A+ Certification

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Frags10

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Dec 13, 2003
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First of all, I havent posted much on these forums, but I have been reading them for about 2 years. Anyways, I've decided I want to get A+ certified. I'm assuming there are at least a few people who post here who are certified, and I have some questions.

I have one of those exam prepare books which goes over the material and has a bunch of sample questions. Are these books/ sample questions any good?

How tough was the test, in general? I have been building/ repairing / troubleshooting/ overclocking / etc for the passed 6 or 7 years.... should I be able to pass the test?

Thanks.
 
Im 15 and passed it when I was 14 via free test on Smart Certify Direct.com or something like that with like a 75% correct. Im use i could ace it now. A good amount of the questions where on older technologies that arent too common but are still around like ISA for example.
 
i have A+ and its completly useless your better off taking the Network+ or CCNA or some thing even a MCSE is more usefull then A+
 
I just passed my A+ yesterday. The test is not that hard depending on your experience and it is useful to get your foot in the door if that is what you need. Make sure the test is in linear format with 2003 objectives as that is what is current as of today. Comes in two tests ( Core Hardware, Operating Systems ). Pass both and you are certified.

As I do not think it is useless, it does help if you plan on taking further courses if this is for employment purposes. I am currently taking Net + and have three further certifications set up for the next 9 months for a total of 5 certs in a year.
 
i have had my A+ 5 years it does nothing for you
it MIGHT get you a job at bestbuy or some thing but thats it
 
Well, I'll just add my 2 cents to all those people who will say that it's worthless: it's not worthless, but it might not help you, either. However, if a company is picking between you and some other schmoe, and you have the A+ and the other schmoe doesn't, you're likely to get the nod. Even if it gets you one job, it's worth it.

Basically, when you're out there in the real world, whatever edge you can get you might as well get. What will get you even better jobs is a college degree.
 
I passed the Core exam back in 2002 and didn't finish the software exam. I just bought a book and will take both tests before the year ends. Having the core A+ helped me get my current job. I am now an MCP and I will grab my Network + next, then maybe CCNA.

Don't buy the exam cram A+ book. It sucks. It's bloated with tons of worthless information. The Exam Cram book for the 70-270 on the other hand was very good.
 
thing is every "schmoe" trying to get a tech work any more has it you need some to go with it
dont thing a A+ on its own is going to do any thing for you
sure get but get some more usefull as soon as you can be it MCSE, CCNA, Network+, or a Linux cert of some kind
 
An A+ cert looks good on a resume, therfore can be useful when applying for a job.
Otherwise it's a waste IMhO. I'd say most people around here who build their own systems
would pass easily.
 
I have my A+ and Network+ certs. The A+ was quite simple. If you've been around computers for a while, you shouldn't have any problems. I took a 2 week prep class for the A+ and thats really all I needed. Didn't study for the test. The instructer did recommend "Exam Cram" books, but the class was enough since it covered just about everything that was on the test. Network + was a whole different story. That was a little tougher for me since I really had no hands on, but I'm sure if you have experience with it, shouldn't be a problem. My two certifications and 6 months as a bench tech got me a Systems Admin job at a casino here in town. I'm glad I did it. I used to be a supervisor for an airline, and after making this career move, I couldn't be happier.

Susquehannock said:
...I'd say most people around here who build their own systems
would pass easily.
Click to expand...

Tis true. I know a few who tinker at home only and have passed the A+. Once I took the test, I know I could have passed it on my own. The class just made everything fresh in my mind.
 
IMO the A+ is a good thing to have, especially if you lack a degree or experience. I've had mine for about 4 years now, and that combined with my 6 years of IT experience, I've had no problem getting jobs with it, where as before I got it, I hardly got any callbacks for applications I submitted.

Back to the original question, go to a local bookstore and look at the A+ books, there are many great books out there, and you should only need one or two to pass it. Read them cover to cover, and know the stuff by heart and you shouldn't have a problem passing it. I took the class while I was in college and with 2 years experience, as well as years of being a regular home user/enthusiest, and just using a book to just brush up, I passed both tests in about 30 minutes with near perfect scores.

