Am I ready for the Network+ Exam?

[raystargazer]

After a huge number of years as a System Engineer (and shamelessly shunning certs) I am in a position where I need to get a few certifications quick. After a year of CCNA studies I've got a good handle on it, but can't see taking the test for at least a month or two. I refocused my attentions to Network+ and plan on doing the A+ as soon as I test out on Network+. The question I have is am I ready? I have done a ton of questions and rate between 86 & 95% on all of them. Mostly stupid mistakes. I feel like I can do it, but all the hype on the voucher sites has me spooked. Anyone that has done this exam or has any experience with these practice exams, I would appreciate your comments. Thanks. Ray. Here's what I used: ------------------------------- N10-003 Study Materials: Train Signal Network+ Video Training Network+ Study Guide - David Groth - Sybex Third Edition Various CCNA and Internet based materials Practice Exams: Train Signal Exams (from above) TestOut - Domain 1 - 114 questions Domain 2 - 207 Domain 3 - 74 Domain 4 - 96 ActualTests.com 548 questions

[GroundZero3]

If you have studied the Network+ materials, I don't see why not?

[raystargazer]

Sorry for the mess of a message. Yep. I've been going over and over it. The only real errors are carelessness now. I guess being out of work I'm just skittish about spending all that money. Welp. Time to take the plunge. Do you have any idea if Network+ and so forth are certs that will get you in the door? Seems like people don't ask for them in the want ads. I'm just going for them to get some alphabet soup on the resume (all I have is MCP), and because they're relatively easy. Couple of these and I'm back on the CCNA/MCSE track. Thanks for the feedback. ray.

[SeanC]

Network+ for sure. Especially if you don't feel ready for the CCNA quite yet. It will cover some of the same material, at least on the basics.

A+ though, unless Microsoft still allows A+ and Net+ to count towards an elective for their current certs, I wouldn't necessarily bother.

How many years of IT work experience do you have? That'll make a difference too.

[raystargazer]

I replied,but it seems I was logged out so pardon any redundant messages. I've been doing this for a long time. Started before PCs actually and built minicomputers for the banking and brokerage industries. I've got accolades from pretty much all my employers except maybe one (a whiney divorcee, and even she would probably give me a good reference). Problem is without certs on the resume they won't even consider talking to you. So here I am. I tend to agree on the A+. I took a couple of practice exams just to see what they were and scored above 80%. Pretty much everything on there is old hat including the customer relation stuff. I've actually taught that stuff to help desk teams. Still it's another flag on the resume filter so I'm going to spend the money. They're so darned expensive! It's a racket. CCNA was a surprise. I spent about a year on and off with various simulators and video / textbooks and my first practice exam was about 60%. I brushed up and it went to 76%. I figure with some review and a week or two of hard practice I should be ready, but that's what I thought the other times too. lol. There's an awful lot of things to remember and my experience is not extensive on the router/switch side. But I like working with this stuff. I will be working towards the Security+ soon as well. Some have said it's difficult, but that makes it valuable. I also heard someone say they passed the 2008 exam, but I also heard that exam is not available till April sometime. I'm wondering where the study materials came from and how valid the older test materials will be (since I have bunch already including "Mike Meyer's Certification Passport" which doesn't say if it covers the new test material. Thanks for the feedback! ray

[GroundZero3]

The Network+ shouldnt be an issue, I would recommend taking the time to sit down and review the CCNA. It isnt a walk in the park and they have simulations unlike the network+

[Della2009]

I have learned a lot of NACA materials, I'd like to tell you that, no pains, no gains.

[raystargazer]

Thanks for all the input. I took the test yesterday.The test SUCKED! Questions were ambiguous (moreso than even I have seen) and a some of the stuff was not covered in any of my study materials. IPSec internals were questioned on one question. Another one listed some tools for cabling. Included in the list was a cable stripper, and I can't remember that being mentioned either. That was the answer, but you know under pressure you don't want to make the wrong choice. The total knowledge that I was going to tank on this test led me to an astonished look when the final tally showed up at the end. Final result. I scored 800 out of 900. I still don't believe it and spend a few hours re-examining the books to see what else I missed. Process of elimination and a lot of thinking and shedding of the pounded in knowledge got me the answers that must have pushed me over the top.

It's DONE! YEEAAAHOOO!

On to the A+, hopefully next week.

ray

[nemowolf]

Congrats!

[SeanC]

Congrats on passing. The questions on CompTIA exams are pretty ambiguous at times. The one about the cabling, kind of makes sense simply because it IS networking. Haven't met a network admin yet that hasn't created a cable at one time.

[raystargazer]

True enough. The issue I had was they never really introduced a cable stripper in the study materials. I had first hand experience there building cables, but someone with little working knowledge would be pretty confused.

Passed the A+ Essential today with 870. Not too happy there either. Such silly questions. Like "Empathize with the customer and collect information" or "Build a repor with the customer and gather information" "Which is most important?" There were a couple of nonsense answers too, but choosing between these, who knows? A guy next to me failed with 650. It's like they are trying to make you fail. This wouldn't be a problem for me except it's not a technical thing that makes you fail, it's semantics and lack of specific information which essentially means you have to guess your best.

Anybody taking this test, study your practice questions. I found the Pass4Sure set had many questions that were almost word for word.

Sigh. Well back to it. Tuesday is A+ IT. Then off to Security + and CCNA land.

ray

[raystargazer]

Thanks on the Congrats guys! It was nerve racking, but worth it. Both tests were like a refresher and helped to bolster my confidence level. I'm starting to get into the swing now.

ray.

[huntert]

the ccna is broken down into 2 parts now you can take the first part the ccent and get a certification with it for a small network the ccna is a medium sized network and the ccnp is enterprize cbt nuggets has some good study stuff for the ccent

[raystargazer]

Thanks. I decided to take the slow route and go for the ICND1 first. Just finishing the first of two CBT disks I have and so far there's nothing that I don't already know from either past experience or studying for the Network+ exam. Took two days to get through the first disk, so if the second (and probably more in depth) is about the same I could be on practice tests by next week sometime.