Qualifications / Certifications

[x35Agent]

Just courious as to what everyones Qualifications and or Certifications are. I am working on getting my A plus certification.

[Anakhonda]

I just became A+ certified about 3 weeks ago (and I'm still waiting for my certificate to come in the mail).

Here's a tip: Study all the DOS sh*t you can.

[x35Agent]

Thanks for the TIP I know I can use them all. If anyone else has tips for A plus It would be helpfull.

Thanks

[K6-Freak]

hi x35agent. I got my A+ last October. I understand the test has changed or is changing, but when I took it here is what was on the test. Definitely know your IRQs and com and lpt port addresses. Know what conventional, upper, and extended memory are. Know atleast a couple of modem commands(ata, atd, atz, etc) Know the laser printing process.

One thing that suprised me about the operating system test was that it asked for a lot of navigation questions, such as to get to defrag go to start>programs>accessories>system tools>defrag. Those sort of questions. There were about 6-7 of those type of questions. That's really all I can remember right now. If I can think of any more I will let you know.

go to http://www.cramsession.com for A+ info. There is a message board there just for A+ people.

GOOD LUCK!!!!!

[Anakhonda]

If you are looking for a good book, try A+ Certification, by Micheal Meyers (Not the Austin Powers/Mike Meyers). It is the Shiznit!

One of the most important things to study, at least on my test, is the loading order of the essential DOS/Windows files, and what each one does. That was about 50% of my dos/windows test.

If you have any specific questions, feel free to e-mail me http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[Faramir]

I just got my A+ in December and what these guys are telling ya is exactly right. Also you can run a search for sites that have practice tests, I took every test I could find.

[Gene C.]

the test will change to a format like this some time in Aug. this year.
These changes may include:

Elimination of the Windows 3.1 objectives and items
Elimination of the Customer Satisfaction objectives and items
Developing new test objectives and items in the following areas.
Windows 98
Windows 2000
Windows NT, version 4.0
Linux - baseline, elementary information only

they will also be changeing over to a more advanced method of testing:
Computerized adaptive testing (CAT) is a test format that determines the test taker's ability to answer an item to the best of their knowledge. If the item is incorrect, the next question will be less difficult. If the item is correct, the next question will be more difficult. The adaptive methodology for how the selection of the items that will be presented depend on the item response theory (IRT) to adjust items and estimate the candidate's ability to answer the items. The adaptive test format may reduce the number of questions and shorten the test without affecting the reliability of the test.

what this means if you miss to many. the test system will shut the test down. and you will not pass. and than again. if you give the right answers. the test will get harder and you won't have to answer as many question to pass.
all these changes will come in effect in august this year and the new updated test will begin in dec. 2000

so if you have been studying for the old test. you had better get it over with. or start on the new studies now, to be able to pass the test.

and I think the changes are for the better. you will need to know the real stuff. not all the bulls***. that has nothing to do with serviceing or repairing a machine.

Hope this helps you out and good luck to you all.

[CMonster]

I got A+ certified last October.

While there would seem to be a lot of items that are not directly related to the service and repair of computers and thier peripherals, nothing that I saw on the test could be considered pure "bulshirt" and unrelated to the industry (with the possible exception of the customer satisfaction requirement, but considering the rudeness of comments posted to many popular BBSs perhaps it's needed after all).

I do not think the test will become extremely difficult, remember that Comptia has designed this test to certify a PC repair technician with only 6 months of experience.

I will likely take my Network+ test next month - I have been studying like a mad dog and my head is swimming in TCP/IP and the OSI model. No if you want to talk about some useless information perhaps the OSI model takes first place - and the Network+ test seems to be centered on it.

Once completed I will begin the CNE and MCSE roadmap...sadly

A little OT, but; I'm tired of negative comments (not in this thread)- please, even if you are not A+ or otherwise certified, do not make derogatory comments about the efforts of those attempting to better themselves or the abilities of those already certified - Yeah, it is "Just a piece of paper" and so is a drivers license, a bachelors degree, and a $100 bill.

Most of the ones I've heard Cert-bashing are not even certified.

[Gene C.]

CMonster,

sorry if it sounded like I was makeing negative comments. I was only trying to tell them about the changes that are going to be made this year.

I have been doing this kind of work for only 11 + years as a living. (own my own shop)and I like to stay up with the changes being made. I can completely edit my other post. if you want me to??

and like some of the rest. my intensions in life is to become a network administrator. or that is what I have been studing for anyway.

Gene C.

[CMonster]

No, not you Gene,

Your comments are fine, it is valid. I was refering to previous threads about A+ that usually denigrate into a "Hey man...like I don't need a piece of paper to have experience" A+ bashing ceremony.

I too think the changes will be for the better - for one thing dropping the Win3x thing is a step in the right direction. I had a difficult time distinguishing between Windows3x and Win95/98 centered questions on the A+ test:

For example one question asked:

"Closing the print queue in Windows will?

A. not affect the job that is printing

B. cancel the job that is printing

C. cause the printer to explode

D. make you pull out hair trying to figure out which version of Windows this questions is talking about

The inclusion of Linux??? Now that would surprize me.

[This message has been edited by CMonster (edited 04-28-2000).]

[Dallasmcse]

I think that making these tests adaptive is great. It will encourage candidates to know material, not just memorize answers. As to the comment of OSI layers, if you move on to programming or advanced application support or advanced network tuning you have to know osi in your sleep. I found osi soo boring when I did networking essentials (1st test to mcse) but it has paid off later when I can prove that it is the app/not the network that is causing the crash.

[CMonster]

Point well taken!

[Nathan]

Very interesting!