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Home > Archive > General Discussion > September 2001 > do you really think CompTIA's exams will hold up in the long run?
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do you really think CompTIA's exams will hold up in the long run?
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| dagger 2001-09-25, 8:29 am |
| I was thinking. Out of all the CompTIA Certs available, the A+ cert in my opinion
is the best one because it is one of a kind and is definitely useful. But I do think they need a retest policy after X ammount of years. On the other hand
certs like Network+, I-net+, and Server+ are all vendor neutral certs that only a hand full of employers have heard of. These certs are not cheap either, For example why would you spend $190.00 X4 (total = $760.00 US) on these entry level certs when you could put that money towards a respected University Computer Science degree or a solid MCSE course that is recognized by most employers?
I have my A+ and Network+ and I am going for the i-net+ and Server+ very soon. When it's all said and done
I have just spent $760.00 US for the 4 certs (I'm in Canada so that is over $1100.00 Canadian!) on these certs that make me a "junior" in the IT field I believe. Lets face it Network+ is just Microsoft's former Networking essentials exam and i-net+ is the CIW Foundations exam (CompTIA is just treading on their turf by the look of it). i-net+ is what?........ the "I know basic internet terms and HTML" cert. Your better off taking the CIW foundations then following up with the other CIW certs that put you on a proper CIW track since you will have to PAY to have your i-net+ cert substituted for the CIW foundations exam anyway. But what was the point of the i-net+ cert in the first place?? i-net+ questions like "What does CSS stand for? " (Answer: Cascading Style Sheets). Your telling me I really need to be tested on this???
How many certs do you need before you are satisfied? 6 , 7 or more??
What do you think of this outline for well rounded IT cert track?
1. A+
2. MCSE
3. CCNA
4. Specialty (Oracle, Sun Solaris, or CIW for example)
What is wrong with that?
Also CompTIA does not have any rule for you to be retested. So I can go around and say I'm A+ certified but we be talking about the A+ exam from 1997!
But think about it, do you really think CompTIA's exams (besides the A+ if you can be retested) will hold up in the long run?
my 2 cents......... | |
| ben_ice 2001-09-25, 8:46 am |
| Comptia has risen over the last few years from an also-ran to a valuable cert program because what they do is cross-platform (or cross OS, or OS independant, choose the one that fits best for you) FOr example the Network plus, yes, it is introduction to Networking, but it isn't specific to NT like Networking Essentials was, it crosses the boundries for and is recognized by several network vendors as a cert. It gives the individual a solid if basic understanding of various network topologies and is an excellent starting point for any NA wannabe or tech. From there you can decide where you want to go, whether it is NT/2000, Novell, Cisco etc.
Just mho | |
| darthw 2001-09-25, 10:30 pm |
| $800 for entry-level certs is a lot, but my AAS degree cost a three thousand plus books to get the same entry-level job that only A+ certified techs were able to get as well. (Not to mention that one could really finish the certs in less time.) Granted my AAS degrees and B.A. have enabled me to move farther faster than most of my co-workers who are only A+ certified, but to get ones foot in the door with the CompTIA certs, then perhaps use the employee tuition reimbursement program may be a good way to go. In such a case the CompTIA certs would be worth the initial cash.
However, I think over the long haul all the CompTIA certs are worthwhile. Studying for the exams has introduced me to unfamiliar concepts or helped me review topics I already know. For my own growth alone the money and time is worth it. I also like the fact that the CompTIA certs don't expire. Even if a tech is holding a '97 A+ cert, if they haven't been working in the field that long any certs that old would be worthless, but if one has experience, and if one shows a continual education process through earning other certs or degrees, then the that '97 A+ was the first step. I don't not put my degrees on a resume because I finished one in '92, one in '97 and one in '98; As long as I continue to work and gain experience those degrees are additional feathers in my cap. Also, someday I suspect I'll be in a position hiring techs, and having taken the certs myself, I know a tech who has made the effort is worthy of consideration.
I do think you cert choices create a well-rounded cert track, depending upon one's career goals. However, as long as I'm working in the industry and experiencing many of the things for which I am also testing, I think as many certs as I can earn are worthwhile, because I learn at least a little more with each test. | |
| stefanw 2001-09-26, 4:37 am |
| darthw - i agree. Certs backed by experience are priceless.
Just a cert, and most employers dont care. | |
| exar07 2001-09-27, 8:19 am |
| The A+ is one of the best certs to have today.
Can I ask you this guys?
Does that certification look cheap or what?
And that card that comes with it! Come one Comptia- we pay $100+ you can give us something better! | |
| FreddyFlyer 2001-09-27, 10:38 am |
| When Microsoft retired the Networking Essential exam, it was their intention that it be replaced by the Network + certification. While you don't get MCSE credit for having Net+, you see it mentioned along with A+ as a prerequisites for taking Microsoft courses.
Here is an example from Implementing and Supporting Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional (Course Beta) study guide.
"Student Prerequisites
This course requires that students meet the following prerequisites:
- A+ certification or equivalent knowledge.
- Net+ certification or equivalent knowledge.
- Course 2028A, Administering Microsoft Windows 2000, or Course 2171A
Administering Windows XP, or equivalent knowledge of administrative
tasks."
So your time and money is well spent on A+ and Net+ if your goal is MCSE. | |
| dagger 2001-09-27, 11:50 am |
| Thanks FreddyFlyer
But like I said..the A+ is great for sure.
and I had that in my list as the very first cert to take before a MCSE track.
But..if you go to a regular MCSE training course, they will teach you all that anyway.
But CompTIA is making their money by people taking their certs. So I believe the "wave" is over and since you dont'have to be retested there will not be may people taking this exam in this day and age in the IT field. The new E-biz+ IT project+..etc...I don't know about these ones.
I don't think these will last
in the long run.
So how is CompTIA going to make money?
Charge 250 bucks for their certs...haha | |
| dagger 2001-09-27, 11:52 am |
| quote:
Originally posted by exar07
The A+ is one of the best certs to have today.
Can I ask you this guys?
Does that certification look cheap or what?
And that card that comes with it! Come one Comptia- we pay $100+ you can give us something better!
Yeah I hear ya ...
I'm in Canada and I'm paying $190+ for these exams.....ouch!! | |
| Kasor 2001-09-27, 12:23 pm |
| unless the certication is required by main stream. Otherwise, I don't think it will. Maybe Svr+, all other. I don't see the point of getting. ....
Project+ don't mean anything. Unless you have experience of being a Project Manager!!!
E-biz, we can get CIW
CTT+, need to wait a little longer on this one. It might help, but don't know yet...
We will see what happen..... |
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