Easy Way To Get A+ Certification

[DasFox]

After many years of computing I've decided I need to get my A+ to be able to get better jobs with companies that like to see certifications and degrees.

I study good on my own and learn pretty fast, but I'd imagine at a self learning pace, it would take a few months to get the A+.

There's a lot I've never bothered learning, so I don't know how big of a challenge this will be, and I'd like to get it as fast as possible because as soon as I do I will be putting my resume out there for work.

If someone was looking for the fastest and easiest way to all of this would it be best to get into an online school, or just study some books is all and then take the test?

As far as reading on my own I've been looking at these books:

CompTIA A+ Certification Workbook For Dummies:
http://www.dummies.com/WileyCD...ductCd-0470133953.html

CliffsTestPrep:
http://www.cliffsnotes.com/Wil...egoryNavId-305389.html

Exam Cram:
http://www.examcram2.com/bookstore/index.asp?st=42906

One thing that had me confused was this New Horizons website listing all these A+ courses:
http://www.newhorizons.com/con...aspx?txtSrchTITLE=a%2B

I thought there was only one A+ certification?

One last thing, is the A+ really hard to take? I've read some people saying it's not hard at all, just entry level stuff...

THANKS

 

[dougp]

There's two tests, a hardware and software test. Personally, I thought they were easy and mostly entry level stuff ... I know some people who were smart, but couldn't pass it to save their lives (or jobs for that matter.)

Personally, I didn't need to study but there's some stuff that you'll need to remember - and pray you don't ge the freakin printer test.

 

[nonameo]

I passed A+ when I was 14, so you can do it, too.

 

[Kabrinski]

Originally posted by: DasFox
...
One last thing, is the A+ really hard to take? I've read some people saying it's not hard at all, just entry level stuff...

THANKS

Yes it is easy. Basic stuff all the way through. I blitzed through each of the 2 tests in about 20-30 minutes each. I think they give you 1 1/2 hours each or something like that (can't remember as it was a couple years ago).

 

[TreyRandom]

Just study some books and you'll be fine. I have yet to take a class for any of my certifications. But I'd absolutely not use the books you've listed. I'd recommend the following:

A+ All-in-One Exam Guide, Sixth Edition, by Mike Meyers: link
PC Technician Street Smarts, by James Pyles: link

The Street Smarts book contains a bunch of A+-type labs that are useful if you want to actually DO what you read about.

The A+ certification is achieved by taking two exams. The first exam is A+ Essentials (220-601). The second exam is an elective exam, from which you can choose IT Technician (220-602), Remote Support (220-603), and Depot Tech (220-604). Most people choose the IT Tech 220-602 exam.

 

[DasFox]

Originally posted by: TreyRandom
Just study some books and you'll be fine. I have yet to take a class for any of my certifications. But I'd absolutely not use the books you've listed. I'd recommend the following:

A+ All-in-One Exam Guide, Sixth Edition, by Mike Meyers: link
PC Technician Street Smarts, by James Pyles: link

The Street Smarts book contains a bunch of A+-type labs that are useful if you want to actually DO what you read about.

The A+ certification is achieved by taking two exams. The first exam is A+ Essentials (220-601). The second exam is an elective exam, from which you can choose IT Technician (220-602), Remote Support (220-603), and Depot Tech (220-604). Most people choose the IT Tech 220-602 exam.

Why do you prefer these books, also are they up to date, and if I just study these two I'll be good to go?

THANKS

 

[James Bond]

What type of job are you looking to get? Most companies overlook the A+ it seems...

 

[Bateluer]

Originally posted by: dreadpiratedoug
There's two tests, a hardware and software test.

It was that prior to 2003. Currently, it is the Essentials test, plus the IT Technician test or the Remote Technician or the Depot Technician test. You need to pass the Essentials test and one of the others.

 

[DasFox]

Originally posted by: Tizyler
What type of job are you looking to get? Most companies overlook the A+ it seems...

For now just small computer shops for repairs, etc...

Also possibly an entry level IT position...

 

[DasFox]

Originally posted by: Bateluer

Originally posted by: dreadpiratedoug
There's two tests, a hardware and software test.