The tests difficulty depends on what you know honestly. I've been using computers since the mid 80's, working in the IT field since '99, etc and I found them very easy.
 
It's not fair to come right out and say it's completely useless. You have to consider what the person is after.

Part of my job is interviewing people to fill jobs once a company decides to hire HP. We usually hire their own employees, or new people. If your after a job in the business world, an A+ cert is totally and completely worthless. Any company that knows a thing about the importance of IT isn't going to use the A+ cert as a deciding factor. You need college degrees, experience, and/or major certs.

If your after a job in a PC repair shop, or working in one of the major brick and mortar stores, go for it, as it will help. It's never a bad thing to have it, but you have to ask yourself if your gains (if any) from it will be worth it.
 
Most people are forgetting that A+ and Network+ can be used as an elective towards MCSA certification as you wind your way towards MCSE.
 
SJConsultant said:
Most people are forgetting that A+ and Network+ can be used as an elective towards MCSA certification as you wind your way towards MCSE.
Click to expand...
Didn't know that.

I wouldn't say it's worthless... anymore. After having been opposed to A+ for a while (from seeing too many paper certified people) I have since started looking from an employment perspective. If an A+ helps you get the job, then it was worth the time spent. Heck, you might even learn a thing or two.
 
I just passed the A+(i passed network+ about a week ago) what disturbed me about both tests was how low the score requirements were for passing. The minimum scores were as follows:
Network+ 554/900 62%
A+ Core 515/900 57%
A+ OS 505/900 56%
I got the sybex book for Network+ and just looked at online stuff for A+ but every thing I read said you needed to get 80% to pass. Are certifications that that let you pass with less than 60% worth any thing?
 
A+ is needed by some oems to qualify for their certifications and to order replacement parts, toshiba and hp both require this. So it isn't worthless and is a good start.
 
ajb21 said:
Are certifications that that let you pass with less than 60% worth any thing?
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They're still worth more than not having them at all. It's a per company basis as to whether or not they're going to help you get a job.
 
People who say A+ is useless are n00bs with no grasp of how the IT industry works, just pretentious, head-up-their-ass opinions about their own |33t-ness.

No, having an A+ does not mean you know anything at all about computers (any asshat with at least one working eye and sufficient motor skills to mash a keyboard with their appendage of choice can get one).

However, IT employers are mostly idiots too (speaking from actual "experience" here), your CNE is worth exactly nothing if the snotbucket who's hiring has never heard of it.

Everybody has heard of A+.

If you're at a stage in your career where you even have questions about A+, then you should get it, you are not going to get a job that requires a ccie anyway, and it can only help, not hinder.

FACT: If you have 5 years experience, a ccnp and an A+, you are MORE QUALIFIED than the mentally-retarded chowder-head who only has 5 years experience and a ccnp.
 
MartinX said:
People who say A+ is useless are n00bs with no grasp of how the IT industry works, just pretentious, head-up-their-ass opinions about their own |33t-ness.
Click to expand...
Coming from 9 years in the IT field, I'm going to have to disagree with this. You need to specify parts of the IT industry. If all you're doing is grunt-like deskside support/help desk stuff, the A+ can't hurt. If you're starting at a level higher than that, it is worthless.

It also changes job to job. If you're working for a PC Builder, or a company that does help desk support, it's a big thing.

You also don't seem to have a grasp on how experience is judged (at least my competent employers). 5 years experience at one company for one person, is hardly the same as 5 years experience for a second person at a second job. These aren't unskilled, union positions, where length of time employed means the world. It doesn't matter if it's 5 years or not...it's what you've done, and what you've learned during those 5 years.
 
Frags10 said:
How tough was the test, in general? I have been building/ repairing / troubleshooting/ overclocking / etc for the passed 6 or 7 years.... should I be able to pass the test?
Click to expand...

With flying colors.
 
Whether the certification is worthy of pursuing depends on what your goals are, and the current level of experience you have.

I'm currently going over resumes and interviewing people for an entry level pc and network assistant. I see a lot of A+ certs on the resumes. Personally I don't care whether A+ is on the resume or not. It is an entry level position, but I'm still looking at what experience a person has. Most are tech school grads and the ones that interest me are the ones who have experience doing side work of some form already on top of their schooling.

