A+ cert...how hard is it?
 

ok, like the topic says...how hard is it really? is it all hardware stuff? thanks alot guys and gals.

later

I didn't actually take it, but I did sit in a class for it (but I wasn't in the class, nor was I paying a particularily large amount of attention to it). It's pretty basic stuff (I thought so, at least). They discuss basic hardware things, like "a network interface card, or 'NIC' is the device that allows a computer to send and receive data over a network." They do get into some things about file systems, and some basic NT stuff (ex. primary/secondary domain controllers, although it's kind of stupid, IMO to teach about this, since the advent of Active Directory, thus eliminating primary/secondary domain controllers). I just have to assume that course was pretty comprehensive as far as covering the certification content. I think there's also some pretty retarded stuff like identifying differences between the default instalation desktops of 98, ME, and 2k, and typing "msinfo32" or whatever.

I'm fairly confident I could pass the test without studying...but you never know...

I took a hardware course, made excellent on the pre-quizes. So did everybody else, but unlike them, I wasn't using the book while taking it.

I took my last test in Jan. of 2001. I didn't take any classes just read a book to prep me. But that was the last month of that revision of the test. Feb. of 2001 rolled out a new standard that includes Linux in the test. I'ld buy a book and read up on it. If you understand it pretty well take the test. If you get lost on the table of contents, take the class. I didn't think the test was very hard.

A+
 

The A+ test was very simple. A basic understanding of hardware is all that is necessary. If you feel the need for this certification buy a book and skim the pages. You should pass this test with minimal effort.

theres more than one test for the cert?

thanks alot guys!

later.

Yhea. When I took it, it was split into two tests. One for hardware and one for Operating systems. You could take them at the same time or indivudually. Becasuse of the cost I didn't want to pay for both if I couldn't pass. But I made it past both.

Whats the current price to take the test?

A+ Exams
 

I've just recently completed the A+ course. No it's not very hard, but as was mentioned, easy enough to make stupid mistakes on the questions about the differences between the installations of 95, 98, NT etc. It is quite "nit-picky" in this respect, but if you've been around computers for any time at all, you should have no problems.

It is split into two exams, Core Hardware Fundamentals and Operating System Fundamentals. They have recently changed from using the 2hr 70 question "normal" test to using the 20-30 question Adaptive Test exclusively. The benifit of this is that you can be out of it in 10mins (you must complete the test in 30mins) but the disadvantage is that you can't review (go go back to) previous questions as it uses your answer to the last question as a basis for choosing the next question.

As far as I know it is about AU$ 200 or so each exam (if you fail you pay again ofcourse). [This is from memory as I can't remember the exact amount]

By the way, I sat through the whole course and read all four books and didn't have a problem with either exam. If you would like me to answer further questions, don't hesitate to post them in this thread (so everybody gets the benefit of the conversation)

Hope that helps.

Cheers,

q2_stefan

I read the book but havent taken the test. It is a 2 part test though I beleive

Yes it is a two-part test. see ^ above ^ :biggrin:

the price that is going right now in my area is $139 for each the core hardware and the os test

It's cake, don't worry about it.

I don't know about it being cake, as nitpicky as it seems I think it would be a hard test.

realistically, how many computer techs these days memorize what IRQs are assigned where or any of the other mini trivia tidbits found in a PC?

I've taken an A+ class, read books, but am scared to test it! It's a shame too, since A+ and Network+ both together can be used as an elective on the MCSA cert.

-WC-

I recently passed the Network+ Exam (yippie!) and was making 95-100% on the practice tests without fail and made 80% on the actual exam.

I agree about the A+ exam. Most of this is common sense and who can memorize all the tables and settings? I'd rather hire someone with common sense who can know where to go to find the infor rather than someone who can spit it back up.

The A+ tests as stated are in two parts - Hardware and OS. You need a lot more than "a basic understanding of hardware" if you want to do well on the tests. First of all, one of the tests, and IMO the hardest one, is entirely OS related, so obviously any hardware knowledge is going to worthless for that purpose.

How easy/hard the tests are depend entirely on your current skillset and experience. If you have years of practical experience with computers, but you can't remember common IRQ's or what DB25 is you might scrape by, but the cert. does test for this kind of knowledge. Perhaps it's 'busy work', or something you can just look up, but IMO this is really 'grassroots' knowledge that you should at least touch on.

The OS tests focus a lot on NT kernel boot processes and priveleges, basic administration tasks, etc. I do not believe Win98 is even part of the test anymore, I had no questions on it.

Liek I said the difficulty the test will pose depends on your current level of expertise. If you are a total newb then a good class with hands-on practice would be a good idea. Otherwise you can most likely pick up a good book (try Mike Meyer's) and just brush up. I used Meyer's book and took both tests back to back, was out of there with my cert in about 30 minutes and passed with flying colors, so I highly recommend his books.

A+
 

look man....im not sure what the problem is but ive taken the test now 6 times and i can't seem to break the 50 percentile. ive taken numerous courses and spent thousands of dollars trying to pass this dang test and i fail everytime. im thinking of giving up all together and applying for med school instead. im pretty good with a scaffel :shake:

Do you have lots of real world experience with computers, or just "book" experience?

ya see boys, its like the time i went to law school (dropped out after one day cause i smashed up my car in the parking lot) i just don't handle stress very well and when im sitting in a room taking a test i get nervous frustrated and want to throw the computer out the window....i do have a little hands on experience but only with macs...and to tell you the truth, when ever i have a problem with a computer i just pull out the old hammer and give it a little tap...believe it or not this usually does the trick..and when that doesn't work i just tell the client that it was hit by a virus and they need to get their boss on the phone to get them a new computer...anyways, i have to get back to work now so wish me luck tomorrow...it will be my last attempt at getting this A+ thing on my resume

I passed the hardware part of the test today, out of 1300, 596 is passing and I got 669, I didn't do too well. The test does well at finding everything you're not so good at and asking you about it. I take the OS test tomorrow, wish me luck! 8)

passed the OS test today, 600 is passing i got 636, I cut it too close for comfort. I thought that i'd have a great score since everything seemed so easy.

they just want you to think it's easy :)

they fooled me! :rolleyes:

220-301 and 220-302
 

Has anyone taken the 220-301 and 220-302 and how hard is it?

Re: 220-301 and 220-302
 

I have just recently taken the 220-301 and found it fairly easy. They use a lot of funky wording to try to trick you into a wrong answer if your not paying attention. Take your time reading the questions! I find the reading them twice before you go to answer them solves that problem. 80 questions long and I finished (and passed) the test in only half the time allowed.

All my knowledge comes from hands on experience! Never took a class on it ever! Worked with computers (trouble shooting and building, etc.) for 5 years now. I just need this dumb peice of paper to prove to the world that I know what Im doing... even though half the town already comes to me for help. Go figure :rolleyes:

Im taking the 302 tomorrow as a matter of fact

A+ Certification
 

Before I took the exam it took about 72 hours of training, plus the exam.

_____________________________________________________________
-Aspire X SuperAlien 520 W. (Black)
-Asus P4C 800-E Deluxe
-P4 -3.4 GHz
-ATI Sapphire 9600 (Atlantis)
-Kingston RAM.
-Western Digital 10,000 RPM, 36.7 Gig. Raptor HD.
-Western Digital 10,000 RPM, 74.6 Gig. Raptor HD.
-Sony 52X CD Drive
-Sony 52X CD-RW Drive
-NEC Dual Layer 8X DVD-Burner
-250 MB Zip Drive
-Sony Floppy Drive

Re: A+ Certification
 

3rd time's the charm right?

I took the A+ Hardware and OS exams on the same day. Both exams are nothing more than memorization. :)

pretty much... but it helps to actually be a leet haxor too..