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Thread: Certification Information

  1. #1
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    Certification Information

    Greetings fellow AO'ers.. As I have been closely and intensively looking around/studying/doing EVERYTHING possible to prepare me for when I go to get my A+ certification and my CISSP (trust me, by doing everything.. I mean taking away time from AO and almost every aspect of life..) I have been given various resources and some interesting articles/websites to visit to help me along the way (thank you MsMittens, etc).

    Now, as for the A+ certification.. here are the "bare bones" information I gathered on the general "What Is", "What's Inside", etc information on the cert itself.. Please correct me if I'm wrong, as all information is needed.

    A+ certification (as far as I've gathered) is a CompTIA-sponsered testing program that certifies entry-level (6-months experience) computer service technicians. Generally, this certification is a pre-req for other certs/training classes. Now, as for what to study: I've gathered that I need to pass the A+ Core Hardware Exam as well as the A+ OS Technologies Exam. Now, for the domain's of each one.. Please, for those who have taken it, let me know if my information is correct or flawed..

    A+ Core Hardware Exam

    30% Installation, Configuration, and Upgrading.
    30% Diagnosing and Troubleshooting.
    5% Preventive Maintenence
    15% Motherboard/Processors/Memory
    10% Printers
    10% Basic Networking

    Total 100%

    A+ OS Technologies Exam

    30% OS Fundamentals
    15% Installation, Configuration, and Upgrading.
    40% Diagnosing and Troubleshooting
    15% Networks

    Total 100%

    Now, from what I've gathered.. each section carries a wide-range of information that's needed to know. To be honest, I thought the A+ cert would be a pushover.. and it is relatively easy, but some of the stuff I've been studying hasn't stuck in my head.. Bleh.

    Anyways, is there anything that someone who has taken the A+ cert exam can tell me to help me either study, know for the exam, keep in mind, etc etc? Any and all help is appreciated, and please wish me luck..
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  2. #2
    Just a Virtualized Geek MrLinus's Avatar
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    It's extremely easy. I used Mike Meyers All-in-One to help me and I finished the two of them in less than 8 minutes. It may feel like nothing is sticking if you are studying for both CISSP and A+ at the same time. Take two weeks, devote it to A+ and then write the two exams.

    Then find some people in your area to form a local study group, go to CCCure.org and study your ass off for the next month or so for the CISSP (this one will be considerably harder -- you should be doing at LEAST 80+ on the quizzes at CCCure at the hard or higher level). There are numerous yahoo CISSP groups you can join and you should be able to find some in your area.
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  3. #3
    IT Specialist Ghost_25inf's Avatar
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    I've been putting off taking the exam my self, I did get my Net+ that wasnt too hard in my mind. http://www.exactquestions.com/ has the exact questions on the test. read through these and you should be good to go. infact I read just the first 100 question and just about every question I had was the questions I reviewed.
    S25vd2xlZGdlIGlzIHBvd2VyIQ

  4. #4
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    MsMittens: Extremely easy to you and extremely easy to me are probably two very different elements Perhaps it is because I'm trying to study for them both at the same time (makes sense..) however I'm trying to do alot in a short period of time. Working on expanding and reaching higher after I get those certifications. So anyways, are you saying to devote 2 weeks to the A+ certification and I should be able to bang that out easily?

    As for the CISSP, thanks for that website.. it's been a TREMENDOUS help so far.. I think to better prepare me for the CISSP, I'll wait until after the A+ (less stress, things on my head, etc).. and then like you said, study my ass off for about a month or so (maybe longer, since I'm really trying to wing this in the first time especially since like you said it's considerably harder). I didn't know yahoo had CISSP groups that were out there.. those would probably be a nice help too..

    Thanks overall for everything you've provided me, MsMittens..


    EDIT: Ghost_25inf: Is that some kind of cheat, lol? They expect you to pay for it and everything, and does it really have the "exact questions"? Because ****.. if I'm going to spend money on that, it damn well better.. lmao.

    Still, something tells me that's a tad unethical.. dunno why.
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  5. #5
    IT Specialist Ghost_25inf's Avatar
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    no this is a legit site and what is so unethical about studying. Yes they are the exact questions. But let me ask you a question, Why do I need to know the OSI Model? Useless crap that sits in my head, that only sounds good when you are talking with a bunch of geeks. But yet they wanna ask you this on the test.
    S25vd2xlZGdlIGlzIHBvd2VyIQ

  6. #6
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    Lmao.. please don't get mad. I was merely asking why the site charges and questioning whether or not it was right. If you believe it is, sure.. I believe so too then. Calm down mate

    As for the OSI model being useless, I dunno.. regardless, thanks for the website and I'll look into it. I dunno, maybe I'll get interested and wanna "buy the exam questions"..
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  7. #7
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    Actually, there have been repeated cases in the past where legal action has been brought against sites publishing the questions for certifications to shut the site down and get information on who viewed the material.

    If they are able to tie that in to your certification attempt, your cert will most likely be revoked. I read about it all the time....

    Knowing 'useless' material such as the OSI model is supposed to give you the background for the technologies you are working with. Sure, you can work on cars without knowing why the engine was architected the way it was or any of the underlying concepts....but you most likely won't be a great mechanic.

    It is unethical because you are trying to achieve certification in some area without acquiring the basic skills to get you there. Any git with 2 and a half braincells can memorize 'b, c, c, a, b'.
    "When I get a little money I buy books; and if any is left I buy food and clothes." - Erasmus
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  8. #8
    And, don't count on the questions on the site being "exact questions" for the CISSP. The questions used are very carefully screened and randomly selected per test. The questions provided in approved example texts by ISC and their partners are questions submitted but not used, or old questions that are no longer used.

    Anyone who says they have the exact questions for the CISSP are either lying, or they got the questions through some illegal or unethical means. Not trustworthy in any case.

    When you sign up for the CISSP, you will be provided access to a set of study/practice questions, anyway. So don't waste your money on questionable sites.

    Good luck!

  9. #9
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    Actually, there have been repeated cases in the past where legal action has been brought against sites publishing the questions for certifications to shut the site down and get information on who viewed the material.
    That's kinda what I figured, but I wasn't sure.. My gut instinct was telling me something wasn't right about that.

    If they are able to tie that in to your certification attempt, your cert will most likely be revoked. I read about it all the time....
    Yeah, definitely.. and that would suck.

    Knowing 'useless' material such as the OSI model is supposed to give you the background for the technologies you are working with. Sure, you can work on cars without knowing why the engine was architected the way it was or any of the underlying concepts....but you most likely won't be a great mechanic.
    Indeed, however I believe that ANY information remotely related to the topic is useful. Information (or knowledge, rather) is power.. and the knowledge of it is key. My logic anyways..

    It is unethical because you are trying to achieve certification in some area without acquiring the basic skills to get you there. Any git with 2 and a half braincells can memorize 'b, c, c, a, b'.
    Agreed, lmao.. although I dunno if the exam is that simple, but yes.. haha.

    EDIT: Thanks, rapier on "co-signing" that one for me.. lol. Also, thanks for the luck.. I'm going to need it probably.
    Space For Rent.. =]

  10. #10
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    I gotta agree with Juridian. It is far better to understand the material. The OSI model is far from 'useless crap' IMO. It is the foundation of just about every protocal you are going to deal with in networking.
    The fool doth think he is wise, but the wiseman knows himself to be a fool - Good Ole Bill Shakespeare

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