Another thing worth mentioning. Body piercings don't go over too well in the I.T. field. At least where I work it doesn't. One interviewee lost out due to a tongue piercing.
 
MartinX said:
FACT: If you have 5 years experience, a ccnp and an A+, you are MORE QUALIFIED than the mentally-retarded chowder-head who only has 5 years experience and a ccnp.
Click to expand...

Sorry, but this is not true. A CCNP and an A+ are apples to oranges; if you have a CCNP, you won't be doing the type of work that the A+ tests on. If you want someone to install a sound card, find someone with an A+ . If you want someone to design, configure, and install a real business's mission-critical network, find a CCNP, and then hire the A+ to plug the cat5 cables into the PCs.
 
How does a MCSA or MCSE in server 2003 fair on the certitfication rank list?
 
number69 said:
How does a MCSA or MCSE in server 2003 fair on the certitfication rank list?
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Years ago some companies might have hired someone with a newly acquired piece of paper. But with the job market the way it is now, you're going to need some experience also to land a job...unless you're related or know someone.
I know it's frustrating for someone with desires to pursue that. My recommendations would be to go ahead and do it, but get some experience somewhere to accompany your cert, even if it means volunteering somewhere.

I personally believe a cert worth pursuing would be in the security field. Something offered by Sans.org or similar. I think there's more of an opportunity and future for new security specialists if they have the proper training. I guess that sounds like an oxymoron (newly trained security specialist). :p

If I was starting out new I would look into that.
 
Mister Natural said:
Years ago some companies might have hired someone with a newly acquired piece of paper. But with the job market the way it is now, you're going to need some experience also to land a job...unless you're related or know someone.
I know it's frustrating for someone with desires to pursue that. My recommendations would be to go ahead and do it, but get some experience somewhere to accompany your cert, even if it means volunteering somewhere.
Click to expand...

I meant a MCSA or MCSE with some experience.

Is a MCSA or MCSE with experience held in higher regard than say a A+ or network+ with some experience. I guess it depends on the job requirements of the position you apply for. A company looking for a jr admin on Windows Server would most likely opt for a person with a MCSA or MCSE with some experience than a person with network +/A+ with some experience.
 
The A+ is the entry level cert. It can not hurt in any way to get it and its more of a formality than anything if you've done so much as build one computer and installed an OS a few times.

It was the first cert I got, then I went on to get Network+ and with those first two certs and a 4 year IT degree from a college I landed my first IT job. You have to keep moving up in certifications for them to become a valuable asset to your resume. :eek:
 
Mister Natural said:
I personally believe a cert worth pursuing would be in the security field. Something offered by Sans.org or similar. I think there's more of an opportunity and future for new security specialists if they have the proper training. I guess that sounds like an oxymoron (newly trained security specialist). :p

If I was starting out new I would look into that.
Click to expand...


The MSCE track has a test on security, the 70-298 book "Designing Security for a Microsoft Windows Server".
 
number69 said:
The MSCE track has a test on security, the 70-298 book "Designing Security for a Microsoft Windows Server".
Click to expand...
I'm talking overall network security and not just securing a server.
 
Mister Natural said:
I'm talking overall network security and not just securing a server.
Click to expand...


That book covers security for both server and overall network security. But I get what you're saying, get a cert that specializes in network security.
 
Mister Natural said:
Years ago some companies might have hired someone with a newly acquired piece of paper. But with the job market the way it is now, you're going to need some experience also to land a job...unless you're related or know someone.
I know it's frustrating for someone with desires to pursue that. My recommendations would be to go ahead and do it, but get some experience somewhere to accompany your cert, even if it means volunteering somewhere.

I personally believe a cert worth pursuing would be in the security field. Something offered by Sans.org or similar. I think there's more of an opportunity and future for new security specialists if they have the proper training. I guess that sounds like an oxymoron (newly trained security specialist). :p

If I was starting out new I would look into that.
Click to expand...


what do you think about the Linux and UNIX certs?
 
Elios said:
what do you think about the Linux and UNIX certs?
Click to expand...

