New to A+

Discussion in 'A+' started by willj83, Jan 10, 2011.

  1. willj83

    willj83 New Member

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    Hi All,

    I have recently decided to change my career path and move into IT. I currently work in sales and as yet do not have any relevant qualifications for the Industry. I am about to start self studying for the A+ exams in the next few days and would then hope to take up an entry level position.

    If anyone can offer some advice then that would be great. Any recommendations would also be a big help.

    Thanks,
    Will
     
  2. Kopite_21

    Kopite_21 Gigabyte Poster

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    Hi Will,

    Welcome to CF, I am also studying towards my A+. Have you purchased any study material yet? If not I would recommend the:

    Mike Myers All-in-one guide Link.

    Or

    CompTia A+ Complete Study Guide Link.

    Also check out the Professor Messor free training video's Link.

    Good Luck with the studies.

    Rob
     
    Certifications: National Diploma IT Advanced ECDL
    WIP: A+
  3. J.Hinds

    J.Hinds Nibble Poster

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    Aswell as the above also try to get you hands on some good practice tests (Boson, Transcender) as this will be a big help to you prior to the exams.

    Other than that Welcome to the forums and good luck with your studies.
     
    Certifications: A+, MCP, MCTS (Win 7)
    WIP: MCSA (Server)
  4. soundian

    soundian Gigabyte Poster

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    Welcome.
    In addition to the two posts above:
    Have a good look round the forums here. There's lots of good advice on self-studying, and the answers to a few of the questions you're going to have about the A+.
     
    Certifications: A+, N+,MCDST,MCTS(680), MCP(270, 271, 272), ITILv3F, CCENT
    WIP: Knuckling down at my new job
  5. BosonMichael
    Honorary Member Highly Decorated Member Award 500 Likes Award

    BosonMichael Yottabyte Poster

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    Welcome to the forums!
     
    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!
  6. willj83

    willj83 New Member

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    Thanks for the advice guys, appreciate it. I will certainly be spending some time checking out the resource materials you have kindly pointed out, as well as reading through other threads on here.

    Rob, I haven't purchased myself any study material as yet, although I have been passed the A+ guide for dummies (charming!) by an IT new starter where I work. Apparently it's a decent enough guide. I will be picking up some more literature in the next week or so. Definitely one of the ones you have recommended. Have you been studying for it long and how are you finding it?

    Thanks again everyone :)
     
  7. Georgiesickjitz

    Georgiesickjitz Byte Poster

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    Welcome to Certforums:D
     
    Certifications: CompTIA A+,CompTIA Network
    WIP: CCNA
  8. BosonMichael
    Honorary Member Highly Decorated Member Award 500 Likes Award

    BosonMichael Yottabyte Poster

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    It's not that decent, from what I understand. I had a co-worker at my previous place of employment who had used it to study and failed so badly that it scared her away from retaking the exam - for two years. It took quite a bit of convincing her to give her the courage to try again. She picked up a GOOD study guide (Mike Meyers A+ All-in-One - 7th edition is the latest) on my recommendation... and she passed with flying colors. She said that the difference between the books was like night and day.

    Bad study material is worse than no study material at all. Get something good! :)
     
    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!
  9. J.Hinds

    J.Hinds Nibble Poster

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    I think the 'Mike Meyers A+ All-in-One - 7th edition' is generally regarded as the best study guide for the A+ exams. I know it gets my vote! :biggrin
     
    Certifications: A+, MCP, MCTS (Win 7)
    WIP: MCSA (Server)
  10. willj83

    willj83 New Member

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    Based on this I have now given back the Dummies guide (after researching I did find that it has had some really poor reviews) and have bought the Mike Meyers All in One Seventh Edition. Seems like you have saved me some money on failed exams there!
     
  11. BosonMichael
    Honorary Member Highly Decorated Member Award 500 Likes Award

    BosonMichael Yottabyte Poster

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    Better you know now than later! ;)

    Glad to be of assistance.
     
    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!
  12. SteveU30

    SteveU30 New Member

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    Hi Will

    I'm in exactly the same boat as you and I just started reading the 'Mike Meyers A+ All-in-One - 7th edition' this week. It's about 1200 pages long but don't let that overwhelm you as it has A LOT of pictures in it so it's a nice and easy read. I've only been reading for 2 hours each day (lunch break and before bed) and I'm already 100 pages in and I'm not a fast reader either (I started Tuesday lunch time). A couple of tips that I've learned so far:

    1. Read the book cover to cover even if you feel you know a lot as I guarantee you won't know some of the terms for basic stuff that you need to know for the exam (e.g. can you correctly name all the types of USB connector or do you know which button to hold down on the keyboard to move a file to a different drive when dragging and dropping?)

    2. The book recommends booking your exams before starting to read it so you have a date to aim for. Personally I'm going to read the book once first then book my exam but that's just me (I want to take it in properly instead of just cramming for the exam as many people say this book will make you a better tech if you read it properly).

    Hope this info helps and good luck!
     
  13. willj83

    willj83 New Member

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    Hi Steve,

    Hope it's going well for you so far.

    Yes that definitely seems like sound advice! Have you given any consideration as to how far in the future you will book your exams? I've just had my Meyers book in the post today and will be spending some time reading it cover to cover over the next couple of weeks before trying to really take it in second time round. Are you doing any other qualifications alongside this one or considering any for after you have completed the A+?

    Cheers,
    Will
     
  14. SteveU30

    SteveU30 New Member

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    Yeah the first 3 chapters are very quick reading but I've slowed down now I've got to the operating system section as there's quite a bit of in depth stuff that you need to know for the exams (stuff like the differences between XP & Vista when it comes to folder locations, etc...).

    As soon as I've finished the book (hopefully in the next month or two) then I'll look to take my exams ASAP afterwards. Once I've passed I'll be straight on to Network+ and then Security+ after that. Eventually I'll do Server+ and MCSE (and possibly even more if I can stomach it).

    I'll probably start applying for jobs once I've got Network+ though as it seems that A+ and Network+ are the 2 key qualifications to enter the IT industry. After that it's just what you want to specialise in that determines what you study.

    Good luck matey, wish you all the best.
     
  15. soundian

    soundian Gigabyte Poster

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    Don't wait to start applying for jobs. Many companies are looking for people with the right attitude, temperament and desire to learn over actual knowledge for entry-level roles. Entry-level certs will help, but if you don't ask you don't get, and there's no harm in asking.
     
    Certifications: A+, N+,MCDST,MCTS(680), MCP(270, 271, 272), ITILv3F, CCENT
    WIP: Knuckling down at my new job

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