and want to share any study materials? I've always heard the A+ cert is worthless so never bothered to pursue it but probably about to start job hunting. I want to make sure my resume doesn't wind up in the trash because some HR person scanning for keywords doesn't see it.
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Anyone taken the A+ or Network+ recently
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I took the A+ about a month ago, but my only study materials were www.cbtnuggets.com, Visual CertExam Manager, and www.examcollection.com. Most of it was stuff I already knew, but the other stuff helped to review and the practice exams helped tremendously.
GeorgeG. just gave me a 2006ish Network+ book, but I have been so busy at work that I haven't even cracked it open yet. That's on the agenda for the next few weeks before I take the exam.
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I can sell you one of those massive A+ books. I took a class at TCC in 2011. Used, opened less than five times. lol If you have the knowledge base to skip the A+ then do it. Im not sure what the next step up is though, because the A+ is so generalized.
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IMO, unless you're a repair tech, I wouldn't necessarily bother with the A+. Not to say the information couldn't be useful but from someone that started in tech support to help desk to system admin to network admin, I can say that I've never needed to know most of what's discussed in the A+ book. I think that's because most companies (probably a Dell shop) that buy a high volume of pc's will also buy the 3 year on-site support from Dell.
When something goes wrong, you call Dell support and they'll either send the part or send a tech. Even if you troubleshoot it yourself, 9 times out of 10 the phone tech is going to walk you through their troubleshooting steps anyway.
I also think the next step after an A+ would be to become Dell/HP/whom ever certified since that, to me, goes along with being a hardware tech.
If your goal is to become a system admin, then I'd get the Network + and then just learn a Windows client OS and focus on Windows Server.
Again, I'm not knocking the A+. I just never saw the need for it and not having it didn't hurt my career. Good luck to you.
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You want this? PM me.
Here's how you can acquire new software skills in CompTIA A+ (Exam 220-802) – the exclusive online course is powered by VTC.
The CompTIA A certification is the most recognized IT certification
in the industry. CompTIA A certification validates the foundation
level knowledge and skills necessary for a career in IT support.
CompTIA A certified technicians have a reputation for not only
knowing the technical aspects of their jobs but also for exercising
excellent communication skills when working with clients. To achieve
this certification, candidates must pass two exams: Exam 220-801 and
Exam 220-802. In this VTC course, A certified instructor Mark Long
will help you understand the concepts and information you need to
know to prepare for the 220-802 exam
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Originally posted by GeorgeG. View PostIMO, unless you're a repair tech, I wouldn't necessarily bother with the A+. Not to say the information couldn't be useful but from someone that started in tech support to help desk to system admin to network admin, I can say that I've never needed to know most of what's discussed in the A+ book. I think that's because most companies (probably a Dell shop) that buy a high volume of pc's will also buy the 3 year on-site support from Dell.
When something goes wrong, you call Dell support and they'll either send the part or send a tech. Even if you troubleshoot it yourself, 9 times out of 10 the phone tech is going to walk you through their troubleshooting steps anyway.
I also think the next step after an A+ would be to become Dell/HP/whom ever certified since that, to me, goes along with being a hardware tech.
If your goal is to become a system admin, then I'd get the Network + and then just learn a Windows client OS and focus on Windows Server.
Again, I'm not knocking the A+. I just never saw the need for it and not having it didn't hurt my career. Good luck to you.
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Originally posted by GeorgeG. View Postoh yeah, if work is paying for it AND offering a raise....I'd knock that out too! I wouldn't pass up free moneyNow crack open that Net+ book! chop! chop!
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Did A+ long ago, the only thing it was ever good for was the bottom of my resume, and I never had any employer ask about it."When the people find that they can vote themselves money, that will herald the end of the republic." -Benjamin Franklin
"A democracy will continue to exist up until the time that voters discover that they can vote themselves generous gifts from the public treasury." -Alexander Fraser Tytler
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Originally posted by GeorgeG. View PostIMO, unless you're a repair tech, I wouldn't necessarily bother with the A+. Not to say the information couldn't be useful but from someone that started in tech support to help desk to system admin to network admin, I can say that I've never needed to know most of what's discussed in the A+ book. I think that's because most companies (probably a Dell shop) that buy a high volume of pc's will also buy the 3 year on-site support from Dell.
When something goes wrong, you call Dell support and they'll either send the part or send a tech. Even if you troubleshoot it yourself, 9 times out of 10 the phone tech is going to walk you through their troubleshooting steps anyway.
I also think the next step after an A+ would be to become Dell/HP/whom ever certified since that, to me, goes along with being a hardware tech.
If your goal is to become a system admin, then I'd get the Network + and then just learn a Windows client OS and focus on Windows Server.
Again, I'm not knocking the A+. I just never saw the need for it and not having it didn't hurt my career. Good luck to you.
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Originally posted by Silverback View PostI took the A+ back in 1994... and Security+ in 2009 (both I remember that it's just a ton of regurgitation of the same material over and over. Almost overkill on worthless info)
Never took the Network+, but I do have a CCNA that's expiredOriginally posted by BroncojohnnyHOORAY ME and FUCK YOU!
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I ran through a couple of brain dumps for the newest test and the only things I wasn't sure about was some shit about thermal and impact printers. The rest of it was cake. My current employer will pay for it so I'll probably go knock it out next week. I doubt I'd ever renew it. I just want as much shit as I can get on my resume to get my foot in the door somewhere.
My plan is get my A+, Net+ and Security+, then start studying for CCNA and MCSE. I'm not really sure what I want to do yet with my career. I'm a couple classes away from getting my associates in security/lan admin and I really enjoy the security side of things but need to get some sys/network admin experience under my belt first. I do helpdesk work now but it's low level sw support and some workstation hw.
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