Give me a cigar , I failed it!

[diurnal]

Yep I failed the os part of the A+. They did a switcharoo, changed it to the adaptive.The hardware was the other kind kind of test. This makes me real mad! Wished they could have told me about the change. I will not take this test again until they change it back to the non adaptive test. Trust me. Is there a site where they tell you this?

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Sledgehammer will save the day!

[geebee76]

Hi diurnal,

That's exactly what I didn't want hear http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/frown.gif

What went wrong ?



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You are making progress if each mistake is a new one!

Sig from Here (http://www.oneliners-and-proverbs.com/)

geebee76@hotmail.com

[YODA74]

HAD a feeling they were going to do that I heard they were change but did not know what, but I thought that it wouldn't be until the end of the year
sorry man can imagine how you feel. you'll get next time http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/frown.gif http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif

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What have I gotten my self Into now (ROFLMAO)

[diurnal]

Nothing on dos,3x,and memory management for dos. I guess they banished those topics but, at least on my test. Win2k is on there for sure. Guess i have to study up on 2k a little bit more. Networking permissions,user accounts.

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Sledgehammer will save the day!

[kenja]

Sorry to here that, diurnal. I can understand how it would be disconcerting to have an adaptive test instead of the traditional form test, but how would you have studied any differently?

To get your feet wet with Windows 2000, I'd recommend getting the 120 day trial version of Advanced Server (http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/edk/default.asp) for the price of S/Handling, and dual-booting.

[DCO]

Can someone please tell me what exactly is meant by the "adaptive" test.
I'm a amatuer PC tech and I do upgrades/repairs/system builds as a side line. I've decided to get some certification just so I can include it on my flyers and advertisements. I started reviewing for the core tech A+ test a few weeks ago and will also start preparing for the OS test.
After reading this post, I was sorry to hear that diurnal failed (many laywers fail the B.A.R once or twice before finally passing, so its no cause for alarm not to pass a certification test on the first try), but am concerned about this news of some type of new test that apparently is more difficult.
Can anyone please expand on this?
Thank you,
DCO

[bassman]

Hello DCO and welcome,
We typicaly prefer that folks start their own post as opposed to draging up an old one and adding their question to it.
This is a perfect place for using a Quote from an old post in a new one to address a specific issue.

As for your question on "Adaptive" test, not quite sure what Diurnal meant by this. It appears the A+ test has finaly caught up with todays technology. As stated by Diurnal, "no DOS, 3x, and memory management."
If you are studying for this, be prepaired for questions on todays software and hardware.
Good luck http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/cool.gif

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Waiting patiently for the future to arrive.

Frank's Place (http://dreamwater.net/tech/frankscomp/)

[mikelenno]

Hope I'm posting in the right place.

I only know adaptive as in Cisco's CCNA and how it works there is that it can adapt the number of questions given in each area of the exam based on responses to questions already asked. For example, if there are 5 questions on a particular area (eg protocols) and you answer a pre-determined number of these correctly (say 3) then no further questions will be asked on that area. If however the pre-determined number of questions is not answered correctly then the exam can adapt and give more than 5 questions in that area (3 correct out of 6 might be more acceptable than 2 out of 5). Good luck with any exams.

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mikelenno

[john5211]

Hi All,

For information on the new Adaptive A+ exams, look at:
http://www.comptia.org/certification/aplus/

and click on the link that says "A+ is adaptive" for an FAQ.

In general, adaptive tests are multiple choice exams which are taken on a computer (so you see the questions on the screen and choose the answer with a mouse). They are called adaptive because they "decide" what questions to ask based on your answers to previous questions (roughly, if you get the previous question correct it asks you a harder one; if you get it wrong, you get an easier one). The computer then uses your answers, along with statistical modeling, to figure out your score (so there is not a direct relationship between the number you answer correctly and your score).

Now, I've never taken the A+ certification, but I have taken adaptive tests before (the GRE's), and can offer the following advice (most of which is adapted http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif from GRE advice).

1) Remember that the subject matter of the test does not change, regardless of the method of testing. For example, a test about computer hardware is going to have a lot of hardware questions, regardless of whether or not it is adaptive; spend most of your time learning about hardware (as opposed to worrying about the test format). That said...

2) Try to get some software that will let you practice taking the exams as adaptive tests (i.e. using a mouse and computer instead of paper and pencil). I would suggest you check with the A+ people to see if they sell a practice CD or something; next, try "after market" companies.

3) Remember that the rules are different (than on a paper and pencil test). Not better or worse, per se, but different. On an adaptive test, you don't get to skip any questions. Furthermore, because of the format of the exam, it is in your best intrest to answer the first few questions correctly, so be willing to spend some extra time on them. Knowing how to make educated guesses is also more important on this kind of exam. Try to do all of your practice exams with this in mind.


Good Luck,

John

[MayDay]

Um as far as the A+ tests go, adaptive means just that, all questions are rated as to their difficulty, you get a question right, it gives you a harder question, get a question wrong it gives you an easier question.

Core hardware runs from 20 to 30 questions, It either passes you or fails you when it works out your level of competency (If you get x questions right when you hit Q20 it passes you, if not, you get another 10 questions to make up for it).

A NOTE FOR DIURNAL, I failed the A+ Core hardware the first time I took it, I felt really cheated (Having spent over £100 on it), but I made sure I didnt fail the second time around, kicked ass on it!!!! (Finished after 20 questions, now if only I could pass my driving test with that amount of confidence, I'm on my fifth test!).

Good luck next time around though mate!

[jabarnutcase]

Hi MayDay-

While wishing Divrnal good luck was a nice gesture, you will notice his post is almost 9 Months old!
Even the most recent reply is close to two months old.
Starting a new thread in this case is the best way to go-

Just something you might want to keep your eye on- ;)
:D