Newbie in IT cert business

Discussion in 'A+' started by trybar, Feb 11, 2008.

  1. trybar

    trybar Nibble Poster

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    Hi.

    I'm newbie in area of getting any IT certificate, so please be gentle..

    I was working with PC's from early 286's, I remember times of ISA graphic card (I'm so old !!), never in IT dept., but always somewhere close to comp hardware, familiarity rather in general, technological parameters as procesor sockets never interested me, you know - family guy to replace parts and reinstall Windows.. and I'm not affraid of recognizing hardware, buses or extansion card, or to install them onto PC... (but sockets, chipset, bus parameters are not known)..

    How much do I have to learn to proceed with A+/N+ cert..? I've seen lots of computers thru those years, and from visual/hands-on side I'm not affraid, but parameters knowledge - how important it is on exam..?
     
    Certifications: A+ MOS MCP MCDST MCTS MCITP:EST MCSA MCS
    WIP: MCITP Server 2008
  2. nXPLOSi

    nXPLOSi Terabyte Poster

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    Hi and Welcome to CF :)

    It sounds like you have knowledge that will definately help you when studying A+, so you should find it a case of filling in the gaps and drilling down that knowledge in order to pass the two required exams. Grab a copy of Mike Meyers A+ All In One - Sixth Edition and have a read through, you'll know where you stand yourself after that. Its a brilliant book for the A+.

    As far as N+ goes, you haven't mentioned anything that I'd suggest will help you. Do you have any experience with networks or networked computers?

    :)
     
    Certifications: A+, Network+, Security+, MCSA 2003 (270, 290, 291), MCTS (640, 642), MCSA 2008
    WIP: MCSA 2012
  3. trybar

    trybar Nibble Poster

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    Network is something I've never went into - no aproval from IT dept in my previous job (75000 ppl, separate IT dept) - basic understanding, can setup network connection on PC using different media (wireless, cable, ADSL via LAN or USB), but not much more.. I'm affraid.

    Is it good idea of spending absolutely all my money for 7 day training for A+/N+ with that knowledge..? I dont think so.. ;-/
     
    Certifications: A+ MOS MCP MCDST MCTS MCITP:EST MCSA MCS
    WIP: MCITP Server 2008
  4. Kitkatninja
    Highly Decorated Member Award 500 Likes Award

    Kitkatninja aka me, myself & I Moderator

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    Hi & welcome to CF :)

    It's depends on what you know and how that fits in with what Comptia requires.

    -ken
     
    Certifications: MSc, PGDip, PGCert, BSc, HNC, LCGI, MBCS CITP, MCP, MCSA, MCSE, MCE, A+, N+, S+, Server+
    WIP: MSc Cyber Security
  5. nXPLOSi

    nXPLOSi Terabyte Poster

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    I agree 100%. Even if you had no experience I wouldn't pay for a 7 day course for A+/N+. Grab a couple of books and read them, you will find the majority of the people here at CF have self studied for the exams, and saved a bundle in doing so!
     
    Certifications: A+, Network+, Security+, MCSA 2003 (270, 290, 291), MCTS (640, 642), MCSA 2008
    WIP: MCSA 2012
  6. greenbrucelee
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    greenbrucelee Zettabyte Poster

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    Hi Welcome :)

    Sounds like you've got a decent knowledge for the A+, not sure if you have enough for the N+ as said just get the books no need for a course.
     
    Certifications: A+, N+, MCDST, Security+, 70-270
    WIP: 70-620 or 70-680?
  7. trybar

    trybar Nibble Poster

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    I went thru test questions on CompTIA webpage, and in A+ and N+ test I scored only 1 bad answer on each test, 1 from lack of knowledge, second from lack in my english ;)

    But the questions were (without disrespect) easy, i think...

    I fell more and more comfortable, and in a few days I will register for a A+ exam in London ... it cannot be difficult :)

    EDIT:
    "Grab a couple of books and read" you say.. yeah, but english isn't my native, and reading is so slow.. ;P only 20-30 pages per hour..
     
    Certifications: A+ MOS MCP MCDST MCTS MCITP:EST MCSA MCS
    WIP: MCITP Server 2008
  8. greenbrucelee
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    greenbrucelee Zettabyte Poster

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    good luck :)
     
    Certifications: A+, N+, MCDST, Security+, 70-270
    WIP: 70-620 or 70-680?
  9. nXPLOSi

    nXPLOSi Terabyte Poster

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    What I would suggest is getting the topics list from the CompTIA site and double check you know all the details. If your confident then go for it but personally I'd still read through a book before shelling out over £100 quid without fully being confident that I'd pass!
     
    Certifications: A+, Network+, Security+, MCSA 2003 (270, 290, 291), MCTS (640, 642), MCSA 2008
    WIP: MCSA 2012
  10. trybar

    trybar Nibble Poster

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    Yeah, sure, already reading one book...

    I went to closest exam centre, and was informed, that I can complete the exam straight away, well - in a half an hour.. Is that even possible ?

    Secondly - do you have know websites offering tests of knowledge that I can undertake before cert exam, just to asure myself I'm ready?

    And last - A+ cert is made by passing two exams - Essentials and one from three other - can I take both exams in one day, and what about costs - 111pounds for one (222 total) or 111 for whole cert..?

    BTW: please, please, please DO correct me when I write something wrong.. I'm writing straight from my mind, and any help in that area will be appreciated..
     
    Certifications: A+ MOS MCP MCDST MCTS MCITP:EST MCSA MCS
    WIP: MCITP Server 2008
  11. greenbrucelee
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    greenbrucelee Zettabyte Poster

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    normally websites offering free tests are crap and are braindumps, the only legit one I know off is proprofs.com although some of the questions on there are from the older A+ objectives but its still usefull to be able to answer those question correctly.

    If you reading is slow because English isn't your native language you could always try the DVD learning from learnsmart you'll find a link to that resource on preplogic.com
     
    Certifications: A+, N+, MCDST, Security+, 70-270
    WIP: 70-620 or 70-680?
  12. hbroomhall

    hbroomhall Petabyte Poster Gold Member

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    I'd say that you would have problems doing either of the exams in half an hour unless your knowledge is *very* good.

    In addition, the questions are worded deliberately to confuse, so if English isn't your native language you would need to take extra care.

    Harry.
     
    Certifications: ECDL A+ Network+ i-Net+
    WIP: Server+
  13. trybar

    trybar Nibble Poster

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    No, no, no - not a whole test in half an hour - "I can start the test after waiting half an hour" .. that was what i ment..

    I took the test on www.proprofs.com site - 171 correct on 215 asked... 80 % :) took me about 68 minuts even with my slow inet connection...

    Tomorrow I will check my Technician chances :)

    EDIT:
    Found time today - not good - 697/900, 55 good of total 71 questions, which gives me 77,5% - althrough 76% is passing walue, its to low for taking it without reading a book..
     
    Certifications: A+ MOS MCP MCDST MCTS MCITP:EST MCSA MCS
    WIP: MCITP Server 2008
  14. BosonMichael
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    BosonMichael Yottabyte Poster

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    Looking good, Trybar! :)
     
    Certifications: CISSP, MCSE+I, MCSE: Security, MCSE: Messaging, MCDST, MCDBA, MCTS, OCP, CCNP, CCDP, CCNA Security, CCNA Voice, CNE, SCSA, Security+, Linux+, Server+, Network+, A+
    WIP: Just about everything!
  15. sunn

    sunn Gigabyte Poster

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    You're on the right path and look pretty good.
    With some preparation, you should be fine.
     

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