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Home > Archive > alt.certification.mcse > September 2002 > My A+ testing dilemma - need advice please.
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My A+ testing dilemma - need advice please.
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| Hi-
I have been studying my A+ materials for about 3 weeks(3-5 hours a day),
and I am not very confident with the software end. I have no experience
with 2000 or dos. I am a product of the plug n play, graphic interface
generation. I wasn't lucky enough to have the insight to get into
computers 10 years ago. Anyway, I want to test for A+ before I start
NET+, because I don't want to fall behind on the testing(I know a guy
that is 6 tests back in his program-he feels really screwed). I have a
week before I start NET+.
My questions are: If I don't feel that I am ready for the software
protion of A+, do you think it is a disadvantage to take the software
part after I complete other courses(put it on the back burner to stay
current with other testing)? How comfortable should I feel? Should I
just study as much as I can and try it?
Another concern I have is if I do take the software test later, will I
need that knowledge to get through the MCSE courses? or is it mostly
specific to A+? MCSE is my MAIN goal.
I haven't really even studied the software half of my book , and I am
scoring 60% on practice tests- is this a good sign or bad? Am I just
freaking out and rambling because my head is now the size of a raisin
from crt radiation? probably.
Thanx!!
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| 70-228 2002-09-27, 4:29 pm |
| john wrote:
> My questions are: If I don't feel that I am ready for the software
> protion of A+, do you think it is a disadvantage to take the software
Ask A+questions in the alt.certification.a-plus newsgroup and you'll get
excellent help from those more familiar with those 2 exams.
> Another concern I have is if I do take the software test later, will I
> need that knowledge to get through the MCSE courses? or is it mostly
> specific to A+? MCSE is my MAIN goal.
I would expect anyone that wants to do the MCSE to find the software portion
of the A+ trivial. The material in the A+ is basic and I would describe it
as an absolute minimum for anyone even thinking about going near a PC as any
type of tech. Study it. KNOW it.
> I haven't really even studied the software half of my book , and I am
> scoring 60% on practice tests- is this a good sign or bad? Am I just
> freaking out and rambling because my head is now the size of a raisin
> from crt radiation? probably.
Most of it is common sense. Or bad practice tests :-) But you really should
be very comfortable with stuff in the A+ if you intend to go on. I would
STRONGLY suggest you study the Network+ material before going on to the
MCSE. Even if you don't take the Network+ exam there is stuff in that you'll
NEED to know.
| |
|
| On Fri, 27 Sep 2002 20:18:58 GMT, john <peeplwtchr@hotmail.com> wrote:
>I have been studying my A+ materials for about 3 weeks(3-5 hours a day),
>and I am not very confident with the software end. I have no experience
>with 2000 or dos. I am a product of the plug n play, graphic interface
>generation.
That's not good for the A+ OS test, or even for the hardware tests.
You should learn about items such as IRQs, I/O ports and DMAs.
>My questions are: If I don't feel that I am ready for the software
>protion of A+,
I would say you are not, if you have no experience with either 2000 or
dos.
>do you think it is a disadvantage to take the software
>part after I complete other courses(put it on the back burner to stay
>current with other testing)? How comfortable should I feel? Should I
>just study as much as I can and try it?
You should study as much as you can, and know the material to pass A+
OS. Material regarding basic windows 2000 functions is in the exam.
>Another concern I have is if I do take the software test later, will I
>need that knowledge to get through the MCSE courses? or is it mostly
>specific to A+? MCSE is my MAIN goal.
Heh, you will not NEED anything in A+ to get through MCSE. However,
some of the material you study in A+ OS will come up again in MCP
tests (albeit in a tougher implementation-wise question format).
That's the great thing about learning material the first time around;
so much of it comes back to either amaze (or haunt) you in future cert
tests.
I personally had an entire MCP question in 70-210 regarding backups.
Since I had learned about backups (differential, incremental, etc.) in
network+ it was a no-brainer. Because I had taken CCNA a subnetting
question that somehow came up in 70-210 was also very easy. This
material will come back around, so learn it the first time.
>I haven't really even studied the software half of my book , and I am
>scoring 60% on practice tests- is this a good sign or bad? Am I just
>freaking out and rambling because my head is now the size of a raisin
>from crt radiation? probably.
It's a bad sign. Does your job depend on learning this stuff? You
sound like you dont enjoy this field or the material being presented..
You said you were studying for 3 weeks. I had 15 yrs of dos & a
little windows experience when I started studying A+ and it still took
me 3 weeks per exam before I was ready (hardware went fast; win2k went
slowly). OS is inherently harder to most people.
Take the hardware test, study the OS for 3 more weeks, then take the
OS test.
Dan
| |
|
| thanx for the resource-and the advice.
70-228 wrote:
> john wrote:
> > My questions are: If I don't feel that I am ready for the software
> > protion of A+, do you think it is a disadvantage to take the software
>
> Ask A+questions in the alt.certification.a-plus newsgroup and you'll get
> excellent help from those more familiar with those 2 exams.
