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A+ certified

Woohoo so after 2 years of procrastination I decided to go out for my A+ exam. my appoinment was at 12 i showed up around 1135, was done in 20 minutes and passed with ease. I wish I knew it was this simple I would have gotten it a long time ago. Next up is network+ and Microsoft certs.

Yeah it was surprisingly easy, and you got it in before they change to that renew every 3 years thing.

Unless you have the extra money to throw at certs, I'd recommend CCENT instead of Network+. CCENT is a lot more comprehensive and would look better on a resume assuming the potential employer knows what he's looking at.
 
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Woohoo so after 2 years of procrastination I decided to go out for my A+ exam. my appoinment was at 12 i showed up around 1135, was done in 20 minutes and passed with ease. I wish I knew it was this simple I would have gotten it a long time ago. Next up is network+ and Microsoft certs.

Before I go much farther I'd reconsider Net+. It's good info for the most part but almost no companies look for that as a requirement for a job. This is what someone who teaches in the computer schools advised me as well.

The MCSE has been broken apart. I'm in the process of going back to school to get certs. I can do two and I spoke to the same guy about what the market calls for. Any 20 year old can pass a test and most people are going for normal Exchange and Server certs. I'm going to go for SQL Server and probably Server 2008. I thought about Exchange and was advised against it. I have experience in a lot of areas over a lot of years but those hiring believe if you don't have your name on a piece of paper you don't know anything.

I don't have my MCSE, CNA, etc but in one position years ago I had to train someone with a MCSE how to do basic troubleshooting, how to do basic administrative tasks and the like.

If you don't have your A+, can't do as much as change a data cable in a PC and can't find your way through a Windoze OS, please reconsider starting 10 levels up from where you are.
 
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Congrats on your A+!! Good luck on your next one, you're on a good path!

Any 20 year old can pass a test and most people are going for normal Exchange and Server certs.

No one is going to pass ANY cert. test without studying first!! Now they may very well cram for it online & pass it, but their lack of skills will show up in a heartbeat. Also, there is nothing "normal" about getting an exchange or server cert, that is way more than just one test, you must get other certs first before you can even take it. MCSE & others are an accumulation of certs & tests. I've been doing IT work professionally for over 10 years now & even I wouldn't even attempt ANY Microsoft course without studying my butt off!
 
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No one is going to pass ANY cert. test without studying first!! Now they may very well cram for it online & pass it, but their lack of skills will show up in a heartbeat. Also, there is nothing "normal" about getting an exchange or server cert, that is way more than just one test, you must get other certs first before you can even take it. MCSE & others are an accumulation of certs & tests. I've been doing IT work professionally for over 10 years now & even I wouldn't even attempt ANY Microsoft course without studying my butt off!

Yeah I kinda figured studying was required. :) I've been saying their skillset will show what they know for years. Unfortunately those hiring who are only looking for a name on a certification can't determine that before hiring them. My skillset is broad, however my certs aren't.

I've been in IT for just under 20. The courses have changed. New Horizons has the course list. IT Training, Microsoft Training, Cisco Training, Computer Training, Certifications - New Horizons Computer Learning Centers Their business rep told me they broke the MCSE cert down into separate classes. I said "normal" because server certs will apply almost anywhere since a server is almost always required. My conversation with this guy is what is leading me into SQL Server and Server 2008 (or Exchange 2010).
 
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Yes the cert programs have changed dramatically, but the MCSE has been been a 3-4 test cert. for quite some time. The only cert you can get with just passing one test is MCP (unless that changed recently) Of course the aformentioned is strictly Microsoft certs. Also, just recently, the A+ exam requires recertification now (COMPTIA Cert) A+ & Net+ are DAMN good certs to start with, most strong companies that hire will help with you obtaining further certs. I've met & worked with the "on paper" types that just crammed & had no knowledge, they never lasted more than 6 months before being canned. To get a newer MS or Cisco cert. you better be ready, better be DAMN well prepared, because everything you think you know doesn't mean squat unless you answer the questions their way, cause to them, there is no other correct answer. I ain't trying to argue or disagree, I just don't want to see someone stroll in & think it's a walk in the park, cause it ain't.
 
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Woohoo so after 2 years of procrastination I decided to go out for my A+ exam. my appoinment was at 12 i showed up around 1135, was done in 20 minutes and passed with ease. I wish I knew it was this simple I would have gotten it a long time ago. Next up is network+ and Microsoft certs.
I got mine about a year and a half ago. The test was pretty easy. I studied curriculum for Network+ and Security+ but didn't feel like wasting $400 or w/e if I failed. Probably should have cuz after December you have to get recertified every 3 yrs.
 
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The best self testing software I have seen is Testout TestOut LabSim - MCSE, MCITP, MCTS, CCNA, CISSP, SSCP, Security+, Server+, Network+, A+, Linux+ Certification Training they breakdown the cert tests into lessons, which are taught be real people all recorded into videos, the programs also have glossary's in them so you can look up the definition in them, they also have interactive sims which let you interactivaly actually do the things your learning, like terminal comands in Linux or Active Directory things in Server 2003/2008. It is extremely thorough with it. I used the software to study for Network+, took the test in Feb 2009 and this was before they revamped the test, you needed 585 to pass and the max score was 900, I got a 800 on it.
 
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The best self testing software I have seen is Testout TestOut LabSim - MCSE, MCITP, MCTS, CCNA, CISSP, SSCP, Security+, Server+, Network+, A+, Linux+ Certification Training they breakdown the cert tests into lessons, which are taught be real people all recorded into videos, the programs also have glossary's in them so you can look up the definition in them, they also have interactive sims which let you interactivaly actually do the things your learning, like terminal comands in Linux or Active Directory things in Server 2003/2008. It is extremely thorough with it. I used the software to study for Network+, took the test in Feb 2009 and this was before they revamped the test, you needed 585 to pass and the max score was 900, I got a 800 on it.
That's actually the software that I used.
 
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First I do want to say congrats.

But I also plan to be the first from what I can tell to say that A+ is a joke these days. Educaton and experience is way better. I am not saying it is worthless. But 20 minutes? Only further proves my point.

On that note congrats again and I just might consider getting it someday.

I just want to say again I am in no way insulting this poster or anyone who has A+. I just think over the past two years it has become meaningless. Actually I feel a lot of certifications have, and are overpriced.
 
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The main thing that certs accomplish are getting your foot in the door if nothing else, alot of employers, at least in Tx. list an A+ at a minimum. The job I have now "required" an A+ as well as MCSE, I've taken 2 Microsoft courses but not gotten the certs, I landed the job after 2 phone interviews. That cert got me the phone call. Don't underestimate what a cert can do for you.
 
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Great job on the A+..as for the MS certs they can be a real pain. I have taken several of the tests and one thing for sure is MS want's you to do it "their" way.

We all know there is more than one way to fix a problem but when you are testing you have to follow the path that MS wants you too.

My last server test was 52 questions and 4 hours long. It has simulations and you have to do it the correct way or you miss the entire question. That can cause you to fail the test.
 
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