A+ Certification

[Crexx]

I was wandering how many people here are A+ certified? And is it worth me taking the exam?

[featured_spectre]

I am, it is a good foundation point, has solid principles, however you can study yourself and pay for the exams rather than paying the £300-500 it costs to do the course.

[Little-Miss]

Me. Am I correct in thinking that something changed with it recently?

[Sirbendy]

I did the course, in an evening course scenario via distance learning, but something screwed up with the organisation and I don't recall sitting the exam, or if I did, I never got the official recognition. It was interesting, especially the "dirty keyboards go in dishwasher" question, although I personally wouldn't have said that WAS the correct answer in a first line support scenario. More "change the unit for a spare to enable the user, and then engage in repairing the old one".

 

Yes, I'm quite serious. That was in it. It made me chuckle.

[ButterflyMoon]

I am

[DMcGuigan]

Me. Am I correct in thinking that something changed with it recently?

 

I think they changed it the year I did it, or the year before.. one of the two. Not quite sure what they did though.

 

I think they swapped to the CE method or something, so your qualification expired after 3 years if you don't do certain exams to renew it, or pay a subscription yearly to avoid it. Don't quote me on that though

 

 

I did mine through Zenos, now Pearson Academy or something like that. Didn't have to pay for it as it was part of the apprenticeship course.

[L3OUGH]

Picked my certificate up for it a few weeks ago! ;D

[WithoutMotive]

A+ certified here (or just "certified" depending on how well you know me).

Mine was done through the job centre when I first started in IT some years ago. It's probably changed a bit since then.

[Dom_]

I am, have been for about 7 years, first job interview I went after getting the qualification had never heard of it though !

[aerospacemango]

I'm also certified.

 

I was advised, when I wanted to change career, that this was a good starting point... and they weren't wrong. It allowed me a foot in the door for my first job... my enthusiasm did the rest.

 

Keep meaning to do Network+ but never seem to get the time...

[tmcd35]

I've thought of doing it several times but have now out grown both that and the Network+. Seriously, I think my CV and experience is worth more than these qualifications. I keep thinking about MCSE but cost and time are always against me. I did do VMWare v3 a few year back. Cost me £1500 and I now run a Hyper-V network, go figure!

 

Personally, I'm not convinced of the worth of any of these qualifications. When ever I interview I'm always focusing on hands on experience over bits of paper. Maybe that's whats holding me back? (not that I want to go anywhere - I like being a NM).

[featured_spectre]

At the end of the day all they show is that you are able to pass an exam. They have solid principles within then but not much beyond that.

 

Vendor specific certs show you can do things the way they want you to do it. Weigh up pros and cons. I personally would hire someone that has 5 years of experience over 5 years of certificate gaining.

[gtg93]

I think they changed it the year I did it, or the year before.. one of the two. Not quite sure what they did though.

 

I think they swapped to the CE method or something, so your qualification expired after 3 years if you don't do certain exams to renew it, or pay a subscription yearly to avoid it. Don't quote me on that though

 

 

I did mine through Zenos, now Pearson Academy or something like that. Didn't have to pay for it as it was part of the apprenticeship course.

 

I did mine the same as you - via zenos - but you're correct in what you're saying:

 

If you did your A+ exam before 2011, then you're certified for life, but if you certified in 2011 or later, you must take a refresher exam every 3 years or you're not technically certified anymore:

 

CompTIA A+ Certification

 

Personally, I think it's a good starting point but it is very basic - everything within this course I already knew before taking the course, but it's just a matter of knowing it how they want you to know it. Although as has been mentioned, there are some questionable answers within the exam, but there's no reason you couldn't self teach.

[zag]

Our technician just did it, he found it very useful if a little easy.

 

I tried the test exam and got a good score although didnt know how many pins a SCSI cable had!!

 

Both exams cost about 150 quid I think and you just buy a voucher then book into an exam center. There is no real need to do any training if you've been doing the job for a while and are reasonably technically competent.