>
> > Another concern I have is if I do take the software test later, will I
> > need that knowledge to get through the MCSE courses? or is it mostly
> > specific to A+? MCSE is my MAIN goal.
>
> I would expect anyone that wants to do the MCSE to find the software portion
> of the A+ trivial. The material in the A+ is basic and I would describe it
> as an absolute minimum for anyone even thinking about going near a PC as any
> type of tech. Study it. KNOW it.
>
> > I haven't really even studied the software half of my book , and I am
> > scoring 60% on practice tests- is this a good sign or bad? Am I just
> > freaking out and rambling because my head is now the size of a raisin
> > from crt radiation? probably.
>
> Most of it is common sense. Or bad practice tests :-) But you really should
> be very comfortable with stuff in the A+ if you intend to go on. I would
> STRONGLY suggest you study the Network+ material before going on to the
> MCSE. Even if you don't take the Network+ exam there is stuff in that you'll
> NEED to know.
--
-----------------------------------------------------
Click here for Free Video!!
http://www.gohip.com/free_video/
| |
|
| Yeah, I've got all the IRQs, I/O ports and DMAs etc. learned, I am
stumbling on the DOS stuff, and the specific procedures of 2000. I'll do the
hardware first then, I can get through that no problem.
thanx
DanS wrote:
> On Fri, 27 Sep 2002 20:18:58 GMT, john <peeplwtchr@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> >I have been studying my A+ materials for about 3 weeks(3-5 hours a day),
> >and I am not very confident with the software end. I have no experience
> >with 2000 or dos. I am a product of the plug n play, graphic interface
> >generation.
>
> That's not good for the A+ OS test, or even for the hardware tests.
> You should learn about items such as IRQs, I/O ports and DMAs.
>
> >My questions are: If I don't feel that I am ready for the software
> >protion of A+,
>
> I would say you are not, if you have no experience with either 2000 or
> dos.
>
> >do you think it is a disadvantage to take the software
> >part after I complete other courses(put it on the back burner to stay
> >current with other testing)? How comfortable should I feel? Should I
> >just study as much as I can and try it?
>
> You should study as much as you can, and know the material to pass A+
> OS. Material regarding basic windows 2000 functions is in the exam.
>
> >Another concern I have is if I do take the software test later, will I
> >need that knowledge to get through the MCSE courses? or is it mostly
> >specific to A+? MCSE is my MAIN goal.
>
> Heh, you will not NEED anything in A+ to get through MCSE. However,
> some of the material you study in A+ OS will come up again in MCP
> tests (albeit in a tougher implementation-wise question format).
> That's the great thing about learning material the first time around;
> so much of it comes back to either amaze (or haunt) you in future cert
> tests.
>
> I personally had an entire MCP question in 70-210 regarding backups.
> Since I had learned about backups (differential, incremental, etc.) in
> network+ it was a no-brainer. Because I had taken CCNA a subnetting
> question that somehow came up in 70-210 was also very easy. This
> material will come back around, so learn it the first time.
>
> >I haven't really even studied the software half of my book , and I am
> >scoring 60% on practice tests- is this a good sign or bad? Am I just
> >freaking out and rambling because my head is now the size of a raisin
> >from crt radiation? probably.
>
> It's a bad sign. Does your job depend on learning this stuff? You
> sound like you dont enjoy this field or the material being presented..
>
> You said you were studying for 3 weeks. I had 15 yrs of dos & a
> little windows experience when I started studying A+ and it still took
> me 3 weeks per exam before I was ready (hardware went fast; win2k went
> slowly). OS is inherently harder to most people.
>
> Take the hardware test, study the OS for 3 more weeks, then take the
> OS test.
>
> Dan
--
-----------------------------------------------------
Click here for Free Video!!
http://www.gohip.com/free_video/
| |
|
| On Fri, 27 Sep 2002 20:18:58 GMT, john <peeplwtchr@hotmail.com> wrote:
>I have been studying my A+ materials for about 3 weeks(3-5 hours a day),
>and I am not very confident with the software end. I have no experience
>with 2000 or dos. I am a product of the plug n play, graphic interface
>generation.
That's not good for the A+ OS test, or even for the hardware tests.
You should learn about items such as IRQs, I/O ports and DMAs.
>My questions are: If I don't feel that I am ready for the software
>protion of A+,
I would say you are not, if you have no experience with either 2000 or
dos.
>do you think it is a disadvantage to take the software
>part after I complete other courses(put it on the back burner to stay
>current with other testing)? How comfortable should I feel? Should I
>just study as much as I can and try it?
You should study as much as you can, and know the material to pass A+
OS. Material regarding basic windows 2000 functions is in the exam.
>Another concern I have is if I do take the software test later, will I
>need that knowledge to get through the MCSE courses? or is it mostly
>specific to A+? MCSE is my MAIN goal.
Heh, you will not NEED anything in A+ to get through MCSE. However,
some of the material you study in A+ OS will come up again in MCP
tests (albeit in a tougher implementation-wise question format).
That's the great thing about learning material the first time around;
so much of it comes back to either amaze (or haunt) you in future cert
tests.
