WGU How does WGU deal with older A+ and N+?

Cisc0kidd

My A+ and N+ are from 2000/2001. Will WGU really make me retake them?

demonfurbie

last i recall they said it must be wit in the last 5 years

NotHackingYou

Yes you will need to re take them

Cisc0kidd

Right now they are lifetime certs. Will retaking them effect that?

lantech

From my understanding yes and no. It will upgrade your A+ certification and you will have to adhere to the new requirements. Meaning you it will only be good for 3 years before you have to do something to renew your certification. If you don't renew your certification then your A+ reverts back to what your old lifetime A+. So you don't really have to re-certify to keep the old one you have but you will have to if you want to keep the new one.

NotHackingYou

They will only accept the 2009 objectives so you will need to re certify. They are no longer lifetime.

eansdad

You can either retake the N+ and have the A+ updated through the CE version or take S+ and update both. I'd do the S+ since that will also give you both the S+ and Security MTA requirements finishing upto 5 classes from 1 exam.

snapdad

My A+ and Net+ were over 5 years old, but I took Sec+ right before I started WGU and it updated both my A+ and Net+ to current.

Drovor

snapdad wrote: »

My A+ and Net+ were over 5 years old, but I took Sec+ right before I started WGU and it updated both my A+ and Net+ to current.

Interesting. I wonder since it was "updated" from Comptia's point of view if that would make it current for WGU.

Legacy User

Hmmm.. gets me wondering is the A+ from 09 stays active for life. I passed mines in 10/09 don't really remember... In the situation that it has expired does the A+ classes get waived by an A.A.S in IT at WGU.

snapdad

Drovor wrote: »

Interesting. I wonder since it was "updated" from Comptia's point of view if that would make it current for WGU.

Yes, it does. I actually found out about it from my enrollment counselor at WGU.

Cisc0kidd

snapdad wrote: »

Yes, it does. I actually found out about it from my enrollment counselor at WGU.

Very cool. Its not that retaking it would be any difficulty but it would seem like going backwards. I think I might knock out Security+ and Project+ before I enroll.

kgb

eansdad wrote: »

You can either retake the N+ and have the A+ updated through the CE version or take S+ and update both. I'd do the S+ since that will also give you both the S+ and Security MTA requirements finishing upto 5 classes from 1 exam.

If I read that correctly, that makes no sense to me. Why would having an existing Sec+ cert make you exempt from having to take the Security MTA exam? As a current student, I have to take Sec+ and the Security MTA exams. Don't follow why if you have the one coming in it takes care of both classes.

Maybe I'm not following exactly what you are saying.

whatthehell

Spoke to a WGU counselor about 2 weeks ago and they said I have to CE credit for the A+ and N+ I passed around the same time as you. He says they want us to be up to date on the knowledge that is required for today's jobs, or something to that effect. He also said, if I remember the info well enough, I should be able to fly through a class and pass the test very quickly. ---juuuuuuuuuuuuuuust passing along what was told to me.

Legacy User

@whathehell Who were you responding too?

Cisc0kidd

whatthehell wrote: »

Spoke to a WGU counselor about 2 weeks ago and they said I have to CE credit for the A+ and N+ I passed around the same time as you. He says they want us to be up to date on the knowledge that is required for today's jobs, or something to that effect. He also said, if I remember the info well enough, I should be able to fly through a class and pass the test very quickly. ---juuuuuuuuuuuuuuust passing along what was told to me.

If I understand correctly if you pass the Security+ BEFORE enrolling it gives you the CE to make your A+ and N+ current. I have an interview this afternoon, I'll confirm it.

eansdad

The MTA is even more basic then the S+ so if you have the S+ then both classes should be waived. Mine was when I switched over to the new track for Network Admin. I believe the M$ MTA's were added to give students a lower level of understanding on certain subjects that were giving some students issues.

Devilry

snapdad wrote: »

My A+ and Net+ were over 5 years old, but I took Sec+ right before I started WGU and it updated both my A+ and Net+ to current.

I have not heard that, but pretty interesting!

kgb

eansdad wrote: »

The MTA is even more basic then the S+ so if you have the S+ then both classes should be waived. Mine was when I switched over to the new track for Network Admin. I believe the M$ MTA's were added to give students a lower level of understanding on certain subjects that were giving some students issues.

That still makes no sense... Why do I have to take both and not just Sec+? Glad it worked out that you didn't have to take the MTA. I would rather not have to take any of them myself as I've found them to be lackluster...

Cisc0kidd

Cisc0kidd wrote: »

If I understand correctly if you pass the Security+ BEFORE enrolling it gives you the CE to make your A+ and N+ current. I have an interview this afternoon, I'll confirm it.

Well I didn't get a direct answer. He seemed not to know for sure but did say my experience along with completing Security+ COULD be enough.

Devilry

Cisc0kidd wrote: »

Well I didn't get a direct answer. He seemed not to know for sure but did say my experience along with completing Security+ COULD be enough.

Ask the question electronically, try to get written email confirmation. Post results here.

eansdad

kgb wrote: »

That still makes no sense... Why do I have to take both and not just Sec+? Glad it worked out that you didn't have to take the MTA. I would rather not have to take any of them myself as I've found them to be lackluster...

What doesn't make sense? WGU added lower level classes (MTAs) because a portion of the students were not passing the exams on the 1st try. Thing to remember about WGU is even though they are a non-profit they still need to keep costs down. Every time someone fails an exam or has to resubmit something it costs money. Easiest way to lower the costs on retakes is to have a lower level class that will introduce the most basics of basics. By using the MTAs (WGU is a Microsoft partner) is gives a value added feel over just having an intro to type class and online exam.