Hooray! I'm finally scheduled for the A+/A+OS tests!

[MichaelD]

My first steps towards getting certs, including MCSE. I'm taking them on Wednesday. Going to go to Borders, find a study book and just read it.

At this point, after building and configuring about 100 systems, running W2K server at home, setting up a few offices with their own networks (DNS/DHCP/WINS/etc) I don't think I'll have too much of a problem with the tests.

Hooray for me!

Before you say it, I know, I know.

 

[rpc64]

That's awesome. I'll be taking my A+ test soon as well. I'm also going for MCSE.

Edit: Good luck!

 

[Zugzwang152]

i was thinking of doing that, but theres all this talk of it being overrated and such, i don't think its worth my money if employers are just going to laugh at it.

 

[josphII]

my company laughs at it

 

[MichaelD]

Originally posted by: Zugzwang152
i was thinking of doing that, but theres all this talk of it being overrated and such, i don't think its worth my money if employers are just going to laugh at it.

Oh, I know it doesn't "mean much" like say MCSE or CCNE (I think it's CCNE) but it's a start.

Just like in the common business world, you can have two people. One KNOWS business administration b/c he's been doing it for 20 years, but has no degree. the other guy has never had a job before, but he has that stupid piece of paper, so he gets hired instead of Guy #1. It's the way it works.

It'll be nice to have SOME sort of Official Certificiation. :beer:

 

[MichaelD]

I'm taking this test to better myself and prepare me for later. I currently have two jobs; it's not like I'm unemployed. (Thank God!)

 

[Zugzwang152]

ah, i'm in a bit dfferent boat...fresh out of college, i'm not sure certs will improve my chances of landing interviews on their own...i'm not planning on counting on them like i used to...but good luck to you, michaeld!

 

[etalns]

Good luck MichaelD

 

[MichaelD]

Thanks guys.

 

[yoda291]

Originally posted by: MichaelD
I'm taking this test to better myself and prepare me for later. I currently have two jobs; it's not like I'm unemployed. (Thank God!)

I hate you.


good luck

 

[burnedout]

Good luck. A+ and I-Net + are the easiest, IMO. The Dell Associate test is also easy.

The number of doors A+ once opened has declined immensely during the last three years in the Austin area. But so has demand. Still, A+ is a stepping stone to bigger and better things, if you play your cards right. Certs, education and most-importantly, experience, are what counts when competing against others for the few positions that may come open nowadays.

 

[N8Magic]

Good luck Mike!

 

[Kadarin]

Good luck to you, and let us know how you do..

 

[Marshallj]

Originally posted by: MichaelD

Originally posted by: Zugzwang152
i was thinking of doing that, but theres all this talk of it being overrated and such, i don't think its worth my money if employers are just going to laugh at it.

Oh, I know it doesn't "mean much" like say MCSE or CCNE (I think it's CCNE) but it's a start.

It's CCNA, and no, even that doesn't mean much.

 

[Storm]

As much as I dont like some of the idiotic comments you make good luck .

 

[MichaelD]

Thanks everyone. I just got back from Borders; I bought the A+ Exam Cram. $30 - cheap insurance.

I did the practice tests at the end of each chapter. Six questions per test. I got about 4 out of six in most chapters...not good enough.

They ask a lot of questions back from the 486 days!!! WTH? Like you'll ever see that today...

They ask a lot of questions about the DOS aspect of Windows...important, but not something I know extremely well. At least I know where I'm weak.

Have a great evening!

 

[mboy]

MIkey my boy, dont waste your $$ on the A+. I took an acutal course befoer I got into IT, but never took the tests. It wont help you get a job in IT at all. Not even crack a tiny door open for u!

 

[Zim Hosein]

Good Luck MichaelD

 

[MichaelD]

Originally posted by: mboy
MIkey my boy, dont waste your $$ on the A+. I took an acutal course befoer I got into IT, but never took the tests. It wont help you get a job in IT at all. Not even crack a tiny door open for u!

Thanks, mboy; I appreciate your concern....let's just say I'm taking the tests "at a very low cost to me."

It'll be one more thing I can add onto my business card.

 

[AZGamer]

Funny I stumbled on this thread, I just took A+ Hardware Exam today and got a 960 (you only need 598 to pass), and taking the Software portion next week.

 

[milagro]

good luck...though next time you may want to try this order:

1. buy the book
2. study
3. schedule exam
4. take test and pass easily

the hardware portion was very easy but the os portion can be tricky even for veterans..

 

[mrCide]

good luck

 

[Antoneo]

Good luck man, some people might say that they're worth nothing... but its a good start . I took it two years ago when I was 16 and passed both tests easily. I just hung around General Hardware back then and read a book to prepare.

 

[KC5AV]

Good luck on the test. I had really thought about taking it, and may still. I'm in the process of preparing to start getting ready to begin studying for my MCSA. The A+ and Network+ together can get you credit for one elective. That may be the easier/faster route. I'm already CCNA, but only have one year left until I have to recertify, and haven't logged into a router since I passed the test. It seems that there isn't a lot of demand for a CCNA in East Texas. I haven't decided if I'll recertify next year or not. If I don't, I'd like to at least have an MCP under my belt.

Some test advice: Get plenty of rest the night before (duh), and make sure you eat a good breakfast... especially if you take the test early in the morning.

 

[KC5AV]

Originally posted by: mboy
MIkey my boy, dont waste your $$ on the A+. I took an acutal course befoer I got into IT, but never took the tests. It wont help you get a job in IT at all. Not even crack a tiny door open for u!

Don't say that... my ccna has been pretty worthless since I got it, but I took some classes to prep for it, and one of the guys in my class was the contact rep for the telecom company at the hospital where I now work. He told me there was an opening, and the rest is history. Just because something isn't highly in demand, you never know what kind of contacts you can make.