About to take the A+...

[hacker_cracker]

Hi all! I am about to take the Comp TIA A+ core hardware exam this coming thursday, and the OS technologies exam a week after that. I have taken a prep course at a local ITT Tech, I have read 2 versions of Mark Minasi's Complete PC Upgrade and Maintenance Guide cover to cover (5th & 16th edition), as well as A+ Certification for Dummies. I've memorized all of the important facts & figures such as IRQ's, I/O addresses, DMA, network cable statistics, and so many other things that my head hurts just thinking about it! I've also taken a whole bunch of practice tests, and am scoring in the 90+ percent range on all of them. I also have over a year's experience doing freelance repairs& maintenance.
I was wondering if anyone out there who's already taken these exams has any advice or tips for me. I don't want to be caught by surprise by anything on these tests...
I'm so excited! If I pass, I will finally qualify to work on these machines professionally, which has been my goal for alomst a year now.

[Nick Grana]

You seem to have it pretty much covered. What else could one say?
I sit in my car and cram for a few more minutes.
Take your time. Skip hard ones if allowed to step back later.
Don't choke. Stay cool.
I had to do 7 exams for my Novel CNE cert.
All pass/fail only.
Flunked one (last one). Crap!!! I know this stuff. Went and sat in my car for 30 minutes, went back in, paid another $80, took same again and passed.
Piece of cake.
Go get'em.

[hacker_cracker]

Are there any good (free) websites out there that cover A+ certification? I've tried a bunch of search engines, but they don't seem to bring up any good results.

[hacker_cracker]

I just passed the core hardware exam today with a score of 775 out of 900! Next week its on to the OS technology exam! I heard that it is a little harder than the core hardware. Any suggestions as to what to study for this exam?

[Nick Grana]

Any suggestions as to what to study for this exam?

Since you failed to acknowldge my other advice, may I suggest you
study your OS book and notes.

[fink]

Congrats on passing the exam.

[hacker_cracker]

Thank you for the reply, Nick Grana& Fink. I have a computer that dual boots 98se & 2000. If I find a question on the practice test that I'm unsure of, I go to that computer, and try all of the options until I find the right awnser. I find that I remember more if I've actually seen or done it before. I did take your advice, Nick, with the core hardware exam. Right before I went to the testing center, I studied some Braindumps questions, and crammed all I could. As it turns out, I saw quite a few of those questions on the test word for word, and I was able to remember the right awnsers. I will try to do the same for OS Technologies. If I pass this one, I will be certified! Wish me luck...
-cracker

[Nick Grana]

I wish you all the luck in the world. But all the luck in the world will not bring all the skill. A combination of both go a long way, especially playing 6 or 9 ball for money.$$$$$
Get that cert!!!!!

[hacker_cracker]

I did it! I passed the OS technologies exam with a score of 745! I am now A+ Certified!!!

[Train]

Congrats.

Now comes the hard part. Hands on.

Al joking aside, correlating what is in the books, and the junk the instructor wanted you to learn to the computer can be a hair pulling contest so I do wish you lots of good luck with your certification.

[hacker_cracker]

Thank you, Train

[fink]

Well done! And good luck.

[Nick Grana]

Congrats here also. Something to be proud of.
You already have a year of freelance real world work and with your book smarts now, you'll go far.
Good luck.

[hacker_cracker]

Thanks for the support, everyone!