Need help on getting certified in A+ exam.

Bad Dude

Diamond Member
Jan 25, 2000
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Hi guys,
I should have certified long ago but I think now that I have more time. Please give me some input on which books, CDroms, and other stuffs that I will need to better prepare for the exam. Please give me a link on where I can get more info on the exam as the format and others info I need to know before going on to take the exam.
Much appreciated for any info.
Thanks.
 

Soybomb

Diamond Member
Jun 30, 2000
9,506
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How well rounded is your computer knowledge? I'd say anyone truly experienced shouldnt need much studying at all....
 

Tran23

Senior member
Nov 14, 1999
289
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hehe, that reminds me, I needa get mine too. But i hear the test is just a buncha basic stuff that you should already know.
 

Bad Dude

Diamond Member
Jan 25, 2000
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76
I would say that my computer knowledge is much more than what A+ require. But then again, this is an exam and not real life situation where you have more time to troubleshoot. Plus I want to brush up and be able to get a higher percentage rather than just pass b/c of little mistakes. I have built many systems and have good knowledge but yet I want to know more about how the exam is adminstered and how long is the exam. I have heard that it is a two days exam right? I also heard that there is a new format begin in July 2000. Can anyone enlighten me on this issue.
Thanks.
 

perry

Diamond Member
Apr 7, 2000
4,018
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Does the A+ exam even mean anything nowadays? I thought it turned into a rubber stamp (like the MCSE is quickly becoming) long ago.
 

DirkBelig

Banned
Oct 15, 1999
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Many jobs have it as a pre-req. I plan to pick it up along with (prolly) NT4 Workstation/2000 Professional. That along with 2 years EXPERIENCE as a hands-on deskside tech should catapault me into the "evil rich" category.;)
 

Moonbeam

Elite Member
Nov 24, 1999
74,478
6,694
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Get the book I recommended and search the forums for A+ You are not the first to want to know.
 

Soybomb

Diamond Member
Jun 30, 2000
9,506
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81
2 Days? No way man I have a friend who went and had both done in like an hour and some change. Its on the computer and adapts to you. He said it was super easy. I cant help you much more than that though!
 

MustangSVT

Lifer
Oct 7, 2000
11,554
12
81
I have few questions on it too, please help if you know the anwers.
1.Is it just written test or is there actual problem solving labs?
2.Where can i take the test? does it take place in certain centers?
3.When can i take the test? do they have certain time they have tests on? or is it weekly or something?
4.Two day test? why does it take so long? is it 2 hrs per day?

Thank you for the help, ill check on this later.
 

ComputerGuy

Junior Member
Oct 8, 2000
15
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All you'd ever want to know about A+, CompTIA A+ Homepage
There are 2 parts to the exam, core and dos/windows.
Core is basic hardware stuff, DOS/Windows is basic DOS/Windows stuff, you get about 30 questions per test and have 30 minutes to complete each. You must take the tests within 30 days of each other. If you fail either test you must pay again to take it again. The test is purely multiple choice questions. Call the test taking center near you for a scheldule of times for taking the test. You can take the exam only at authorized test taking centers. The exam is based on a percentage, I think pass is 66% or higher although I might be wrong. The test is done on a computer, you will be immediatly notifed whether you passed or failed via the computer.
 

Bad Dude

Diamond Member
Jan 25, 2000
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How much does it cost for the exam? And where can I go to sign up for the exam? Can I request the testing application by mail or must I go somewhere to get the application?
Thanks.
 

Harrisment

Senior member
Aug 29, 2000
207
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The A+ exam is a joke. I took it after I finished my MCSE and thought it was very basic level questions...
 

Anybody

Senior member
Dec 16, 1999
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Congrats Harrisment on finishing your MCSE and getting your A+.
Also congrats for being a big dope.

Here is a decription of the A+ certification:

A+ Certification is a CompTIA-sponsored testing program that certifies the competency of entry-level (6 months experience) computer service technicians.

I'm going to guess that you have a little more then 6 months experience under your belt.

Also... it can be an easy test if you know your stuff. If you have been ripping systems apart at home for 2 years because its your hobby your prolly going to pass this test with ease.

Some of the customer service stuff is rather elemetary but its there because there are people who just don't have interpersonal skills.

Again congrats on the MCSE

And Bad_dude dont sweat it I'm sure with your exp you'll be fine. A cram book can't hurt just so you can get the "test" answers down.

 

Bad Dude

Diamond Member
Jan 25, 2000
8,464
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I have no worry about the exam. I just want as much info as posible so I will spend the least time to prepare for it. I just want to perfect the score. But everyone can make mistake. Some question are irrelavant and this where I can miss the questions. I have no worries when it comes to hardware and Windows/DOS. Just don't want to make stupid mistakes.
Thanks for all the help guys.
 

THELAIR

Golden Member
Oct 9, 1999
1,493
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A+, Network+ and even Network+ are all ENTRY LEVEL BEGGINNER certs, the equiv of getting an 8$/hr tech/support job.

I did my A+ in 22 mins, both sections at the same time. its 185 bucks per test. Its being changed for 2001, plus 2 new certs coming, one at the end of htis year (Server+) and next year Linux+

There are no lab questions, its all questions like IRQ's and COM Ports and Windows start up files etc etc

the MCSE is what i would call a mid level cert. Along with a CCNA, i believe your Win2k MCSE cert would be considered higher htan "mid level", same with the CCNP cisco cert.

A tip to any MCSE's out there... SPECIALIZE!!!!

3 decent fields to look into

1)Cisco -CCNA is EASY if you have the EXPERIECEN that htey say you should have before taking hte test. CCNP is where you wanna be at. Will be several years till you can takle the CCIE
2)Security/Firewall/Systems Auditing (Checkpoint Firewall for exmple)
3)web admin/ecommerce admin (MCSE+I and CIW are good points)
4)wireless interconnections, no real certs on this yet though

if you like database's learn your SQL get your MCDBA and then get an oracle entry level cert to go with it.

being an MCSE and only a MCSE isnt enough anymore. More and more certs are requiring that you have 3 years experience to take the test. Some even require PROOF of experience, and will do background investigations and telephone interviews with your previous employeers to verify.

Personally i think thats the way it should be. That and hands on lab requirements. Instead of asking, "Where does the video card plug into", make them plug it in and configure it on a windows system. Instead of asking, how do you create a trust between 2 NT4 Servers, make them setup a trust on a simple 2 server network.

Its too bad that the only one that really falls into that category is the cisco CCIE test, no wonder its so highly regarded.

btw i hold:
A+, N+, I-net+, MCSE (1 away from +I), stuidied for the CCNA but i dont want to go cisco/router, i wanna go security/sytems auditing
 

Harrisment

Senior member
Aug 29, 2000
207
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I agree with the MCSE not being enough any more.....it might get you a job, but without experience it will still be an entry level job (and pay). Win2K path should weed out some of the paper MCSE's that did the 4.0 path. Good luck to you.

Certs I hold:

MCSE, CCNA, MCP on Win2K, A+, Network+

Still thought I can't emphasize experience enough, it means so much more than any cert will...