Looking for Advice

codyleaderbrand

I've been looking into taking my A+ exam for some time. I've purchased Mike Meyers book to study, and I've done some studying in my free time to prepare. I've also had some formal education in Information Technology. With all this, I'm still worried. Its 150 bucks to take the test and I don't want to have to re-take it so I'm trying to get do the best I can. Any other advice for the 801/802 exams would be awesome. I'd really like to knock them both out the first time I take them. Thanks in advance.

FloOz

Check out the free professor messer A+ videos. They helped me out a lot when I was doing my A +

RedGaiter

I just took and passed the 801. Make sure you know everything about all the different kinds of printers and visually know every connector and piece of a motherboard. Good luck!

codyleaderbrand

I looked into the videos and they seem like they will be super useful. I'm very much a visual person so that should be perfect for reviewing in my free time! Thanks a lot! Any other advice is still applicable!

Plantwiz

Cody,
You do realize each exam costs money and that the fee is not for the pair?

A+ is by far one of the most expensive and the one some will skip if their career path will bypass help desk or fixing PCs.

Start with the objectives from CompTIA. the Meyers text is an outstanding tool, but just a tool. Get some hands-on practice with old equipment usually can be found in expensively or free.

If you understand the items covered in the objectives, you will do just fine. Take to item by item and research the parts. Lots of vocab and basics are covered in A+. Post questions in that forum if you get stuck on anything.

codyleaderbrand

I do realize that each test comes with fees, and I've had some formal/informal training with PC repair and help desk and I'm currently working a help desk job. That and I've acquired a Bacelors in Technology so I'm not new to the field, just worried about spending the money when I'm not exactly sure I'm prepared enough. I'm kind of a worry wart when it comes to tests as well so that probably doesn't help.

I'm mostly worried and wondering if I'm stressing myself over nothing or if a good read over the Meyers text will be enough to help me pass. Since I've already moved into the help desk field and held jobs in PC repair should I just skip the A+? I've only heard its an industry standard and that everyone takes it so I just assumed I should go ahead and take it myself. Maybe I should look into other certifications that would fit better at this point in my education? I'm open to any guidance and opinions really.

--chris--

codyleaderbrand wrote: »

I do realize that each test comes with fees, and I've had some formal/informal training with PC repair and help desk and I'm currently working a help desk job. That and I've acquired a Bacelors in Technology so I'm not new to the field, just worried about spending the money when I'm not exactly sure I'm prepared enough. I'm kind of a worry wart when it comes to tests as well so that probably doesn't help.

I'm mostly worried and wondering if I'm stressing myself over nothing or if a good read over the Meyers text will be enough to help me pass. Since I've already moved into the help desk field and held jobs in PC repair should I just skip the A+? I've only heard its an industry standard and that everyone takes it so I just assumed I should go ahead and take it myself. Maybe I should look into other certifications that would fit better at this point in my education? I'm open to any guidance and opinions really.

Ive read the Myers Passport A+ (701/702) book and im half way through the Exam Cram (801/802). I have very little hands on experience aside from what ive done to my own PC's and a little basic trouble shooting at work (resetting NIC's, modems, checking settings in M$ Office, resetting user pass's, creating new users in Server 2003, etc...).

Ive been studying 1-2 hours most days for the past 2 weeks, and figure another 3-4 weeks like this and I could be comfortable enough to pass. Honestly, the hardest part so far is all the Windows jargon, locations, and CLI stuff. If you know your hardware (troubleshooting, compatibility & installation) then focus on the Win XP, Win Vista, Win 7/8 basic requirements, installations/upgrades, optimization, and trouble shooting. For me, that will be the deal breaker.

After the windows stuff, you need to know very basic networking commands and hardware, topology, etc..
After networking, there is a little security section and then a portable section.

Looking over the Comptia site however, you can see 40% of the exam will be on hardware. A very small % is on security, networking and portables...so dont sweat those too much.

Good luck, take your time! 801/802 are already here, no point to rush into them now.

toeknee1973

MM AIO Book 8th Etn. is an excellent book. I read it and also used the Measure Up practice questions before passinf my A+. I only used these (2) tools to study. I also have a job as a IT Help Desk, so alot of the stuff you already know but its still good to read all chapters. Now im off to take the n+ ..