CompTIA A+ Certification

[cloneman]

Hello,

I'm thinking of getting A+, just because in today's day and age a piece of paper has more value than any number of years of undocumented experience.

I'm wondering what the best way would be of doing this https://store.comptia.org/Default.aspx

CompTIA lists the "member price" @ 124.00$ to write the exam - they give you some sort of voucher that is redeemable at an exam center. Is this is way to go or is their a cheaper way to get it done?

I flipped through a few of these A+ books, and well, they are bibles to say the least. I'm not looking to pay for a class, and most of the manuals I've seen are upwards of 700 pages. Is there really that much content?

Anyway any tips you guys might have about this would be appreciated. I'm in Montreal, btw.

[mrfrostyman]

i just passed mine last week. The hardware test was easy breezy. The software one killed me(barely passed). For the OS, definetly read up on it. Hands one also helps you to remember the differences between win.com, win.ini etc... I read the idiots guide(1000 pages roughly) and the cram exam(about 900). The hardware exam was a joke, but the OS was very tricky.
Length of the exam took me about 40 mins for the hardware and 55 mins for the OS. I could have cheated(i was alone and the guy that was administering was sitting at a desk around the corner) but decided against it.

[MS_Project]

Hi sir,

This site provides great study notes: http://www.techexams.net/forums/
Plus, a lot of people there got their Comptia A+ Certificate. Very helpful...:D

I heard Sybex is a good book for Comptia A+
And Mike Myers book.

The new Comptia A+ certificate requires you do write 2 tests. :D

[mirek]

Hello,

I'm thinking of getting A+, just because in today's day and age a piece of paper has more value than any number of years of undocumented experience.


Your A+ certification paper is hardly even good enough to wipe your ass with.

[cloneman]

Your A+ certification paper is hardly even good enough to wipe your ass with.

I was just turned down a for a job because I had no tangible certificate or diploma in computer repair. Granted, it's only a summer job, and it's also because the guy over the phone was a dufus.

The point is I'd like some part time work - I've never studied computers at school/college/ etc. even though I would probably be more qualified than the next 10 guys who show up for the job, who might have taken some stupid 12 month "intensive" program.

It's not the first time this has happened. I got turned down for two dead-end 10$/hour jobs at mom and pop computer repair shops because I had again, no verifiable dimplomas or experience in the business.

OK, so anyone who's taken the test have any books to suggest?

P.S. Thanks for your suggestions, to those who have already spoken :D

[Octavius]

I was just turned down a for a job because I had no tangible certificate or diploma in computer repair. Granted, it's only a summer job, and it's also because the guy over the phone was a dufus.

The point is I'd like some part time work - I've never studied computers at school/college/ etc. even though I would probably be more qualified than the next 10 guys who show up for the job, who might have taken some stupid 12 month "intensive" program.

It's not the first time this has happened. I got turned down for two dead-end 10$/hour jobs at mom and pop computer repair shops because I had again, no verifiable dimplomas or experience in the business.

OK, so anyone who's taken the test have any books to suggest?

P.S. Thanks for your suggestions, to those who have already spoken :D

I already had years of experience under my belt, but I needed a refresher on IRQ's and Com ports and whatnot. I used "A+ Certification for Dummies". Read the whole thing, wrote both tests in one shot, and got certified and my employer reimbursed me for the test.

Just a tip, if you pay cash and tell them you're a student, you get a discount.

The total time it *should* take someone who's a bit rusty on the tests is about 25 mins. I spent about 15 mins on each test give or take.

Good Luck, it's a fairly simply certification to obtain though.

[mirek]

Lie, tell them you already have it.