A+ Complete, Next Up Network+

Radio2006

Hello all, passed the 801 and 802 today...sweet! Now continuing with study on the Network+. With those two certs under the hat, along with a TS clearance and a CS degree, the offers should be rolling in...hopefully. Maybe...I mean, theory to practice, you know...doesn't always go like you planned...lol.

DoubleNNs

Congrats on the pass!

Sitting for both exams back to back wasn't hard for you?

Radio2006

My mistake. I took the 801 last Saturday and the 802 today. However, only because the testing center allowed exam times from 830-1000. Which upset me because I wanted to take them both the same day. It wasn't difficult at all though, IMO. I studied A LOT though and took every practice exam I could find.

Bigbill810

Good job! Hoping to add my name to the 'Finished' column soon too!

FreshWerk.

good job, currently working on mine now.

Darril

Congratulations on the pass.

Good luck with the Network+.

I'd recommend you'd follow that with a Security+ and combined with your degree and clearance, you should be able to get a good job as a DoD contractor. The A+ and Network+ are good preparation certs for the Security+ cert, but many DoD contractor jobs specifically require the Security+ cert. A TS clearance, Security+ cert, and a pulse can get you many interviews if you get your resume out there.

Good luck.

Radio2006

Thanks guys...and good luck to you on your exams. @Darril, thanks for the extra advice. I wasn't planning on going for the Security+, but now, I think it would be foolish not to. Thanks again.

N2IT

I would consider looking into the CCNA and/or Windows 7 certifications. The financial cost is less and they bring a lot of value. It's nice to have a blend of vendor neutral and vendor specific certifications.

Betrayal

Congratulations on passing, good luck on the Net plus!

TheOx

Congrats on the pass. I saw somewhere the 801-802 test has simulations on it. Did they require you to do anything difficult?

Radio2006

I can neither confirm nor deny the presence of simulations...but IMO, there was nothing difficult on the test. However, I do recommend using more than one study source.

Radio2006

also, thanks for the good lucks on the Net...

lsud00d

Congrats on the A+ pass, but a question because I'm confused...by CS degree you mean computer science? CS is typically a programming/language-oriented degree. If this is the case, I am wondering why you would jump to the other side of things by going A+ and beyond?

Radio2006

Unfortunately, yes. By CS I mean computer science. The reason for the jump is that I am more of a hands on person that like to move around. Sitting in one place for hours and programming drives me crazy. I thought it was what I wanted to do. But...no. Just...no.

lsud00d

I gotcha.

So what is it that you want to do exactly? You're aware the kind of money dev's can make fresh out of college, their price ceiling (hint: it's very high), and liberties such as working from home if not all the time, part time?

I wish *I* did CS in college. It's super easy to start at $50k and jump up and up.

Also...CS is a great compliment to sys admin'ing since you most probably have backgrounds in java, perl, python, ruby, html, css, etc...you should be fairly decent at reading error code and knowing exactly what's going on.

jMak

Hey congrats on the pass! I was just wondering what material you used for the 801/802 exams. I am also studying for this version and since it was so easy for you I was wondering what approach you took. Thanks!

Dakinggamer87

Congrats on pass!!

coreyb80

Congrats on the pass!

Radio2006

Thx, guys. @lsud, I am looking for a basic network administration job. The programming was fun, but I need something more fast paced and requires moving around. So yeah...not really sure where all that is going to lead. @jMak, with the knowledge I already had, I used the book at the following link, CompTIA A+ Complete Study Guide Authorized Courseware: Exams 220-801 and 220-802: Quentin Docter, Emmett Dulaney, Toby Skandier: 9781118324059: Amazon.com: Books, however, I recommend including other sources for info. Just using this book, there were a few things that came up in practice exams on this site and on the actual test, that weren't covered in great detail. I'm including a book by Mike Myers for Network+ and it seems to be very well written. So you might want to check those out as well.

DoubleNNs

I loved the Net+ Mike Meyers Book.

The A+ Mike Meyers, not so much. =/

markdoe830

congrats!

Radio2006

Thx, bro.

shart1971

Congrats!!!

Radio2006

Thx, dude...

Kopite_21

Congrats on the pass, will be taking mine in the new year then moving onto the N+...

Radio2006

Good luck bro. I just finished with the books for N+ and now entering review and practice exam phase...

Radio2006

Network+ complete. Next up, Security+

itsgonnahappen

Congrats on the passes! Looks like your riding some strong momentum. Good luck on the Sec+.

Radio2006

Thx, bro. I'm trying to keep it going...but this will most likely be the last one.

DoubleNNs

Radio2006 wrote: »

Thx, bro. I'm trying to keep it going...but this will most likely be the last one.

Finishing your CompTIA trio seems like a good start. And depending on your job and your goals, a good place to take a rest on certs and focus on other things.

I did things a little backwards - I'm about to complete my A+ now to get my CompTIA trio. But I might take a break from the cert race shortly after as well. Maybe go for the CCENT prior to my hiatus, maybe not.

Radio2006

I have been thinking about some Cisco certs. One side note I have learned is that Cisco routers are everywhere. Would give me yet another edge.