Edited February 5, 2013 by zag

[tmcd35]

 

I tried the test exam and got a good score although didnt know how many pins a SCSI cable had!!

 

 

That's a little unfair question since I'm sure I could give at least 3 right answers!

[AMLinington]

Me. Am I correct in thinking that something changed with it recently?

 

I am A+ certified and it was well worth taking as it is an industry-recognised qualification that shows a minimum level of competency in key areas. I think what @witch might be referring to is the fact that previously (when I took it), once you passed the exam you were qualified for life. Now they have changed it so that it is only valid for 3 years. Well worth doing if you're starting out in IT though as it can mean the difference between getting a job and not getting it based on 'lack of experience'. Although once you have a few years experience under your belt, this will count for more than the CompTIA as it is more relevant and current to roles you are applying for. That being said, it can also mean a massive step up if you want to go from 'support technician' to 'Network management' to get the networking qualification as support technician experience won't necessarily help you make that leap.

 

So ultimately I guess it depends on whether you are wanting to prove existing experience, or prove skills beyond current job role.

[tmcd35]

That being said, it can also mean a massive step up if you want to go from 'support technician' to 'Network management' to get the networking qualification as support technician experience won't necessarily help you make that leap.

 

That's actually a very good question for the NM's among us. How much do (you let) your techies get involved with the networking and server stuff?

 

I pretty much give my techs a free reign and involve them in all our ongoing projects. Does have the negative effect though that I turn over techs quiet quickly as they gain experience and move on to pastures new

[witch]

. I think what @witch......

 

Not me @Little-Miss ! Check out the BETT pics and you will be able to tell the difference!!

[GREED]

Got my a+ few years back before they changed it to expiring every 3 years @Little-Miss and was worth doing yes. It gives you knowledge that you can throw into an interview, or into a troubleshooting scenario. Does it make you a techy, not really, you are passing an exam an we all do those for one reason, to get the certificate! But it definitely looks good on the old CV!

[denon101]

Got my A+ 7 days before the change to sit the exams every 3 years. Was really pleased about that. As the others have said. It's a good foundation and it's industry recognised. However not all that highly.

[Chris_]

I'm A+ certified (again, before they changed them to expire every 3 years). I only did it because college paid for it and I thought it might be a useful qualification to have. I passed both exams with the highest marks the college had seen(!). The things in the exam were very obscure and relating to old technologies like Windows 98 that are irrelevant nowadays unless your name is @SimpleSi

 

If I had to pay for it then I probably wouldn't have done it. When I mention it to employers and schools they've never heard of it and don't understand what it is.

 

Nevermind

[macboy81]

i got my A+ a while back and work were ment to pay for my network+ and server+ but funding got pulled so never completed the set.

[Little-Miss]

Yep, that's what I was referring to... Thankfully mine is the life long type!

 

I am A+ certified and it was well worth taking as it is an industry-recognised qualification that shows a minimum level of competency in key areas. I think what @witch might be referring to is the fact that previously (when I took it), once you passed the exam you were qualified for life. Now they have changed it so that it is only valid for 3 years. Well worth doing if you're starting out in IT though as it can mean the difference between getting a job and not getting it based on 'lack of experience'. Although once you have a few years experience under your belt, this will count for more than the CompTIA as it is more relevant and current to roles you are applying for. That being said, it can also mean a massive step up if you want to go from 'support technician' to 'Network management' to get the networking qualification as support technician experience won't necessarily help you make that leap.

 

So ultimately I guess it depends on whether you are wanting to prove existing experience, or prove skills beyond current job role.

[bwestlake]

I am since 2010

[AMLinington]

Not me @Little-Miss ! Check out the BETT pics and you will be able to tell the difference!!

 

Yeah, sorry, my bad. I've still got snow in my eyes ;-P Just got back from a ski-ing holiday and still in dipstick holiday mode . I even quoted the right post....