Linux/Unix - Taking LINUX+ next week

Author

Taking LINUX+ next week

Buzz Lightyear

2002-12-13, 12:09 pm

After working more on my CLI skills this weekend at my home lab (RedHat 8.0), I am planning on taking the Linux+ exam sometime next week.

For those that have passed, three questions:

1) Exam difficulty - Is it a poorly worded exam with lots of opinion built into it, like Server+? Or is it pretty much basic facts about different CLI commands and basic Linux troubleshooting?

2) Time - Given the typical volume of COMPTIA questions, do you get pressed for time to answer all questions?

3) Study materials - SelfTest Software for practice exam questions, read SYBEX Linux+ and ExamCram Linux+ books, several hours of Linux CBTs, and work on a home lab (RedHat 8.) Is this sufficient?

I have taken 15+ cert exams the last few years, so I am no stranger to exam room pressure. Any feedback is appreciated!

Mr. Linux Guy

2002-12-13, 12:51 pm

1) No. basic facts, very straightforward. No doubletalk.
2) Should take you about 20 minutes to complete. No serious problem solving here . . . you generally either know the answer or you don't.
3) Sybex Linux+ along with using Red Hat and Debian a good bit should be OK if you know your hardware . . . I stress this . . . hardware is about 1/4 of the exam, and it goes especially heavy on disks and so on. If you don't have your A+ or have the equivalent knowledge, you will run into serious trouble. If you already know it, a slight review may be in order. Not knowing this can fail you. No Linux+ book that I know of covers hardware in enough detail for the test.

RBud

2002-12-13, 6:14 pm

Make sure you know your A+ . There were plenty hardware and A+ type questions.

Boulware5

2002-12-13, 8:44 pm

I would like to see more Linux questions on that exam. It is called the Linux+ exam.

Keep most of the A+ type questions for the A+. Just my opinion...

freak

2002-12-13, 9:01 pm

quote:
Originally posted by Boulware5
I would like to see more Linux questions on that exam. It is called the Linux+ exam. Keep most of the A+ type questions for the A+. Just my opinion...

I could not agree more. I am also preparing for that test and it bugs me to have to go back to all the specifics of SCSI for example.

Mr. Linux Guy

2002-12-14, 5:35 am

quote:
Originally posted by Boulware5
I would like to see more Linux questions on that exam. It is called the Linux+ exam. Keep most of the A+ type questions for the A+. Just my opinion...

I agree. It makes no sense to me. My opinion is, that if you are going to use hardware questions, they should be specifically Linux-related. For example, using 'dmesg' to see your bootup messages about your hardware, looking at certain files in the /proc filesystem to see hardware information, using commands like 'free' to see your memory status, or what you would have to do tocompile a new kernel after adding a mew device. Other than that, it is pointless. But I don't make the rules. The point is, knowing Linux only and not your hardware will fail you. I would not suggest trying this exam until you have your A+ or the equivalent level of knowledge. I thought it was easy, but then I already had my A+ and the hardware stuff was not an issue for me. Forewarned is forearmed.

Buzz Lightyear

2002-12-15, 4:40 pm

I appreciate the feedback from everyone. I got my A+ 2 years ago - seemed at the time like a whole lot of material to cover with some forgotten memorization of standards for what really is basic computer concepts. Will look over my A+ books quickly, purchased my voucher today and will schedule the exam for next Saturday.

0=1

2002-12-16, 7:17 pm

Best of luck! Hopefully, I will be presenting mine next week. Please let us know how you fared.

Boulware5

2002-12-16, 10:04 pm

I myself bought a voucher from someone offering it on a Linux message board. He sold it to me through ebay for $40 off the exam price. Not bad. And it don't expire until September 2003; so I got plenty of time.

tohrt

2002-12-18, 6:25 am

quote:
Originally posted by Mr. Linux Guy
I agree. It makes no sense to me. My opinion is, that if you are going to use hardware questions, they should be specifically Linux-related. For example, using 'dmesg' to see your bootup messages about your hardware, looking at certain files in the /proc filesystem to see hardware information, using commands like 'free' to see your memory status, or what you would have to do tocompile a new kernel after adding a mew device. Other than that, it is pointless. But I don't make the rules. The point is, knowing Linux only and not your hardware will fail you. I would not suggest trying this exam until you have your A+ or the equivalent level of knowledge. I thought it was easy, but then I already had my A+ and the hardware stuff was not an issue for me. Forewarned is forearmed.

Good point
And I agree completely
Haven't taken it yet myself, but have heard this very same complaint from those that have.

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