[RESOLVED] A+

[Mich@el]

Im doing a A+ class at school and im very sure i will pass the tests needed. Im mainly wondering how useful this will be in me getting a small high school comp job later. I have used and messed with computers since wolf3d came out and have webpage working and NT administrator work under my belt. just wondering how much A+ cert will add to my profile and if i should attempt a few others.

[[email protected]]

It is a good certificate to have, shows you are competent with PC hardware.

Anyone with experience with computer hardware - configuring modems, network cards, changing motherboards will find it a piece of cake (I did!!)




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At the end of the day, it's all fundamental.....

[debbiesweety233]

I would like some information that took the new adpative test. Our instructor for A+ took the adaptive tests so he could have an idea what we are up agains and he almost didnt pass the hardware test and said this test is harder then the old version.

[scootercat]

I do grow tired of everyone bashing any and all certification programs. Lets face up to the cold hard truth, certification programs are needed and required.

Hold on, before you hit that flame reply button, think about this. Nobody has said, "if you are a certified tech you know everything." However, being a certified tech shows you know something. It is the start, not the end. It is the key to open the door.

Why do we need those certs?

A. Certifications lend ligitimacy to a job title and skill level. (Would you hire a lawyer who did not pass the bar exam? How about an accountant who didn't pass his CPA exam? Or fly with a pilot <gasp!> who hasn't completed landing circuts?)

B. Certifications are one method the tech world polices itself. (Again an example from outside the computing world -- suba diving. Sure you can go diving without dive certification, but it is difficult. It isn't hard to get certified. Still, outfitters don't normally provide gear, nor will guides assist those without the credentials.) More and more employers are saying, "if you don't have that paper, or are unwilling to take the courses/tests, then maybe you aren't the person we are looking for after all."

C. Certs give non-techies some measure to guage a tech. Like it or not, there is just no other quantitative way to measure potential (please note I didn't type performance!!!!).

D. Achievement of the cert displays your commitment to personal improvement. Nobody knows it all, nor should pretend to. Thus continued education in the field is manditory to keep the all important paycheck rolling in.

E. Lastly, the Certs give customers some indication what tech is able to do, without the customer doing a 20 questions routine with the tech. Think about it, when an over the road trucker shows up at the dock, CDL and in some cases HAZMAT lisenses are required. Same thing goes for us techs with regard to MCSE, CCNA, CNE, A+, Net+, etc. Put yourself in the customer's shoes. Why should he trust you to TS his Novell server? Other than your assurances that you *know* about them? The certificate on the wall goes a long way to answer their questions.

The bottom line is clear. If you have your A+ or <insert your required cert here> then great, keep up the good work. If you don't, then you should really look into completing one or two.

[emkayusa]

A+ is a good start, you should also look into getting your net+ cert...it's a bit harder than A+, but not bad if you have networking experience.

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Tech support, this is Mike, how may I disconnect your call?

[yice]

Having an A+ certification doesn't mean you are a good technician. Someone who doesn't even know how to open a computer case or had never touched a computer can pass the test. Passing the test doesn't mean ****, if u wanna know if someone is good put bugs in the comp and look if he can resolve ur problems.

thank u.

yice

[ephmynus]

[quote]Originally posted by yice:
<strong>Having an A+ certification doesn't mean you are a good technician. Someone who doesn't even know how to open a computer case or had never touched a computer can pass the test. Passing the test doesn't mean ****, if u wanna know if someone is good put bugs in the comp and look if he can resolve ur problems.

thank u.

yice</strong><hr></blockquote>


First, I'd like to say welcome to the forums Yice. I would like to state however that these forums try to be as helpful as possible to all people. By belittling their talents and not showing support, it really seems to degrade the overall genre of the boards. I understand that your level of expertise may be above the rest of ours. I imagine you may be able to pass the MCSE tests in under 30 minutes and your cat could probably ace the A+. Unfortunately, not most of us can, so please bear with us. In regards to the original topic, an A+ certification is a very useful certification to have and shows your future or present employer that you have a basic understanding of both the hardware and software aspects of a MS based computer system. I would definately recommend not stopping there and possibly looking into a network+ cert after that. Best of luck.

