Comp TIA A+ Certification exam

[ibex333]

I am currently studying for this exam. (been studying on and off for almost a year now).
My study habits are very poor, and I never finished a single book dealing with A+ exam simply because I was too lazy to do so. I have already learned tons of material since I read a bit out of many books, plus I built, and repaired computers for family and friends several times, however I still feel nowhere near ready for the exam because I fail miserably on questions dealing with exact numbers. I recently decided to double the time I spend on studying and pass this thing already!

The reason I made this post is because I'm having trouble finding "good" resources that can prepare me for the exam. I went to amazon.com, but most books in there for the A+ exam were published prior to 2007, and I would imagine the current test looks very different now.
Also the number of negative reviews for every book is alarming! I am assuming that if I take some info here and there, some on the internet and some from at least 3-5 books or so, I should be fine, but we all know what assuming is. I want to hear how you studied.

1)How did you study? Did you take notes, or just tried to memorize everything?

2)Which resources did you use EXACTLY?

3)When did you take the test and how did you do? What was your overall impression of the test and your level of readiness?

4)What other certifications do you have and which of these were useful to you while getting a job? (this one's just for me, you don't have to answer it if you don't want to)

Thank you very much for your help and advice.

 

[HydroSqueegee]

1. Nope. Just had to memorise the IRQ's and stuff. The rest is common knowledge stuff.
2. I had a red CTIA A+ Exam Cram book that i skimmed through
3. took the tesk way back in 2001. Only missed 2 questions. Test was boring, far too ready for it
4. Never needed a cert for a job, but recently my employer said everyone in IT needs to have their A+ and MCP because of new government directives on the contract I work on. Which thankfully i already have both.

 

[Mr Pickles]

You could probably search through atot and find answers the questions. The test hasn't changed because computer hardware hasn't really changed; at least not enough for a book sold on amazon to be outdated and obsolete.

You don't sound like you are capable of preparing and taking the easiest exam in all of computers. I hope you understand that this exam will get you almost nowhere in the computer world (without job experience) without more exam certs; ones that are much longer and much harder. This almost makes just getting the A+ by itslef worthless.

Keep that in mind and ask yourself if this is really what you want to do.

 

[pnad]

I took the test way back in 99.

I think the thing that best prepared me for the test were all the practice tests. If you get a question wrong, pay attention to the correct answer. The questions are worded almost exactly the same with a few minor details changed.

Take the practice tests until you ace them, then you are ready.

 

[wheresmybacon]

Before I begin a bit about me. I've been an IT pro for 12 years, working in many capacities varying from server ops, messaging ops, desktop support, phones, and everything in betwee. That said:

I passed the old A+, a ton of other proprietary hardware exams, and my MCSE (now expired).

Maybe you don't want to hear from me since I haven't taken this exact exam, but I've taken a quite a few and haven't failed one yet so I'll offer a bit.

First of all we need to know your time frame. How long do you have? Have you registered yet? Do you take it next week? Next month?

To answer your questions:

1) When I study I read about the concepts then prepare outlines in my own words on a notepad. Once I've done most of the whole book I pretty much toss it aside and study only with my notes.

2) Historically I've ALWAYS used Exam Cram and something else. What that something else was depended on the test. For example, I used MS Press books on my last 2 MCSE tests coupled with Exam Cram. On 2 of the old MCSE tests, I referenced a few brain dumps I found online, memorizing some of the material I hadn't worked with day-to-day before or otherwise found difficult.

3) I took each test roughly a month to a month and a half after I began studying. I always take tests in the mid morning around 10. My first 4 MCSE tests were not hard. IEAK and Exchange were incredibly difficult. I was an Exchange admin for nearly 3 years before I took the test and I barely passed. I thought I was ready but boy was I wrong.

4) With the exception of a few (CCNE, CISSP, a few others), no single cert is necessarily worth more than any other when trying to get a job. Experience trumps certs every day of the week.

Take lots of practice exams and identify where you need improvement. That's the best advice of all I can give.

 

[ibex333]

Originally posted by: hungfarover
Before I begin a bit about me. I've been an IT pro for 12 years, working in many capacities varying from server ops, messaging ops, desktop support, phones, and everything in betwee. That said:

I passed the old A+, a ton of other proprietary hardware exams, and my MCSE (now expired).

Maybe you don't want to hear from me since I haven't taken this exact exam, but I've taken a quite a few and haven't failed one yet so I'll offer a bit.

First of all we need to know your time frame. How long do you have? Have you registered yet? Do you take it next week? Next month?

To answer your questions:

1) When I study I read about the concepts then prepare outlines in my own words on a notepad. Once I've done most of the whole book I pretty much toss it aside and study only with my notes.

2) Historically I've ALWAYS used Exam Cram and something else. What that something else was depended on the test. For example, I used MS Press books on my last 2 MCSE tests coupled with Exam Cram. On 2 of the old MCSE tests, I referenced a few brain dumps I found online, memorizing some of the material I hadn't worked with day-to-day before or otherwise found difficult.

3) I took each test roughly a month to a month and a half after I began studying. I always take tests in the mid morning around 10. My first 4 MCSE tests were not hard. IEAK and Exchange were incredibly difficult. I was an Exchange admin for nearly 3 years before I took the test and I barely passed. I thought I was ready but boy was I wrong.

4) With the exception of a few (CCNE, CISSP, a few others), no single cert is necessarily worth more than any other when trying to get a job. Experience trumps certs every day of the week.

Take lots of practice exams and identify where you need improvement. That's the best advice of all I can give.

Thank you for an informative and thorough reply.

