A+ certification

[systweaker]

Hello,
I have several years in computers (including telephone tech support) so I decided to take the A+ certification. A+ Core Service the Technician Exam ( Plus the Dos/windows exam before the '98 Standards expire. I have been Using A+ Certification for Dummies as a study reference. I have been scoring 950 out of 1000 on the Included practice tests (or 90-95%)in all areas. Then I decided to cross check by taking a series of short 10 question sample tests offered by Sylvain Prometrics. It seemed to me that the questions were of a different nature and harder than I was expecting. Have I recieved the wrong impression from the dummies text or is the Prometrics company making it look harder - because they do sell online prep tests at $60 bucks a crack. I'm not looking for an easy out, but I don't want to blow $268.00 because I was unprepared. I have until the 29th of March to back out, get a refund and study more, but it will have to be for the new standards because March 30 is the last day for the '98 standards. What do you think?

Regards,
Systweaker

[GroundZero3]

talk to wyrvn who created this topic
http://www.sysopt.com/forum/Forum17/HTML/002749.html

in the post he has some sites on studying tips and info on the test.

will be taking my soon. my job will pay for the first test but if i fail i have to pay for the retakes.


Jason



[This message has been edited by GroundZero3 (edited 03-19-2001).]

[CMonster]

from the other thread...


The A+ for Dummies book is correct in principle although the questions will most certainly be worded in other ways.

I purchased the online tests you are talking about and found them very helpful. I think it is important to study from more than
one point of view. I would recommend trying another book such as "A+ Certification Study Guide" Syngress/Osborne
-which is a big fat boring red and blue book that also contains a CD with some practice questions.

The hardware module is easy - you should pass it without any problem. Just be sure you know all the IRQs and the most used
I/O addresses, also be familliar with basics of printers but especially the laser printing process.

Most people have trouble with the operating systems module e.g. Windows/DOS - If I were you I would really focus in on
that aspect of study. I found most of the questions on the OS module to be kind of ~er ~well obscure and not relevant to put it
politely. Basically they just want to see that you are familliar with the OS. Some multiple guess questions are as easy as
"Where in Windows would you go to setup a new printer?" and other questions are as obscure as "What is the function of
GDI.sys"

Anyway - I crammed, I passed, I forgot the irrelevant.

[wyvrn]

Have you built any computers? This is the best experience I had in preparing for the tests. They have many diagram questions (at least 10) where I had to pick out a particular component. Also, pick out a good A+ book from your local Half Price Bookstore and use it to study the core/hardware stuff. I downloaded a practice Win2k MCSE exam which was overkill for the A+. The A+ just asked some basic Win2k questions, such as how to access disk manager, etc... If you can get ahold of Troy Technologies study guide, that is hands down the best piece of material to study with. Instead of just giving you cram info, it explains things, like the printing process, which helped me UNDERSTAND the questions on the test and how to weed out the obvious wrong answers.

I did not have a lot of IRQ -- I/O type questions, and I had zero DOS questions. Maybe I got lucky http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

Don't worry, with your experience, the test should be a piece of cake as long as you prepare adequately for it.

[This message has been edited by wyvrn (edited 03-20-2001).]

[jadison]

I myself will be taking the exam...as soon as I conjure up the money. But if anyone wants to take an online exam that is credited to you, and provides official certificates that are mailed to u upon completion of the exam, then I suggest u run on over to www.brainbench.com (http://www.brainbench.com)
The tests are free to an extent. I got certified in the English Language, and Computer Technician exams.
Try it...

-=jd=-

[rh71]

a good resource for testing in general is 2000Tutor which includes MCSE, CompTIA, Prosoft, etc.:
http://www.2000tutor.com/cgi-bin/Ultimate.cgi

[struggles]

Hey systweaker,
What you posted is absolutely correct. In fact, most every online practice exam you take will be much easier than the actual test.I'm not trying to discourage you, the test is not that difficult. If you study alot,(I mean alot) youll have no problem.

I was consistently scoring 85 to 95% when I was practicing and thought I could ace the exam. Yeah right!

The core was very easy for me as I love the hardware end of things..The win/dos was a little trickier.There are alot of hypothetical questions such as "If you get an invalid disk error, what is the problem?"

I would concentrate on things that you know give you trouble, rather than whats on the practice exams. I didnt have one question on my compTIA test that even resembled a practice exam question!

Good luck and let us know how you do!

[systweaker]

Thanks to all for the additional information,
I did not expect members to drop everything to respond, I just needed to learn what I did learn from the extra responses. I also got into http://www.freepractice.com/ - the best, and generously free practice exams I have found. I agree with the member who found the A+ cram book to be weak. Unfortunatly, in several instances, I found the electronic test choices to be wrong! I think the problem is editorial.

Regards
systweaker