studying the A+ what you need

**greenbrucelee** · 08-28-2009, 09:36 AM

I though I would post this since I have studied a few certs

A computer you don't mind taking to piece (can be got from a recycling center or pawn shop)

compTIA A+ all in one exam guide 6th Edition by Mike Meyers (get his new book when released if you are studying the 700 series).

PC Technician street smarts By James Pyles

And some determination.

Do not fall for sales people from training providers they often come up with things like you will do A+,N+ and MCSE with us then we will get you a job.

First of all no one with no experience has any business doing the MCSE,

Second no one can guarantee you a job

Third most of these TPs provide you with books and tell you to read them and then charge you a lot of money for it.

Fourth You can get the books yourself and book the exams yourself so there is no need for a training provider.

Fifth If you really need a structured programme to your learning then look at your local college where it will be cheaper than a TP, you know that the lecturers actually know what they are talking about and isn't someone on the end the phone or in some email typing from a script.

Certifications that are useful for people looking for there first roles in IT are:

compTIA A+
compTIA N+
MCDST
MCDST upgrade to VISTA (soon to be a windows 7 version).

Anybody who tells you that as newbie to IT you should be looking at MCSA,MCSE and CISCO as your first certs are telling lies.

The certs above are for people who already work in IT and are there to verify their job experience.

Practice exams

I recommend

www.Boson.com
www.Transcender.com
www.preplogic.com
www.proprofs.com

Always check the legality of practice exams and websites using www.certguard.com and stay away from braindumps as you can be decertified for life and other action can be taken against you.

bitteorca · 11-13-2009, 11:27 AM

I think that there are some good Cisco certification programs. I know that Infinit Tech's Cisco training classes were great for some of our IT staff. I don't think any (reputable) class guarantees a job--just like SAT prep classes don't guarantee that you'll matriculate at Princeton.

DarrilGibson · 11-13-2009, 01:52 PM

I agree. While a lot of people can learn through self-study, a lot of others learn best in the classroom. Some prefer a combination.

Having taught IT classes for the past 10 years and being exposed to a lot of different training scenarios, I know there a lot of reputable training providers out there. I would be suspicious if a training provider *guaranteed* job placement, but even some reputable colleges have successful job placement programs.

Still great suggestions by GreenBruceLee on getting a cheap computer you can tear apart while studying for the A+. Don't knw why but I never thought about a pawn shop. I have thought about places like GoodWill.

Darril Gibson

Quote:

Originally Posted by bitteorca

I think that there are some good Cisco certification programs. I know that Infinit Tech's Cisco training classes were great for some of our IT staff. I don't think any (reputable) class guarantees a job--just like SAT prep classes don't guarantee that you'll matriculate at Princeton.

shadow ~ · 11-18-2009, 11:01 AM

This really opened my eyes to something's I missed
..

Here in the Middle East we don't have a lot of good IT schools
I took a course in A+ and the instructor wasn't that good I mean he wasn't good at all !

so I thought maybe if the course didn't work for me I will learn better by self-study

I've been wonting to go for the A+ certificate.. I just didn't know where to start
And after reading what you wrote I began to understand how I can do it.

I was wondering if anybody can recommend any book that may help me with studying since I have absolutely no experience

Plus I was thinking to get particular book: A+ guide to PC hardware repair
by Michael W . graves
I was wondering if you can tell me is it good ?

Again thanks this really helps.. And if you can answer my questions I'll be grateful .. ^.^

**greenbrucelee** · 11-18-2009, 12:16 PM

If you are wanting to study the A+ then the cert has just changed the best book to get is compTIA A+ all in one exam guide by Mike Meyers since he is the leading autority on the A+ certification, his books are easy to understand and funny in places.

The A+ changes to the 700 series in February so you will need his new book if you go for that but if you want to try and complete the current exams before then then get his 6th edition book.

BTW just incase you are wondering it does not matter to employers if you have the current A+ or the new one since most employers don't know that they change the exams anyway

08-28-2009, 09:36 AM	#1 (permalink)
greenbrucelee Mentor Hardware team Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 2,978 OS: XP SP3 My System	studying the A+ what you need I though I would post this since I have studied a few certs A computer you don't mind taking to piece (can be got from a recycling center or pawn shop) compTIA A+ all in one exam guide 6th Edition by Mike Meyers (get his new book when released if you are studying the 700 series). PC Technician street smarts By James Pyles And some determination. Do not fall for sales people from training providers they often come up with things like you will do A+,N+ and MCSE with us then we will get you a job. First of all no one with no experience has any business doing the MCSE, Second no one can guarantee you a job Third most of these TPs provide you with books and tell you to read them and then charge you a lot of money for it. Fourth You can get the books yourself and book the exams yourself so there is no need for a training provider. Fifth If you really need a structured programme to your learning then look at your local college where it will be cheaper than a TP, you know that the lecturers actually know what they are talking about and isn't someone on the end the phone or in some email typing from a script. Certifications that are useful for people looking for there first roles in IT are: compTIA A+ compTIA N+ MCDST MCDST upgrade to VISTA (soon to be a windows 7 version). Anybody who tells you that as newbie to IT you should be looking at MCSA,MCSE and CISCO as your first certs are telling lies. The certs above are for people who already work in IT and are there to verify their job experience. Practice exams I recommend www.Boson.com www.Transcender.com www.preplogic.com www.proprofs.com Always check the legality of practice exams and websites using www.certguard.com and stay away from braindumps as you can be decertified for life and other action can be taken against you. __________________ Microsoft certified professional, Network +, A+ certified

11-13-2009, 11:27 AM	#2 (permalink)
bitteorca Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 1 OS: osx 10.5.8	Re: studying the A+ what you need I think that there are some good Cisco certification programs. I know that Infinit Tech's Cisco training classes were great for some of our IT staff. I don't think any (reputable) class guarantees a job--just like SAT prep classes don't guarantee that you'll matriculate at Princeton.

11-18-2009, 11:01 AM	#4 (permalink)
shadow ~ Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 1 OS: xp	Re: studying the A+ what you need This really opened my eyes to something's I missed .. Here in the Middle East we don't have a lot of good IT schools I took a course in A+ and the instructor wasn't that good I mean he wasn't good at all ! so I thought maybe if the course didn't work for me I will learn better by self-study I've been wonting to go for the A+ certificate.. I just didn't know where to start And after reading what you wrote I began to understand how I can do it. I was wondering if anybody can recommend any book that may help me with studying since I have absolutely no experience Plus I was thinking to get particular book: A+ guide to PC hardware repair by Michael W . graves I was wondering if you can tell me is it good ? Again thanks this really helps.. And if you can answer my questions I'll be grateful .. ^.^

11-18-2009, 12:16 PM	#5 (permalink)
greenbrucelee Mentor Hardware team Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 2,978 OS: XP SP3 My System	Re: studying the A+ what you need If you are wanting to study the A+ then the cert has just changed the best book to get is compTIA A+ all in one exam guide by Mike Meyers since he is the leading autority on the A+ certification, his books are easy to understand and funny in places. The A+ changes to the 700 series in February so you will need his new book if you go for that but if you want to try and complete the current exams before then then get his 6th edition book. BTW just incase you are wondering it does not matter to employers if you have the current A+ or the new one since most employers don't know that they change the exams anyway __________________ Microsoft certified professional, Network +, A+ certified