A+/Network+ certification?

Thanatos

So, I'm hunting for jobs in Information Technology. It looks like I may have a 4-week one lined up starting on Thursday, but I'd like to make myself a bit more marketable, so I was thinking about picking up a certification or two. A+ seems to be the easiest, most universally useful one to go after (I took an A+ evaluative test today, and did okay, considering I hadn't studied for it at all). I know there are some IT folks here who probably know this shit better than I do, so what's the best way to study for the A+ test? Should I take the 602, 603, or 604? The site seemed to imply that the 604 was the most technical.

Also, are there any other certifications I should be thinking about getting? The guy at the staffing agency I talked to today suggested Network+, which looks like it's basically A+ for networking, which seems like it would be pretty marketable. Any other suggestions? Any suggestions for doing well on the A+ certification test?

Tomanta

I just took the first part of A+ (601) last Friday (taking 602 this Friday). Overall it was pretty easy - I was a little worried that I had missed too many questions but still came out with a 745 (need 675... out of 800?).

As for studying, I have a big study guide which I haven't gotten much use out of. I ended up just skimming through most of it - it is good info, but not really necessary for my own needs. I also have this book. It is a study guide (and JUST a study guide) for A+, Network+, and Security+. It doesn't have any extraneous material and ended up being my primary study guide for A+.

If you are tech savvy already (and it sounds like you are), I'd pick up the above-linked book, check it out and also look at the objectives of the individual test and decide what you might need to study from there.

The 602 test is the "standard" track - 603 and 604 are for more specific roles, so I'd recommend the 602 unless there is a specific reason not to.

I'm actually looking to do the Network+ at some point as well and am looking for a more detailed book/study guide as I'm not quite as confident on my networking knowledge...

Oh, and while A+ and Network+ will probably help marketability for more entry-level jobs I think the general consensus on certifications from when this has come up in the past is that other IT certs aren't all that useful unless you have some work experience to go with it.

Thanatos

Yeah, I was looking at the Security+ cert, too, since I've done a lot of shit with anti-spyware stuff for myself, friends, and family. Is that worth getting?

Also, they mentioned on CompTIA's website that they just updated the test from the 2003 version, as of July 1st. Will that book still be applicable?

Tomanta

It definitely covers the current versions of A+ and Network+. (with A+ they had an updated version in '06 and just discontinued the old version, and good riddance!). I just checked the exam numbers on Network+ just to make sure on that one.

Looks like the Security+ section is now outdated, though (the book covers SYO-101, which is the 2002 objectives). Security+ is a more advanced cert (supposed to represent 2 years experience in security); While IT security is one area I am looking at getting into, I'm not sure how helpful that cert would be without professional experience.

HadjiQuest

I was actually going to look into all of this pretty soon as well. I took a Net+ course recently, and just a few weeks ago I finished an introductory course on Windows Server. Since Net+ and A+ count towards a credit on the MCSA/MCSE exams, I was going to look into them myself.

I have a course book for Net+, and I figure I don't really need one for A+. However, a study guide would be nice (I'll check out the one already recommended).

Do any of you folks know good course and study books for the microsoft certifications?

bobjob

As a long time Tech worker I hate to break it to you guys but if you do a little digging you will find that those certs (A+, network+, (insert tech)+) are worthless unless you plan on working for geeksquad or circuit city's tech support. In todays market you are wasting your money on papers that have very little credibility. Certs that carry weight now are Unix (redhat, solaris etc) based, or DB (oracle, *SQL etc), If you can afford it the MS AD/Server can be worthwhile. If you are planning on doing basic tech support start your own business (indy consulting) to get experience.

devoir

The Microsoft materials are quite solid for your raw information and reference. I've taken class-based courses on a number of MCSE subjects that my boss wanted me certified in, and I did learn something from them even after having been doing Windows sys admin work for the previous year.

In terms of actual exam preparation, there were a couple of threads in the last few months. Hopefully they're still around, otherwise I think I have a summary at home I saved while they were on the front page.

I have to add support to the advice regarding certifications and experience. If you get the certifications, be prepared to eat humble pie and not expect to jump into a medium or high level technical position. Most of the time it'll let you get in the door at an entry level job, because you've simply shown more effort and dedication than the other randoms who have applied for the position. A lot of people I know who've gotten A+ and MCSE stuff end up just working in PC shops/low level tech support/helpdesk just so that they have some sort of hands on experience to go with their certifications.

