A+ Certification

I've got a voucher to write my A+ cert. but the deadline is February 12, 2003.

I wanna write the exams but I also do not want to Fail them. My problem is that I have a hard time remembering important information. I have practice tests and friend of mine advised me that if I can score 80% or better consistently then I should do fine. Well.. I can't seem to score over 70% no matter how many times I go through them. So I need some advice on how to study for these tests - The deadline is fastly approaching and I need to know how much time I should be spending on studying and if there is any 'easy' to help me remember information. Thanks in Advance for your replies.

TA

if you have such short-term memory, cramming would be the way to go, esp in the last few days leading up to the test date.

in the meantime, keep reading & studying...

One of the keys to remembering the stupid details is being familiar with stuff, it kinda gives you something to hang the details on in your mind.

So in addition to cramming, if you don't have alot of experience working on systems, building them, etc, I'd recommend doing that too. Feb. is a long way off, I think a determined person could start from scratch and be ready for the A+ by then.

Personally, I like to read, give me some coffee and a book and I"m happy. So I'd just go down to Barnes and Nobles, or Borders and just read 2 or 3 A+ books. It might take a bit of time, I but I can't imagine not passing after absorbing all that. That may not be the best strategy for everyone, like I said I like to plow through books.

Of course the best strategy when time is limited is to study the questions you miss on the practice tests. Make sure you understand the topic, not just know the right answer.


BTW: Don't be afraid to take the test, even if you fail, you'll get a report of what you missed, and you can take it again.

Thanx..

I think there are some CD software sets you can buy at Barnes & Nobles for all kinds of certificates. You just get the CD's study the content, then go pay to take the test. No 40 hour classes or anything like that and you save a ton of cash.

My mom works for Covenant Healthcare, a hospital here in Michigan and they have a guy who fixes all the broken computers at the hospital (I assume he has something like an A+ Hardware certificate). Anyways, he just used those books and CD's, no classes. All he did was study those books and CD's and went and passed the test. And he was still able to get a job starting at $13 an hour. He actually replaced a guy who left because his wife had twins and he decided to be a "stay at home dad". That previously employed guy made quite a bit to start with and even got his pay bumped to $27 an hour after Covenant heard some corporation offered him a job with them. So, not only do you make good money with certificates, but you have job security because your employer will fight for you to stay with them. I always tell that story when people tell me I'm nuts for going after a couple certificates instead of getting a 4-year degree. I'm thinking of getting A+ Hardware, A+ Software, and maybe the Windows XP Pro certificate since I figure every business is likely to pay the costs to upgrade very soon to XP Pro. The XP certs were kinda risky to go for in the past because businesses would likely go with Windows 2000 instead of the high cost XP setup.

Does anyone know how good the courses are that ROP provide for A+ and is there a difference between A+ hardware and A+ software. I'm just 15 so do you think I would have a chance in one of those exams?

Pudding,

Just want to second those who've said you're nuts for going for certs instead of a 4 year degree.

Trust me....a cert don't mean diddly compaired to a Bachelors in ANYTHING. Even better if it's Engineering, Computer Science, etc.

You can't work for alot of folks without the degree. HR won't even consider your resume - gets tossed.

Not having a 4 year degree can be VERY career limiting.

Please...don't pass up an undergrad for an A+.....that is a very, very bad idea.

My impression is that a Bachelors today has the equivalent value of a H.S. diploma from years ago. To be competitive for some jobs you need education beyond the undergrad level.

Quote:

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Originally posted by chris64
I'm just 15 so do you think I would have a chance in one of those exams?

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Most people I know over the age of 15 wouldn't stand a chance of passing it.
:p

If you know the stuff, you'll do fine. If you are worried about spending the money and not passing, then overprepare. No harm in knowing too much.

a+ certification is a joke and a waste of money just something most companies require you to have sort of like a drivers license. They know you can drive but want you to pay for it.

Im shooting to get mine by next february. I think its worth getting. I am 15 aswell. At school in my ICT class we have these practice tests for A+ the first time I took it I got a 50 something% now about a week or so later I have an 80% on it. I cant remember the name of this program I will post it tomorrow maybe. Its really helpfull and really nice to learn from.





PyroSama

Has anyone ever tried an ROP A+ prep class?

I here you there TECHNO, i'm not great with memorization either,
see i've been studying for the A+ on and off for about 3months now, the way to go atleast my technique is to read the book through completely first, taking notes and the chapter test, then go half and half between rereading those notes and going back to the book to focus on the details e.g the irq's, dma's, troubleshooting techniques,etc, its all about making it a ritual, little by little, your knowledge will expand, because you're coming at it from a nuts and bolts aspect of things, and do the practice tests, objective by objective or something, as always do whatever works best for ya...my 2 cents.

http://www.freepractice.com/Aplus/aplus.htm



PyroSama

A+ cert is not a joke if it gets your foot in the door.Most employers wont even talk to you unless you have an A+.
To them,it's a way to filter out unqualified applicants who think they can wing it after they get hired.Put yourself in thier shoes:how many botched up jobs can a business afford before they realize thier new employee is a lying idiot?
lynch

lynchmob is correct.

the a+ cert is a useful screening tool used by many employers for 'blind' applicants. while it's not terribly hard to pass the test (not trying to put down any A+'ers out there), it does have its purpose in the real world.

Quote:

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Originally posted by amir
I here you there TECHNO, i'm not great with memorization either,
see i've been studying for the A+ on and off for about 3months now, the way to go atleast my technique is to read the book through completely first, taking notes and the chapter test, then go half and half between rereading those notes and going back to the book to focus on the details e.g the irq's, dma's, troubleshooting techniques,etc, its all about making it a ritual, little by little, your knowledge will expand, because you're coming at it from a nuts and bolts aspect of things, and do the practice tests, objective by objective or something, as always do whatever works best for ya...my 2 cents.

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Thanks for the Advice... I've got till February 2003.. so I'm just gonna keep on reading and reading (when I have time)

Cheers,

T A

Quote:

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Originally posted by PyroSama
http://www.freepractice.com/Aplus/aplus.htm



PyroSama

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Thanks for the Link.... this should help me quite a bit.

Cheers

The standard in A+ Hardware and Software is by Comptia. There is a difference between the two tests. Trancenders is a company that no longer exists but if you can get ahold of their tests they will help you... or see www.ronz.com and look at his study guides....he is a professor now and once upon a time worked for trancenders as well.

Quote:

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Originally posted by PyroSama
http://www.freepractice.com/Aplus/aplus.htm



PyroSama

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I tweaked that site and copied the files over to my computer so that it could run from CD. I did this because I have to keep the phone lines open in my house(can't receive a call while using the internet on the same line:() but if any off you are interested for using it like when your away from home and you can't connect through your laptop or if you have the same problem as I do PM me your e-mail address and I'll send you the *.ISO file or send me your address plus a small donation($1+ will do) to cover shipping and I'll burn it to a CD for you.