Wow, we had such a fabulous time at #SpiceworldAustin. It was our first time for some of us, and already we can't wait until next year. What a fabulous culture of IT pros and vendors who know how to work hard and play hard!

• Certblaster Access Code

We’re also thinking about becoming Spazmatics groupies.  We want to know how many of your have tried CompTIA's new online certification preparation tool - CertMaster. If you have, do you like it? Do you feel it’s working/worked? If you haven't tried it yet, there is a free trial available to you now. It is available for CompTIA A+ 220-801 & 220-802, CompTIA Network+ N10-005, CompTIA Security+ SY0-301 (available through September 30, 2014) New CompTIA Security+ SY0-401, and CompTIA Strata IT Fundamentals FC0-U41. If you want to give it a try, go to Certification.CompTIA.org/SpiceWorld.

Save 10% off your purchase with Coupon Code: SW2014CM725534. (Coupon code is good for purchases made at CompTIAstore.com through 9/21/2015). Hope you have fun trying it out. And more importantly, use it to pass your CompTIA exam!

See you in Austin next year! Yes, I did the A+ 801 trial, I'm just trying to change career from catering to IT, been tinkering with PCs on and off for years, so trying to get A+ and Network+, then helpdesk/support position and work from there really.

Think I'd like to go down the server/network admin or security route. I like the troubleshooting process, having to solve puzzles. My basic knowledge is quite good, just need to hone it to exam standard, commit all my ports and sockets to memory and RAM speeds and cable lengths, that sort of stuff. Ericallione wrote:The CertMaster app as of December 2014 is advertised to work on iOS but there is only an app in the store for the iPhone and not the iPad. This is especially irritating because the 'additional information' usually is a tiny image of large tables. You can't copy it into text. The program also crashes a lot, especially if you try to rotate these tiny unreadable pictures into landscape mode.

It's a shame because the concept and logic of the program is amazing and very helpful. Eric, Thanks for your feedback! We’ve actually been working on a big changes to our user interface which is slated for release by the end of the month. These changes should aid in the overall usability of the product from the mobile platforms. Also, our mobile development team is working on updates which will come later in Jan/Feb time frame.. Thank you for the response Eileen.

I want to reiterate that the logic for this application is wonderful which is why I purchased every module available, but there is a very serious UI problem with the additional information sections, which uses low-resolution images scanned from a book. Since there is no iPad app yet, I have been using the web application via iPad. I have 20/20 vision but these text images produce serious eye strain which is literally painful, but I keep subjecting myself to this out of greed to access this additonal information. This entire issue would go away if someone would just retype these text scans, and I hope this will be in the new look. Further, the text scans should be rewritten anyway because in the scanned tables it will sometimes say things like 'as you read in chapter 4' or 'this will be covered in more detail in chapter 10'. This is obviously silly and unnecessary information as there are no chapters in CertMaster. Some of these scans are also literally broken, showing only 3/4 of the scanned table no matter whether I am in portrait or landscape.

Further, reading these on an iPhone as I previously mentioned earlier makes these scanned tables appear as if in 0.5 font. These devices are meant to work crisply with native fonts, and so replacing these scanned texts with actual texts would be a major upgrade to user experience.

Please no more random scans from what I presume are random Pearson Vue books; they don't work. If your team would like some screenshot examples of broken scanned tables, a couple examples would not be hard to find and I would be happy to provide something (ericallione at gmail dot com). But examples should be unnecessary since a nuclear fix is in order. But this is a great product so I hope to see some more advanced releases. I would definitely buy one for CASP or Linux+. One last minor grievance is that I felt tricked buying a bundle package from Comptia: I bought extra insurance vouchers because it seemed like the only way to own CertMaster modules (when you buy them individually the wording is clear that you only lease them for 12 months).

I am yet to see specific wording on the matter whether they are merely leased or not in the bundle, but I suspect that my bundled licenses will expire after 12 months rather than me being able to keep them for future reference, and therefore that I was tricked out of $500 on the unwanted insurance vouchers just to get te CertMaster option. That's fine; I just wish the wording was more clear because I bought those unwanted insurance vouchers just to gamble on the chance that I would be able to hold onto these rather than lease them, so with CompTIA aware of that, hopefully they correct this rather than continue to profit from an ambiguity which would be unethical if intentional. To make this ethically acceptable, they should clarify if the bundled software is owned or leased AND they should specify that the leased CertMaster licenses are individually available WITHOUT the bundle. Example link of the ambiguous wording for the Security+ bundle. I used CertMaster for the Net+ Cert.

When I purchased it, it came with a test voucher as well as a free re-test if you need it. I liked CertMaster because after I completed each section I had a good idea of what topics I still needed to work on. So I studied up on the section I still needed to work on and took the test.

I passed it and didn't need to use the re-take! CertMaster really does a great job of allowing you see where you are with the material. I recommend it.

Edited May 19, 2015 at 2:20 UTC. I just completed my Network+ certification using only CertMaster. I advise against doing that. Unless you have years of networking experience, you will not be prepared for the test. If you want to use CertMaster, it is good, however, you need to get a good book as well. I took all the additional information given for each answer, and briefly went over it.

This was my fault, however, the test was not what I was expecting. Get a book, or some actual networking experience, and read it a few times. In hind sight, I should have looked more closely at the notes that I had taken, but alas, 725 was my score. Barely passing was not what I wanted to do.

