Need some guidance on the CompTIA A+

Alright this would be my FIRST ever certification, and this is from what I have heard the most basic IT certification you can get? And this certification is on my level of knowledge so I'm shooting for that.

My main question is, how would I obtain this? I'm still in high school for one, is it obtained from possibly a junior college? I'm not really familiar on how the education system works, but eh I'm trying to figure all this out. I would rather do this in person than via online, just need some suggestions on what to do.

I live in Houston, Texas if that gives any kind of help.

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NetworkVeteran

Krysune wrote: »

My main question is, how would I obtain this?

Buy a book on the A+, study it, pay for and schedule your exam, take your exam. Alternatively, do not buy the book, and instead make many visits to your favorite bookseller to read it.

I'm still in high school for one, is it obtained from possibly a junior college?

There is no age requirement.

webgeek

NetworkVeteran wrote: »

Alternatively, do not buy the book, and instead make many visits to your favorite bookseller to read it.

Talking from experience??? lol

Krysune

NetworkVeteran wrote: »

Buy a book on the A+, study it, pay for and schedule your exam, take your exam. Alternatively, do not buy the book, and instead make many visits to your favorite bookseller to read it.

There is no age requirement.

=P What book would you recommend on getting to study for this?

NetworkVeteran

webgeek wrote: »

Talking from experience??? lol

I still remember my "starving student" phase.

Krysune wrote: »

=P What book would you recommend on getting to study for this?

Can't help there.

Krysune

NetworkVeteran wrote: »

I still remember my "starving student" phase.

Can't help there.

Ah, well hopefully someone else can, if not I guess I'm off to searching and reading some reviews on some books to get an idea.

webgeek

NetworkVeteran wrote: »

Can't help there.

Sorry can't help either...its been a while since I took my A+ but it requires two tests to achieve.

taternuts666

Get the most recent book by Mike Meyers for the A+ Certification. It's a good read and will cover pretty much everything you need to know. It's a bit lengthy but he's pretty good at keeping your attention.

Krysune

webgeek wrote: »

Sorry can't help either...its been a while since I took my A+ but it requires two tests to achieve.

It's fine, I appreciate the help given already. Gave me A LOT BETTER idea than before!

NotHackingYou

Mike Meyers A+ certification guide Amazon.com: CompTIA A+ Certification All-in-One Exam Guide, Seventh Edition (Exams 220-701 & 220-702) (9780071701334): Michael Meyers: Books

www.pearsonVUE.com to register for the test and book your exam at a local pearsonVUE center.

Sample Questions sample A+ questions from CompTIA

Krones

Lots of great information already posted!

I'll quickly add: A new version of the A+ is about to launch in late September or mid-October. The new versions will be the 801 and 802 test and there are books out now that cover the new material. If I were you, I would study for the new test since it is the most up to date content. Be sure to download the objectives from the official CompTIA website. It really helped me to learn the acronyms first before diving into the material. I would use a book such as Mike Myers All-In-One.

http://www.amazon.com/CompTIA-Certification-Edition-220-801-220-802/

When you need a break from the books you can supplement with some great free videos from Professor Messer. Do not rely solely on the videos. I would say they are merely a quick-refresher.

Professor Messer, CompTIA A+, Network+, Security+, Linux, Microsoft Certification Training

I've also heard good things about the Exam Cram book especially for practice questions. When you are finally ready to take the test you can take a small sample of practice questions from the official CompTIA website. Only take this test when you are 100% prepared. If you pass this test then I would say you are definitely ready for the real exam.

Most importantly, do not ****. At such a young age that would be an extremely bad habit to develop. It is pretty easy to run into a test bank without knowing that it is one. They are often referred to as braindumps.

Krysune

Krones wrote: »

Lots of great information already posted!

I'll quickly add: A new version of the A+ is about to launch in late September or mid-October. The new versions will be the 801 and 802 test and there are books out now that cover the new material. If I were you, I would study for the new test since it is the most up to date content. Be sure to download the objectives from the official CompTIA website. It really helped me to learn the acronyms first before diving into the material. I would use a book such as Mike Myers All-In-One.

http://www.amazon.com/CompTIA-Certification-Edition-220-801-220-802/

When you need a break from the books you can supplement with some great free videos from Professor Messer. Do not rely solely on the videos. I would say they are merely a quick-refresher.

Professor Messer, CompTIA A+, Network+, Security+, Linux, Microsoft Certification Training

I've also heard good things about the Exam Cram book especially for practice questions. When you are finally ready to take the test you can take a small sample of practice questions from the official CompTIA website. Only take this test when you are 100% prepared. If you pass this test then I would say you are definitely ready for the real exam.

Most importantly, do not ****. At such a young age that would be an extremely bad habit to develop. It is pretty easy to run into a test bank without knowing that it is one. They are often referred to as braindumps.

Thanks for this.

Patel128

I passed the A+ a few weeks ago (and just got the certification from the mail maybe 5 min ago) I used the Mike Meyers book, the exam cram book, the exam cram practice questions, and Professor Messers videos. With all of that I felt VERY confident when I went to take the 2 exams.

Krysune

Patel128 wrote: »

I passed the A+ a few weeks ago (and just got the certification from the mail maybe 5 min ago) I used the Mike Meyers book, the exam cram book, the exam cram practice questions, and Professor Messers videos. With all of that I felt VERY confident when I went to take the 2 exams.

How long did it take you to get prepared for it?

Patel128

I honestly could of done it in a month to a month and a half. In reality it took it like 3 months because I was in school/summer school/procrastination.

Krysune

Patel128 wrote: »

I honestly could of done it in a month to a month and a half. In reality it took it like 3 months because I was in school/summer school/procrastination.

Ah, yeah.

I'll most likely be getting the book and that cram book as well. Start reading them everyday or so, until I feel confident enough to go and take the test. I feel as if this is almost like getting ready for your driving test. LOL

Patel128

Yeah. It is a lot of memorization. Honestly, the test was pretty easy. I was all worked up before the test but a few questions in and I was good.

ginamiah

I passed last month and used the exam cram book exclusively with Messer's videos to help.

I don't know your background but if you have some IT knowledge the exam cram book has more than enough information, i can't imagine reading a more in depth book on the topic. There are 3 practice exams included in the book and 3 on CD as well.

If you feel confident i would recomend reading the exam cram, taking the practice tests, then research online / watch Messer's videos on the topics you struggle with.

I appretiate the larger books for more advanced certs (Currently reading Lammle's CCNA and love it), but I think they're unnecesary for the A+ cert.

Good luck!

TurK-FX

I read Mike Mayers book, take same practice exams, and passed them in 3 weeks. But i knew most of the stuff from experience. I just didnt remember the technical details like usb speed rates etc.. so read the book, take notes for important stuff and take practice exam. You are good to go.