A+ certification (a few questions about it)

S

SpeedRunner

Guest
My friend who is also going into the computer field told me he was studying for this, and gave me a general idea of what it is. I did some searches on this forum to learn more about it, but I still have some questions.

1) I'm a college student. I probably won't be graduating till late 2007. Should I try taking it now or after I graduate? I've read that the test is often updated.
2) How do I take the exams and how much does it cost?
3) What are good books to read to make sure I can pass this with flying colors?
4) I understand that A+ certification is good mostly for entry level jobs, but this won't effect my goals of having higher level jobs in the future?
5) Should I also take other exams (Net+,MCSA,CCNA, etc)?

Thank you for your help. :)
 
SpeedRunner said:
1) I'm a college student. I probably won't be graduating till late 2007. Should I try taking it now or after I graduate? I've read that the test is often updated.
2) How do I take the exams and how much does it cost?
3) What are good books to read to make sure I can pass this with flying colors?
4) I understand that A+ certification is good mostly for entry level jobs, but this won't effect my goals of having higher level jobs in the future?
5) Should I also take other exams (Net+,MCSA,CCNA, etc)?
Click to expand...

1) Now or later, does not matter much... later might be better though.
2) Here in my home town there is a place that offers the exams. you can find one near you on comptia's website test cost like 200.00 per test.
3) Any A+ book that is good reading for you. also that might be approved by comptia.
4) A lot of company's look for A+. it will not hurt to have it...
5) In the computer field certifications seem to be held in high regards. so having more will not hurt.
 
SpeedRunner said:
My friend who is also going into the computer field told me he was studying for this, and gave me a general idea of what it is. I did some searches on this forum to learn more about it, but I still have some questions.

1) I'm a college student. I probably won't be graduating till late 2007. Should I try taking it now or after I graduate? I've read that the test is often updated.
2) How do I take the exams and how much does it cost?
3) What are good books to read to make sure I can pass this with flying colors?
4) I understand that A+ certification is good mostly for entry level jobs, but this won't effect my goals of having higher level jobs in the future?
5) Should I also take other exams (Net+,MCSA,CCNA, etc)?

Thank you for your help. :)
Click to expand...
1. The A+ is a joke but if you want to be taken seriously in the entry level field, you'll most likely need it. The test isn't updated that much. If you truely know computer hardware/software/networking, the test will be easy. I didn't even study for it and went and passed. But I had also been an MCP for 5 years and in IT for 8 years by the time I took it. I only took the test because I had some cash to burn.
2. 145.00 per test..there are 2 of them. If you fail, you pay the fee over again.
3. Brain dumps are your friend. Learn em, use em. Exam Cram is pretty worthless.
4. No it won't. I was already a network admin and CIO by the time I took my A+.
5. CCNA is god. If you can pass this, you can be assured of most jobs because to pass it, you've got to know your shit. Me...I'm lazy and just hire CCNA's.
Comptia tests: A+, Net+, Linux+ ect...worthless. Waste of time and money. Go take them if you know you can pass them, otherwise, don't bother.
Microsoft Tests: MCSA is a baby MCSE and you can use your MCSA exam as one of the electives for the MCSE. These are all a joke. Case in point: I passed 2k Server with 2 questions missed and it took me 10 minutes to take the test.

As stated above. Certs are your friend. They don't mean much because anyone with a brain is going to grill you during the interview process to see if you really know your stuff, but having all those initials after your name will get you that interview.

Penguincomp
A+, MCP x3 and too lazy to get the rest.
 
Guys, just a thought here. I teach in the IT dept at a community college and if they have either a Cisco or Microsoft Academy and you want some certs. it's much cheaper at a community college than say ECPI or one of those other money sucking places. Just a suggestion, it will save you some dough IF you need to take some classes. ;)
 
Thank you for your awnsers, but I still need to know where I get the A+ cerfication exams. Also, are there any specific recommendations for books?
 
the O reilly books are good, they got one for a+, but seriously i'm 20 and i have my a+ without studying or using a book, if you've put together a windows box and know some terminology you're set... the test is all multiple choice, it's like playing a big game of "Which of these does not belong after this question" it's pretty damn easy...
 
SpeedRunner said:
Thank you for your awnsers, but I still need to know where I get the A+ cerfication exams. Also, are there any specific recommendations for books?
Click to expand...

Do you have a local community college? You may check with them. The ECPIs of the world give them, but I have no idea how much they would charge. :eek:
 
The test vouchers are pretty cheap here:

www.getcertified4less.com

There are two exams involved in this test so you need a voucher for each (2 each).

They were overall pretty easy and you don't need a very high score to pass (55%-60%, somewhere in there, pretty easy) There is 80 questions per test I think. I just passed it with experience + reading A+ for dummies book... lol.

I definetly think there is value in the certificates, it matters on who is hiring you though as to how much. Some people just look at degrees. You really need both IMO depending on how far you are looking to go and how high up.
 
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