A+ Ceritification

Hieysk · Post by **Hieysk** » Sat Aug 25, 2001 12:50 am

Im thinking of trying to obtain this certification. My question is I want to know which is the best way to go about this. Should I take the classes that also give you the test for 2 or 3 thousand dollars? Or should I buy a few books and try to take the tests on my own. I realize that the latter method would be a lot cheaper but Im wondering if I will retain the knowledge better if I take the classes.

Second, are the classes really worth the money for this type of certification? Im pretty good with the hardware side of pcs and I have been supporting software for the last year and a half.

What do you guys think?

Thanks in Advance,

Hieysk

Prey521 · Post by **Prey521** » Sat Aug 25, 2001 4:33 am

Man, do not spend 2-3 G's on A+ courses, they're not needed. That much for a MCSE or Cisco I can understand, but for the A+? No way, I studied on my own with a couple of books and the knowledge that I already had and I aced it. Save yourself some cash and go the book route

VonJames · Post by **VonJames** » Sat Aug 25, 2001 11:07 am

I agree with Prey, don't waste your money on a class.

Get the book "A+ Certification" by Michael Meyers, it's all you will need.

Hieysk · Post by **Hieysk** » Sat Aug 25, 2001 5:46 pm

Thanks guys..

I will get a few books and crack em.. I didn't think that A+ was that tough so I wanted to get someone else's opinion.

Thanks,

Hieysk

Jon · Post by **Jon** » Sat Aug 25, 2001 8:05 pm

What is this A+ certification all about. I've read through all the information at http://www.comptia.org/.

How much money is involved?

Did it help you guys get contracts or promotions or anything like that?

thanks

Jon

VonJames · Post by **VonJames** » Sat Aug 25, 2001 8:25 pm

It's mainly focused on understanding & repairing the pc. Mostly covering all the hardware. But it also goes into OS's like DOS, win 3.1, and win 95/98 troubleshooting.

Just total pc understanding, like how the processor works, buses, etc.. . It's generally considered the "groundlevel" certification.
I haven't gotten it yet, mainly cause I always have too much going on to go take the test.

The book I mentioned in my previous post is highly regarded as one of the best books out there.
Its a good book to just have for troubleshooting. Has a lot of good content to reference.

As far as a job goes, I was just very fortunate. A lot of companies like to see certifications, but I find that most prefer "in the field" experience, which is what I do have.

I've run across several people that have studied and gotten certified, but if you sit a broken pc in front of them, they don't know how to apply what they should already know, to get it running. Go figure...
Bottom line is, any certification is a good thing.

I haven't checked lately, but I think the test is around $200 or less.

Post by **YeOldeStonecat** » Sun Aug 26, 2001 12:45 pm

Originally posted by VonJames I've run across several people that have studied and gotten certified, but if you sit a broken pc in front of them, they don't know how to apply what they should already know, to get it running. Go figure...
Bottom line is, any certification is a good thing.
[/B]

So true....I've seen soo many "paper certs" who are clueless in the real world if some problem or task is plopped in their lap.

True the A+ classes are a snoozer...but do the industry a favor...actually read the books and study, don't just rely on the braindump sites to pass the test and remain clueless. The best combo is an entry level job for a while to get hands on training, plus studying and doing the tests.

Nothing cracks me up more than seeing some paper cert with all the Microsoft certs thinking he/she's hot ****, and not even know how to properly install some hardware like a NIC or video that isn't left running in 16 color PCI standard VGA mode, or what motherboard .infs are, etc.

Noevo · Post by **Noevo** » Mon Aug 27, 2001 11:14 am

Originally posted by YeOldeStonecat

So true....I've seen soo many "paper certs" who are clueless in the real world if some problem or task is plopped in their lap.

True the A+ classes are a snoozer...but do the industry a favor...actually read the books and study, don't just rely on the braindump sites to pass the test and remain clueless. The best combo is an entry level job for a while to get hands on training, plus studying and doing the tests.

Nothing cracks me up more than seeing some paper cert with all the Microsoft certs thinking he/she's hot ****, and not even know how to properly install some hardware like a NIC or video that isn't left running in 16 color PCI standard VGA mode, or what motherboard .infs are, etc.

