Easiest cert to get? A+, Net+, MCP, etc?

[dderidex]

I *think* - THINK - the company I work for is going to manage to stay in business for another 6 months. If so, that's great, but this last job search I did ended up with disgustingly poor results. I have a degree, 8 years work experience (lots of SQL, network admin, system setup, etc) - but no certifications!

Looking at ads on Monster and in the paper, the three certs most requested seem to be A+, Net+, and MCSE. I KNOW MCSE is a lot of work to get, definitely plan to get it, but don't know that I'll have a chance in 6 months packing on a bunch of others.

Ultimately, I'll have all of these, but I'd like to know where to start.

I've read up other threads on this - I've checked out the braindump site, read a few books on a few of the certs, etc

Still, looking for an opinion - of the three lists (A+, Net+, MCP), which has the best easiest:'most valuable' ratio (say, maybe one of them is a total cakewalk but it's a useless cert to get...wouldn't be worth very much).

Anyway, thoughts appreciated!

 

[RichUK]

what the hell is a poal ...

DO YOU MEAN POLL BOYO

 

[Toastedlightly]

Originally posted by: RichUK
what the hell is a poal ...

DO YOU MEAN POLL BOYO

it is spelt pole.

 

[AdamSnow]

Net+ can be tricky if you dont know your stuff...

A+ a monkey could pass though...

 

[Paulson]

Well you can get vouchers for the A+ and Net+ that make them significantly cheaper than paying the standard pearsonvue price ($145 per test on the A+ tests, I got both my vouchers for $170)

If you've been in the game for a long time I don't think it'd be hard for you to get A+ or Net+ or MCP certs... and since a lot of places have them, why not just get all three certs out of the way and then work on the MCSE...

 

[dderidex]

That's a good question, too - where do you take them?

I remember when I was in college, they had several classes that allowed students to pay and take the tests, and the profs allowed a passing grade in those tests to be used rather than the class final. Wish I'dve done that at the time! In a different state and city now, though...

 

[TechBoyJK]

A+ is two tests, hardware and software. Software was much harder imho. I took a week to study for each. I used various free online practice tests and crammsession study guides. Network+ took about two weeks to study for, and was harder than A+ imho. MCP is just one of many microsoft tests. You could cram 210 (2000 Pro) in about a week. I actually crammed 210, 215 (2k server) and 218(2k network) in about a week.

A+ and Network+ apply as an elective for MCSA. I had those before I took my microsoft exams. With the A+/Net+ combo and 210,215,218 I got the MCSA. I'm taking the 2K route for MCSE, and after the fact will go back and take the 2003 exams to upgrade.

 

[everman]

I voted A+, then I saw "most valuable" but it was too late.

 

[RichUK]

Originally posted by: Toastedlightly

Originally posted by: RichUK
what the hell is a poal ...

DO YOU MEAN POLL BOYO

it is spelt pole.

nope poll and pole, are different words my friend when being used in the right context .. go back to school ..

 

[TWills]

Originally posted by: everman
I voted A+, then I saw "most valuable" but it was too late.

I voted on easiest to get too.

 

[aircooled]

Net + is not an "easy" test, but a great one to start with.
Perfect to take before any of the other major certs.

And if you live in a small town like me the local paper even picks it up

Ha, even found the scan from back in the day

 

[dderidex]

Originally posted by: TechBoyJK
A+ and Network+ apply as an elective for MCSA. I had those before I took my microsoft exams. With the A+/Net+ combo and 210,215,218 I got the MCSA. I'm taking the 2K route for MCSE, and after the fact will go back and take the 2003 exams to upgrade.

I wondered if such a combo was possible - that looks like a good route for me.