So I just got my A+ cert this week

[erikistired]

Interesting. Do you have an A+ Cert?

i have mine, an employer paid for it years and years ago. it was a joke then, and i'm sure nothing has changed.

 

[edro]

It's good for weeding out morons who don't belong in IT.
Congrats!

 

[Numenorean]

Hell the old ones you had to know which IRQ was for which hardware device and such.

But that's back when IRQ conflicts actually were an issue.

 

[Genx87]

I am sure some idiot in HR thought this new requirement would be good. As you just learned it was more or less a waste of time for anybody who has any experience in the field.

 

[marsbound2024]

The A+ is a core competency type thing, but I don't think it's a big deal. I know some "techs" who have the A+ who I still feel aren't great at their jobs. I have the A+, Network+, MCP and MCDST right now. Working on more. The Network+ was perhaps the harder of the four in my opinion.

 

[ViviTheMage]

I did it in high school, it was really easy then, I bet it's easier now.

 

[AyashiKaibutsu]

After getting security+ certified, I realized all those tests were a joke. If you're trying to go through the process of getting it you probably already have all the base practical knowledge that's useful. All that's left is gaming the test by near memorizing some practice tests and bam certified. Just a joke scam to make these companies money (not that I personally paid for it, but someone (air force in this case) somewhere did for me).

 

[her209]

How much is the test?

 

[her209]

No they are actually pretty updated now. I really don't remember even one "legacy" question being on them. Several asked about Windows Vista and later features such as UAC. Even saw one with the Phenom II mentioned.

So for anyone planning on taking these tests - all the "old tech" has been completely wiped from these tests.

There WERE some BS questions that threw me though that I doubt anyone is going to know. Such as "What is the EXACT path to change virtual memory settings in X version of Windows?"

So let's say we are doing that in Windows 7. The correct answer would be "Start menu -> Control Panel -> System -> Advanced system settings -> Advanced -> Settings -> Advanced -> Change".

And then one of the possible answers would be "Start menu -> Control Panel -> System -> Advanced settings -> Advanced -> Settings -> Advanced -> Change"

Then another choice would be "Start menu -> Control Panel -> System -> Advanced system settings -> Advanced -> Settings -> Change"

Note the small differences? Well guess what - if you picked the 2nd or 3rd one you're wrong.

Who honestly has the path to every random thing exactly memorized? You know the gist of how to get there. You don't memorize word for word what every word is along the path to getting there.

LOL

Which Settings?

 

[marsbound2024]

After getting security+ certified, I realized all those tests were a joke. If you're trying to go through the process of getting it you probably already have all the base practical knowledge that's useful. All that's left is gaming the test by near memorizing some practice tests and bam certified. Just a joke scam to make these companies money (not that I personally paid for it, but someone (air force in this case) somewhere did for me).

In the case of my job, for me to move up, I need to acquire the Security+ and Server+ certifications. Hopefully that will occur in the next 6 months or so for both.

 

[SP33Demon]

I got mine in 2000 I think. Back then it was IRQ, Com ports etc. Obsolete crap now.

Same here. Is it still good for life? I can't remember. I still put it on my resume though.

The hardware part was pretty tough IIRC, the software was cake.

 

[marsbound2024]

Same here. Is it still good for life? I can't remember. I still put it on my resume though.

The hardware part was pretty tough IIRC, the software was cake.

They are about to make it where you have to renew it every few years.

 

[SP33Demon]

They are about to make it where you have to renew it every few years.

So will that apply to us oldies? Or only new test takers.

 

[marsbound2024]

So will that apply to us oldies? Or only new test takers.

"Does this change affect individuals who were certified prior to 2011?
No, those individuals certified on or before December 31, 2010 in CompTIA A+, CompTIA Network+ and CompTIA Security+ will retain their "certified for life" status. No valid through date will appear on certificates and certificate holder CompTIA ID cards."

http://www.comptia.org/certifications/listed/renewal.aspx#one

 

[SP33Demon]

"Does this change affect individuals who were certified prior to 2011?
No, those individuals certified on or before December 31, 2010 in CompTIA A+, CompTIA Network+ and CompTIA Security+ will retain their "certified for life" status. No valid through date will appear on certificates and certificate holder CompTIA ID cards."

http://www.comptia.org/certifications/listed/renewal.aspx#one

Awesome, thank you for that info.

