Where is it possible to get A+ certified?

[Fox5]

Ok, I figure I need a summer job since money is nice to have, and since I'm fairly knowledgable about computers and even know a few programming languages, I figured I could pick up a job better than retail sales.

Well, I applied to best buy and circuit city as a computer technician and circuit city doesn't make a big deal about it, but best buy wants all sorts of certifications. So anyhow, where is it possible to get A+ certified, or any of the other major certifications, hopefully for as cheaply as possible. Oh, and is there a difference between whre you get the certification, like will some be valued more highly than others or some rejected for not being from a reputable place?

The A+ certification sounds very easy. The MSCD certification (don't know if it's one of the ones they were interested in but I came across it on microsoft's site) seems like something I could do with a bit of cramming since I already know how to do quite a bit of its requirements.

 

[waggy]

try the local community college. i know the one here has a A+ class.

 

[minendo]

Where is it possible to get A+ certified?

Step 1: Go to the nearest gas station.
Step 2: Enter the bathroom.
Step 3: Steal the roll of toliet paper.
Step 4: Write A+ on it.

 

[vi edit]

buy your vouchers from here: http://www.getcertify4less.com/

Then just take them at your local VUE or Prometric test sites.

 

[BigJ]

Are you looking to actually know the material, or are you just looking for the cert?

The A+ cert is basic Software/Hardware stuff, and relatively very simple to obtain. However, there are a lot of obscure and non-common information they throw on the test, so your best bet is to get a decent A+ book. If you're just looking to get the cert, get some braindumps and cram, and you'll pass the exam no problem.

For the MCSE/MCSD, if you just want the cert, it's going to cost you a considerable amount of money for the bootcamp, which is a week of cramming for the tests. It's costly (several hundred dollars, up to over $1000), and some of them will even pay for the tests until you pass. They also have braindumps (basically what happens is they pay people to go in and fail the tests in an effort to get as many actual questions from MS as possible) which are the easiest way to pass the exams.

If you actually want to learn the information, you're going to have to setup your own personal server and spend plenty of lab hours getting familiar with the material.

 

[MangoTBG]

I was under the impression geeksquad doesn't pay too well? Anyone know if that's true or false?

 

[waggy]

Originally posted by: BigJ
Are you looking to actually know the material, or are you just looking for the cert?

The A+ cert is basic Software/Hardware stuff, and relatively very simple to obtain. However, there are a lot of obscure and non-common information they throw on the test, so your best bet is to get a decent A+ book. If you're just looking to get the cert, get some braindumps and cram, and you'll pass the exam no problem.

For the MCSE/MCSD, if you just want the cert, it's going to cost you a considerable amount of money for the bootcamp, which is a week of cramming for the tests. It's costly (several hundred dollars, up to over $1000), and some of them will even pay for the tests until you pass.

If you actually want to learn the information, you're going to have to setup your own personal server and spend plenty of lab hours getting familiar with the material.

wich is why i mentioned the cummonity college. you can take it far cheaper (but takes longer).

 

[BigJ]

Originally posted by: waggy

Originally posted by: BigJ
Are you looking to actually know the material, or are you just looking for the cert?

The A+ cert is basic Software/Hardware stuff, and relatively very simple to obtain. However, there are a lot of obscure and non-common information they throw on the test, so your best bet is to get a decent A+ book. If you're just looking to get the cert, get some braindumps and cram, and you'll pass the exam no problem.

For the MCSE/MCSD, if you just want the cert, it's going to cost you a considerable amount of money for the bootcamp, which is a week of cramming for the tests. It's costly (several hundred dollars, up to over $1000), and some of them will even pay for the tests until you pass.

If you actually want to learn the information, you're going to have to setup your own personal server and spend plenty of lab hours getting familiar with the material.

wich is why i mentioned the cummonity college. you can take it far cheaper (but takes longer).

I agree.

If he's looking for a summer job, it's not going to pay at all for him to try to get the MCSD/MCSE. He'll spend a considerable amount of money at a bootcamp, or he'll spend less money but a considerable amount of time at a CC course that will probably take a good 6 weeks.

 

[waggy]

Originally posted by: MangoTBG
I was under the impression geeksquad doesn't pay too well? Anyone know if that's true or false?

shrug. who cares? its a good place to work while in highschool or college while you are working to get a real job.

if you are thinking this as a real job well...

 

[BigJ]

Originally posted by: waggy

Originally posted by: MangoTBG
I was under the impression geeksquad doesn't pay too well? Anyone know if that's true or false?

shrug. who cares? its a good place to work while in highschool or college while you are working to get a real job.

if you are thinking this as a real job well...

Depends on where you work. If it's in the store, you can vary from $10-$15/hour, which isn't bad at all. I believe some of the field agents can make more than $20/hour.

 

[Skiguy411]

Wtf!? I am pc tech at a local computer store. There are only 2 of us and I only get 8 bucks an hour. Am I underpaid?

 

[Fox5]

Originally posted by: MangoTBG
I was under the impression geeksquad doesn't pay too well? Anyone know if that's true or false?

It probably doesn't, not in comparision for what a computer tech could get elseware, but I'd imagine it's better than retail. I've heard around $13 an hour with poor hours.