I personally had an entire MCP question in 70-210 regarding backups.
Since I had learned about backups (differential, incremental, etc.) in
network+ it was a no-brainer. Because I had taken CCNA a subnetting
question that somehow came up in 70-210 was also very easy. This
material will come back around, so learn it the first time.
>I haven't really even studied the software half of my book , and I am
>scoring 60% on practice tests- is this a good sign or bad? Am I just
>freaking out and rambling because my head is now the size of a raisin
>from crt radiation? probably.
It's a bad sign. Does your job depend on learning this stuff? You
sound like you dont enjoy this field or the material being presented..
You said you were studying for 3 weeks. I had 15 yrs of dos & a
little windows experience when I started studying A+ and it still took
me 3 weeks per exam before I was ready (hardware went fast; win2k went
slowly). OS is inherently harder to most people.
Take the hardware test, study the OS for 3 more weeks, then take the
OS test.
Dan
| |
|
| thanx for the resource-and the advice.
70-228 wrote:
> john wrote:
> > My questions are: If I don't feel that I am ready for the software
> > protion of A+, do you think it is a disadvantage to take the software
>
> Ask A+questions in the alt.certification.a-plus newsgroup and you'll get
> excellent help from those more familiar with those 2 exams.
>
> > Another concern I have is if I do take the software test later, will I
> > need that knowledge to get through the MCSE courses? or is it mostly
> > specific to A+? MCSE is my MAIN goal.
>
> I would expect anyone that wants to do the MCSE to find the software portion
> of the A+ trivial. The material in the A+ is basic and I would describe it
> as an absolute minimum for anyone even thinking about going near a PC as any
> type of tech. Study it. KNOW it.
>
> > I haven't really even studied the software half of my book , and I am
> > scoring 60% on practice tests- is this a good sign or bad? Am I just
> > freaking out and rambling because my head is now the size of a raisin
> > from crt radiation? probably.
>
> Most of it is common sense. Or bad practice tests :-) But you really should
> be very comfortable with stuff in the A+ if you intend to go on. I would
> STRONGLY suggest you study the Network+ material before going on to the
> MCSE. Even if you don't take the Network+ exam there is stuff in that you'll
> NEED to know.
--
-----------------------------------------------------
Click here for Free Video!!
http://www.gohip.com/free_video/
| |
|
| Yeah, I've got all the IRQs, I/O ports and DMAs etc. learned, I am
stumbling on the DOS stuff, and the specific procedures of 2000. I'll do the
hardware first then, I can get through that no problem.
thanx
DanS wrote:
> On Fri, 27 Sep 2002 20:18:58 GMT, john <peeplwtchr@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> >I have been studying my A+ materials for about 3 weeks(3-5 hours a day),
> >and I am not very confident with the software end. I have no experience
> >with 2000 or dos. I am a product of the plug n play, graphic interface
> >generation.
>
> That's not good for the A+ OS test, or even for the hardware tests.
> You should learn about items such as IRQs, I/O ports and DMAs.
>
> >My questions are: If I don't feel that I am ready for the software
> >protion of A+,
>
> I would say you are not, if you have no experience with either 2000 or
> dos.
>
> >do you think it is a disadvantage to take the software
> >part after I complete other courses(put it on the back burner to stay
> >current with other testing)? How comfortable should I feel? Should I
> >just study as much as I can and try it?
>
> You should study as much as you can, and know the material to pass A+
> OS. Material regarding basic windows 2000 functions is in the exam.
>
> >Another concern I have is if I do take the software test later, will I
> >need that knowledge to get through the MCSE courses? or is it mostly
> >specific to A+? MCSE is my MAIN goal.
>
> Heh, you will not NEED anything in A+ to get through MCSE. However,
> some of the material you study in A+ OS will come up again in MCP
> tests (albeit in a tougher implementation-wise question format).
> That's the great thing about learning material the first time around;
> so much of it comes back to either amaze (or haunt) you in future cert
> tests.
>
> I personally had an entire MCP question in 70-210 regarding backups.
> Since I had learned about backups (differential, incremental, etc.) in
> network+ it was a no-brainer. Because I had taken CCNA a subnetting
> question that somehow came up in 70-210 was also very easy. This
> material will come back around, so learn it the first time.
>
> >I haven't really even studied the software half of my book , and I am
> >scoring 60% on practice tests- is this a good sign or bad? Am I just
> >freaking out and rambling because my head is now the size of a raisin
> >from crt radiation? probably.
>
> It's a bad sign. Does your job depend on learning this stuff? You
> sound like you dont enjoy this field or the material being presented..
>
> You said you were studying for 3 weeks. I had 15 yrs of dos & a
> little windows experience when I started studying A+ and it still took
> me 3 weeks per exam before I was ready (hardware went fast; win2k went
> slowly). OS is inherently harder to most people.
>
> Take the hardware test, study the OS for 3 more weeks, then take the
> OS test.
>
> Dan
--
-----------------------------------------------------
Click here for Free Video!!
http://www.gohip.com/free_video/
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