I Took The A+ - Here's What I'd Do If I Was Starting in 2025

Summary

Jake, a system administrator at an MSP, shares his experience with the A+ certification, discussing its costs, study materials, and relevance to job prospects. He highlights that while the A+ provides a solid foundation for IT roles, it may not be necessary for everyone, especially those already in the field or with alternative certifications like Network+ and Security+. Jake recommends using Jason Dion’s practice tests and utilizing spaced repetition tools like Anki. He emphasizes that the A+ is beneficial for beginners or career changers who have the time and budget for it, but it's not essential for those already working in IT.

Takeaways

• 😀 The A+ certification is an entry-level certification in IT, consisting of two tests that cover a broad range of topics.
• 😀 Jake found the A+ certification valuable for his career, giving him a solid technical foundation and increasing his job marketability.
• 😀 The total cost of the A+ certification (including exams and study resources) was around $630 for Jake.
• 😀 For study materials, Jake recommends the Google IT Support course on Coursera, which provided a great starting point for his journey.
• 😀 One of Jake’s top study recommendations is using Jason Dion's practice tests on Udemy, as they are harder than the actual test and help build the right mindset for CompTIA exams.
• 😀 Jake suggests skipping Professor Messer’s videos, as they weren’t as helpful as other resources for his preparation.
• 😀 The A+ exam can be stressful, especially with time constraints, and includes performance-based questions (PBQs) that simulate real-world scenarios.
• 😀 Despite some content being less useful in everyday work, the A+ exam taught Jake essential skills like basic networking, OS troubleshooting, and physical layer understanding.
• 😀 If you’re aiming for certifications beyond A+ (such as Network+ or Security+), the A+ gives a strong foundational knowledge to build upon.
• 😀 For those already in the IT field, the A+ might not be necessary, and skipping it in favor of more advanced certifications could be a better choice.
• 😀 Career changers or beginners with a few months and a budget should consider the A+ certification for building a solid foundation, but they should also be ready to move on to more advanced certifications afterward.

Q & A

What is the A+ certification, and why is it important for entry-level IT professionals?

The A+ certification is an entry-level IT certification that covers fundamental IT skills such as networking, troubleshooting, and operating systems. It is important for entry-level IT professionals as it demonstrates a foundational understanding of IT concepts and is often a prerequisite for landing IT-related jobs.

How much did Jake spend on the A+ certification, and what did this cost include?

Jake spent about $630 on the A+ certification. This cost included the exams, study resources, and various training materials, including the Google IT Support course and Jason Dion's practice tests.

What resources did Jake recommend for studying for the A+ certification?

Jake recommended using the Google IT Support course on Coursera, which he found helpful for building a solid IT foundation. Additionally, he suggested using Jason Dion’s Udemy practice tests, which he felt were the most useful preparation resource. He also mentioned Professor Messer's YouTube videos, although he found them less helpful in hindsight.

What is the advantage of using Jason Dion’s practice tests for A+ preparation?

Jason Dion’s practice tests are highly recommended because they are slightly harder than the real exam, which helps candidates prepare for the tricky, ambiguous questions often seen on the A+ test. These tests also teach the candidate to think in the way CompTIA expects during their exams.

What is the purpose of Performance-Based Questions (PBQs) on the A+ exam, and how should candidates prepare for them?

Performance-Based Questions (PBQs) on the A+ exam are designed to test hands-on knowledge through scenarios like drag-and-drop or multiple-answer questions. Candidates should practice these types of questions to get familiar with the exam format, and Jason Dion’s practice tests help prepare for these scenarios.

What real-world benefits did Jake experience after obtaining the A+ certification?

Jake found the A+ certification beneficial in his job, as it helped him understand fundamental concepts such as ports, protocols, networking, and operating system troubleshooting. This foundational knowledge allowed him to visualize and troubleshoot IT issues more effectively in his role as a system administrator.

What are some aspects of the A+ certification that Jake believes may not be useful in real-world IT jobs?

Jake notes that while the A+ certification provided valuable knowledge, certain aspects, such as physical layer cable standard trivia, are unlikely to be useful in real-world IT jobs. For example, identifying the pinout of a VGA cable is something he has never encountered in his career.

Is the A+ certification worth it if you are already working in IT or have more advanced certifications?

If you are already working in IT or have certifications like Network+ or Security+, Jake suggests that you may be able to skip the A+ and directly pursue more advanced certifications. The A+ is primarily beneficial for those starting from scratch or looking to solidify their IT foundation.

How long did Jake take to prepare for each core of the A+ certification?

Jake spent around 4 to 6 weeks preparing for each core of the A+ certification while working. He advised maintaining an aggressive timeline, aiming for a month and a half of preparation for each core to stay on track.

What advice does Jake offer to individuals who are considering the A+ certification but are concerned about the cost or time commitment?

Jake suggests that if you're concerned about the cost or time commitment, you could consider skipping the A+ certification and instead take the Google IT Support course, which is more affordable and provides solid foundational knowledge. If you do choose to pursue the A+, it's important to have a clear plan and timeline to complete both cores efficiently.