limpylegs wrote: » Hi all,I'm new to the forum and I'm studying for the A+ as my new job is going to want me to have it,I recently just made a switch from trucking as I've always wanted to work on computers for a living.My big problem that I'm having with the introductory material is memorizing the sockets and the chipset's that go with them.My question is do they want you to know ALL the sockets outlined in the study manual or just certain ones?I've been using flashcards to help me memorize them but it's getting to be pretty overwhelming and I was curious as to what your own study techniques were used to help you with this section of the test?
ptilsen wrote: » Check the exam objectives. It should specify what sockets, memory, interfaces, etc. you need to know. I vaguely recall that when I took it, there were only questions on interfaces and the like within the last five years.
Plantwiz wrote: » Welcome. First, start with a copy of the objectives, this will be your guide and answer to 'what is on the exam'. IF it appears on the objectives you may be tested on it. Second, the exam is geared toward a candidate with about 6mo experience, so get your hands on as much as possible. Third, consider a solid text such as Mike Meyers All in One and/or the Sybex A+ text. Having at least two sources is generally helpful as different authors may explain things in different ways to help you understand. Good luck.
Turgon wrote: » You wont be the first trucker to switch to IT. My pick is you dont need to know all the minutia, but a decent amount of it. Get a decent A+ study guide and start putting some tables together so you can memorise this sort of stuff. They concentrate on the more interesting aspects of the A+ learning.
limpylegs wrote: » What I did with the flash cards is start off with the sockets that had the least amount of processors associated with them,once I have those down I figure I could probably move up to the sockets that have more than 1 or 2 processors associated with them.
Turgon wrote: » Use Mike's book and the sybex and go from there. Expect to spend 6 months preparing for the test. Do get some hardware so you can put the learning into practice. Far too many A+ technicians have no hands on..
limpylegs wrote: » Funny you should mention that because I think I just might luck out with this interview I'm heading to tomorrow afternoon for a customer service position at a local repair shop around here . It will be quite a relief not having to get back behind the wheel of the rig.
Turgon wrote: » To be a competant desktop tech you need to know how to do things properly. If I needed my laptop fixed, you better get it turned around fast because a lot of people need me up and running again pronto!
limpylegs wrote: » Well be thankful that if you run into me I won't tell you the same thing another CS clerk told me once - "Just get another computer 'cus your is a piece of crap!"....I almost had his job for that one!
Turgon wrote: » hehehe..well when I started moons ago, this was the sort of work I used to do! Dont lose my email, files, applications, shortcuts or desktop profile and all is good. Hopefully the A+ covers that process, but given how the operating systems change so quickly, I seriously doubt it. Does the A+ cover total rebuilds and ghost for example? I used that in 1999 to turn around an entire floor of PCs. So without hands on practice expect lots of problems!
limpylegs wrote: » No idea but you just gave me something to look into,or at least ask the shop about if I'm hired.
Turgon wrote: » Back in the day, we were treated as cool and intelligent. Today, everyone uses a computer and its treated as easy. Just make sure that when you touch a computer or replace a computer, you make what you hand over at least as good as what you received.
limpylegs wrote: » The study guide that was given to me was actually a christmas present given only a few years back,it seems to be thorough enoughAmazon.com: CompTIA A+ Complete Study Guide: Exams 220-701 (Essentials) and 220-702 (Practical Application) (978047048649: Quentin Docter, Emmett Dulaney, Toby Skandier: Books this one came in a three book set.
