A+ Cert. Study

[socalgal]

Hello wonderful people!

So many books/courses!!

Anyone who has their A+, what is your recommendation for the best books, study guides for taking the certification exam?

Thanks! http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[CMonster]

I finished my book and practice self tests with confidence - until I took my first full practice test from the accompanying CD...

I don't even want to talk about the results...lets just say - back to the books!

[ENVY]

Let me root around and see if I can get some of my old books out.
While I am doing that,Here is some hints.
Know your default IRQ,and Dma address for all com and lpt ports.
Know how many pins each cable type has:Ide,Scsi,serial,parallell,floppy ETC.
Know the 7 processes of a laser printer,Know your inkjets and a little dot matrix.
Know your dos switches,Basic win3.1 structures,Basic win95 structures.
And remember,This is a test of your basic knowledge don't let the study guides fool you into studying in depth material that will not be on the test.(Although it is good knowledge to have)Things like the different layers of a network model.

My biggest mistake when I took the tests was getting to technical,I was amazed at the questions that were asked that were so basic.

[AuraEdge]

Excuse me for my ignorance but whats A+ Certification?

[socalgal]

A+ Core consists of: Configuration, Installation, Diagnosing, Repairing, Upgrading, Maintenance, Customer Relations, and Safety. The study books should also include Microsoft Windows/DOS and Macintosh systems. A+ Certification shows competency in troubleshooting hardware for IBM Compatibles and/or Macintosh using MS-DOS, MS Windows, or Mac OS software

Yikes CMonster. I find it hard to believe!! When I was at Fry's looking over the books, I found the Osborne book, but there were several others too. Hence, my question. CompTIA seems to be popular...?

Thanks for the tips, Envy. Which publisher/author was the best in your opinion?

Basically what I would like to know is, what is the most comprehensive book/CD that will give me the most knowledge that I would need to pass the exam. Or are they all pretty much the same? The publisher/author name would be helpful.

On another thought.. I' going to do a search in the computer industry/job boards to see what the "in-demand" jobs will be in the next 5-15 years. I'll check the link at that SysAdmin Salary thread!

[BBA]

Let me tell you, big companies look down on those with A+. I guess too many burn-outs have it. If you want a great job in IT, then study NT and Networking Essentials, take CBT practice exams until you pass them all, and go take the test!

socalgal, I can help on the cbt's.

BBA

[socalgal]

Hmmm! thanks for an insider tip, BBA.

I really am just beginning to explore this big, brave new world. I'll check more on NT, Essentials.

Yes, I would welcome your help. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif I'll do more research on this.

[CMonster]

So you start with a white belt and move on up the ranks, some wash out half way and others go all the way to black of the umpth degree...

"A journey of 1000 miles begins with one step." Chinese Proverb

[MrEd]

Excellent Analogy CMONSTER!!!

For the things we have to learn before we can do them, we learn by doing them. -Aristotle.


[This message has been edited by MrEd (edited 07-18-99).]

[socalgal]

http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[Jin Vitas]

SocalGal,

A+ was not that hard.. If I can breeze through it in 30mins.. for both tests.. u can too..

Don't study just go in and take a pop at it. You will be surprised how easy it is.

[jojjoj]

try these sites:

www.cramsession.com (http://www.cramsession.com)
www.aplustutor.com (http://www.aplustutor.com)

good luck!

[socalgal]

Thanks for the vote of confidence Jin! Looking at the cram session tho, methinks I need some studying lol.

Those links are great jojjoj! Thanks!

It hasn't been that long since I have taken exams (paralegal college, not computers) so I am pretty familiar with tests/exams and the process, but I do want to be prepared. I think I'm going to go for CompTIA. I probably don't need the book, but I like books!

Thanks all of you that replied. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[Roy]

http://www.sysopt.com/forum/biggrin.gif ~ My post #800. You deserve it. ~ http://www.sysopt.com/forum/biggrin.gif

http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif ~ And lucky #13 in your thread. What a nice day! ~ http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[This message has been edited by Roy (edited 07-20-99).]

[Moe]

Yeah, I must agree that A+ is merely a starting point. I got mine about a year ago, and it was pretty easy. The test has changed since I got mine, but I'm guessing that the new test isn't a complete 180 from the old one.

Really, you only need the basics along with some of the wierder stuff (like laser printer junk). The books will make the difference on the wierder stuff. If you have built your own system, you probably know over 80% of the hardware knowledge.

One thing that astounds me, is the sheer volume of books out this year. Last year I was lucky to find 2 books on the test after going to 3 book stores, and one had been special ordered at that!

Only sour point about this test was the $200 fee for what amounted to little in the way of credentials. I'm now pursuing MSCE type certs, after finding A+ really was not enough.

[This message has been edited by Moe (edited 07-20-99).]

[MadMatt]

I agree that A+ is probably the easiest certification to get. However, you need to know yourself and your background before just forking over the $ to take the test. If you're relatively new to comps (5 or so years), then you MUST study up on DOS and some of the old hardware stuff (286, 386, etc.) that you likely have little experience with.

I used 'A+ Certification Exam Guide' by Michael Meyers. It was 'OK'. Comes with practice questions on a CD, but you have to fork over an extra $79 to get at them all! The book itself was about $35. I would recommend the flashcards from the 'for Dummies' folks. They helped alot.

Also, the new A+ test (1998-) does not have a Macintosh component. It's strictly Wintel stuff.

[socalgal]

Hmm, thanks Moe and MadMatt, more food for thought!

I think I'll have to start w/A+, since I'm not that good w/DOS and the older stuff, and do not know all my I/O and DMA by heart, laser printers, same stuff that Envy said.

Yeah, the exam prices are high, but a stepping stone. I have built my own system but compared to some of the minds here, I have a lot to learn. Time to hit the books LOL Thanks!

Roy ~ Where are you??? It's turned out to be a very nice day!!

[bigslammer]

Yeah, Frys is great(I would live there if they let me). Especially the ones in FV and Anaheim. I know they used to have a great computer swap meet on the corner of Grand and Edinger, that's where I got my books on C++ and Java. Most of the books were useful, and some weren't but they all cost me between $1-$3 (not much of a loss but it adds up for us starving students). Also check out the ULCA and UCI bookstore, sometimes they've got clearance books for $5(I know its hard to believe, but the school bookstore isn't always ripping us off). Anyways go for an MCSE (if my friends can do it you surely can). Well, I'll see you and ROY around SOCAL.

[IRSCowboy]

Hey gal here is a link that could probably help more than anything http://********certified.com also I purchased an A+ study guide by David Groth that also comes with a CD with practice exams on it. Like most everyone else is saying stick to the basics. Here's luck to ya. Later

[socalgal]

bigslammer ~ Thanks for the tips! I hadn't thought about the NTX (it's former name?) - CSUN's off-campus bookstore, it's worth a flyby to check on prices. (yea -socal!)

I haven't heard of a local computer "swap meet" (tho we do have "shows")- then maybe I've haven't been listening close enough! With prices like you stated, are these books up-to-date?

IRS(shiver)Cowboy ~ (sorry for the shiver, it's involuntary) thanks for the link and the recommendation. I will look for it. And for the good luck wish!

As soon as the dust settles on something I have been busy with lately, I will be exploring in more depth all online/offline stores for pricing and other options.