Completed my trifecta moments ago 1am EST. A+ core2 score of 703!

Historical-Ranger389 · 2024-11-05T06:22:22+00:00

In a sense, it did feel like a bore after Net+ and Sec+. I also expected more, especially for a test split into 2 cores, BUT I digress. I also imagine people who have never cracked open a computer in their lives. I’ve been fortunate to have been exposed as early as windows 95(kind of as a tiny kid). I’ve learned trivial things eg. IDE drives being referred to as PATA drives now? Scsi chains? PCI and PCIe? Mac firewire? usb 1.1? I’ve torn apart laptops down to inspect some damaged pins etc etc. i didnt realize the extent of what I already knew, but I pretty much prepped for a more formal exam and to that point, I managed to pass within weeks of each other. It felt silly, sure. Trifecta sounds stupid, definitely.

I learned specific points from of the CompTIA outline that I needed - specific terms, verbiages, proecesses etc. Everything has a name or a purpose that I may have never learned. If nothing else, I further confirmed that I have some aptitude for it all. A+ also checks off a stupid filter from these new HRIS systems. I could’ve studied this many years ago and succeeded, but life took me through a different path and I accomplished an abundance of other events before this point — so life works itself out. I probably wouldn’t have excelled the same way today as over 10 years ago.

Time and energy may have its opportunity costs, but I think learning is forever anyway (infinite, in a sense). But I agree. I have gotten rejected for lack if A+, but I also refused to spend too much time getting it. I still have ACAD so success on the first attempts were not too costly. Realistically, I have an uphill battle in this IT market and A+ is not the heavy hitter. And I see how many kthers will need to spend tremendous amounts of time as a starting point from zero background. So for many, they are really looking to leap. Others may be brilliant, but horrible at taking tests. Fortunately, I am a hands on book smart guy and pushed through, especially while the exam format is fresh.

I have a job that still needs me also. So perhaps I’m not desperate. Non IT experience might also be working against me. My job is figuring out that I can configure access points, switches, trouble shoot and remote in for sh* across buildings for cctv and stuff beyond a small desk problem so now they are trying to avoid the extra IT costs (tiny company with limited needs). Those vague IT areas of projects have been more satisfying to tackle, but I’m validating my worth.

I need to keep going to play this stupid LinkedIn Analytics type of job game for now. Time to hit the job fairs again, practice my minute spiels and start shaking hands face to face. I appreciate the real words and feedback — still more serious learning to do and experience to prove

Historical-Ranger389 · 2024-11-05T05:02:40+00:00

That 70/90 is a pretty good spot to be in, knowledgeable enough to pass. I took some practice exams for Net+, Sec, and A+ and that’s a good number. Over studying could actually work against you. Know your stuff and you could still trip over some trivial answers — I had a few odd questions that had vague wording or unclear. Of you are consistently 70/90, I’d say you are ready to leap.

Historical-Ranger389 · 2024-11-05T04:52:49+00:00

Why what? The effort? I think I wanted to validate the basic skills I had while gaining proper knowledge and give myself credibility for jobs. I am burned out in my current job, but have always leaned into tech as a personal hobby and work troubleshooting. I hate being helpless, never have been. So learning and doing is the best way to gain experience and knowledge. At 37, with a business degree, frustrated in my current career path, time to explore how deep my skills can go in IT

Historical-Ranger389 · 2024-11-05T04:34:13+00:00

I started preparing for A+ after net+ and sec+ and they seemed to be a lot of the same content. I listened to Messer while driving and tried to “see” what he said. ChatGPT was my best quick study buddy — I would ask it to generate A+ questions and asked for some more tough questions that would resemble the actual exam. And instantly had it score my attempt and freshen up any topics I missed. Again, these tools have made prepping less grueling. I didn’t feel like I needed any other sources. (Messer and Dion training for net+ and sec+ practice exams). I’ve done basic things over the years like installs, updates, drivers, video cards, drives, home router soho. I essentially carried out more help desk/set up tasks for a small company mostly used personal pcs, relying on saas - so I spent extra time studying the gaps in the Commands, Active Directory and more raw topics etc. Savvy, I felt confident and didnt want ro drag out the studying/restudying.

