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Steps to getting A+ Certified.

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Hey guys. Just wanted to check on here for some info. I'm wanting to get A+ certified, but having a hard time figuring out how to go about it. I've found websites that offer courses or things like that, and I know there are books to study for the tests, but does anyone have like steps I can take to go about the whole process? I'm having a hard time visualizing what I need to get done. Also, what resources would you recommend to me as to either courses I can take and take the certification tests at the end, or book(s) I can get that will give me adequate knowledge enough to take the tests. Thanks.

- ImageX
 

cwa107


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Personally, I just bought a good set of books, reviewed them (particularly the gaps identified by taking practice tests) and then took the tests. But then again, I was already well versed in PC hardware and operating systems, having been somewhat of a geek from birth. That is to say - it really depends on your comfort and skill level with PCs. If you've never cracked the case of a PC before, then you'd probably want some formal education and availability of a lab environment. So, tell us a bit about your background and maybe we can make some more specific suggestions.
 
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ImageX
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Personally, I just bought a good set of books, reviewed them (particularly the gaps identified by taking practice tests) and then took the tests. But then again, I was already well versed in PC hardware and operating systems, having been somewhat of a geek from birth. That is to say - it really depends on your comfort and skill level with PCs. If you've never cracked the case of a PC before, then you'd probably want some formal education and availability of a lab environment. So, tell us a bit about your background and maybe we can make some more specific suggestions.


Well, I have been using computers since I was very young. I just recently built this machine I'm replying on here with, haha. It's an i7 3820 build. I know my way around Windows/OS X as well as knowing a bit about computer hardware and relaying its function to other people in laymen's terms. Whenever my friends or family have iPhone/computer trouble, I'm their first phone call. Are there any specific books or online courses you could recommend? It'd be pretty awesome to find a good online course and pay however much to take it at my own pace and have some tests at the end. Thanks.

- ImageX
 

cwa107


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Well, I have been using computers since I was very young. I just recently built this machine I'm replying on here with, haha. It's an i7 3820 build. I know my way around Windows/OS X as well as knowing a bit about computer hardware and relaying its function to other people in laymen's terms. Whenever my friends or family have iPhone/computer trouble, I'm their first phone call. Are there any specific books or online courses you could recommend? It'd be pretty awesome to find a good online course and pay however much to take it at my own pace and have some tests at the end. Thanks.

- ImageX

Mind you that I took the A+ in 2000, so it's been awhile and I'm not so sure that the books I used are still around. But I used the Coriolis Publishing "Exam Prep" and "Exam Cram". The two came bundled together. The "Prep" book was more thorough. The "Cram" book was more concise. They complimented each other nicely. So, I read the Cram cover to cover, only referring back to the Prep for something I needed further explanation.

For me, practice tests were really important. I had a practice test for the A+ on my Palm IIIe (back in the day) that I took with me everywhere. I continuously took them until I hit 100%, taking any errors as cues to what I needed to brush up on. When I finally sat for the two tests, I believe I scored in the mid-nineties (back then they were not adaptive test, rather a flat 110 questions or so per test).
 
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I knew nothing about PC's when I decided to get A+ certified. For me, it was a 1/2 semester class at the community college that helped me out. This was back in 1999 so it was mainly IRQ, DMA, DOS and Win95 stuff. It was a good experience to learn about PCs (and whether I could learn about them), but didn't do much for my employability. I took online "instructor-led" Network+ and Linux+ classes later on after already being in the field for a while. Those were good as well and prepared me enough to take and pass the classes. Good luck.
 

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