Benefits of A+ certification

[Loopy]

What are the benefits of A+ certification? is it required to be certified for most tech jobs(computer repair shops etc)

How hard is the test in your opinion? I've seen an overview of some of the subjects and didn't think the test could be too difficult.

And a question I can not avoid asking is, does being A+ certified equal better pay?


-Thank you.

[mduren]

A+ is suppose to ensure the public the the tech is qualified to work on pc...however I have seen some A+ techs I would not trust anything to...and I have seen some non A+ techs put certified ones to shame

[Hidn]

A+ Certification prove a basic knowledge of computing and networking.
And I emphasize BASIC. With an A+ and Zero experience you at least have a chance of being selected for an entry level position.
Most employers will hire a candidate with verifiable experience before they hire based on a Certification alone and then require that the new employee obtain that minimum certification depending on company requirements.

The test when I took it was in two parts. Hardware and Software.
With experience its a breeze. Either you know the basics or you dont.
If you have some experience with the Basics of Networking, Hardware and Operating Systems you can count on about 6 minutes a test and that includes the survey at the end.

If you dont know the basics then why bother.

[Loopy]

A+ Certification prove a basic knowledge of computing and networking.
And I emphasize BASIC. With an A+ and Zero experience you at least have a chance of being selected for an entry level position.
Most employers will hire a candidate with verifiable experience before they hire based on a Certification alone and then require that the new employee obtain that minimum certification depending on company requirements.

The test when I took it was in two parts. Hardware and Software.
With experience its a breeze. Either you know the basics or you dont.
If you have some experience with the Basics of Networking, Hardware and Operating Systems you can count on about 6 minutes a test and that includes the survey at the end.

If you dont know the basics then why bother.

I may not seem like I have much experience just going by my history on this board but I do. When you say BASIC do you mean the programming language?
I was just wondering if being certified will provide a boost to my chances of getting a job and or increase my income.

[cgonzo]

No, Basic doesn't mean the progamming language. My opinion is if you don't have a resume or references, then get your A+. If you have a former boss who can attest to your competency, that you know AGP from CD-RW, then you may be able to get a job based on that alone. I think earning your A+ can place you over some other job applicants. A few years ago I saw a company hiring that required A+ as a minimum. Starting salary was $30K.

[Ferrit]

As Chat admin we see many who come and go and ask about A+
One dropped by a while back and raved about his A+ and then promptly admitted he
flashed a bios with the wrong bios. He wanted help getting it running again.
I asked didnt you realize it was the wrong bios and he said yes. I asked why would you do that.
He said he figured it would be ok.
As mduren said having a A+ is no ticket to knowing what you are doing.
Granted employers look for that on the resume. But it certainly doesnt guarantee someone knows what they are doing

[Loopy]

As Chat admin we see many who come and go and ask about A+
One dropped by a while back and raved about his A+ and then promptly admitted he
flashed a bios with the wrong bios. He wanted help getting it running again.
I asked didnt you realize it was the wrong bios and he said yes. I asked why would you do that.
He said he figured it would be ok.
As mduren said having a A+ is no ticket to knowing what you are doing.
Granted employers look for that on the resume. But it certainly doesnt guarantee someone knows what they are doing

Lol, I misflashed a bios myself when I was 16 luckily I fixed it though.
So from what I understand you need to know the basic's of what you are doing and having A+ certification is just a slight addition to that because it helps show it to employers. In essence it's similar to a high school diploma, just because you have one doesn't mean you are smart.

And no I don't have a resume showing a background in the tech filed nor do I have and referals.

[Ferrit]

Well then welcome to the computer world.
I have zero certifications
Zero referals
Zero trainning
But
I have operated my own computer buisness for 10 years.
Paper isnt allways where its at

[BOB IROC]

A+ is suppose to ensure the public the the tech is qualified to work on pc...however I have seen some A+ techs I would not trust anything to...and I have seen some non A+ techs put certified ones to shame

Exactly.. I only got my A+ because a past job required it. Just took the test. Having A+ is like being an ASE certified mechanic, but I feel the hands on experiences are more beneficial.

I did not find the tests all that hard, but I have been doing technical work for over 15 years now and started when I was a kid.

[Guts3d]

Well then welcome to the computer world.
I have zero certifications
Zero referals
Zero trainning
But
I have operated my own computer buisness for 10 years.
Paper isnt allways where its at

Exactly! There are some "Computer Professionals" I have met that aren't up to snuff... While I have met people who are self taught that can run rings around the paper pushers. My company would rather have someone who can do the job with no papers than someone with the alphabet soup after their name who cannot.

[street1]

It is proof that someone is qualified to attempt to do something they are supposed to know something about.

Like the posts we see everyday.Some I've read would make you think the person had not went to a school of any kind since birth.

Yet with the low requirements in many countries....They could actually have a High School Diploma.

I went to school for eight years.Reckon how far some of them got?