Comparison of Certs--which ones are easier, more difficult, more time consuming?

I am looking at an online program (WGU) for IT/Software. They list several certs that are included in the program. I am wondering how difficult these other certs are, compared to the A+. (I just passed the 801 + 802 for the Comptia A+ certification.)

I want to complete a few more of these certs on my own before I apply, b/c they will transfer. I'm trying to decide which ones to tackle next. Any insight would be appreciated.

Oracle Certified Professional Java SE 6 Programmer
CIW Perl Specialist
CIW Web Foundations Associate
CIW Web Design Specialist
CIW JavaScript Specialist
CIW Database Design Specialist
CIW Web Development Professional
CompTIA A+
CompTIA Project+
CompTIA Security+
CompTIA Network+
Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) Windows OS Fundamentals
Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) Windows Server Admin Fundamentals
Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) Networking Fundamentals
Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) Security Fundamentals
Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) Software Development Fundamentals
Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) Database Administration Fundamentals

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Comments

Psoasman

Any of the CompTIA certs would be good to work on.

The CIW prep materials are excellent, but expensive out of pocket.

I have not taken any of the MTA exams, so someone else can chime in on those.

eLs

comptia ones are the easiest and normally good to tackle first too.

olaHalo

I found the CIWs easier then the one CompTIA exam I took.

Ivanjam

Do the 3 remaining CompTIA exams. During the transfer process, a pass in Network+ should also give you credit for the MTA Networking Fundamentals, and Security+ should give you MTA Security Fundamentals. The CIW materials provided by WGU are quite adequate for the exams, so I'd go through the admissions process before tackling the CIW.

EV42TMAN

MTA Certifications are a waste of time. If you do the MCTS Windows 7 and MCITP they'll give you credit for MTA's. I only had to do one of the MTA classes and it was a giant waste of time.

NinjaBoy

allquieton wrote: »

I am looking at an online program (WGU) for IT/Software. They list several certs that are included in the program. I am wondering how difficult these other certs are, compared to the A+. (I just passed the 801 + 802 for the Comptia A+ certification.)

I want to complete a few more of these certs on my own before I apply, b/c they will transfer. I'm trying to decide which ones to tackle next. Any insight would be appreciated.

Oracle Certified Professional Java SE 6 Programmer

CIW Perl Specialist

CIW Web Foundations Associate

CIW Web Design Specialist

CIW JavaScript Specialist

CIW Database Design Specialist

CIW Web Development Professional

CompTIA A+

CompTIA Project+

CompTIA Security+

CompTIA Network+

Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) Windows OS Fundamentals

Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) Windows Server Admin Fundamentals

Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) Networking Fundamentals

Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) Security Fundamentals

Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) Software Development Fundamentals

Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) Database Administration Fundamentals

The question "how difficult these other certs are, compared to the A+" is a fuzzy or relative question. If you're going like for like, then they are all going to be of varying difficulty (anywhere from easy to hard). It all depends on your current knowledge and experience coupled with how good you are at studying.

EV42TMAN wrote: »

MTA Certifications are a waste of time. If you do the MCTS Windows 7 and MCITP they'll give you credit for MTA's. I only had to do one of the MTA classes and it was a giant waste of time.

I wouldn't say that they were a waste of time, they are aimed at a specific audience - entry level and students.

allquieton

Thanks for all the info guys--very helpful!

srabiee

I agree with knocking out the other CompTIA certs. Then depending on how long that takes you and if you're willing to spend more money out of pocket on certs, knock out some of the CIW's.

Valsacar

I don't understand why people want to do the certs BEFORE they enroll... once you enroll they are free. I can understand studying a bit (with free materials) so you can knock them out faster, but why pay for something that is about to become free for you?

N2IT

Val I agree never understood that either.

srabiee

Valsacar wrote: »

I don't understand why people want to do the certs BEFORE they enroll... once you enroll they are free. I can understand studying a bit (with free materials) so you can knock them out faster, but why pay for something that is about to become free for you?

Because individual certs can waive multiple classes. (at least in my case)

For example, I transferred in 4 CompTIA certs and they ended up waiving 8 or 9 classes.

Totally worth it, IMO.

YMMV

j.petrov

I think what makes WGU so enticing is that you can work at your own pace and can potentially, if motivated, complete a BS in under a year with transfer credits and certs. So for a lot of people waiving those classes by getting some certs prior to enrollment may be the best option to complete the program faster. In the end we are all looking to get a degree quicker than we could with normal college pacing...

amcnow

The Java exam will throw you curve balls at every turn. You obviously need to know the material. With that said, you also have to pay close attention to what is being asked. It's very easy to pick the right answer for the wrong question.

Moon Child

I think the new Network+ exam is a lot tougher than the A+ in my opinion. I am currently studying for a multitude of tests and will take a bunch of tests in a row, whatever tests I pass are additional certs to go on resume what I fail I will have to retake. I am lacking in computer certs so I am cramming this summer to get several more besides A+ added to the resume.

I think the MTA exams are a lot easier than the A+. I have been studying for both the MTA: operating systems and MTS exams. Both seem easier than the A+, at least from the practice tests and study materials I have looked at. I know taking both the MTA and MTS is redundancy, but I don't care the more certs I can add to the resume at this point the better. Having just one cert really sucks.

I also am studying for the CCNA exam and it makes the A+ look like child's play. I am having the most difficulty studying for this exam and probably will have to buy some CISCO routers in order to really understand the material.

Master Of Puppets

Moon Child wrote: »

I also am studying for the CCNA exam and it makes the A+ look like child's play. I am having the most difficulty studying for this exam and probably will have to buy some CISCO routers in order to really understand the material.

Try GNS3. It might turn out to be a lot better than buying real equipment.

xXErebuS

Valsacar wrote: »

I don't understand why people want to do the certs BEFORE they enroll... once you enroll they are free. I can understand studying a bit (with free materials) so you can knock them out faster, but why pay for something that is about to become free for you?

Because my employer pays for certs.... So I can take as many certs to waive as much as I can; that way I go in with as many credits as possible and spend less out of my own pocket.

I haven't started WGU or even looked at it seriously, but I did ponder about furthering my degree and this would be my reasoning.