Well it's my personal opinion, but I think both of those are worthy pursuits. Especially Linux. I see more and more companies becoming annoyed with licensing costs and Linux is a great avenue for companies to consider managing their I.T. budgets. I believe as Linux continues to mature more companies will give that serious consideration.
Unix is great no doubt. If I had to choose between the 2 and what my best chance would be for landing a job with no real world experience I would choose Linux.
 
Mister Natural said:
Well it's my personal opinion, but I think both of those are worthy pursuits. Especially Linux. I see more and more companies becoming annoyed with licensing costs and Linux is a great avenue for companies to consider managing their I.T. budgets. I believe as Linux continues to mature more companies will give that serious consideration.
Unix is great no doubt. If I had to choose between the 2 and what my best chance would be for landing a job with no real world experience I would choose Linux.
Click to expand...



cool im working on the SAIR/GNU Linux certs atm i have the frist 2 parts of lvl 1 done atm and once i have the time ill finish up the lvl 1 cert
http://www.linuxcertification.org/
http://www.linuxcertification.org/level1.htm
 
While we're talking Linux and Unix, I feel compelled to also mention Open VMS. Especially since that's what we run here on Alpha servers.
There's a smaller niche or need for VMS admins, but the need is there and you might find less of line ahead of you in the employment line.
 
Mister Natural said:
While we're talking Linux and Unix, I feel compelled to also mention Open VMS. Especially since that's what we run here on Alpha servers.
There's a smaller niche or need for VMS admins, but the need is there and you might find less of line ahead of you in the employment line.
Click to expand...

hehe i have used VMS and i know ppl that use it just wondering you ever hear the term
D3 or S3 in relation to VMS?

but thay have been moving away from it but some of there customers still use it like Miller Brewing
 
Mister Natural said:
While we're talking Linux and Unix, I feel compelled to also mention Open VMS. Especially since that's what we run here on Alpha servers.
There's a smaller niche or need for VMS admins, but the need is there and you might find less of line ahead of you in the employment line.
Click to expand...
VMS's future is tied to IA-64 now. And there has been nothing but bad news about IA64 lately.
 
djnes said:
... It doesn't matter if it's 5 years or not...it's what you've done, and what you've learned during those 5 years.
Click to expand...

Dude chill, it was meant as a throwaway, hypothetical "all other things being equal" type statement, not a personal attack on your credentials.

My general feeling is that certs are a good thing to have if you want to get a job in a competitive market, particularly if you don't have 43 years experience or whatever.

Even a cert like the A+, it's well known, it's easy, why not?
 
Fint said:
Sorry, but this is not true. A CCNP and an A+ are apples to oranges; if you have a CCNP, you won't be doing the type of work that the A+ tests on. If you want someone to install a sound card, find someone with an A+ . If you want someone to design, configure, and install a real business's mission-critical network, find a CCNP, and then hire the A+ to plug the cat5 cables into the PCs.
Click to expand...

Did you read the line just before the one you quoted?

I don't think so.

Unlike you (apparently), not everyone walks straight into the CTO of Cisco position with no certs and limited experience.

Entry level cert = better than no cert at entry level.

For the record, I don't have an A+, my first Cert (after many years experience) was the net+ (I also have security+ and linux+ to round out the fish-in-a-barrel entrylevel section of my Resume padding collection).
 
MartinX said:
Dude chill, it was meant as a throwaway, hypothetical "all other things being equal" type statement, not a personal attack on your credentials.

My general feeling is that certs are a good thing to have if you want to get a job in a competitive market, particularly if you don't have 43 years experience or whatever.

Even a cert like the A+, it's well known, it's easy, why not?
Click to expand...
I didn't take them as any type of attack on me. All things being equal, you're right. And there's never really a downside to getting a certificate. I think many people get sick of hearing this question, because in some cases, the OP is expecting it to replace experience, and it does not.
 
incomudro said:
Im 15 and passed it when I was 14 via free test on Smart Certify Direct.com or something like that with like a 75% correct. Im use i could ace it now. A good amount of the questions where on older technologies that arent too common but are still around like ISA for example.
Click to expand...
Free? How do I get in on this? I'm all for free certs :D
 
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