Is anyone here CompTIA A+ certified, specifically as a computer technician? I'm trying to get a job as one but everyone says you need to be certified before working with computers hands-on. For those of you that are, is the test difficult, so-to-speak? I was looking over some practice questions, some of which I didn't know the answers to but some were obvious. Do they give you multiple tries, ie. able to go back for a second test?
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Anyone CompTIA A+ Certified?
- Thread starter Squilly
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
I am CompTIA A+ certified.
The test should be relatively easy if you know enough to diagnose and repair a broken machine (and peripherals, and basic networking issues).
If you are planning to learn on the job, you will likely need to study up a bit. I walked in and took the test after having worked repairing computers for 5 years (and doing it for fun/free prior for quite a bit longer) and got a near perfect score on both tests.
Depending on what practice info you had, there is a good chance it is a little outdated. You definitely have to know some legacy stuff to pass.
I would recommend Professor Messer's free online video classes for all the CompTIA tests. His videos are very thorough, and he does a great job explaining things for the novice. (http://www.professormesser.com/)
In my opinion, if you watch the videos all the way through for A+ once, you should be able to walk in and take the test.
When it comes time to take the test, be sure to search around for deals or vouchers, I save $120 by buying from a 3rd party and redeeming the vouchers on the registration website.
PM me if you have specific questions about my experience.
Is the test really that expensive?
I used this: http://certification.comptia.org/Tr...samplequestions/A-701-Practice-Questions.aspx and http://certification.comptia.org/Tr...samplequestions/A-702-Practice-Questions.aspx
Sounds like you used UTD practice questions, like I said, there are some legacy questions on there (you will see more legacy hardware then you will cutting edge).
I think I paid $300 instead of $330 or $360. I doubled my estimated savings in my first post. Whoops.
I think I paid $300 instead of $330 or $360. I doubled my estimated savings in my first post. Whoops.
Why don't you just enroll in a program and learn? Careerstep offers online programs. You should get the Careerstep computer technician course details and see if you're cut out for it.
I am certified as of 2010, but they updated the test shortly after I took it. Not sure if they removed the legacy questions like "a customer wants to upgrade their pentium II machine from windows 95 to xp..." or "a customer with a daisy wheel printer...." You will definitely need to know some basic command line stuff and how networking works (the layers and such).
As for cost, no idea. I actually took a class in school, at the end I took the test for free
No they do not give you multiple tries. But the "pass" threshold is pretty low iirc.
Not a difficult test, but then again I've been doing this stuff since I was four. Some of my classmates did not pass
As for cost, no idea. I actually took a class in school, at the end I took the test for free
No they do not give you multiple tries. But the "pass" threshold is pretty low iirc.
Not a difficult test, but then again I've been doing this stuff since I was four. Some of my classmates did not pass
It's been changed several times, including from a lifetime certification to 3-year renewal required then back to lifetime.
I took and passed mine in 2001 but I feel like it doesn't mean anything anymore. It seems like everyone is taking and passing the test, this also means that the pay for jobs that utilize it hasn't gone anywhere (not going up). Sure, it serves a purpose - if you want to get certified by an OEM to repair their computers under warranty they will likely require it.
Are these really the questions they ask on an A+ test? I think there were only two or three that stumped me.
Hell, I should go ahead and take it.
I'm currently taking the Comptia A+ course now and it updates as per the tech advancement. Although for example some of the topics are old tech now, like I'm having to learn the components and troubleshooting techniques of a CRT screen which are very rarely deployed these days.
The topics are hard if you don't work in IT, otherwise it's simple to apply it all to your day job.
The topics are hard if you don't work in IT, otherwise it's simple to apply it all to your day job.
I am using the free study notes on passtheaplus and Professor Messer's videos. If you're tech minded than you should be able to do it.