useless, yet its still given, so obviously employers somewhere are looking for it. At the age of 16 its a great idea to pick it up. Just get a study guide, and you should be good. I personally never got around to taking it. Perhaps when I go back to school I'll knock it out for fun.

A+ is something that nobody cares if you have it, but they care if you don't have it.

Another question. Would it be ideal if you had A+ on your resume when you have a degree in say... Finance?

Depends on exactly what job you are going for. Perhaps if it would look usefull on an exceptionally bare resume. I have a few random Law Enforcement and Military certs that I hang on to just in case.

 

[mobobuff]

Originally posted by: intogamer

Originally posted by: Leros

Originally posted by: TallBill
General consensus is that the A+ cert is useless, yet its still given, so obviously employers somewhere are looking for it. At the age of 16 its a great idea to pick it up. Just get a study guide, and you should be good. I personally never got around to taking it. Perhaps when I go back to school I'll knock it out for fun.

A+ is something that nobody cares if you have it, but they care if you don't have it.

Another question. Would it be ideal if you had A+ on your resume when you have a degree in say... Finance?

Because ANY certification regardless of its specific merit says that you have knowledge and ambition, in the least.

 

[Koing]

Originally posted by: intogamer

Originally posted by: Leros

Originally posted by: TallBill
General consensus is that the A+ cert is useless, yet its still given, so obviously employers somewhere are looking for it. At the age of 16 its a great idea to pick it up. Just get a study guide, and you should be good. I personally never got around to taking it. Perhaps when I go back to school I'll knock it out for fun.

A+ is something that nobody cares if you have it, but they care if you don't have it.

Another question. Would it be ideal if you had A+ on your resume when you have a degree in say... Finance?

It wouldn't hurt to put it down if you have the A+ already. It'll be 3 spaces on your resume along with a list of other certs etc. Or one line on a list. But I wouldn't do an A+ if you have a degree in Finance! Well even then it is cheap enough right? Or get a more advance cert.

Koing

 

[ch33zw1z]

I never had the $ to take the exams, and after meeting a few people that were A+ but couldn't even purchase the correct components for their PCs at home...I kinda lost interest and faith in it.

If you're going to take it, you will need to study. They'll also ask you question on Laser Printing...nothing difficult, but probably theory of how it works...and teh way it works.

 

[se7en]

The test itself is a load of BS.

Mostly outdated useless information that you may never see again in your lifetime but that's kind of how most education goes. However using a study book you can easily pass it just read up on all the sections you don't know extesnively.

Most places won't require you to have A+ but the companies I have been with use the whole " degree in blah blah or relevant exp." which A+ translates to some at least.