I am not limited by a time frame. I can get this cert now or a year from now - no difference in the grand scheme of things. I don't need this for my current job or anything like that. I just want to get 2-3 certs in various areas to boost the employers' willingness to call me back after an interview, instead of putting my resume aside. Given the fact that I have no "real world" IT experience to mention in my resume, I need every "edge" I can get. I never had a job in this area - it was only a hobby.

I'll take your advice into consideration, and I'll try to take the exam as soon as I feel I'm ready.

 

[DasFox]

There are 5 Exam Cram books, sheesh how many do you need, or which ones?

http://www.examcram2.com/bookstore/index.asp?st=42906

THANKS

 

[Reckoner]

Show up sober and you should pass.

 

[OdiN]

1. I already knew pretty much everything from experience by the time I took it (1999). I just had to have the IRQ stuff memorized.

2. I never did use any study aids beyond a sample test.

3. 1999 and did very well. Test wasn't too hard for me.

4. Any MS or Cisco cert wouldn't be a bad thing to have on your resume. I need to get my MCSE and maybe CCNA. I got my jobs based on experience and interviews. But I want to add the certs just for the places that like to see them. I have the knowledge, just not the paper that says I do, ya know? And you have to learn the "Microsoft" answer for the MCSE stuff.

 

[911paramedic]

Originally posted by: pnad
I took the test way back in 99.

I think the thing that best prepared me for the test were all the practice tests. If you get a question wrong, pay attention to the correct answer. The questions are worded almost exactly the same with a few minor details changed.

Take the practice tests until you ace them, then you are ready.

Same here. There were some comptia practice test CD's I used and they helped quite a bit. Back then it was all about stupid crap you really didn't need to know.

The better you do on the questions the quicker it ends, mine ended with only one missed answer, so it was pretty quick. (Read that as pretty easy.)

I can build a computer with my eyes closed, but I cannot tell you what some of those IRQ addresses were they asked about. My guess is they don't even ask anymore.

 

[bucwylde23]

Originally posted by: 911paramedic

Originally posted by: pnad
I took the test way back in 99.

I think the thing that best prepared me for the test were all the practice tests. If you get a question wrong, pay attention to the correct answer. The questions are worded almost exactly the same with a few minor details changed.

Take the practice tests until you ace them, then you are ready.

Same here. There were some comptia practice test CD's I used and they helped quite a bit. Back then it was all about stupid crap you really didn't need to know.

The better you do on the questions the quicker it ends, mine ended with only one missed answer, so it was pretty quick. (Read that as pretty easy.)

I can build a computer with my eyes closed, but I cannot tell you what some of those IRQ addresses were they asked about. My guess is they don't even ask anymore.

I took the updated 2007 test and they didn't ask about IRQ's. The test was really easy. I studied using practice questions offered by my company on our internal learning site.

 

[Zach]

1)How did you study? Did you take notes, or just tried to memorize everything?

Memorize the stuff I had trouble with like IRQ's, but these didn't end up being as much as the test as I thought. I knew most of it from previous tech experience. I remember going over laser printer stuff a lot too.


2)Which resources did you use EXACTLY?
I used http://www.proprofs.com/ and another service provided by the company. Proprofs was a tad harder.


3)When did you take the test and how did you do? What was your overall impression of the test and your level of readiness?

1.5 or 2 years ago. I did excellent, but had enough previous experience to pass easily.


4)What other certifications do you have and which of these were useful to you while getting a job? (this one's just for me, you don't have to answer it if you don't want to)
Since the job where I needed A+ I've moved on to software. I think the Linux+ might have helped a little, but it wasn't important.


Just keep in mind that it's surprisingly easy. Don't psych yourself out.

 

[Nocturnal]

I took notes, used index cards and read a lot.

I used Mike Meyer's PassPort book and passed with that alone.

I took the test 3 years ago and passed both tests on the first try.

I don't have any others right now but am pursuing my MCSE. I used my A+ to get into where I am at now. It helped. Without it I would have not gotten this job.

 

[erikistired]

1)How did you study? Did you take notes, or just tried to memorize everything?

i didn't.

2)Which resources did you use EXACTLY?

life experience.

3)When did you take the test and how did you do? What was your overall impression of the test and your level of readiness?

a few years ago. it was cake. i missed 1 question i think.

4)What other certifications do you have and which of these were useful to you while getting a job? (this one's just for me, you don't have to answer it if you don't want to)

some microsoft stuff. my boss paid for the A+ stuff so he could say he had one on staff.

 

[Elbryn]

i took A+ back in 2001,2002? and passed fairly easily. it was computer based adaptive questions if i remember right. if the test is still that way, to game the system make damn sure you get as many correct from the start as you can.

1)How did you study? Did you take notes, or just tried to memorize everything?
i think i just borrowed books from the library and used them. figured i'd never use the books after that even if i had to pay late fees on it. read through one of them and then just took sample tests.

2)Which resources did you use EXACTLY?
dont remember. i think i used sybex the most but not sure

3)When did you take the test and how did you do? What was your overall impression of the test and your level of readiness?
2001, 2002? dont remember exactly. took it while in college to put on resume to distinguish myself a bit from the standard resume. at that point i mostly just built pcs (my own) for fun while overclocking them for gaming. my level of readiness was good i felt. memorized the irq's and wrote them down on scrap paper from memory before i took the test.

4)What other certifications do you have and which of these were useful to you while getting a job? (this one's just for me, you don't have to answer it if you don't want to)
i also got net+, mcp win2k roughly around the same timeframe. All were useful in getting me a job in desktop support. networking once you get in will get you the farthest out of an cert. these just get you past hr who use them as checklists..