 

[Russwinters]

No they are actually pretty updated now. I really don't remember even one "legacy" question being on them. Several asked about Windows Vista and later features such as UAC. Even saw one with the Phenom II mentioned.

So for anyone planning on taking these tests - all the "old tech" has been completely wiped from these tests.

There WERE some BS questions that threw me though that I doubt anyone is going to know. Such as "What is the EXACT path to change virtual memory settings in X version of Windows?"

So let's say we are doing that in Windows 7. The correct answer would be "Start menu -> Control Panel -> System -> Advanced system settings -> Advanced -> Settings -> Advanced -> Change".

And then one of the possible answers would be "Start menu -> Control Panel -> System -> Advanced settings -> Advanced -> Settings -> Advanced -> Change"

Then another choice would be "Start menu -> Control Panel -> System -> Advanced system settings -> Advanced -> Settings -> Change"

Note the small differences? Well guess what - if you picked the 2nd or 3rd one you're wrong.

Who honestly has the path to every random thing exactly memorized? You know the gist of how to get there. You don't memorize word for word what every word is along the path to getting there.

I would say the person who made that question already fails, because why even go to the start menu when you can just hit Windowskey+Pause/Break and your at the system menu, then go into the respective path from there.

sigh A+.

 

[her209]

I would say the person who made that question already fails, because why even go to the start menu when you can just hit Windowskey+Pause/Break and your at the system menu, then go into the respective path from there.

sigh A+.

Nice!

 

[Zargon]

"Does this change affect individuals who were certified prior to 2011?
No, those individuals certified on or before December 31, 2010 in CompTIA A+, CompTIA Network+ and CompTIA Security+ will retain their "certified for life" status. No valid through date will appear on certificates and certificate holder CompTIA ID cards."

http://www.comptia.org/certifications/listed/renewal.aspx#one

hmmm guess I should quit being busy and take the network+, then cram for the security and get it too

 

[kalrith]

hmmm guess I should quit being busy and take the network+, then cram for the security and get it too

I wonder if I should cram to take all 3 before the end of the year. I don't need it for my current job, but it would look nice on my resume.

 

[sourceninja]

I just took the practice tests on the CompTIA website for the A+ and scored 89%. How close is that to the real test? They offer the exam here where I work and my boss would pay for me to take it if I wanted to.

 

[mvbighead]

I guess I've always had a bad taste for this cert since working at a small computer shop. Some jack ass customer comes in, spouting off about how he's A+ certified and asks if we have an "A+ certified discount". He wants to know why his new, self built computer wasn't working.

It took me three seconds to look inside and say, uh... "You screwed the board directly to the case without standoffs."

Him: "Well that wouldn't cause any problems."

Me: "Sir, the motherboard as all sorts of exposed circuitry on the back. If you screw it to the metal backplane of your case, you've shorted it out. Not only that, but you've voided the warranty of the board by physically installing it incorrectly. It may work if you remount it, but it carries no warranty."

None of the employees of the store I worked for had an A+ cert, and all of us were very technical. But any time a guy came in touting an A+ cert from then on, we always got a chuckle.

 

[StinkyPinky]

I wonder if I should cram to take all 3 before the end of the year. I don't need it for my current job, but it would look nice on my resume.

Would it? I've never had anyone mention my A+ or Network+ certs. My MCSE is far more useful.

 

[kalrith]

Would it? I've never had anyone mention my A+ or Network+ certs. My MCSE is far more useful.

Well, I've been an IT manager for 6 years with no past work experience or certification warranting that position, and I thought that maybe some certs would help to bolster my resume. I recently got an MBA and would love to get a job as a project manager, but I know it's a competitive market right now and would like any edge I can get.

 

[Zargon]

Would it? I've never had anyone mention my A+ or Network+ certs. My MCSE is far more useful.

remember, most inital resume shuffling is done by HR morons, and it backs on the job experience.

I have no certs currently, and know tons of places that dont put much weight on CompTIA certs, but they do back experience nicely so i always think of getting one or two

plus I cant afford a MCSE or MCTS or MCSA........

 

[OutHouse]

Hell the old ones you had to know which IRQ was for which hardware device and such.

But that's back when IRQ conflicts actually were an issue.

god IRQ conflicts sucked. Add a webcam and your soundcard blows up. UGGGG!