Different certifications, prep classes

[killercow]

In the fall I will go into high school. Over the summer I couldn't get a job at a computer store so I volunteered. I know there is windows certification and A+ certification. What is A+ certification? Also there are prep classes/courses/clubs in my high school to get ready for these. What are some good prep courses and other things I should look for? How old do you have to be to get certain certifications?
Thanks.

[Budfred]

A+ is a general certification indicating that you know some of the basics of hardware and software (primarily Windoze). I don't know what the age limits are, but I believe you can take the tests online, so there probably is no age limit while there are charges. However, you will not be able to get a job with the certification anyway due to child labor laws.

As for what is available in school, you will have to check that out yourself. Different schools have different options depending on the resources provided them. Since budgets are so tight, they may not have much. They will probably at least have a club and maybe some LAN game groups. I am guessing your school has a website, so you may want to check it out. If they don't have one, maybe you could propose building them one when you get there.

[killercow]

I haven't found a free A+ certification online yet but I did pass the National Computer Science Academy's CS-295 Microsoft XP Free Certification exam. I decided not to get the certificate and such so I can get a better score on it later on in later on in life. I'm still looking though.

[Steve]

A+ certification tests aren't available over the internet. There are testing centers in each state. You can find out about CompTIA and their certifications HERE (http://www.comptia.org/certification/a/default.asp) .

There are plenty of websites that can help achieve certification. These are just some...

http://www.windowsitlibrary.com/Documents/Book.cfm?DocumentID=175

http://www.geocities.com/aplus_practice_exams/pg_01.htm

http://www.certificationsearch.com/default.asp?Keyword=A_plus

http://www.informit.com/examcram2/

http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/4549/A.html

If you do a google search you can come up with alot more info...;)

[Vic 970]

have just tried the National Computer Science Academy's CS-295 Microsoft XP Free Certification exams.

passed.. powerpoint & computer tech

failed.. C++ (not surprising, haven't a clue !!!)

found it good to test my knowledge, but don't know what value the certs are. ?

pity they're not more extensive. any other sites with similar tests ?

[kirbykirbykirby]

um is there a age limit to take to take the A+ certifaction test since i am currently 13 years old and i volunteer at a computer store I shall be entering high school next School year and also where can i take the microsoft xp test thing ( dont know excat test number)

[MezzUp]

I passed the A+ at age 16, so no, I don't think there is an age limit for A+

[pcwiz]

Wow...I'm 15, I guess I'll have to start studying ASAP! :D
I've been looking through some sample tests, I don't see why they want us to know the width of the 386SX address bus and stuff like that...seems pointless to me.

[MezzUp]

Wow...I'm 15, I guess I'll have to start studying ASAP! :D
I've been looking through some sample tests, I don't see why they want us to know the width of the 386SX address bus and stuff like that...seems pointless to me.Welll, it only took me 6 months to study for the tests so you still have time :)

Yeah, I think they should drop some of that deep-technical and (more importanly) some of that old legacy stuff that no one deals with today.

[Jhorner1]

When you start working on them, you will be surprised how many legacy systems are still being used, especially in factories.