[disarm]

Aplustech,
Good point, This is why I started coming to this site over brainbuzz. The discussions there can get downright nasty. As for the A+ Cert, I thought the OS Version was difficult, but the hardware was pretty easy. Currently I have A+ and CNA. I have 1 more test in a few weeks before I get CNE. My last test is integrating Netware and NT. Looks to be pretty easy. Haven't failed one yet

[http://forums.windrivers.com/cgi-bin/forum1/noncgi]

Well, I am A+ cert. and got it when they started the adaptive test. It was pretty simple, but I had studied for it and also have been working on computers for a couple of years. I've been in the FIELD for about 6 months because of the Cert. I'm 17 and it has helped a lot. I recently obtained the Network+, a bit harder but I love networking, and am working on my CCNA and also RHCE, which is the Red Hat Certified Engineer. Well, hope that helps, because certs are helpful to show potential employers that we know what we are doing. That's how people, no, employers tell how experienced we are, by the certs we have AND how much field experience we actually have.

[ßracius]

[quote]Originally posted by Aplustech:
<strong>


First, I'd like to say welcome to the forums Yice. I would like to state however that these forums try to be as helpful as possible to all people. By belittling their talents and not showing support, it really seems to degrade the overall genre of the boards. I understand that your level of expertise may be above the rest of ours. I imagine you may be able to pass the MCSE tests in under 30 minutes and your cat could probably ace the A+. Unfortunately, not most of us can, so please bear with us. In regards to the original topic, an A+ certification is a very useful certification to have and shows your future or present employer that you have a basic understanding of both the hardware and software aspects of a MS based computer system. I would definately recommend not stopping there and possibly looking into a network+ cert after that. Best of luck.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Yes, Yice welcome. We act like friends here and don't bash anybody....well except JMM but that's with cause . As for the A+, take it,get it, don't abuse it. It shows that you are a basic tech, newbie if you will. I took both and passed the first time. On the other hand I am in the trenchs for almost two years now and I am looking to move up to network support. So my next exams and goals are Network+, I-net+, server+, Linux, Unix, Netware, and 2000 MCSE. I hope after that I can stick my face into SQL and others like the such. Talk to other computer nerds on this site and you will get pretty much the same "base" answer. Good for starters!

[DiR[ëctory]]

Where can I take the A+ Cert., and how much does it cost?

[Cleetus]

Just go to either Symantec's or Vue's websites and you can register for the test. It is expensive at $135 each section. Really easy, the pictures were a little screwy, being one color, and you have to think like the book rather than an experienced tech on some of the answers. Glad I am finally getting some of these cert's done now, hopefully it should make it a little easier as a contract tech.

[datawolf]

I didnot know a IRQ from a DMA before WIN95.
am I going have play with windows 3.1
to pass the A+
i have been formating WIN3.0 for years without
ever learning it. <img src="confused.gif" border="0">

[Jubilee]

[quote]Originally posted by yice:
<strong>Having an A+ certification doesn't mean you are a good technician. Someone who doesn't even know how to open a computer case or had never touched a computer can pass the test. Passing the test doesn't mean ****, if u wanna know if someone is good put bugs in the comp and look if he can resolve ur problems.

thank u.

yice</strong><hr></blockquote>

I am studying for my A+ cert, and I think we all know that "anyone" can pass. Though that is a good idea about putting bugs in the comp and seeing if they can resolve the problem...my instructor did that to me...I did good

[Lt. Columbo (formally Joevegany@..)]

Don't kid yourself Yice. Certification is the first think employers ask about. They do at the company I work for. Experience is important too, but certification shows that you have some knowledge. If you don't have certs your chances are definatly diminished. Lets face reality, someone could have worked as a tech for two years and not know what the heck they're doing. Some people are just good at regurgitating technobabble, and really are inept. You see it all the time. But having certification shows at least that you are serious about pursuing a career, and serious about contributing to a team.

Get certified... I'll get off my soap box now.