It was that prior to 2003. Currently, it is the Essentials test, plus the IT Technician test or the Remote Technician or the Depot Technician test. You need to pass the Essentials test and one of the others.

So just the A+ Essentials (220-601) and the IT Technician (220-602), and I'm good to go?

THANKS

 

[TreyRandom]

Originally posted by: DasFox

Originally posted by: TreyRandom
Just study some books and you'll be fine. I have yet to take a class for any of my certifications. But I'd absolutely not use the books you've listed. I'd recommend the following:

A+ All-in-One Exam Guide, Sixth Edition, by Mike Meyers: link
PC Technician Street Smarts, by James Pyles: link

The Street Smarts book contains a bunch of A+-type labs that are useful if you want to actually DO what you read about.

The A+ certification is achieved by taking two exams. The first exam is A+ Essentials (220-601). The second exam is an elective exam, from which you can choose IT Technician (220-602), Remote Support (220-603), and Depot Tech (220-604). Most people choose the IT Tech 220-602 exam.

Why do you prefer these books, also are they up to date, and if I just study these two I'll be good to go?

THANKS

Yes, they are up to date. I recommend them because I've seen many people have good success with them. Just ask here and see what they have to say about them.

Plus, on a personal level, Mike and James are both great guys.

I obviously can't guarantee that you'll pass... that's largely up to you. But if you study those books, you should be well prepared.

 

[TreyRandom]

Originally posted by: DasFox

Originally posted by: Bateluer

Originally posted by: dreadpiratedoug
There's two tests, a hardware and software test.

It was that prior to 2003. Currently, it is the Essentials test, plus the IT Technician test or the Remote Technician or the Depot Technician test. You need to pass the Essentials test and one of the others.

So just the A+ Essentials (220-601) and the IT Technician (220-602), and I'm good to go?

THANKS

Yep, you got it!

 

[DasFox]

Originally posted by: TreyRandom

Originally posted by: DasFox

Originally posted by: Bateluer

Originally posted by: dreadpiratedoug
There's two tests, a hardware and software test.

It was that prior to 2003. Currently, it is the Essentials test, plus the IT Technician test or the Remote Technician or the Depot Technician test. You need to pass the Essentials test and one of the others.

So just the A+ Essentials (220-601) and the IT Technician (220-602), and I'm good to go?

THANKS

Yep, you got it!

THANKS I'll grab them and READ!

 

[SnOop005]

You cant go wrong with pass4sure.com

 

[TreyRandom]

Originally posted by: SnOop005
You cant go wrong with pass4sure.com

Well, except the fact that it's a braindump - a collection of questions stolen from the live exam. Using them is cheating, and can get you decertified for life. Not worth it.

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

Yay for spam necro bump.

That said, I recall hearing that the A+ now has to be a renewed cert and is no longer a "one time pass". If that's the case, fuck A+. They are just looking for a stupid cash grab.

 

[Exterous]

Yay for spam necro bump.

That said, I recall hearing that the A+ now has to be a renewed cert and is no longer a "one time pass". If that's the case, fuck A+. They are just looking for a stupid cash grab.

Do people even look for A+ anymore? If it expires I'm sure mine is expired but I didn't really get much out of it anyway

 

[Darwin333]

The only thing I really needed to study/refresh was the legacy stuff, of which there was quite a bit on the test I took.

 

[Red Squirrel]

Compt TIA certs expire now, so there's no point. If you're going to study for a cert you may as well just do CCNA, or MCSE etc. I think Vmware has certs too. They expire too, but they're also more valuable. What made CompTIA attractive before is that they didn't expire so once you have it, you have it forever.

I'm lucky that I don't have a job that requires certs though, so I never bothered. I suck at theory stuff I'm more of a hands on type. If it was not for the fact that they expire I'd get them anyway but I just don't want to do all that work for something that's only good for like 3 years. 3 years goes by awfully fast and it will probably take a good year just to prepare.

 

[JEDIYoda]

I passed A+ when I was 14, so you can do it, too.

My whole 3rd grade class took the test and passed way back when.....

 

[Fritzo]

I got a B- on my A+