Read the questions
I just took Network+ and scraped in on 860. The exam is definitely more difficult than any of the test exams I have seen - but having said that I got 95+% which is about the same as the tests. Some of the questions wording takes 2 or 3 reads to get in your head what they are actually asking. Books are OK but I think just like A+ experience is what gets you through. Quite a few questions on Netware scenarios which I wasn't really expecting. All the protocols and OSI questions are a doddle if you know the subject but make sure you read the questions properly for the troubleshooting questions, you need to get it straight in your head before committing to an answer.
Comments
I think that 860 is a very good score.
I agree on the importance of being sure of all of the facts before deciding
on your final answer--it seems that all who take the Net+ exam experience this same realization.
My feeling is that OSI and protocols and their relationships are a greater percentage memorization. But, a person has to then "think OSI"(that's my term for it anyway).
I'm now going on to Server+. Have read my first study guide through twice. Now on the second one. I'm not yet sure what to think of this one, but from different Internet forums it seems that it's even worse than Net+ in the area of trouble shooting and "reading the questions".
I see the same evaluations from those who passed and from those who failed--that Server+ questions seem to be short on details--ambiguous.
I suppose a person really has to "think server" on this one. Seems it goes back to more hardware than Net+ offered.
Well, hope you're in a position to make good use of your certs.
illness."
Cheeblie
I went green for a second there.
Exellent job to you as well cheeblie
illness."
i finished in 1/3rd the allotted time, but instead or reviewing my marked q&a, i just redid the whole thing again and checked all my answers. some of them i hadn't read the questions correctly, but generally, i didn't change that many.
You can go back and change your answers? I thought the Net+ was like the A+, once you answer, you cannot go back. I'm writing my exam on Monday and if I can mark questions and go back to review, I will definitely do that. Any limit on the # of questions you can mark?
Cheeblie
BTW yes you can go back and answer again and yes it's not adaptive. It will take longer than both the A+ exams put together so don't expect to be out in 10 minutes unless you are a real fast reader - I took about 35-40 mins, a bit tight cos I only put an hour in the parking meter
btw I'm considering doing the Server+ exam after Net+, seems to me the most logical choice after Net+...
To be honest, I don't see much point in any of the other CompTIA certs except for Security+, and I won't even consider touching that until a revision after the complaints I've seen about it on the forum of this board.
Oh, while I'm ranting... when did CompTIA stop giving out lapel pins for the A+? Cheap bastards, I was looking forward to that!
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Drakonblayde - I hear you about Server+ etc, but for me I think that if afordable it is something that shows reasonable BASIC knowledge of those areas. A couple local IT managers suggested Server+ & Linux+ instead of CCNA or something like that. I guess it depends on the jobs in your area.
FIM website of the year 2007
In a way I kinda felt like I was at a fast-food place and was being asked "Do you want fries with that?"
there are some wise ppl on this forum, I looked through I-net+ again - it seems a bit useless 2 me. Server+ isn't really useful in terms of MCSA/MCSE because if u have A+ N+ then that's the elective already taken care of. I might do Linux+ later but I think MCP through XP Pro would be the best way to go 4 me right now - but they want some excrutiating detail don't they!!
Anyways, judging from the above responses, it seems like Server+ is not recommended as the next step to take. I already have the study materials, however, so it will be a matter of putting the time and effort (and $!) into the cert.
Browsing on the i-Net+ forums, I learned that this cert is also very similar to N+. This might be good for me while all this N+ material is still fresh in my head
Decisions, decisions!
My next choice would be i-Net+ or CCNA... or MCSA/MCSE if you like system administration. Having the Server+ cert on your resume won't hurt though...
I'm leaning a bit towards i-Net+ now after looking through the CompTIA objectives. The objectives look interesting, and as some people said in the other forum, it was fun to study for.
a+ and network+ have given me the basics. sewn the seeds if you like. given me the foundation to build upon.
people in my area are very brand-orientated. microsoft is one of the most recognisable names in the trade. they are likely to buy systems running microsoft and will give preference to employ those with experience using their products and certified in them.
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Having that said, I think RHCE will make a much bigger impression on an potential employer than CompTIA's Linux+.
Me and one of the guys that also works with me passed our A+ at the same time and got the 'invite' to take S+, I and almost everyone else
I spoke to thought that N+ was the next step, he insisted that it was S+. I think I have made the logical choice and from looking at the material for S+ in the comptia world that would be the next step from N+, but I think i might do a MCP next as it seems that having a Microsoft qualification gets you in the door at for jobs IT. Its the one qualification that even the most out of touch IT manger knows about! After that i want to do some of the Apple certs, anyone got any info or good sites for this?
i remember people equating linux+ as the linux version of a+, so i guess rhce, i guess, is the linux version of mcse, cne, etc. except, of course, that each of the major distros of linux probably have their own certification track.
i believe that apple is dying a death (again). some of the major software companies aren't releasing their software on the platform anymore (adobe, i think), so if it's a toss up between either of the both, linux would be the better bet.
comptia exams are cool. i am not sure how security+ compares to microsofts security exams, but server+ seems to be an original exam (or is it more of an a+ stage 2?). it's just lack of recognition, when compared to the branded exams by microsoft, novell and cisco et al, and the price.
That's enough moaning - back to learning multiple ways of doing things I'll never have to do, except for the exam. I think I will do I-net+ after I get this sorted, it looks like an easy extra line in the CV