A+ Certification.

[Krynj]

So I've been toying with the idea of getting A+ certified. I'm sure some, if not most of the members here are possibly A+ certified, and I was just wondering if it's really worth it. I know it'll look good on my resume, but has it really helped any of you land any jobs? And is there a cheaper place to buy a vouchers than on the CompTIA website?

And which version should I take? There's an A+ (2006 objectives) exam for $221, or what seems to be some sort of standard (possibly slightly outdated exam?) for $168. Should I just go with the cheaper one, since it'll look exactly the same on my resume?

A+ (2006 objectives)

Standard A+ voucher

And is there anything I should be prepared for? I've passed all the practice tests with almost no problem. Sometimes I'll get thrown off by the questions about laser printers and all that, but, if I can pass the practice tests pretty easily, can I expect to do fine on the real exam?

Thanks in advance.

 

[child of wonder]

Unless you're applying for Tech Support or Help Desk jobs it won't help you one bit.

Beyond those it's basically worthless.

 

[Crono]

You need the Essentials (220-601) and one of the following:
220-602 IT Technician
220-603 Remote Support Technician
220-604 Depot Technician

Essentials is $168 just for test voucher. I just registered last month, and I'm taking the test at end of next month. I figure it's worth it just to add something extra to resume.

 

[Krynj]

I have a tech support job now (at a call center, level 1 tech support for Kingston), and I'm getting quite sick of my managers, so I'm considering leaving if I can find something decent in the area. I really don't mind my job, at all. My managers just seem to have no clue as to what they're doing, and it becomes extremely frustrating. So I was considering taking the A+ exam in an attempt to make myself a better candidate for other tech support jobs in the area.

 

[oogabooga]

I think the general consensus from when I read these threads is:

Is it a great investment into your future? Not really. No one is going to be impressed by an A+ cert. That being said with a lack of experience in the field, it's better to have it than not to. It's not a particularly huge investment to get, with lack of experience better certs you might be slightly more attractive at an entry level than most.

 

[James Bond]

Originally posted by: oogabooga
I think the general consensus from when I read these threads is:

Is it a great investment into your future? Not really. No one is going to be impressed by an A+ cert. That being said with a lack of experience in the field, it's better to have it than not to. It's not a particularly huge investment to get, with lack of experience better certs you might be slightly more attractive at an entry level than most.

Yep

 

[z1ggy]

Didn't take it because I new I wasn't going to do IT and I didnt want to pay $85 bucks to get a piece of paper that said I new how to use a computer.

 

[amdhunter]

A+ certification got my foot in the IT door 8 years ago -- and today, I get to nef on ATOT from my workdesk all day.

A+ is worth it.

 

[Krynj]

I think I'm just gonna go for it. Although being a computer technician isn't necessarily my primary career goal, it's definitely not something I'd hate to do.

Can anybody comment on the student handbook they send to you after you purchase the voucher? Are there any aspects in the exam that caught you by surprise? I'd hate to spend the money on the exam only to fail it. But again, I can pass the practice tests with almost no problems at all, so I'm fairly confident I'll pass.

 

[Kalmah]

From my understanding the combination of A+ and Net+ is good to have.

I have neither so I'm just a babbling peon here though...

 

[mrCide]

My certs got my foot in the door as well, but this was 8 years ago. Once you get your first real job / experience on the resume, entry level certs aren't worth much.

 

[Krynj]

So am I understanding this correctly? I'll have to purchase this voucher (https://store.comptia.org/product.aspx?product=VW_A) and also another voucher for IT Technician?

Kalmah, is your username an ode to the band of the same name?

 

[SP33Demon]

Originally posted by: mrCide
My certs got my foot in the door as well, but this was 8 years ago. Once you get your first real job / experience on the resume, entry level certs aren't worth much.

Same.

 

[amdhunter]

Originally posted by: mrCide
My certs got my foot in the door as well, but this was 8 years ago. Once you get your first real job / experience on the resume, entry level certs aren't worth much.

Yeah. Experience can go a long way in this industry.

 

[jgigz]

Originally posted by: amdhunter

Originally posted by: mrCide
My certs got my foot in the door as well, but this was 8 years ago. Once you get your first real job / experience on the resume, entry level certs aren't worth much.

Yeah. Experience can go a long way in this industry.

Same here, got my A+ and Net+ in high school through (was an acutal class i could take) and it got me in a very good position. Got an internship with a defense contract out of highschool and have been working there since (3+ years now) and going to school.

to OP:

If its not too much cash and you won't have to dedicate a bunch of time to pass it (IE just brush up on it) then definitely go for it.

 

[aircooled]

Agreed. Certs help get your foot in the door then experience is the key. I haven't done any certs since 2000.

 

[Porter21]

I got an internship by submitting my resume to a fellow student. They hired me and an intern where I have been almost a year and a half. My background in IT was very extensive having done since I was freshman-sophomore in highschool. They did not require I have A+/Net+ or anything. At this point, I think the experience will look better than anything else. They have offered to pay for my A+ certification if I decide to take it, which I probably will. But as of now, I doubt it would benefit me quite as much as the internship itself.

 

[lokiju]

I'm a systems admin for a med/large size company and have no certifications.

They might help you get your foot in the door though.

But in IT (usually) experience trumps certs any day.

 

[Porter21]

Originally posted by: lokiju
I'm a systems admin for a med/large size company and have no certifications.

They might help you get your foot in the door though.

But in IT (usually) experience trumps certs any day.

Right now as stated above I am an IT intern with pretty much basic help desk tasks now with big projects here in there. Do you really think that once I graduate college (1 year left of 4-year Info. Sys degree) that an A+ cert will help me at all, after Ive been at this internship 2+ years?

 

[lokiju]

Originally posted by: Porter21

Originally posted by: lokiju
I'm a systems admin for a med/large size company and have no certifications.

They might help you get your foot in the door though.

But in IT (usually) experience trumps certs any day.

Right now as stated above I am an IT intern with pretty much basic help desk tasks now with big projects here in there. Do you really think that once I graduate college (1 year left of 4-year Info. Sys degree) that an A+ cert will help me at all, after Ive been at this internship 2+ years?

Chances are it won't honestly, but it also will not hurt and (however unlikely) might help in some very specific situation. (IE: possible future employer has a hard on for certs).

Also the more a job is looking for certs, the more likely the interviewer/future manager likely knows little to nothing about what you'd be interviewing for from my experience.

 

[Porter21]

Thanks for the opinions!
I will prob take it late fall and see if I can get it. It shouldn't be too hard for me with my experience.

 

[Fritzo]

Standard post:

"I got a B- on my A+"

 

[narzy]

do 220-601 and 220-602. Its easy, it doesn't hurt your resume and it lasts for life.

 

[Krynj]

I'm gonna order the voucher next week probably, and take it soon after. There might be a few things (like printers) I'll have to research a bit.

 

[0roo0roo]

its resume padding and a very low minimum knowledge test.
its filled with garbage trivia like how many megs per second is xyzobsolete scsi flavor.