CompTIA's A+ Certification Experiences

[Naveen]

Hello everyone,

Does anyone have any first hand knowledge of this qualification? Could you give me a quick overview of the syllabus of the hardware and software exams it comprises? Would having a lot of previous experience in these areas help with learning for this qualification, and/or did you find that the material was very systematically presented and brought your IT skills to a professional, systematic level that formal training uniquely provides?

Would you recommend it?

Thanks for any comments, here's a link to the official site for those curious.

[cutterbuck]

Naveen,

This is the first time I have heard of this qualification and I have been working as an IT manager for over six years. The qualifications that I look for when recruiting are either Msoft or Cisco...

[Naveen]

My experience is that Cisco systems products are unnecessarily obtuse in their setup. Basically every other network product I have ever used (from any other vendor, though my experience is limited) has been easier to set up.

Nevertheless, thank you for your comment. I am told the A+ is an internationally recognised qualification. The examination objectives are well specified, it is intended to represent real world experience of 500 hours in the field, and has been made after consultation with IT professionals with the areas taught weighted to represent their occurance in real world situations. It sounds well made, to me.

[Karl Prince]

Naveen,

I'm pretty much with Cutterbuck on this one.

Rightly or wrongly the A+ qualification comes across as low level, a comparison might be A levels versus GNVQ, you decide which I'm comparing to A+ versus Supplier qualifications.

The supplier qualifications however may get you past the first hurdle, but they need to be backed up with real world experience. There are also too many boot camp / theory only candidates, which devalue the qualifications.

Also like it or not Cisco is the "standard" network qualification, though if you don't like the kit, you don't have to seek a career with it The qualification is primarily a networking qualification, with the additional skill to apply this knowledge to Cisco equipment.

[Naveen]

Thanks for your comments Karl. Anyone whose taken the exam and wishes to comment is again invited to.

[cutterbuck]

oh, and take a look at the cisco CCNA course, I suspect with your current knowledge you could get that qualification with just the textbook to teach you. You can find the text book in most large bookstores.

Bag loads of money around for good cisco guys, especially if you get a handle on QOS and VOIP.