Tag: CompTIA

How I passed my A+ Certification

Paul
Photo by Valentine Tanasovich from Pexels

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

Paul

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.

So you failed one or both A+ exam Tests and Now what?

Paul

Test

I failed the CompTIA A+ Core 1 Certification

I am sure you are so surprised that I am saying this with very little hesitancy.   I figure those of use who had to hear the bad news should at least know we aren’t alone in the struggle of get the certification.   You’re probably thinking Now what do I do?   I figure you have a couple of options to consider and we’ll talk about some of the options and what you might be able to do about it.  First thing you have to consider is was your score really low or just missed it like I did.    I’ve been doing IT on the side for several years.  You’d think I would pass it on the first try, I was so hopeful.   I missed it only be a several points to get to the 675,  If you’re score is really under a 100 or so, you really need to consider what you can do better next time and  be more prepared.   You may even keep failing CompTIA A+ for several times before you can get to the 675 or higher to pass the core 1 exam.

Now what are you going to do?

This might be the first time or even the second time that you failed the exam.   You have to consider why you are doing and consider if maybe you’re not ready to get the certification.   It could just be dumb luck that you didn’t get, but I’d be remiss if I didn’t at least consider these questions for myself and think hard and long about what I wanted and why I wanted it.   I’m not sure what goals you might of set for yourself but these are some important to think about.  You might even need to cry to get the frustrations and disappointment out to be able to think clearly.  In the end, it’s all about how you deal with the situation that makes or breaks your intentions to get the certifications.

What’s next?

Well for me, I’m going to have to take the test again for the Core 1 Test at least.  I’ve scheduled the Core 2 for the next few weeks and intend to do that one just because I have already scheduled it and might as well see if I can pass at least one exam.   If I can do at least the one exam the other one will be a lot simpler for me I think.   You have to consider what you are wanting to do or if you think you can pass the next exam.  I’m not going to give up just because I failed the first time.  I’ve gotten this far and I won’t stop going farther.   I know I can pass this exam if I just work on the questions and try to keep working to my goals.   Some ways you can get  ready for the next time:

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I know I am not going to fail the next time and if I do, at least I have the experience to learn from and getting better.   I am sure I am not the only one who has had this happen before.  I’ve seen videos about people failing the CompTIA A+ certifications, so I guess it isn’t just me.   This is what you need to learn for yourself that you’re not alone in the struggle of getting that exam certification and we all have had to do it at least once or twice.   Hopefully this helps you to know you’re not alone.

 

How to prepare for Comptia A+ certification exam

Paul

If We Can Dream It...

 

Can You do it?

This is probably the first time you’ve come to this class and you’ve seen what is going to be like.   You sweating and worried you’re going to not get your certification.   This is what most of you are thinking at least to a point.  I can see those blank faces and those stares.  CompTIA isn’t going to be easy, in fact, most you will probably have to do it at least twice to get the certification.  I am sure it isn’t going to be fun, and we will see people get sick over trying to pass the certification.  Just like everything else, if it was easy there would be so many more people doing the jobs that we wanted.  You’ve seen the economy and the need for CompTIA A+ certification, if you haven’t go do some basic research or looking for your self what field you will be going into and what you are trying to accomplish in your academic studies.  Is it for the dream job, or is it just because you want to be able to talk about how good you are.  If you’re that guy, you might want to learn to be more humble and know that it’s not all about the certifications.   Now for the rest of US that are looking for a serious career in IT and having that CompTIA A+ certification, you don’t know there are resources out on the web to help you to even make sure you are even ready to take the final test to get that A+ that you’ve been wanting since you started this journey.

CompTIA (Computing Technology Industry Association)

When it comes to understanding technology, we’ve been doing it forever it might seem.  It however is still relatively new area that has developed over the years.  I can remember a time when just having a computer was a big deal.   I can even remember a time when having a TV was like the biggest thing in the house.   You’d go to work and say, Yea we watch “So and so” and be able to brag about having that TV to your coworkers.  Boy am I showing my age.  There are people who have seen students pass and even fail in courses just like this and I don’t want anyone to fail the exam.   This is where I am going to impart to you my wisdom, ack there’s my age again.   I’ve seen a lot and that might be saying a lot but this isn’t going to be as difficult as you are thinking or even worrying.   If you’ve seen the video an Core 1 Test Objectives Video and not at least thought about what you will do to prepare for this exam, Then your either over sure of yourself or not here to take the exam, either way this is probably not going to phase you.

Web Resources

Now what can you do to prepare for this exam?  This is probably what you are thinking or wanting to at least know if you haven’t already thought about it.  Here is what I am going to show you some great ways to get ready for the exam.  This isn’t a complete list and it by far isn’t going to be anything that I haven’t at least looked at and even thought about doing.   It however will probably make it so much easier for the time when you are going to want to take the test again or maybe it will help you get that certification the first time around.   If you really try, you might be see a certification in your hand by the end of all this.

  • Check out the CompTIA Website (https://www.comptia.org/home)  — CompTIA have some great pretest exams and will help you know where you might need to work on even more to pass the exam.
  • IT Pro TV (https://www.itpro.tv/)  — If you haven’t checked out this website, you really should.  They have some great free videos to help you prepare to take the exam.  If you are wanting to go farther than that, this this is a great resource to keep you getting those certifications.
  • Professor Messer Free Videos on the A+ Certifications

Here are some sites Practice test exams for the CompTIA A+:

These are few sites that I know from just doing my research in this area and being that I like to listen to podcasts.  I’m always listening to a lot of InfoSec and there’s an exam for that also.   Either way, if you’re truly serious about passing the exam, you’d be nuts not to at least look at these places and search even more for other resources that might even help you even more.   Just remember, you’re not in this alone.  You’ve got your friends, family, and even teachers rooting for you to pass this course and other courses.  That’s what they are here for to help you get the education that you need to get that job you are wanting or dreamed about.   Even I have seen teachers help those who are struggling, just to see them pass the course.   All the teachers here are available to help you if you just remember to ask for the help, if you ask them.   Happy Monday and hope every succeeds in the field you are looking to get into.