I had a friend who was a computer tech at circuit city (and he knows far, far, far less than me), I don't know what he was making but he said they only scheduled him for like a 25 hour work week, and most of his time they spent having him do retail anyway because they didn't have something else for him to do. Still, I'll take a retail job at nearly double the salary if that's what it comes down to, assuming they're even hiring for this position right now. He just quit, so I guess his spot's open at least.

Anyhow, I wasn't planning on an MSCD cert, just using the fact that I know a significant portion of what's covered on it already as an indicator of my knowledge level and what other tests it may be a good idea for me to take. The A+ exam sounds incredibly simple, the hardest part would probably be that it's a long, multiple choice test and brain farts can occur. Obscure DOS commands probably aren't the easiest thing to recall, if that is what is included on the test.

 

[Fox5]

Originally posted by: Skiguy411
Wtf!? I am pc tech at a local computer store. There are only 2 of us and I only get 8 bucks an hour. Am I underpaid?

Not necessarily, you may be getting paid the going rate for your area, but real PC techs seem to make about $15 to $18 an hour, with the toadies at Best Buy (and most likely Circuit City) generally topping out around $13.

 

[BigJ]

Originally posted by: Fox5
Anyhow, I wasn't planning on an MSCD cert, just using the fact that I know a significant portion of what's covered on it already as an indicator of my knowledge level and what other tests it may be a good idea for me to take. The A+ exam sounds incredibly simple, the hardest part would probably be that it's a long, multiple choice test and brain farts can occur. Obscure DOS commands probably aren't the easiest thing to recall, if that is what is included on the test.

Honestly, you may think you know a significant portion of the MCSD exam, but you don't. Unless you have several years of server and developer experience, you really aren't coming close to being able to pass all the exams without some good books and practice.

 

[Skiguy411]

Originally posted by: Fox5

Originally posted by: Skiguy411
Wtf!? I am pc tech at a local computer store. There are only 2 of us and I only get 8 bucks an hour. Am I underpaid?

Not necessarily, you may be getting paid the going rate for your area, but real PC techs seem to make about $15 to $18 an hour, with the toadies at Best Buy (and most likely Circuit City) generally topping out around $13.

Do you know of a way to see what the going rate is for my area (Raleigh, NC)?

 

[BigJ]

Originally posted by: Skiguy411

Originally posted by: Fox5

Originally posted by: Skiguy411
Wtf!? I am pc tech at a local computer store. There are only 2 of us and I only get 8 bucks an hour. Am I underpaid?

Not necessarily, you may be getting paid the going rate for your area, but real PC techs seem to make about $15 to $18 an hour, with the toadies at Best Buy (and most likely Circuit City) generally topping out around $13.

Do you know of a way to see what the going rate is for my area (Raleigh, NC)?

What kind of experience/degrees/certs do you have?

 

[waggy]

Originally posted by: Fox5

Originally posted by: MangoTBG
I was under the impression geeksquad doesn't pay too well? Anyone know if that's true or false?

It probably doesn't, not in comparision for what a computer tech could get elseware, but I'd imagine it's better than retail. I've heard around $13 an hour with poor hours.

I had a friend who was a computer tech at circuit city (and he knows far, far, far less than me), I don't know what he was making but he said they only scheduled him for like a 25 hour work week, and most of his time they spent having him do retail anyway because they didn't have something else for him to do. Still, I'll take a retail job at nearly double the salary if that's what it comes down to, assuming they're even hiring for this position right now. He just quit, so I guess his spot's open at least.

Anyhow, I wasn't planning on an MSCD cert, just using the fact that I know a significant portion of what's covered on it already as an indicator of my knowledge level and what other tests it may be a good idea for me to take. The A+ exam sounds incredibly simple, the hardest part would probably be that it's a long, multiple choice test and brain farts can occur. Obscure DOS commands probably aren't the easiest thing to recall, if that is what is included on the test.

heh i had worked in the computer field for close to 10 years (from owning a pc store to working as IT dept head) when i took a A+ class (at the local CC) after i retired from work. there was a LOT of stuff i really did not know. granted a LOT Of it was useless knowlege though.
just because you have experiance it is not simple. easy? yes but not simple.

there is not just obscure dos crap but obscure ****** in general.

 

[Skiguy411]

Originally posted by: BigJ

Originally posted by: Skiguy411

Originally posted by: Fox5

Originally posted by: Skiguy411
Wtf!? I am pc tech at a local computer store. There are only 2 of us and I only get 8 bucks an hour. Am I underpaid?

Not necessarily, you may be getting paid the going rate for your area, but real PC techs seem to make about $15 to $18 an hour, with the toadies at Best Buy (and most likely Circuit City) generally topping out around $13.

Do you know of a way to see what the going rate is for my area (Raleigh, NC)?

What kind of experience/degrees/certs do you have?

I have about a year of experience as a computer tech, sophmore at NCSU in CE/EE(3.84 gpa right now; 3.83 HS gpa), but didnt bother with any certs.


