A+ Cert, passed both today!

cfors · New Member Joined: 10 Dec 2005 Posts: 7 Location: Utah

Took & passed both exams today. Very Happy

Been a PC tech for 5 years, never bothered with it until a few months ago.
Just glad to finally have it out of the way.

I got 842 on Hardware & 843 on OS.
Here's what I used:

5+ years working experience (gotta count for something)

A+ Exam Cram 2 - (James Jones & Craig Landies)
[good book, thorough but has some technical & print errors]

A+ Certification Exam Guide, 5th Edition - (Mike Myers)
[good book, not as thorough as exam cram but far fewer errors]

Exam Wise & Exam Insight - (Tcat Houser)
[poorly written & riddled w/ errors, complete waste of time, at least the PDF was free w/ voucher purchase]

Cram Session Free PDF Study Guide
[OK, good overall review in case you're unfamiliar w/ something]

MCMCSE Online Study Guide
[BEST quick-review guide, good info]

Practice Tests from top two A+ books above (Prep Logic & Total Tester)
MCMCSE Online Practice Test
[MCMCSE was best, but any practice test can potentially show you something you don't know]

I've also read an older edition of Mueller's Upgrading & Repairing PCs years ago, absolutely the best source of hardware info & well written, easy to read (pretty technical, though). Planning to get the 17th Edition when it's released.
I read another A+ guide book years ago (pre-99) & was gearing up to take the exam back then, but got hired as a PC Tech without it, so I didn't bother.

fnajdzion · New Member Joined: 16 Apr 2005 Posts: 8 Location: USA

First of all, congrats on passing the tests. That is a major accomplishment. Secondly, I am getting ready to take the Core Exam at the end of this month. The last time I took this test was back in 2001. Missed it by three questions. To say the least, I'm a bit nervous. I been using the Sybex's 2nd Edition (also the Deluxe Edition) with associated Lab Manual, Cramsession's free study guide, MCMCSE's online study guide and practice exams. Any words of wisdom would be great. Thanks.

Robbo137 · New Member Joined: 08 Mar 2006 Posts: 3 Location: Crawley

I have my core hw on 13th/14th and am a bit nervous! Iv been using sybex deluxe, cram session, mcmcse, and a trainer. Boy I cant wait to get it over as its quite worrying! The only test I have done is the mcmcse practice test, I got 71% anyhelp would be excellent. Im having trouble memorizing all the facts and figures! IRQs arnt too bad but trying to remember all cpu stats, base mem addresses and the like is doing me in. My trainer says you have to know vertualy all figures, is he correct? My mate said dont bother as you can always look them up in manuals, internet etc. but now im worrying! HELP!

I.Karthik · **Post subject:** That's good **Posted:** Fri Mar 10, 2006 12:09 am

Passed A+, GOOD.
I had a difficult time studying for A+ exams
_________________
karthik

cfors · New Member Joined: 10 Dec 2005 Posts: 7 Location: Utah

Yeah, I had a tough time with the studying too.
By this stage in my career, all the A+ reading was pretty boring (no offence to anyone, PC hardware was pretty exciting to me 6-7 years ago), but I needed to be sure I knew the details I'd need to take the test.
At least now I can put my energy into learning something new & fun.

Robbo:

When you're actually working, looking something up is no big deal, but you do need to know things for the exam.
My recommendation is to study more if you're scoring in the 70's on practice tests, I would advise being able to score 90+ on an unfamiliar practice test.

I read somewhere that the best way to commit simple facts to memory is to write them down by hand (no typing).
Start by writing down the specs you want (such as a list of IRQs or CPUs).
Then write down what each IRQ is for or some basic specs of each proc (bus speed, cache size, socket, multiplier, etc) from memory.
Lookup the ones you don't remember then write those down.
Try again the next day & eventually you'll have those facts burned into your brain.

MCSE_Newbie · **Post subject:** **Posted:** Fri Mar 10, 2006 1:36 am

Congrats on the pass.

Robbo137 · New Member Joined: 08 Mar 2006 Posts: 3 Location: Crawley

CFORS,

thanks buddy have been tryin it seems to work! I have my core h/w 14th march will every1 know, good luck with ur new stuff!

Robbo137 · New Member Joined: 08 Mar 2006 Posts: 3 Location: Crawley

Woooooooo Hooooooooooooo! Very Happy

Well, passed that core hw!!!!!! Razz

only 611, but dude its a pass. now for the software! Crying or Very sad

EnGarde · **Post subject:** **Posted:** Tue Mar 14, 2006 1:04 pm

Congrats to you all!

It is nice to have that first couple of certs done.

Brian
_________________
CompTia A+, N+, MCP, MCDST
SONAR Technician USN '78 - '90

blacktoes · New Member Joined: 09 Mar 2006 Posts: 3 Location: MA

Nice job! I'm taking the OS in a couple weeks.