a/network+

[russdev]

stupid question with a+ an network+ exams can you self study and then take exams and how much are the exams.

 

Russ

[Guest]

Yes you can self study. Can't remeber the cost of the exams though. IMO though they are a waste of money. If you have been a Technician / Netowrk Manager in a school for any length of time, then you will know most of what is required, and have the experiance. Just my view.

[OverWorked]

Yes you can self-study. I would recommend self-study as anything else is very expensive.

 

All you need is the Mike Meyers books at about £40 each. There's one each for the A+ and N+. They really are the best books, with an easy-going conversational style.

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0072126795/202-7854361-7087833

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0072131640/qid=1129209789/sr=1-3/ref=sr_1_11_3/202-7854361-7087833

 

 

Book the exams through Pearson VUE. The exams are about £140 each, I think. Remember there's two for the A+, and one for the N+.

 

http://www.vue.com/

 

I got ripped off £900 for a crap A+ self-study course provided by Wave a few years ago when starting out in IT. I bought the Mike Meyers A+ book as a backup to the course, and quickly realised it was much better than the Wave stuff, and only £40 instead of £900.

 

Although they are worth having ( I have them both and they count towards the MCSA/MCSE) they're not worth spending loads of money on.

 

Hope this helps.

[Outpost]

Hi,

 

Self study is definately the way to go.

The Mike meyers books are great but you will need to buy a few others (like from Sybex) as one book never covers all the topics. Be prepared for the exams as you will come across material you will have never heard of. But study well and with experience on hand you will pass.

I found the A+ harder then the Network+ personally.

 

I paid £100 each for the A+ OS and Core then another £100 for the Network+.

 

Try http://www.examnotes.com/ there is a tremendous amount of help there, ignore the braindumps you won't need them anyway.

 

Good luck

[russdev]

well this is what i am looking at becuse apart form my gnvq that is all i got aprt from few thigns here and there..

 

SoI am going to build up how much do they count towards mcse/mcsa etc

 

Also do you need to do a+ before network+ or can you do network+ straight away.

 

On microsoft courses can you take a module how long does it last before i.e can you take couple of modules now and then 6 months later do next couple etc.

 

Russ

[OverWorked]

You can do them in any order, and they last for life. They don't expire over time as technology changes, like the MS certs do.

 

I got A+ four years ago, and the N+ recently. (The main reason I did the N+ was that it counted towards the MCSA I'm currently working towards).

[russdev]

what about mcsa's i know have to take them again every so often but what i did one of mcsa modules and then fews months later did second module and so like that how long after you took a module do you have to complete rest of modules.

 

russ

[OverWorked]

I'm not sure what you mean.

 

However, the Network+ is only one exam, so you can do that whenever you want.

 

The A+ is two exams, which should be for the same exam version. (A+ gets revised every 18 months or so).

 

There's no time limit on the other CompTIA certs. You can do them at any time as they're independant.

 

The CompTIA website will tell you what the current exam version is, and when they plan to retire it. Make sure you buy the books for the correct exam version.

[russdev]

yer i have gone on to microsoft mcsa exams was asking about now sorry if wasnt clear

 

russ

[kingswood]

I haven't gone for A+ or N+ at all- instead I took a diploma in PC Repair, and then completed an HNC in Network Support (now studying my HND in Systems Administration). They have their place though- even though I didn't take the exams I *did* use the books :-)

 

I'm not even going for MCSA or such. But I am thinking about Linux+ and Apple certifications...

 

Paul

[russdev]

i was wondering about apple certs as well

 

I think will try and microsoft mcsa so at least got something if work wont pay for it might try and get them to pay for network+.

 

What apple certs are there?

[sahmeepee]

I think will try and microsoft mcsa so at least got something if work wont pay for it might try and get them to pay for network+.

 

You can take the individual MCSA modules whenever you want, together or apart. Each one gives you an MCP in that subject, and they are converted to an MCSA when you get all four (3 core + 1 elective: SQL Server or Exchange, possibly others)

 

I finished my MCSA not long ago. Of the dozen or so people I took it with, I was the only one to pass them all, so it was a big relief to get it out of the way. From what I saw, the only way you can be sure of passing is to put a lot of time in (in my case about 350hrs of study over 6 months).

 

In some areas I definitely spent more time than necessary (70-270 and 70-290); in others I probably should've spent more (70-291 is a real bitch and not very useful in Real Life).

 

On the plus side, they send you a free tie pin and a certificate laser printed by Bill Gates () when you're done.

[russdev]

just seen on safari account got access to lot of books on network+ any good sites with practice tests on etc

 

russ

[ChrisH]

I got the MCSA a few years ago but my next certificate will probably be the Linux + then the LPI as the Linux + seems a bit easier going to start with.

Apart from most of the stuff about the limited life of the qualifications and cost the most annoying thing is paying £90 for an exam and getting a plain laser print out from the test centre to say you have passed. You could knock one up in word in 5 minutes tbh

[russdev]

but i think we have to be relastic i need to do exams as got nothing to proive i know what i know...

 

but someone with degree in it is less likly to need it even through we might have same knowledge.

 

as said plan is to network+ , mcsa and some kind of apple cert then will do linux cert but as of course all based on what i can afford.

 

going to try network+ self study and see how i get on

 

russ

[RobC]

A+/Network+ certs are definately self-study as that's the way I did it for my A+. And, thanks to knowing the boss of a local training company, I'm about to start instructing a small group on the A+ course (not actually sure if it's a good idea yet... ), so kinda hoping that he pays for my Network+ exam, as that's the next one he wants to run and I've a feeling that if I get myself through it and do a good job on the A+ course then he might want me to teach it.

[russdev]

@robc

 

well if have any questions know where to come

 

russ

[MkII]

Next years conference DEFINATELY nearer to the Whisky factories then ;)

[OverWorked]

@Russ

 

If you've got much networking experience (and it looks like you have) then you shouldn't find Network+ too difficult. The hard bit is memorising facts about older technologies that you are unlikely to see nowadays, but still need for the exam.

[russdev]

for those who have done net+ how good are practice materials here do they represent the exam well...

 

http://www.techexams.net/co_netplus.shtml

 

cheers

 

russ

[GrumbleDook]

For Apple certification then you can have a look at ...

http://train.apple.com/certification/

http://www.apple.com/uk/training/

 

Amsys are the largest UK repair agent for Apple and from chatting with their engineers and others who have done their technical courses they seemed to be spot on for the hardware stuff.

 

Solutions Inc are rather handy on the application stuff ... but you don't become an Apple Training Centre easily so all of them are good.

 

The qualifications are good, but unless you are going to be working as an Apple engineer then working with an Apple Solutions Expert or working from some of the good books (Missing manual, Mac Bible, etc) then you don't really need them. Unless you are going to work in an Apple Store ... to be a Mac Genius you need the qualifications ... not that I am bitter and twisted that I didn't get the job at the London Store ...

[russdev]

lol

 

i think through technical looks good to have but then it seesm lilke the applce certs are like dell ones only useful if you are employed by them... maybe a career change then into apple

 

Russ

[RobC]

Next years conference DEFINATELY nearer to the Whisky factories then ;)

 

Well, if next year's conference is during the summer, I'm sure I could arrange something...

 

And I suppose the obligatory distillery visit would be in order, or I'd never hear the last of it!