Was looking to get my A+, advice? Know any good reading?

[Avalon]

So I've been putting off getting my A+ for a couple years, mostly because I think it's worthless. Some business owners that I've spoken to seemed to feel the same way. Yet, it seems like everything lately in my area requires it, so I figured I'd just get it over with.

So, with that said...for those of you that have taken it. What do you recommend I get for reading, or study up on? I'm sure I could walk in there and pass it, but I'd at least like to prepare just in case. I've heard it's changed a lot over the past few years.

If this is the wrong forum, I apologize, but it seemed appropriate.

 

[sourceninja]

You waited too long, should have gotten it last year. Now it expires and you will need to re-certify every 3 years.

 

[Avalon]

Well, that's not so bad. I'd assume these places I want to work for that require it will compensate me to get it re-certified, especially if I prove myself useful to them and actually remain there for 3 years. Otherwise I'll just not renew, and still be at the job. lol.

 

[NoStateofMind]

I don't know how much an A+ would help you these days. Experience>Certification.

 

[Wyndru]

You can try this site:
http://www.comptia.org/certifications/testprep/trainingmaterials.aspx

I personally used Michael Meyer's all in one A+ cert exam guide, which came with a disc with test exams. It was a long time ago though, not sure if there is still current versions of this.

You waited too long, should have gotten it last year. Now it expires and you will need to re-certify every 3 years.

Expiration dates on A+ are sorta pointless anyhow. A+ cert is really only good if you don't have any experience. I don't put it on my resume now, since it's 6 years old. The last interview I actually had it on my resume the interviewer said it was irrelevant, since A+ really only qualifies you for the equivalent of a year of experience IIRC.

 

[Avalon]

I don't know how much an A+ would help you these days. Experience>Certification.

See that's what everyone keeps telling me, yet when I go on job searches, often times I see it as a requirement. I completely agree that it's useless. Do you guys think I really just shouldn't even bother and just push on?

 

[Wordplay]

Another vote for Michael Meyer All-in-One. Also check out www.techexams.net as they have links to other good free resources.

Try out the A+ practice questions on the CompTia website. If you ace those you shouldn't have any issue passing the exams.

See that's what everyone keeps telling me, yet when I go on job searches, often times I see it as a requirement. I completely agree that it's useless. Do you guys think I really just shouldn't even bother and just push on?

It helps out by having your resume stand out compared to others that don't have it for the HR people.

 

[CVSiN]

I don't know how much an A+ would help you these days. Experience>Certification.

at the same time even experience without certs will hurt you as well.

There are tons of companies that expect certs (especially Microsoft Certified companies) who will flat disqualify you without the proper certs for your position.

Certs are important.. just as important as experience they go hand in hand.

 

[marrr]

http://www.professormesser.com/ has free videos u can watch

http://www.proprofs.com/certification/

 

[2canSAM]

I would say go for it if the materials and test will not financially hurt you right now. If you get it and don't need it, no big deal, but it would suck to not get it and need it later on. Some companies are so driven by the alphabet soup that even though you may have adequate experience, if you are missing that magic letter, they won't even look your way. I have interviewed with companies before and had to actually explain what my certs (A+, Network+, MCSE, CCNA, MCITP) were even though the initial posting listed those as a requirement. That was more towards the beginning of my career and I truly believe without A+ I would have never got that first IT job.

 

[kami333]

See that's what everyone keeps telling me, yet when I go on job searches, often times I see it as a requirement. I completely agree that it's useless. Do you guys think I really just shouldn't even bother and just push on?

Agree with 2canSAM, get it if you can afford to, it won't hurt you.

If your resume gets filtered/screened by a computer or HR drone (for example at a large corp), you might not get past the first cut to even land on someone's desk to get looked at if you don't have the magic letters.

If it's a smaller business or small candidate pool where your future manager (or someone else knowledgeable) is doing the screening it will probably be less important since they may actually look at your resume and see that you have more relevant experience.

 

[Avalon]

I just took an 80 question practice test and passed it. Everything was stuff I already knew, except for a handful of questions about POST error codes, and then a couple about the inner parts of laser printers.

I checked Comptia's site and it costs $168 to take the exam. That definitely wouldn't bother me. It just means I'll drink a few less beers this month for my blog

 

[Udgnim]

used http://www.amazon.com/CompTIA-220-70...0722240&sr=8-1

although the version I used was 4th edition and it's been updated to 5th edition since then.

I just took an 80 question practice test and passed it. Everything was stuff I already knew, except for a handful of questions about POST error codes, and then a couple about the inner parts of laser printers.

I checked Comptia's site and it costs $168 to take the exam. That definitely wouldn't bother me. It just means I'll drink a few less beers this month for my blog

there are 2 tests that make up the A+ certification. you can purchase discount vouchers that are lower priced than CompTIA's listed price

http://www.totalsem.com/store/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=TS&Category_Code=VOU

 

[Avalon]

used http://www.amazon.com/CompTIA-220-70...0722240&sr=8-1

although the version I used was 4th edition and it's been updated to 5th edition since then.



there are 2 tests that make up the A+ certification. you can purchase discount vouchers that are lower priced than CompTIA's listed price

http://www.totalsem.com/store/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=TS&Category_Code=VOU

Wait, so I'd have to buy two vouchers to get the certification? Or do I buy one exam voucher and that gets me into both tests?

 

[Udgnim]

Wait, so I'd have to buy two vouchers to get the certification? Or do I buy one exam voucher and that gets me into both tests?

2 exams make up the A+ certification and you'll need to buy 2 vouchers.

 

[stargazr]

Mike Myers' book is one of the best, very thorough but he goes beyond the exam requirements. Nothing wrong with that if you have the time for reading the extra material.

Exam Cram Comp TIA A+ by David L. Prowse is excellent. It has several practice tests, some on CD.

If you didn't already. I suggest going to the Comp TIA website and download the exam objectives for each of the A+ exams. It is a good outline to make sure you study the right topics.

 

[stargazr]

I checked Comptia's site and it costs $168 to take the exam. That definitely wouldn't bother me. It just means I'll drink a few less beers this month for my blog

You don't have to pay full price. There are two places to test: Pearson Vue and Pro Metric. Find one with the closest testing center, then get vouchers -

http://www.getcertify4less.com/aplus-two-pro.asp

 

[Atreus21]

I used both Mike Myers and Exam Cram. I think Exam Cram is better for you, since you probably don't need all the extra education that Mike Myers provides.

 

[Elbryn]

i'd consider just going to the library and pulling books from there. no reason to buy anything beyond the vouchers to take the exam. content is all there, you mostly passed already. all you need to do is skim through for anything you've missed. go take the test and be done with it.