Has anyone ever taken "IT" based classes in college; how well did they prepare you?

[AntiCasual]

Hello, I'm taking IST courses at my local community college, and have just recently finished a class (IST: PC Hardware & Software) that was focused on the A+ cert. We used tests and textbooks from Cisco's network academy, and I aced the class. Our professor advised us to study more for the A+ after the class was finished, but I feel that I may be ready to give the cert test a shot, which may be a plus right now as I'm still registered with Cisco and they will give me vouchers to help out with the cost of the A+ cert test. How hard is the A+? I have heard some say it is rather easy after you have studied, and others say it was extremely difficult. I know it all boils down to how bad the individual wants it, and I have studied my ass off for 6 months.

Also, I would like to know if any of you are or have attended any college courses to start you off in the IT world, and if you got what you were expecting out of them. For me, I know that you wont walk out of school as a professional in IT, but I atleast hope to be prepared for some of the certs and have my foot in the door for entry level positions so I can gain experience.

So if you took college courses focused on IT or computers in general, I would like to know your experiences, and did they prepare well enough for some of the certs, like A+?

[nemowolf]

every class, teacher, text book, test, school, etc is going to make something great or horrible.

Two students, same class, same book, etc but at different schools ... does not mean they got the same education. One may take far more away because of an attentive teacher working harder to have the material sink in then the other.




That said, if you want to know how well you may do you are going to have to wait until the next slew of A+ books with the new 2011 standard are released. If you are not aware, as of Jan 1 of this year the A+ certification is no longer LifeTime and instead good for three years needing CEC's or retesting to keep it. As this change is in effect, they may take this opportunity to update the test again.

You could in theory get an older A+ and take any of the Pre-Test/Evaluations they have to see how it goes.




I have been working in IT for 4 years, had a computer to tinker with and build for the last ohhh ... 20 something years and scored 750/800 and 720/850 I think. Both passing scores.

There was definitely questions in the test that neither my experience nor the book & CBT covered. So I hope that helps.

[AntiCasual]

That said, if you want to know how well you may do you are going to have to wait until the next slew of A+ books with the new 2011 standard are released. If you are not aware, as of Jan 1 of this year the A+ certification is no longer LifeTime and instead good for three years needing CEC's or retesting to keep it. As this change is in effect, they may take this opportunity to update the test again.

Yeah, I'm anticipating the A+ exam to have more questions related to Windows 7 rather than it's dysfunctional older brother Vista. A student in another class had taken the A+ a few months ago and said the exam had more Vista questions than he was expecting.