Pre-CompTIA A+ Study? 1

[tc3rtr]

Hey guys.

Well, lets start. I'm a Sophomore in High School, and I plan on a career in the IT Industry. I've done some research and, based on that, I would need A+ Essentials and A+ 220-602. Am I getting too ahead of myself? What would I need to study for the aforementioned tests? Are tests free or would there be a fee? Thanks in advance.

 

[tnpctech]

I wish I would have chosen that path in HS. I can venture by saying that you are not getting ahead of yourself. IMO, A+ is a great way to start. There are a bunch of ways to study for the exam by using study guides and self-help software. Good luck, great choice, stay determined and focused, and you will have a great career in IT. The tests definitely are not free. The A+ is a two part exam, with essentials costing me $163 or more.

 

[cdeer]

tc3rtr,

You are headed in the right direction. CompTIA offers a vairy of cerfifications that will introduce you to and provide you with the basic knowledge in certain areas.

The A+ and the Netrork+ certifications are the starting certs to get.

I recommend the A+ study guide ISBN: 0-07-2263113 by Mike Myers. Very easy to understand and the concepts are well explaind. Combine this with the A+ Exam Cram ISBN:0-7897-3043-X to enfore the main points and you should ace the exams.

Once you obtain the A+ look into the CompTIA Network+ exam. It will give you the basic understanding of computer networks and networking.

Once you have both of these certs you will have an internal knowledgebase on which to build upon. Check out the other CompTIA certs - Security+, Server+, and Linux+.

Good Luck.
Chris

 

[spike99]

Mike Myers books are definitely the way to go. I bought a load of books, but wasn't satisfied with any of them until I found the Mike Myers books. His A+ All-in-One Exam guide book was my primary reference: I read it through twice & took all the sample tests.
To "cram" just before I took the exam, I read Mike Myers Passport book to review.
I aced the A+ tests on the first try (800+ points on both the hardware & software exams).
But, I took it back in 2003 which covered the 2001 objectives. Now there are more tests & his book has been updated, but I think Mike Myer's All-in-One is the best reference out there (I studied from the 4th edition, but I think it's now in it's 5th or 6th edition).

 

[tc3rtr]

Tc3rtr here again.

Well, I've bought the A+ Certification All-In-One Exam Guide and Mike Meyers' A+ Guide: PC Technician (Exams 220-602, 220-603, & 220-604). I'm currently trying to balance studying for the CompTIA tests as well as school.

Are the tests free?

Are the tests timed?

Would there be an age requirement to partake in the tests?
(considering I'll still be around 16-18 when I think I'll be taking the test)

You guys were very helpful, thanks again.

 

[glister]

The answers to all your questions are here.

http://certification.comptia.org/a/

Best of luck.

A+,N+,S+,L+,I+,HTI+,DHTI+,e-Biz+,Security+,RFID+,CETma,CSS,CFOS/T,CCNT,CCTT,ACSP,ISA CCST3

 

[SimonDavies]

I would also suggest spending as much time playing with the components, knowing what they are, why they are there and what they do. Try and get information on printer maintenance as well because that may also play into the exam (it certainly used to).

A good understanding of the technology that you want to support is a must, if you don't know how a laser printer works then find out, if you don't know how a static discharge can fry components then find out why.

Also some advice for you from an old time pc builder, the best experience I got was from building pc's from scratch, spec'ing the individual components out, fitting them and working out why things didn't work (jumpers)... learn the hardware and you should be fine.

SimonD.

The real world is not about exam scores, it's about ability.