1. Pre-Class Lesson A+ Certified Successfully Passing the CompTIA A+ Certification Updated with 2012 Exam Content

2. Pre-Class Lesson Objectives  Why the A+ certification?  How to get the most from this course.  The role of labs and role-play situations.  Taking Practice Exams.  Setting an exam date.

3. Who Is Your Instructor? Instructor Credentials  Name introduction  Industry experience  Certifications  Other hobbies or interests  Who are you?

4. Why A+ Certification?  For entry-level computer technical support positions, it is the most recognized and desirable certification available.  It certifies that you –Can purchase parts for and assemble a personal computer (PC). –Can install an operating system. –Can install peripheral devices. –Can install common applications. –Can connect and install a printer. –Can connect the PC to a network. –Can troubleshoot commonly experienced issues. –Can treat customers with respect and consideration.

5. Why A+ Certification?  It differentiates you from applicants who do not have the A+ certification: –You could be competing for a job with applicants from the best schools in the world. –A+ certification is an internationally recognized certification. Its presence on your resume equalizes your chances to anyone else’s.  Certification exams provide employers with a sense of your –Determination to stick to a difficult task. –Ability to learn technical material. –Skills in performing entry-level tasks.

6. What Do You Need to Become A+ Certified?  This requires passing two exams: –220-801 – Essentials 100 questions. 90 ‒ minutes maximum time allowed. Passing is a 675 on a scale of 100 ‒ 900. –220-802 – Practical Applications 100 questions. 90 ‒ minutes maximum time allowed. Passing is a 700 on a scale of 100 ‒ 900.  The 2012 exam revisions are an update from the 2009 exam content: –CompTIA (Computer Technical Industry Association) is ISO ‒ compliant. –ISO requires them to update their certifications every 3years (ISO = International Standards Organization).

7. How to Get the Most fromThis Course Obviously:  Attend class—The interaction with other students is invaluable.  Pay attention—The instructor will say things that are not in the book.  Do the labs—An employer is going to hire you for what you can do, not just for what you know. What Else?  Preview the chapter before your instructor covers the material: –Make notes of things you want to ask about.  Take notes during class: –Do not try to copy everything; use keywords as a memory aid.  Take time to review what you studied: –Use the keywords to help your memory to recall the material.  Go over chapter questions/answers until you know them well.

8. Labs and Role-Play Situations  The more senses you involve in the learning process, the better the recall of the subject when you need it.  Labs allow you to practice what was taught: –They help you understand concepts. –You will also experience some things that do not work: When things do not go as planned, you often learn more than if they did.  Role-play situations (as directed by the instructor): –These may seem “strange” or even “unnatural,” but they are used to help you do the following: Understand difficult concepts. Practice customer service skills.

9. What Is an Interactive Lecture? Interactive lectures require something of the student to be useful.  What you might expect: –Instructor presents content based on A+ Exam objectives. –Instructor asks you to do something during the lecture: Use command prompt. Answer a question. Perform research. Do a short lab and discuss the results. Perform in a role-play situation. –Instructor asks you to verbally review what you have learned. –Instructor presents you with a sample A+ test question.

10. Benefits of Interactive Lecture  Focus is on what the user is learning, rather than just what the instructor is presenting.  Involves use of more of the senses: –Listening, observing, and doing  Memory recall is enhanced.  Boredom and mental fatigue is reduced.  Ability to problem solve is enhanced.

11. Make a Date  Write down an exam date goal. Post it where it is often seen. –Helps you stay focused. –Set a pretest date by which you will start taking practice exams. –Break down the goal into manageable sections. –Use the book chapters to remind you of what to study. –Use the end-of-chapter questions to pinpoint specific areas to be mastered.  Tip: Get a study partner who has the same date as yours. –You can help each other with labs. –You can assist each other with concepts that you did not understand fully.

12. Practice Exams First time taking a certification exam? –Temper your expectations: It is not uncommon to fail…even multiple times. Certification exams are hard for a reason, and computer technicians get paid well for reasons such as the following: –The topics can be difficult to master. –The pace of change is unrelenting. –The work hours can be unpredictable.

13. Practice Exams  Practice Exams increase your chances of success: –Expose your weaknesses so that you can pinpoint areas needing further study. –Avoid spending large sums of money recovering from failures. –Get to work faster.  Practice Exams can be used to predict your chances of success: –An exam average of 93% or better on three or more exams suggest you are ready to take the real exam.

14. Learning Do’s and Don’ts  Don’t take extensive notes during class: –Focus on understanding, and write only keyword reminders. –Immediately after class, rewrite what you learned in your own words while it is still fresh.  Don’t confine your learning to just one location: –Train your mind to learn everywhere, not just in some favorite chair or even just the classroom. Remember, the place you take your test will not be a familiar location, nor will many of your worksites.  When tackling a difficult subject, don’t feel like you must master it before moving to other things: –Take time to see the big picture. Allow understanding of difficult topics to take shape in the proper context.

15. Scheduling the Exam  Schedule an exam date with an authorized testing center: –Many testing centers are listed at CompTIA.org. –Instructor may have a list of locally available sites. –Arrange for payment for the exam: Some schools have discounted cost vouchers. You need a credit card number, PayPal account, or online bank option. You should expect to pay $340 or more for a two-exam voucher package. –Schedule a test time that is best for you: Avoid test times after large meals or during “nap” times.

16. Final Preparation  Three days before the exam: –Review all notes for topics and details you might have missed. –Focus: Keep other distractions in life to a minimum: Minimize games, Internet browsing, and hobbies. Limit social contact to brief encounters. Avoid high-stress situations that rob your energy/focus. –Take a brisk walk early each evening and get a good night’s rest.  One day before the exam: –Do something relaxing that increases blood flow. –Avoid excessive caffeine and sugar. –Eat easily digested proteins (brain food).

17. Pre-Class Lesson Summary  The A+ Certification is highly prized: –This course is built on the objectives of the 2012 A+ exam.  Four tasks: –Set a date by which to take the A+ exam. –Maximize the benefits of the course: Make full use of book/labs/instructor. –Take Practice Exams: Goal: 93%+ grade average. –Schedule the exam and make final preparations. Next Lesson: Chapter 1