Technical Certification Exams (A+/Network+)

Ledneh

For a job I'm looking to apply for, I have to have CompTIA A+ and Network+ certifications. I'm looking to take all three exams (two for A+, one for Network+) tomorrow, since that's the only convenient opening close enough to ensure I can apply in time.

From the practice exams I've taken, it looks like they'll mostly be a cakewalk with a little bit of guesswork. But just in case, I want to ask several questions. Hopefully someone out there who's taken the exams can respond.

1) Anything I should bring to the tests besides pen and paper (if even that)?

2) Did you find the tests dead simple or difficult? (Assume I have worked in the industry for several years and basically grew up with computers, building them, breaking them, etc)

3) What grade is required to pass? I've heard 60% for all three, but no confirmation since the test center's already closed for the evening.

4) If I pass all three and get both certifications, how long will it be until I get a paper copy I can fax in for my job application?

Thanks folks.

Sarcastro

Bring a pen and paper, sometimes the questions are easier when you diagram them out.

When I took these, the passing mark was 80%. That was a few years ago, but 80 seems to be the general rule of thumb for almost every technical certification exam. You certainly can't brag about anything less than 80.

Hopefully your practice exams were from a certified test help site and not just random crap off the net (although brain dumps were exceedingly helpful to prep in terms of level of difficulty).

I found all the tests extremely easy, but I find all tests extremely easy. In terms of difficulty, I would compare them to diploma examinations. The test and its certification are supposed to be equivilant to 6 months experience with each product or field. However, some of the questions are quite esoteric, and many deal with technology that hasn't been in practical use for quite some time. Hopefully you have read the ExamCram prep book for each test you hope to take.

You should receive an unofficial hooray-you-passed reciept from your testing facility on the spot, with official documents to follow through the mail.

X5

I've taken the CompTIA 301 and 302 (A+ hardware and OS)

It's hailed as the easiest test in the industry if you've been working on windows software and PCs hardware for a few months.

I'll admit, it was easier than I thought, However, there were only 100 questions per section. So 100 hardware, 100 software. I don't remember the scoring system exactly. I do know they ask some questions that I wouldn't have known the answer to had I not studied. I wouldn't say alot, but around 15 questions I would have gotten wrong had it not be for testing.

If you've been in the industry a few years, in both hardware and software, you should be able to pass without studying much. But, there might be a handful of questions might stump you.

I've heard that Networking+ isn't very tough either

Edit: 80 percent sounds about right
Edit Redux: It can take 4-6 weeks for the cert to be mailed to you. Myself and my co worker got ours in 4 weeks

Jimmy King

It was 60% to pass those tests when I took them, but they did make some pretty big changes to them a couple years later, so it may be 80% now.

Like the others have said, for the most part they're stupidly easy but will have a few questions each about things that you probably haven't dealt with and have little to no reason to have any experience with in some cases.

Ledneh

Thanks for the advice folks, I just finished taking all three tests (220-601 and -602 for A+, and the Network+ test) and passed 'em all. :^: