How I passed my A+ Certification

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How did I pass my Core 1 and Core 2?

If you haven’t read about my journey in to getting my A+ certification then you really should go back and read from the beginning. It all started in Sept and it took me a Month to get it. After the first failure, I thought to myself will I even be able to get a good grade on my Core 2? That was the really a good question in my mind. Could I get a passing grade in the Core 2, or would I fail that one also. I did some preparing for Core 2 and that seemed to help. I was sure I was going to fail but I went to take my Core 2 even though I failed my Core 1. You can take Core 2 even if you fail your core 1, I found that helpful to know that you didn’t have to pass the tests in order to get your certification.   It can be quite frustrating to get worry about getting the exam done and getting the certification.   I am sure I am not the only one who had this stress.

So How did You pass the 2 time around with Core 1?

I’ll tell you what I did but I knew I didn’t have to study as much as most because I’ve been doing computer repair for years and I understand some basic concepts well before I even took the CompTIA Tests.   I knew about it due to my life long experience about 10 to 20 years and that is just the beginning on how I didn’t expect to fail the first time around.   The other part depends on your first score was it really low or did you just barely miss the 675 or 700 points needed to pass?   My first score for Core 1 was just shy with 37 points needed to get a passing on the core 1.  You can pretty much do the math but it was 638 was my first score.   So I knew I only had to study  a little bit those with lower scores will probably need to study even more. You can go back and find out how I prepared for the Core 2 but I wanted to pass my core 1 test for sure so I went into depth even more just to be sure.   Here’s how I prepared to take the Core 1:

Even though this is very little I did differently, it obviously did help with my grade as I went up by almost a 100 points after take the Core 1.   If you really need to get your score this is definitely a good step to do to get your points you need to get your certification.   I know this isn’t going to be for everyone but I did learn a thing or two.  Know how you learn is how you get the good grades and this is the first step at getting grades you want in college and even in exams.   I can’t emphasize this as much as I should because people just don’t understand that their way of learning is far different than those that learn a different way.

How did you pass your Core tests?

I’d really love to know how others have passed their core tests.  Why not leave a comment and tell me what you did to help others to get the grades they need to get their certifications.  I am finally certified in A+ and that is a big accomplishment for me.   I worked really hard at it and now I have something to show to employers who might require that to get a job.

Have a good Tuesday everyone.

How to prepare for the retaking of the Core 1 and Core 2 tests for A+ Certifications 220-1001 and 220-1002

Exam

Don’t Give up!

IF you have anything to look forward to is that once you complete this test you are closer to getting that job that you want.  I’ve already talked about people failing one or both of the cores for A+ Certifications.   It is bound to happen because we didn’t do something right in the test or we just wasn’t as prepared as we thought we would be.  There is no shame in failing a test, the good news is that we still have time to take it before we have to start over.   According to Certblaster Website the certification for this version will retire on Jan 15, 2022.   That is important information for those who might have passed at least one of the test whether it is core 1 or core 2.   You still have time to pass the ones that you failed at.

How do we get ready for the retake?

This is something I have thought about after failing the first time around and I thought long and hard.  I tried to problem solve how I could know what I needed to study for the retaking of the test.  Here’s what I’ve found out.  I am going to share with you what I have learned and maybe it will help other’s out along the way.

  • Use the score report that you got after taking the test.   At the bottom of the first page it tells you want you missed.  Go back and try to find tests that resemble the ones you missed.  You can use many Different sites such as Examcram to take those practice exam tests or even ExamCompass which is a free site.   Some of them cost money but you can easily find practice exams all over the internet for CompTIA A+ Certifications.
  • Buy Extra CompTIA Books — This is something I did, I went to Barnes and Nobles and bought a CompTIA  A+ Certification Passport.   I am not sure how this will help me but it does after all gives me another perspective that I might gain some insight into the test.
  • Ask yourself what were the more difficult questions that I failed at — This might help to prepare next time around but It doesn’t hurt to be ready for those types of questions because it’ll help with any questions that might be similar in the next test.
  • Give yourself Study Time — This seems to be the best way to pass it the next time around.   Before the test go back and try to do practices exams and read about a week before you are due to take the test and don’t try to cram it in the last minute.   Give yourself enough time to read and try to remember questions that were the hardest.   If you can keep reading and trying to take those practice exams.  You might just well pass the next time around.
  • Get Plenty of sleep the night before — Go to bed early and try to get as much sleep as you can before the test.   Eat a good breakfast that will keep you from feeling hungry while taking the test.  This is something that might help.

Last of the advice

Try to figure out the best time for you to take the test.  If you are a morning person take it in the morning, if you are an evening person take it in the afternoon if you can.   Remember that this test is for you and no one else.   You can take it any day that is the most convenient for you.  Try to avoid distractions to do the test.   Like me, I might not be doing a lot of blogging next week but I will at least do some.    It seemed to work on my Core 2 test which I passed.   These are just what worked for me and I hope they will help you with you retaking the test.  I’ve heard from others who failed one or both of the cores, so I know it’s not just me who failed.   People just seem to have a hard time with getting the certifications.   Do you have any recommendations for others?  Why not leave a comment and tell people how you passed your tests?   Was there something that I missed that you think is important?  Why not leave a comment.

What’s been happening lately for me and Why I didn’t blog last week.

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A Long Week

Last week I took off from writing due to taking my Core 2 A+ certification. I still have to retake my Core 1 (Passing is 675) but I did pass core 2 last Friday(Yea me!).  I passed Core 2 by 47 points. (Passing is 700 points)   Which If they would add those two scores up and used that for a passing or failing of A+ certification,  I’d have my A+ but no I still have to take Core 1 again and pass that one.  Anyway, the story of this is simple, don’t stop taking those test because you failed the first one.  The Next test you might pass with flying colors.

Start of new Week

As you can see, We had a really busy start off my week.  I found a pattern in Tickets that customers were submitting last week and started to look for the reason why.   The simple reason is that Microsoft screwed up the old printer drivers due to the PrintNightmare Zero-Day.   Along with that, I was told my job has ended and I wasn’t needed anymore.  I personally think this was due to me not passing both tests and they didn’t want to worry about it down the road.  It however isn’t a big deal anyways because it gives me more time to work on getting that Core 1 test done and studying even more to pass it.

Future Plans

This one still in the air and I’m sure I will find a job as a help desk technician or something similar.  It’s not that I didn’t try to pass but it is just rotten luck.  I am sure I’ll find a company who will want my unique skills and want to see me succeed.  I am so ready to start my new career but it can still be difficult to get that first job to get the experience.  Let me hear your experiences with getting that first job.  Did it work out or did you have a difficult time like me getting your foot in the door to get the experience?