Edit: Sorry about the thread hijack 🙁

 

[BigJ]

Originally posted by: Skiguy411
I have about a year of experience as a computer tech, sophmore at NCSU in CE/EE(3.84 gpa right now; 3.83 HS gpa), but didnt bother with any certs.

You're going to get a PM in a minute.

 

[Fox5]

Originally posted by: BigJ

Originally posted by: Fox5
Anyhow, I wasn't planning on an MSCD cert, just using the fact that I know a significant portion of what's covered on it already as an indicator of my knowledge level and what other tests it may be a good idea for me to take. The A+ exam sounds incredibly simple, the hardest part would probably be that it's a long, multiple choice test and brain farts can occur. Obscure DOS commands probably aren't the easiest thing to recall, if that is what is included on the test.

Honestly, you may think you know a significant portion of the MCSD exam, but you don't. Unless you have several years of server and developer experience, you really aren't coming close to being able to pass all the exams without some good books and practice.

Ok, then a lot of the topics look extremely familiar, I'll take your word on it though. Then again, in the topics that look very familiar, I already have like 3 years (non-continuous) of in class or personal programming experience with them, though obviously I haven't been learning anywhere close to non-stop. It could very feasibly take many more years to learn the rest, asssuming I didn't specifically set out to learn the information on the tests.

Do you know of a way to see what the going rate is for my area (Raleigh, NC)?

Ask people at other stores?

 

[QueBert]

A+ is a good place to start for certs. I'm A+, and I'd jump on M$ cert, but they can force you to re-take the tests whenever they want (money, money, money) A+ is 2 tests, you pass them you're certified for life.

I took A+ 6 years ago, the tests have obviously changed. But, I flew through the software test, since I've been on computers since I was 4 (31 now) my ego told me I didn't need to study for the hardware test. I failed it, asked a bunch of crapola about IRQ's and stuff I probably knew at one time but I don't retain. Did a little reading up and blasted past it my 2nd time. People will talk sh!t about A+, yeah it's pretty low end and what-not, but it can't hurt to get it. I'd say the same about N+ & I+. CompTIA has some decent certs you can pick up with not too much effort if you're a computer person.

 

[kami333]

Originally posted by: Fox5

Originally posted by: BigJ

Originally posted by: Fox5
Anyhow, I wasn't planning on an MSCD cert, just using the fact that I know a significant portion of what's covered on it already as an indicator of my knowledge level and what other tests it may be a good idea for me to take. The A+ exam sounds incredibly simple, the hardest part would probably be that it's a long, multiple choice test and brain farts can occur. Obscure DOS commands probably aren't the easiest thing to recall, if that is what is included on the test.

Honestly, you may think you know a significant portion of the MCSD exam, but you don't. Unless you have several years of server and developer experience, you really aren't coming close to being able to pass all the exams without some good books and practice.

Ok, then a lot of the topics look extremely familiar, I'll take your word on it though. Then again, in the topics that look very familiar, I already have like 3 years (non-continuous) of in class or personal programming experience with them, though obviously I haven't been learning anywhere close to non-stop. It could very feasibly take many more years to learn the rest, asssuming I didn't specifically set out to learn the information on the tests.

Do you know of a way to see what the going rate is for my area (Raleigh, NC)?

Ask people at other stores?

Familiar topics, it's just that they like to ask obscure questions that you usually don't see/use as an administrator

 

[TWills2]

I took a night class at a junior college to get ready for the exam. I wasn't in a hurry, obviously.

 

[Fox5]

Originally posted by: kami333

Originally posted by: Fox5

Originally posted by: BigJ

Originally posted by: Fox5
Anyhow, I wasn't planning on an MSCD cert, just using the fact that I know a significant portion of what's covered on it already as an indicator of my knowledge level and what other tests it may be a good idea for me to take. The A+ exam sounds incredibly simple, the hardest part would probably be that it's a long, multiple choice test and brain farts can occur. Obscure DOS commands probably aren't the easiest thing to recall, if that is what is included on the test.

Honestly, you may think you know a significant portion of the MCSD exam, but you don't. Unless you have several years of server and developer experience, you really aren't coming close to being able to pass all the exams without some good books and practice.

Ok, then a lot of the topics look extremely familiar, I'll take your word on it though. Then again, in the topics that look very familiar, I already have like 3 years (non-continuous) of in class or personal programming experience with them, though obviously I haven't been learning anywhere close to non-stop. It could very feasibly take many more years to learn the rest, asssuming I didn't specifically set out to learn the information on the tests.

Do you know of a way to see what the going rate is for my area (Raleigh, NC)?

Ask people at other stores?

Familiar topics, it's just that they like to ask obscure questions that you usually don't see/use as an administrator

Ah, good chance I don't know them then, I'd be willing to bet my knowledge of the topics is incomplete as far as some major common stuff goes too, just because most of my knowledge is more from personal experience than an actual class or job.

 

[Chriscross3234]

Originally posted by: Skiguy411

I have about a year of experience as a computer tech, sophmore at NCSU in CE/EE(3.84 gpa right now; 3.83 HS gpa), but didnt bother with any certs.

Edit: Sorry about the thread hijack 🙁

Hey man I sent you a PM 🙂