Passed, but.....

Go Bucks

I'm dissapointed with CompTIA for the poorly written and unbalanced questions. I don't have professional experience yet, but I had several networking classes in college and reading the Sybex book felt like nothing more than a review for me.

I had a couple of questions on topics that I new front and back that I missed because it wasn't clear what they were asking. I would think paying $150 for a test (on sale) would entitle the test taker with unambiguous questions with proper grammar and zero typos.

With that said, I passed with a score of around 770. For those still preparing to take the test, I used the Sybex book, technotes, and practice test from here, mcmcse, and free-tests.

On to MCSA now. I gotta find a job first though.

Megadeth4168

Grats on the pass!

princess4peace

great job! Congratulations

gabrielbtoledo

Go Bucks wrote:

I'm dissapointed with CompTIA for the poorly written and unbalanced questions. I don't have professional experience yet, but I had several networking classes in college and reading the Sybex book felt like nothing more than a review for me.

I had a couple of questions on topics that I new front and back that I missed because it wasn't clear what they were asking. I would think paying $150 for a test (on sale) would entitle the test taker with unambiguous questions with proper grammar and zero typos.

With that said, I passed with a score of around 770. For those still preparing to take the test, I used the Sybex book, technotes, and practice test from here, mcmcse, and free-tests.

On to MCSA now. I gotta find a job first though.

Hey, we are on the same boat.
First congrats on the pass.
I passed my Net+ not too long ago and just finished college. Monday I'm taking MCP and then in 2 weeks CCNA. And also looking for a job.
I hope that A+, Net+, MCP, CCNA, plus AS degree in Networking Services Technology is enough to get a job.

Go Bucks

I'm going to check out 70-270 forum to see what books are recommended and probably go ahead and get started with that. I'd like to knock out at least the 70-270 before the second shot exams end this time around. In the meantime, finding that entry level job is priority one. I've been living off of savings for too long now and they are getting pretty low.

mikej412

Congratulations!

And good luck with the job hunt and next certification exam (it could be the one to "put to over the top" and get your resume on the top of the pile!

rbowman

wow gobucks and gab Im right there with you with needing exp and an entry lvl IT job and its tough finding one of those in cracker ass SW Virginia. Im scheduled to take N10-003 Thursday, the 18th.

jpasterik

Good luck in the Job Search! I used all the biggies online (Careerbuilder, Monster, Dice, etc...) and I found my current job (almost 1 year ago) of all places just in my local paper. I'm a PC Tech for a school district. I'm looking to break into bigger and better things, but (and not to dampen your hopes and mine too) almost everyone wants 3-5 years experience. I am going to school (starting on the 22nd) to get a Bachelors in Information Systems in hopes that will help find a better job. I am currently preparing for the Network+ with MCSA, MCSE, CCNA, and whatever else to follow...

Keep looking, but don't be afraid to take a "smaller" role in the IT field just to get the experience that will help later. Good Luck!

Go Bucks

I'm going to go back to school for a four year and eventually a masters, but my goal is to get to MCSA status at least before going back to school. I already have a bachelors in a non related field so I should only have to take the core classes to get a bachelors in computers.

I'm updating my resume and posting it to all those you mentioned and then some. I'm willing to travel and/or relocate now. There's just nothing in my area.

jpasterik

Yea, Western PA is not exactly the IT Hotbed either...If you really want something good, head down towards Alabama and Florida...I have a friend down there (who transfered from Pittsburgh 5 years ago) and his company alone just hired 180+ new employees...I have no desire to move, so that's out for me.

I too was hoping to have MCSA before starting at school, but it didn't work out (darn 70-291!). So, I am flipping it around and doing my Network+, which seems a whole lot easier than Microsoft exams, and then get back to 70-291 while I am going to school. I should be A+, MCP, and Network+ by the end of June and then hopefully MCSA by the end of August which is when the Fall semester starts up, but I have the Summer term coming up soon. It'll all work out...I'm hoping the extra cert for Network+ helps get me a raise at work, but who knows.

gabrielbtoledo

Hey, good deal.
I failed today my MCP(290), but I will retake tomorrow. I will raise from the ashes (lol).
Anyway, my biggest problem is related to my status. I'm an international student, so I can't get just any job(small positions) because I need sponsorship after one year of my OPT. So small companies or small positions (that don't pay what I suppose to get based on my degree) won't work out for me.
Anyway, yeah Florida is a good place to find IT jobs, but most of the big companies here I can't work for them, because they required Security Clearance (which I can't have for not being a citizen).
I think California is a good place for IT job hunting.

Right now I only have A+ and Net+, but after tomorrow I will have MCP as well and then study for 2-3 weeks for CCNA and then go back to MCSA. In 5 years from now I want to have CCIE. So, I won't stop till I get it.

jpasterik

I agree, down South and the West Coast is the place to be right now. I took CCNA back in February, and did not do too well on it. There was stuff that I had absolutely no idea how to do. But I had just gotten out of school for a CCNA class and figured it was a good time to take it. I studied for an extra month and still did not pass. Make sure you put some long hours into studying for that one and you almost need a home-network setup with a cisco router to get the best chance to pass, but I wish you all the luck in the world! CCIE is an animal that I may never get to, possible, but not likely. I will get to MCSE at some point and may even add a Database cert in there somewhere. If I had taken Network+ before CCNA, I may have had a better chance on it. I am already seeing things in network+ that I had in ccna, so If/when I go for it again, I will be much better prepared.

Either way, best of luck and post back here when you pass! Gotta keep us informed of the progress.

gabrielbtoledo

Oh yeah, don't worry. This site is the best kept secret about certs (lol, at least I didn't know). I will post my progress and try to help others along (it's my nature to help people).
I learn things very easy and quick. Sometimes I even get surprise at myself on how fast I learned something and have little doubts, till I prove to myself that "yeah I learned it quick again". So, if I really dedicate my time and study hard plus mind set, I'm sure I will achive my goal.
Thanks for the encouraging words. Best luck to you too.

elathrop

I agree, Go Bucks, there are some strangely worded questions on these tests. But the bottom line is:

Congratulations on the pass!

jpasterik

I agree about this site being the best kept secret in certs...I started reading it for the 70-290 exam and without anyone violating the dreaded non-disclosure agreement, I was able to go into the exam knowing (at least withing 1) how many Sims I might get and how long the test lasted and the number of actual questions...my exams fell right in-line with everyone else and the advice you get from some of the people is fantastic. I am relatively new to posting here, mostly I sit back and read others and get some tips that way. I just hope my posts are worth reading (most of the time) and that I can help someone out in some way...That's what we are here for!

Good luck on the rest of you certs and I'll keep checking in here to see if you posted any more successful passes.