Certifications

[Dash]

Im poor and still in high school =(, I was wondering if theres any certifications that are free or cheap or something, that a highschool student can take or get. Online classes?. Thanks, dont know much about these at all

[grandslammer]

You know, certification exams aren't very cheap, especially for a student, but if you want to help your knowledge base, believe it or not, you can get the "Dummies" book series. No pun intended. That's the way I got my introduction to Windoze 98. I also saw an A+ Certification for dummies at Office Max. Even without the certification, if you have the knowledge, you can answer questions, and show your knowledge.

If you're anything like me, just knowing something new makes you feel better, especially when you can help out someone else, and possibly even make a living using your knowledge...

Anyway....

Good Luck In All...

Mike P.

[felix726]

I'm about to graduate in the spring with my software engineering degree and the other day I ordered a book on A+ cause I just wanted all the in-depth knowledge of hardware and DOS/Windows. I really have no intention of ever taking the certification exam but I thought it would be cool to be able to pass if I ever did. Does this make me strange? NO, stop don't answer that I don't think I want to know. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif
-felix

[Dash]

Hehehe Guys =), Thanks, I think thats a good idea, to go buy like A+ For dummies or something, read up on it, experience is better than just being certified, i hope, in the workplace =).

[Dash]

*oops*

[This message has been edited by Dash (edited 12-08-1999).]

[welsh wizard]

Dash even if you don't take A+ there are site out there that you can take a mock up of the exam for free, if you pass you may not have the little piece of paper but can archive the result, so you will know you can do it and prove it if some begger ever questions you, mind you like most thing that get complicated you tend to find theres more than one way to solve a problem, its choosing the fastest that counts and that comes with just doing it for a long time, and then you get these weird hunches that help.
WW

[Bob-NB]

Dash, here are some links that may help you in studying and getting more information about the tests.

Reggies #1 (http://ios.hypermart.net/Aplus/aplus_1.htm)
Reggies #2 (http://ios.hypermart.net/Aplus/aplus_2.htm)
Reggies #3 (http://ios.hypermart.net/Aplus/aplus_3.htm)

Free Practice (http://www.freepractice.com/)

TestFree (http://www.testfree.com/)

This one is a fee based site with a free demo download.
Download Demo (http://dalidesign.com/prepap/apad.html)

You can also enroll for online courses through the former ZDU(ziff davis publications university)at the following site.

SmartPlanet (http://www.smartplanet.com/sp_home.asp)

They only require a yearly fee which is now $69.95 per year for all the online classes you can take in a year, a tremendous bargain.

That should be enough to get you started.

BTW, here is a previous thread here at sysopt discussing certification and help information....
A+ Question (http://www.sysopt.com/forum/Forum1/HTML/001757.html)




[This message has been edited by Bob-NB (edited 12-09-1999).]

[AuraEdge]

Out of curiosity...how much % do you have to get right to pass?

[welsh wizard]

If mem serve me correct it pretty low % for pass
exam number 220 101
60 min test 69 quest pass 65% ( thats the core)
exam number 220 102
75 min test 70 quest pass 66% ( thats DOS/WIN)
to make it have meaning they should increase the pass score level, because it can lead to repair standards being to low as it is.the more you put out there at 65%/66% the more the A+ name will be devalued.
Just my way of thinking. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif
WW

[This message has been edited by welsh wizard (edited 12-09-1999).]

[Zotzmein]

Another suggestion you might join your local computer user group. I belong to the Computer Refurbishing SIG (special interest group). Most of the non-member computers we work on use older equipment, some Windows 95, a lot of Windows 3.1 and DOS and a little Mac.

We get together twice a month (ten to twelve hours total), work on member’s project system, repair and or upgrade church and non-profit computers and refurbish dead corporate system to send to over seas missions. This is all done absolutely free.

I’m a lightweight compared to some members who have been engineering or working on computers since the mid sixties. I’ve yet to see the group encounter a problem that they couldn’t resolve or workaround. It’s similar to a class in PC building and refurbishing, all that and it’s free (save for my yearly membership dues of $20).

Regards to All,

Zotz Mein

Book knowledge is good but real world experience is best.

There is also the aspect of networking (ala people to people). I’ve had some full/part time job offers result in my regular participation in this SIG from businesses, charities and churches wanting to put someone on staff that can do general repair, maintenance and upgrades.

I’m not A+ certified


[This message has been edited by Zotzmein (edited 12-09-1999).]

[Dash]

Wow thanks alot guys! =), Im reading those links that a few of you provided right now, and joining a local user group sounds like a good idea, You know if a Library would have like a listing, or how i would come about finding if there WAS a user group in my area?. Thanks