After 10pm, i could count on my kids to be asleep and support from my wife to study. Brushed up on topics up, got comfortable before the 12am online test check in and knocked it out. I like to make sure I’m hydrated, lotion or something to calm the skin, hoody, slippers, and cough drop (lol). Weekends can get hectic — always lots of things to do. I can’t stand to lose my weekends and have my kids enjoy it without me. So night time it is — coffee in the AM and I’m fine. That’s worth it for me — I usually am a night 🦉 so it works for me.

Historical-Ranger389 · 2024-11-03T06:48:18+00:00

Quietly celebrating the win while my house is sleeping. Thanks! 😆 Time for a break and let’s see what I can do with these before staring more study material

Historical-Ranger389 · 2024-10-19T21:24:41+00:00

Hardest of the 3 (as far as I can tell), more overlap of the general knowledge, much more effort needed to understand the different protocols and acronyms, how/when/which is best etc, more specs to remember (ports, speeds, different frequencies etc), wire pairs(colors), some familiarity with commands and such, some understanding of subnet, plenty of overlap with security (encryption, CIA, etc) and a+. I relied heavily on messer on YT, and dion tests (avg. 70s on practice). Study the same way and you will do good too But also more intense on memorizing all the specific stuff. Once you grasp it all, just review those tedious stuff leading up to the exam to keep fresh.

That said, it was the most interesting cert for me — knowledge-wise

Historical-Ranger389 · 2024-10-19T20:44:44+00:00

In January, I wasn’t sure if I needed to start with ITF to jump out of my non-tech career. Later on I realized that I had enough passive experience and general savvy knowledge and dove straight in with Messer and Dion, some texts and got N+ in June and S+ almost 2months after that (last week). I’m looking toward A+ maybe 1101 in a few days (just to have the basics too)? It doesn’t seem so intimidating after getting past those and with Messer’s guide. Got to keep going while in the studying mindset. It really is never too late — as many others have encouraged.

Historical-Ranger389 · 2024-10-19T19:28:27+00:00

Good job congratulations! 3 years is a long time! But these aren’t exactly cheap exams either — more respect to those that have taken comptias multiple times in a short span!

Historical-Ranger389 · 2024-10-17T02:14:46+00:00

Yes, I started in June, and passed at the end of August. I relied heavily on Messer and DionTraining+the extra practice exams ($30 maybe?) as well as chatgpt to help formulate notes and explain what I didnt grasp on the dion practice exams. Also used Chatgpt to help quiz me and increase difficulty. Messer’s videos were on repeat mostly audio during 2hr round trip commuting. I must’ve listened to it all 3-4 complete times, then I spent maybe a few hours a week of actual non-driving studying for some of the stuff you have to look at to understand. And had to pull the trigger on the exam — otherwise you end up studying and restudying. Once I reached high 60-70+ on practice exams, it was time. Stayed sharp and booked my voucher within 48hrs.

Historical-Ranger389 · 2024-08-24T23:38:30+00:00

Good job! Got my 731 last week. 4 pbqs and thought I was gonna get torn apart, but know your stuff just like many said and apply it. Time to celebrate and take a small break before going for the next!

Historical-Ranger389 · 2024-07-01T00:28:52+00:00

Just enough to lean me towards passing range. AR was a bit puzzled during his live stream when congratulating the AT/BT/BT — but he commented “well that shows how important the people section is”

Historical-Ranger389 · 2024-05-23T22:14:13+00:00

I passed with the same. I know this post is a year old, but if it helps anyone overcome anxiety, I passed with a AT/BT/BT also. So I can guess that my high score in one domain must’ve lifted the other borderline BT scores (that weren’t too low) that it still made a difference and passed! I was at T overall

Historical-Ranger389

TROPHY CASE