Great advice. we have had a couple of MCSE's come in an interview for helpdesk postions where I work. And they weren't even qualified for them. Right now there are a lot of "paper certs" out there who have the cert just for bragging rights and yet still have no knowledge of PC's let alone Networking. But they sure can answer an impractical book question quick

As far at the A+ goes, everyone has had great advice. Don't waste money on a course for it. Save up for a course for the MCSE or Cisco. I took my A+ just last year and had been working with computers (as a job) for 5+ years.

PhyberOptix · Post by **PhyberOptix** » Mon Aug 27, 2001 3:44 pm

Whatever you choose to get certified in, make sure you actually understand the topics you are "certified" on. I interviewed two CCNP's (the mid level Cisco cert) for a position in our WAN team last week. Both bombed the tech interview, it was really bad. If you get certified w/out actually understanding the subjects, you will get torched once you get an interview.

NuZzY · Post by **NuZzY** » Mon Aug 27, 2001 3:57 pm

Better yet, take the Network+ test or the new Server+ test....better than the A+ if you want to take CompTIA tests....I personally would go straight to MCSE's and then Cisco certs.....

oakfan52 · Post by **oakfan52** » Mon Aug 27, 2001 7:25 pm

I apssed my A+ cert a few months ago. Man I don't know how that is suppose to show that you know what the hell you are doing. I felt like it was a waste of my time and money.

Jon · Post by **Jon** » Mon Aug 27, 2001 8:00 pm

VonJames,

Is this the book you are refering to?

http://shop.barnesandnoble.com/booksear ... 0072126795

Thanks

Cedclark · Post by **Cedclark** » Mon Aug 27, 2001 8:56 pm

I been wondering what to do with my life.And I love to work with PC and would like to know whats the pay range for a PC repair work?

Cedclark · Post by **Cedclark** » Mon Aug 27, 2001 9:00 pm

Please forgive my English i was in a hurry

VonJames · Post by **VonJames** » Mon Aug 27, 2001 9:28 pm

Jon,
Although the picture doesn't come up for me (i have a lot blocked with the HOSTS file), the title is the same.
Looks to be about the price I paid too.

Very good book indeed!

VonJames · Post by **VonJames** » Mon Aug 27, 2001 9:38 pm

Cedclark,
That's very hard to answer. So many varibles, like company, location, experience, etc...

Just a wild guess here, if you were to live in the midwest area, I'd say for just pc repair work, and working for some medium sized to a large company, you might see mid $30's and less.

If involves software troubleshooting & repair, maybe $40k & less.

Like I said too many varibles and that is a very wild guess.
I could be off a mile.
Good luck!
There's nothing like doing something for a living that you really enjoy.

ImPAcT · Post by **ImPAcT** » Mon Aug 27, 2001 11:20 pm

Just wondering what certs are worth while obtaining... I'm thinking for going out and getting a few either my A+ or Net+ or Server+ or all of them...

P.S. I have a friend who just wrote his A+ just a few weeks ago and he says its very easy..

PhyberOptix · Post by **PhyberOptix** » Tue Aug 28, 2001 8:46 am

The only cert I've seen out there that actually *requires* hands on experience to obtain is the CCIE (Cisco Certified Internetworking Expert). It is the most difficult cert to obtain but CCIE's also make 6 figures.
So any other cert out there you can get a book on and pass the exam. This certainly won't get you a good job, but it could help you get your foot in the door. Due to the economy, there is a ton of low level engineers who have certs but little to no experience. This means that companies are now paying less and being more selective for entry level positions. You will certainly see training companies advertising that if you get your MCSE or CCNA you will get a great job w/ great pay, but that is nothing more than smoke and mirrors. If you have an MCSE and CCNA without experience, you can probably make $12 an hr. It's possible to make a little more, but it's also *very* possible to make as little as $8/hr. Like I said, it's all about supply and demand and right now demand is low and the supply of unexperienced people w/ certs is very high.
I don't say this to discourage you from getting certified, but rather to help you set your expectations. If you get certs you *must* be willing to outwork the other influx of people getting certs. This means accepting less money, working longer hours, studying more often, etc etc. The network engineering field can certainly provide a great career, but you have to start at the bottom and work hard to move your way up.
Good luck.

SG Broadband Community

A+ Ceritification

A+ Ceritification

Ok.. Thanks..

A few questions