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A+ Cert Help

F

Foz2001

[H]ard|Gawd
Joined
Aug 25, 2001
Messages
2,029
So I have my A+ exam scheduled to be written tuesday (oct 1) and I started applying for entry level IT positions last night (part-time). So in the applications I stated I do have A+ because I figured I'd hear back most likely tuesday or later and I already would have the cert. Anyways I get a call this morning for a PC tech positition at futureshop and the interview is monday and they are under the impression that I already have my A+........... What do you guys think I should do here? I probably should of stated on the phone that I wont have it til tuesday but then I would be lying in the application. Im quite confident I will pass the exam. Is there anyone that has recently taken the exam that can give me inside info as in how many questions the exam is, when you find out if you have passed or not, etc, just so I dont look like a tool if the guy asks me questions about that. They didn't state to bring in any documentation or anything proving that I have it, is there any way of them checking?

Any input on this matter would be great.

Thanks

Foz
 
I'm pretty sure you know when you leave the testing center.

edit* If I were you I'd try to re-schedule the interview.
 
I would try to reschedule the interview as well, but I've never had an employer do a background check on any of my several certifications... but then again, I've never lied... good luck either way.
 
You definitely know immediately upon completion of the test whether you passed/failed. CompTIA will then mail you your card and certificate (you still get some written proof at the time of the test, though).
 
I would just be honest and tell them you have the test scheduled for that Tuesday.
 
You should be able to reschedule and take the test tomorrow or Monday before the interview. If you really want the job, reschedule the test. Rescheduling the interview won't look good.

At the end of the test, while you're sitting at the computer, you will be told if you passed or failed and what your score was.
 
There are only really two choices, and deciding between them requires mapping out the potential negatives of both:

1) Reschedule the interview, take the test as scheduled.
-Requires you to LIE to your (potentially) future boss.

2) Reschedule the exam sooner, take the interview as scheduled.
-Requires you to ... umm ... you don't have to lie to take an exam sooner, just tell them you are anxious to get the certification because interviews are coming up and you want the cert ASAP. Even if they require 48 hours notice if you ask today about taking it on Friday they can PROBABLY squeeze you in.

Bottom line: do you really want to lie to a potential boss (making up excuses = lying) before you even get to the interview?

For me your choice is VERY easy, but I'm black-and-white like that.

202276
 
Option 2 is defenitely what I would of done but earliest date I can take the test is Tuesday, so rescheduling the test wont work. however, I just got a call from another future shop that is even closer to my location, I told him that I'm taking the test on Tuesday, so I'm going to go for an interview with them after my test and am thinking of cancelling/postponing my first interview. That way no lying is involved and I wont feel guilty.

Also do you guys know what the pass percentage is on the cert?
 
It's an easy test. If you know what you're doing, and you've read up on the test, you should have no problems at all passing it.

Remember; it's actually two tests for the A+ though; hardware and OS. Or did they changed that?
 
Here's the deal, you have 2 parts, OS and Hardware. Hardware was a breeze but OS is a PAIN. Just remember this, have the mindset of "In this situation what would the textbook have me do" and don't use a real world approach. Also each test should be less than 100 questions, and regardless of whether you told them you have your a+ or not, chances are (if it's a reputable mom and pop shop) you will be given a practice a+ exam. I also have not had to prove any of my certifications and I work as the helpdesk in City Government. Don't sweat it, just study and if you're nervous you should be, NEVER NEVER lie on a resume. That can and will come back to haunt you. You should've taken you're a+ exams first!

P.S. A + is not written, it's a computer based multiple choice exam
P.S.S. Go in with the attitude of "this is my job and I'm your guy, I'm willing to work for you" and when you leave no matter how well/bad your interview goes, thank them for their time....and MEAN IT!
 
A+ is such a simple cert that I doubt anyone will ask for the certificate, although they may be more likely to do so if you don't have prior experience, which of course would take precedence over a stupid multiple choice quiz.
 
versello said:
I would try to reschedule the interview as well, but I've never had an employer do a background check on any of my several certifications... but then again, I've never lied... good luck either way.
Click to expand...

I've never really had an employer check on certs before hand but have been asked to brng in the paperwork so they could keep it on file. Pretty much wanted to show everyone had at least their a+ as they had that stated in advertisments. Just so they could prove it if needbe.

Can't comment on the A+ but so much as mine still had windows 3.11 on it if I remember right. Was finished with both tests in less then 15 minutes. They would ask you a few questions from a section and if you got them right it would just move on. Miss any and it would give you more from that section. I missed a laser printer question and ended up having to answer a shit load of questions on them.
 
an't comment on the A+ but so much as mine still had windows 3.11 on it if I remember right. Was finished with both tests in less then 15 minutes. They would ask you a few questions from a section and if you got them right it would just move on.
Click to expand...

I took mine last year. IIRC, each test was 100 questions. It had a few Win95 questions on it, but they were generic Windows question. Mostly windows 2000/XP questions. I didn't see any Win3.1 questions at all.

One thing I did notice was that it didn't matter what test you were taking, it would ask you questions from both tests. Hardware test asked me OS questions, OS test asked me hardware questions, and they both asked stupid questions about how to deal with customers.
 
Demon10000 said:
I took mine last year. IIRC, each test was 100 questions. It had a few Win95 questions on it, but they were generic Windows question. Mostly windows 2000/XP questions. I didn't see any Win3.1 questions at all.

One thing I did notice was that it didn't matter what test you were taking, it would ask you questions from both tests. Hardware test asked me OS questions, OS test asked me hardware questions, and they both asked stupid questions about how to deal with customers.
Click to expand...

When they added windows 2000 they removed 3.11.

Customer service questions on mine were great. You would have to be a complete dumbass to miss them. Got a good laugh at them though.
 
swatbat said:
When they added windows 2000 they removed 3.11.

Customer service questions on mine were great. You would have to be a complete dumbass to miss them. Got a good laugh at them though.
Click to expand...

No doubt.

You are performing an upgrade for your customer. He becomes rude and very demanding. He insists that you are not doing your job properly. Do you

1: Punch him in the throat
2: Kick him in the groin
3: Sleep with his wife
4: Talk to your supervisor to coordinate a resolution


Personally, I thought the customer service questions were irrelevant to the exam. It's A+ hardware and A+ OS, not A+ Customer Service.

And when you go in, remember, there is no such thing as linux. The only operating system is Windows.
 
update: So I cancelled my first interview being very polite and told him my situation and the guy was a huge dick about it, so maybe that was a good thing that I wont have to work for him.
 
Gee... he was a huge dick that you basically lied on your resume :rolleyes:

I personally would have left the part about A+ certs off the resume, or waited on the resume.
 
no, he still doesn't know that I dont have the cert, so that had nothing to do with it. It was just about telling him I have an interviw at a store that is way closer and I dont want to waste his time because I will obviously work at the closer store.
 
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