Might be a bit of a long shot posting this but I was wondering if anyone here has took a CompTIA A+ course/exam and if you could give any advice on it? I'm looking at a career in IT support and this qualification seems standard for going down that route. A local-ish training center offer a course for it - 5 days for £1595, which seems like a lot. Can you study for it on your own or is the course a must? I've built several PCs so my technical knowledge is pretty high to start with.
CompTIA A+
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Cool. Did you find it was beneficial to you, in terms of job offers etc?
I think the A+ is funny, I've never taken it myself but I remember a year or two ago looking through a practice exam and remember reading questions on IRQ numbers, identifying different types of ports (such as the old style parallel ports used for printers) and other far outdated stuff like that.
Anyway, if you want to go for it, just buy a book like has been suggested if you know basic computer stuff. If you have never touched a computer in your life then you may want to pay for a proper course, but for the majority of people it's not needed.
Anyway, if you want to go for it, just buy a book like has been suggested if you know basic computer stuff. If you have never touched a computer in your life then you may want to pay for a proper course, but for the majority of people it's not needed.
It's really not needed if you already work in IT. Some, but not all employers will see it as a bonus.
But the majority care for skills and experiance. Which is what I decided on 6 years ago in college. Dropped out, learnt everything on the job, companies paid for my exams. Good times.
Don't regret a single thing. I am way above those that have come out of uni in terms of pay, job and general knowledge in the real IT world.
And I don't have a single pennie to owe.
But the majority care for skills and experiance. Which is what I decided on 6 years ago in college. Dropped out, learnt everything on the job, companies paid for my exams. Good times.
Don't regret a single thing. I am way above those that have come out of uni in terms of pay, job and general knowledge in the real IT world.
And I don't have a single pennie to owe.
I took it a few years ago, Just took the exams and Passed them both, Purchased the book and swatted up for a couple of days before each exam but found that i already knew most of it anyway (picked it up working in the industry and having a general geeky interest in it all).
Don't pay that silly amount of money it's not worth it, If it was for one of the Microsoft or CISCO qualifications then it would probably be worth it.
Don't pay that silly amount of money it's not worth it, If it was for one of the Microsoft or CISCO qualifications then it would probably be worth it.
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You can download books on a+, you can find them on scribd and google books and other sites. That is all i did, I didn't even take the test, but put a+ and n+ on my cv because i read the books. not like anyone phones comptia and checks.
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That isn't how qualifications work I'm afraid.
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If you want to you can download the tests as well. Test king i think they are called. Then you can do the test until you pass. Then when you put it on your cv you won't feel so bad about it.
Unless you pass the official test, at an authorized testing facility, then you shouldn't be putting it on your CV.
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I have been considering buying the vmware 5 test. Cost $99
http://www.test-king.com/exams/VCP-510.htm
http://www.test-king.com/exams/VCP-510.htm
Soldato
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Oh dear...
Oh... dear...
To the OP:
Buy yourself a couple of books on it, and that's it. Study in your own time, and take the exam. It's an incredibly easy one, though if it still contains as much legacy hardware stuff as it used to it might be a bit harder for those only familiar with more modern tech.
I can't remember the exact names of the books I read when I did it yonks ago (without looking them up and I don't have time right now) -- but honestly, if you're paying any more than a MAXIMUM of £200 to get A+ Certified then you're nuts.
That said, it is a good start and looks decent on a CV.
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I'd say if you have a firm grasp of computers you're 90%n there already, as mentioned though there are some books available which can be useful.
It's a good start but don't plan to run with just that, look into the areas you want to work in and what certs would help you get there.
It's a good start but don't plan to run with just that, look into the areas you want to work in and what certs would help you get there.
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I have passed both exams only a few weeks ago. I got the mike meyers A+ all in one book from the rainforest place, read that and also Professor Messer's free A+ videos (google it) are well worth a look at, I perfered these to the book tbh.
If you are just trying to start career in IT support I think its well worth doing, if you have messed around with computers before then it shouldnt be too hard for you, and it also fills in any gaps you my have in your knowledge.
I passed the 701/2 exams but I they are now retired (or just about to be) so I think you will have to take the new 220-801/2 exams so check that any study material you do is based on these and not the old ones.
edit- the book cost me around £20 and each exam is about £100 so a lot cheaper then £1595 (tip have a look for some international test vouchers online you can save a few quid using them). i'm now studying to pass the network+ using the same method.
If you are just trying to start career in IT support I think its well worth doing, if you have messed around with computers before then it shouldnt be too hard for you, and it also fills in any gaps you my have in your knowledge.
I passed the 701/2 exams but I they are now retired (or just about to be) so I think you will have to take the new 220-801/2 exams so check that any study material you do is based on these and not the old ones.
edit- the book cost me around £20 and each exam is about £100 so a lot cheaper then £1595 (tip have a look for some international test vouchers online you can save a few quid using them). i'm now studying to pass the network+ using the same method.
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This is why I really like VMWare's testing practices even if it does irritate me sometimes.
Edit: And then I read this...
Good luck. VMWare change their questions all the time and simply buying an exam-cert (of whichever flavour you choose) is not enough. ALSO, you cannot write the exam until you have done the course, so its a bit pointless.
People like you give the entire IT industry a bad name.
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Does that mean you can't self-study for VCP?