Feral

I'd also suggest getting the MCSA. Basically, if you have an A+ and one other CompTIA cert (Network+, Server+, or Security+), you can use them as a substitute for one exam towards the MCSA, cutting the MCSA requirement from four exams down to three. It's a lot cheaper and easier than the MCSE, and makes you eligible for a lot of the same jobs.

Tomanta

I'm fully aware that the certs are only helpful for getting an entry level job, and they are so common that it's pretty easy to find people that have them. But that just means that NOT having them hurts when you are trying to get a low-level job - and you need such a position for experience in order to move up to the better jobs.

And even though I've been a computer guy since before I started elementary school, I have learned things studying for the certs - and that's the primary reason I have been working towards them.

Feral

They're not merely necessary for entry-level jobs. They're also necessary for a lot of corporate jobs where the bureaucracy has deigned necessary that all IT personnel have some kind of certification, for whatever reason.

devoir

I think Tomanta was referring to them being only helpful for entry level jobs when you have no workforce experience in the field.

Tomanta - the only reason I was explicit in what the certifications realistically get you is a lot of people (more so those lurking this thread out of personal interest rather than yourself) can be given the impression by various sources that getting a certification lines you up with the equivalent of a degree in terms of your job prospects.

ElectricTurtle

devoir: If people are as weak minded as you assume, they are probably well fit for the very jobs to which certifications are most relevant. I never thought that by getting certifications that somehow I could magically claim to be the employable peer of a CS or CE BS degree holder. However, in the support field a degree for the skillsets of "how to write programs" and "how to build circuit boards" respectively are far less useful than a working knowledge of the common network architectures or basic command line utilities. That is why many positions in the support field, low end though they may be, require certifications but not degrees.

To the OP: A+ should be very easy for anybody with a working knowledge of Microsoft OS troubleshooting and configuration and who can tell the difference between RJ-11 and RJ-45, or a DIMM from a SIMM. A lot of the hardware questions are out of date, so knowing old hardware is as important as (if not more important than) knowing new hardware. After five years of hardware and networking experience, I just took the A+ without any study at all and passed. For the Network+ I took practice tests for a week as my form of study and that worked well.

devoir

ElectricTurtle wrote: »

devoir: If people are as weak minded as you assume, they are probably well fit for the very jobs to which certifications are most relevant. I never thought that by getting certifications that somehow I could magically claim to be the employable peer of a CS or CE BS degree holder. However, in the support field a degree for the skillsets of "how to write programs" and "how to build circuit boards" respectively are far less useful than a working knowledge of the common network architectures or basic command line utilities. That is why many positions in the support field, low end though they may be, require certifications but not degrees.

It's not weakmindedness, it's lack of life experience. The kind of thing a lot of people who have never had extensive time in the workforce will be lacking. I'm not talking down to people, sheesh, I'm just trying to help.

Snarfmaster

As far as the Comptia tests go, if you're not familiar with the material study any of the descent guide out there...exam cram etc. If you're familiar with the material and just want to pass the test, Get a copy of the appropriate test from TestKing. You'll see about an 80% re-occurance of those questions on your actual test.

A+, Network+, and Security + are good basic ones to get since they never expire. After that You can easily jump on your MCSA in only a few tests.

Sarcastro

I have all the certs mentioned so far, and they've been nice, but only as padding. Although I will say that it does round one's basic knowledge out quite well so that there's really nothing out there you don't have at least some clue about. They have also been pay-affecting, I beleive I do make a certain bonus per cert that I have, which is also nice.

As far as getting a job, both A+, N+ and the MCSE are valuable - but only considered to be worth about 6 months of hands on experience. You may not need them for entry level, but it does certify that you can read technical information, absorb it and have some idea as to how to apply that in a meaningful way.

For the A+, if you're already a decent hand at installation and assembly, you can probably get away with just reading teh TechCert books (the red crammers) not awesome for winning at life, but very good for passing the nitty gritty's on the test. For N+, you could also get the red book, but I would flesh that out with the MCSE's Networking Essentials text, which hammers a lot of the key details home, and includes some of the arcana still mentioned within the exam (BCNT connectors anyone? ARCnet? No? Still retarded questions on it though, aren't there.).

All in all I'd give those two a middling thumbs up for getting in the door and a nice package on the side for competitive inhouse applications.