A+ exam- worried

**HandOfZek** · March 22nd, 2007, 03:50 PM

While I'm in CCNA classes (and doing alright), I'm also studying for my A+ certification. Because we're (my school) an educational institute, we can still take the old hardware/software exams (until June 30), which I'm registered for.

My worry, of course, is that I will fail. I've been studying like 2ish hours a day for about a month, and am still worried. I just honestly can't seem to retain the information and will read for hours and end up with nothing in my head. A lot of it has to do with the material being so DULL (for some reason I'm interested in networking) that I just can't stay focused.

I'm taking the hardware portion on May 1 and the software one sometime near the end of June.

I'd appreciate it if someone could ease my mind or.. something. I'm hoping the exams are easy as hell, but that's not likely. I also feel kind of stupid (if I can't do A+, how will I pass my future Cisco exams?!) but am very interested in working with routers, cabling and wireless tecnologies.

I've read each book (have 3 total), and am in the process of reading them again.

**SeanC** · March 22nd, 2007, 04:12 PM

Here's a tip, try writing out the important information on paper as you're studying each time. Repeat this a few times. It helped me on the areas I couldn't retain information for.

**ShuckyD** · March 22nd, 2007, 09:53 PM

writing or typing has always worked for me.. i did this with most of my class notes in college, i brought a normal notebook to class and wrote them down (pen and paper) and when the test was announced or when it was comming up, i would go on my laptop and type all the information in, and that would help me retain it, ive also been known (if its not 10+ pages of stuff) to delete the document so i would have to re-type it in the next day or so ...stupid, but it works for me

ohh... and dont forget to read the stuff you typed up

**famosbrown** · March 29th, 2007, 08:21 PM

The A+ is not hard at all. If you have built computers and understand each part, you are half way there. It is all multiple choice and with most CompTIA exams, it is all about memorization. Memorizing IRQ numbers, speeds of hard drives, types of RAM, etc. The OS is pretty simple as well and they usually ask for differences beween two OS's like XP and 98, or what is driver signing, etc. If you are taking the new 2006 exam, I am told that it is MUCH easier than the 2003 exam because they have scaled the Hardware and Software exam down to make them one, then you will have a specialty exam that you can choose...those questions are customer service based and aren't that technical, so you should be fine. A+ and Network+ are good to study for and have before jumping into the Cisco stuff. The CCNA is a lot of networking!! Good luck and you will do FINE on the A+ exam...especially with the amount of studying you are doing!!!!

**Rootstonian** · March 29th, 2007, 08:56 PM

Exam anxiety is a tough beast to fight. From my personal experience, it does more harm than good.

Study hard, but take frequent breaks. And study LONG TERM...i.e. no cramming. The more that you digest and can commit to long-term memory, the better.

Come exam time...R-E-L-A-X. I know, easier said than done, but it really is key to let your mind do what you have trained it to do.

My little trick was to scan a test (especially multiple choice) and pick one or two I KNEW the answer DOWN COLD!. Huge, huge ego boost and it let me relax for the rest of the exam.

Nothing worse than hitting an exam, all stressed out and drawing a blank on the FIRST question!!!!!!