When Do I Know I Am Ready for A+ Core Exam? 1

[BellaJones]

I have the outline of the A+ Core Exam objectives and have been going through it but still am unsure as to whether I am ready. I have done a lot of online practise tests. Any ideas? I wonder if maybe I am expecting too much of myself. How hard really is the exam?

 

[Accessdabbler]

Not that hard. The emphasis is on installing and troubleshooting components. I passed the first time but realized that I spent way too much time learning all the details of various components and how they work (I memorized a lot of stuff and don't remember using any of it!) and not enough time with troubleshooting.

 

[BellaJones]

Thanks for your advice. I had the impression that I had to learn the bus and processor speeds off by heart. So you recommend I concentrate on troubleshooting? Thanks a lot.

 

[Accessdabbler]

Well, I memorized all the Pentium processors and the AMD ones starting from the K5. I memorized things like their speed ranges, socket/slot types, voltages, cache sizes and special features (such as 3DNow! and MMX). I think I got one question on the exam that asked what a Pentium 2 plugs into. Sheesh.

I also memorized all the common I/O address ranges, IRQ and DMA assignments. Let's see, I memorized common cable lengths and various "pin" values such as 50-pin is a SCSI 1 or 2 cable, 24-pin is a dot matrix head, 144-pin is a SODIMM for laptops. Frankly, I was quite annoyed that none of the questions needed this information.

Maybe I just got an unlucky set of questions but, from what I remember, most of them involved installing a component or troubleshooting problems from users. The only networking question I remember had to do with IPX/SPX (that REALLY pissed me off).

One troubleshooting question I got went something like:

A user complains that his computer freezes on bootup just after the video card text appears and before the memory test starts. He cannot get into the CMOS as it freezes before the "Hit F1 for setup" line appears. No error messages appear and no beeps are heard. What should you bring to fix this computer?

A. CPU
B. Memory
C. Video Card
D. Floppy Drive

Frankly, I'd probably bring all the above (well, except for the floppy drive unless I knew that system didn't have one).

 

[BlueDiamond]

The other thing you need to keep in mind is that the exams are different. Mine had a lot of IRQ and SCSI (mostly troubleshooting) questions so I was real glad I studied that intensely. Eventually, you just have to say - I'm ready. I hate tests but was able to pass this one on the first try. Good luck and your hard work will pay off.

 

[BellaJones]

Thanks for the advice. I will let you know how I get on.

 

[yanqui]

I read in another forum that the test is adaptive. What you miss one of, you'll get another one of. The questions are supposed to get harder as you do well. Lovely, huh?

 

[moose667]

I just finished a 6 week course on A+ and am now doing the same with network+, I am doing well on practise core tests,at average of 90% but on the o/s stuff I am only averaging 75% would this be anywhere close to passing?, I'm not lazy but i'd like to get it over with and concentrate on the network+, but I hate to write and fail too,, any advice?

 

[glister]

Check out the post on "Free Books". I would shoot for a higher pass rate on the practice test for a greater margin of safety.

Good luck. A+,N+,S+,L+,I+,HTI+,CET,CST,CNST,CFOT,CCNT,ACSP,ISA CCST3

 

[BellaJones]

I passed the Core exam today with a score of 1082. So of course I am absolutely delighted. Thank you so much for your very helpful advice. Now it's back to the drawing board for the operating systems exam.

 

[rbhurd]

The A+ core was a breeze for me, The OS gave me trouble,,
Good Luck.

 

[jtb]

"When you can snatch the SDRAM from my hand, you will be ready to leave..."

I heartily recommend following Glister's advice on this one... He's even helped me (tho' I'm ashamed to admit it...) JTB
Solutions Architect
MCSE-NT4, MCP+I, MCP-W2K, CCNA, CCDA,
CTE, MCIWD, i-Net+, Network+
(MCSA, MCSE-W2K, MCIWA, SCSA, SCNA in progress)

 

[Accessdabbler]

What's with all these people writing these exams separately?

Sheesh. I wrote the Core, had lunch, then wrote the OS.

Wimps.

 

[yanqui]

I plan on writing the exams on the same day. I also plan on passing them with a HUGE margin. I'm shooting for June 20, which is my birthday (42nd--never too old to change direction!) I really think I'm on track to do it and to do it well.

 

[glister]

From one Gemini to another... I bet you'll both do great!

Study, Study, Study!!

A+,N+,S+,L+,I+,HTI+,CET,CST,CNST,CNCT,CFOT,CCNT,ACSP,ISA CCST3