Is it that bad?

[snootalope]

Hello,
I just took the A+ core exam and just tore it up in like 5 minutes.. I've been working on computers now for quite a while and I'm just wondering (from someone who has taken it recently) if the software exam is really as bad as its talked up to be. I was told to study and study for the Core exam and it was a joke, one of the easiest tests I've taken in a long time..
So any info on the Software side, like what to study hard, would be greatly appreciated!!
Snooter

 

[bgauntt]

I think it all depends on what type of operating systems you have worked on. To me the DOS portion would be more difficult because when I started college they just came out with Win 95 and I have used every version and am now using XP. I have also used RedHat and Mandrake Linux just for fun but you won't see any of that on the test.

The software to me is the easy part it was the hardware I have trouble with. I just have a problem with all of the actual terms and also the million different types of memory. I work on computers every day, both hardware and software and have yet to run across something that over time I could not figure out, yet if you ask me the technical terms for what I did or replaced I probably couldn't tell you.

Anyway, as you know some people are just not good at tests, but know the info just as well.

 

[ElijahBaley]

I have been considering doing the A+, but just can't get away from thinking that it is "easy", which must de-value it.

Is it?


Graham

"r tape loading error"

 

[bgauntt]

I can almost guarantee that even if you work on computers every day that there will be questions on the exam that you will not know how to answer. It's different for everyone. I think Algebra is a piece of cake but that isn't always true for other people.

 

[Guest_imported]

You know I thought the same thing. I was really prepared
for the hardware then I took it and it was like not hard at all. Then I studied just as hard for the OS part but guess what....it was a bugger. Pretty tough and I was prepared as can be so don't relax yet.

Secondly you never know what type of test you are going to get. They are downloaded in the morning at the test site. I may have three questions involving IRQ's..You may have none. You may have 4 or 5 off color networking questions and I may only have 1 easy one. They may give you something real easy on one question like what do you hook your ESD strap to? Then the next question may be UU encode converts files to what for a unix based system?
A. bin hex, B. Binary code C. VBscript files
or D. ASCII .... the answer is ASC II So you never know what your gonna get. I may have a simple test and then you may get a much more difficult exam. Best bet. Be prepared.
Ian

 

[schase]

Can this test be taken online?

Been thinking about it lately, and took some practice exams. So I know I need to study, but coming up with 500 odd bucks to take classes - not to mention the time to goto classes is rough.

Any suggestions?

 

[Guest_imported]

Hello...just my $0.02. I wrote the Core Exam and found my questions were right out there... I had to really think for mine but passed with 984. I think however that I just got a bunch of hard questions (for me at least) in a row.
I've worked with computers and done 2 years techsupport and I can say that I learned a lot studing for this. Connected the little dot's in a lot of things I know. Now I really feel I know them 'right good' as we jokenly say here at work a lot...

My bit to add is that there are a lot of terms to know and details to watch out for. Know your IRQ's, your I/O address, and your cable names and pin counts/rows.

Finally the exam carries image maps as well which is somthing I wasn't expecting.

That's it..hope to write the OS exam soon..but i'm caught up with a win2k course and an intro to linux. (Linux is something else..very alien I find..but I think I really like it

 

[NOnoy]

Can someone please let me know the best Website's to go to study for the exam. I am interested in taking this exam but don't know that much about the hardware side like IRQ's , memory, and such.

What's a good book to get?

Thanks in advance,
- NOnoy

 

[schase]

check this

http://studyguides.cramsession.com/cramsession/comptia/2001aplushw/guide.asp?

 

[kdja]

hey
im in Ireland and

http://www.fas.ie

is offering this course online for a small amount for money.
And i think you can take the test at any Comptia approved place.
This is an online course and isnt too bad .
But i was wondering if you pass this course what actual job would be able to get ?
Kdja

 

[CharlieJax]

schase is correct Cramsessions has some good study guides for the A+ hardware & software as well as all the other exams, but make sure you use other guides as well and think about everything you read.

I have been studing for my MCSE and at times the guides I read through have some wrong information, Cramsessions is the best of the free services out there. CJ
- Paper MCSE in training

 

[gwinn7]

CJ,

Bravo! Agreed on all points.

Gary
gwinn7
A+, Network+

 

[cdrees]

http://www.cbtnuggets.com

has excellent training for the most popular certs, A+, Network+, MCSE, etc.

I'd check them out as they are reasonably priced and very well done.


Christopher Rees

 

[vindeisel]

i took the core test and failed w/ 509. went back and got 850. took the os and failed w/ another 509. both failures were on a friday, i passed core on thursday. does anybody think thats ironic? needless to say.... i'm taking the os on thursday this time and if i get 850.... somthing is up.

 

[deadahead]

The core really is a straight forward proposition. Know your numbers and the understanding of how things tie together and you're all set. The OS side is another matter.
You might be asked the easiest path to change virtual memory settings or all ways to get there in 98 or 2000. You should really hit the books this part of the exam and I would strongly suggest one of those "1500 page" books on 2000.

I just took both exams today and thankfully passed both with no problem. Have been doing network admin without certs for over 6 years and am now working on my MCSA. Even with hands on experience, there is no way around a whole lot of reading. Good luck to all who have yet to take the plunge.

deadahead