Hello all im hoping you guys can help advise me on a few issues im having with the compTIA A+ and what road is best to go down. Ill do my best to give as much background information as I can and were im looking to go etc. Ill start with my self and the plan, right so im 25 years old and I work in admin at the mo I live in London and I what to change career, I would like to be a technician weather based in one location fixing computer, or out and about its fine (working with hands really) I dont really want to do help desk so any thing that buy passes that would be great. So far what I have done a City & Guilds level 1 & 2 in PC Maintenance and system support which were both passed. On finishing this 2 weeks ago I thought I would be able to start applying for jobs as thats what they stated in course info. Course link: All jobs so far I have lloked for have asked for people at degree level and other things that I dont have. So since seeing that I knew I would have to get another qualifications some were.

So I came accross the compTIA A+ which is were my new list of questions comes in. I found this site that offers the training matrieal and online help etc but ther asking for £700-£1000 for it. Thats alot of money and I dont want to be in the postion that I am in now again where I pay for a course that I cant even get a job from. I email my tutor today and he said I would be better off getting a compTIA book and reading through that then just booking a test which sounds better but is that better? So here are the questions that i need answered if any one can.

Can I get a job after doing the CompTIA A+? What jobs can you get with the CompTIA A+? Is it worth doing the network+? Should I use the training site or am i better off just useing the books? If any one has any way or the best and faster way to get into IT please also advise. Firstly, I think if you feel confident enough about your capabilities/grasp of the subject; you should not waste money by paying such a handsome amount to them; rather, just get the guide and study yourself.

However, simply doing A+ is just not enough (its just a starting point), you may get a low level job; but do you really want that or want to stay there for long? You need to identify which specific area you want to focus on. If you want to focus on networking etc. Network+ makes sense and perhaps CCNA/CCPA or MCSE later down the road. Hindi movie song free download. Now as most PCs run windows, MCSE path makes more sense.

Now, I have no idea about job conditions / requirements for entry level IT jobs at your end; you should do bit of research e.g. Look at the job adds for IT and try to figure out what they are asking for (specifically with regard to qualifications) for such jobs, better yet consult someone (local) who knows your IT job market. Thanks for the tips there. TBH I don't know where I want to be just yet as there is so many different fields that you can be in, for now I would just want to get into a job that is not help desk, more field tech than any thing. And then taking things from there after I gain experience and so on.

Also while working i would prob do some further learning and as you said prob work towards the MCSE or another Microsoft cert when I know more of where I want to be. I mean its just a big latter aint it and im just walking to it right now. Im cool with what I know so the study book will be my chosen path there. Just hope its what people want once its done. Most jobs so far have been 2nd and 3rd line support that I have seen, seen a few saying CompTIA level, more have been MCSE and im sure I have seen CCNP which i have no idea about yet. I have a desire to learn as much as I can and aim to be a person that know at least some thing in every field.

At the end of the day the more you know the better. There are tons of resources out there for A+ as well as NET+ training. The Mike Meyers Books were particularly helpful to me when I was studying for my A+ and NET+ certs. I had a friend that had a million different practice exam softwares too, but those cost quite a bit more sometimes.

Transcender was the best, or the closest to how the real exams are structured and worded. If you are looking for totally free, youtube has some videos, and there are loads of forums.

Just google stuff like 'free A+ exam prep' or 'free A+ resources.' Use different keywords, mix it up a bit. You will find enough to at least let you know if oyu want to continue that path. If you decide you are serious about it, maybe spend a few bucks here and there to save yourself some time.

I would definitely check out those Mike Meyer's books if you are going to pursue this path. And Archean is right.A+ is just the beginning of a journey. Net+ is the logical next step after the A+, and then you can really choose a direction. I went straight Microsoft.studying for the 270 and 290's (Windows XP and Server '03) right now. Be fair warned about MS exams, though.there are a hundred ways to do everything in Windows, but Microsoft wants you to answer it THEIR way! Even if you can achieve the same results by doing 10 different paths, you must learn it their way.

I think, for people like me that thought they knew about computers, it's harder to learn because I'm relearning the same stuff in a different way. According to the CompTIA website, the 220-60x exams have been officially discontinued and replaced with the 220-701 and 220-702 exams (both required). The A+ exam has 90-100 questions, but not all the exams have the same questions (hence why the.701 study guide has 852 questions and the.702 study guide has 610 questions). The guides posted are all free and are taken directly from the exams. Just remember that you need to update your cert.

Every 3 years by retaking the newest exams. Thank you all so much for you words of wisdom on this matter. At the moment I'm still looking into doing this but it's been put on the back burner for the time being due to money reason. I guess the next thing to ask would it be better of doi g the online courses that you see around and taking the exam. Or just readig the books on the subject and putting my self forward for the exams. I have been in touch with one place and all there stuf is online and you just learn from that really.

I'm not sure reall how much I would take in if I would read it from a book. The only thing is most places seem to ask for about £600 to £1000 for it but they cover the A+ and N+ which is what I need. How did some o you go about doi g your A+ what would you suggest. Hi there I was interested in your post and I thought I might beable to give you a bit of insight into the whole A+ matter. I actually passed my second A+ exam today, so the whole experience is fresh in my head.

I'm also the same age as you and I'm also trying to figure out my own path. Well as far as choosing a path to take with the A+, I simply have to impress upon you that getting self study books from a book store, and then paying for an exam with prometric is 100% a great way to do it.

If I may explain. I live in South Africa, so these prices will seem a bit odd, but i payed R14 000 for the A+ and the N+ through a colledge. All I get from them are the same kind of books you will get at the book store, and I get to write the exams. They supposedly would have telephone support for any questions I may have had, but they are an absolute useless bunch that I will not talk about anymore. Anyway, after i had registered, i saw almost identical books in a book store for R500.00 to R600.00. And here the exams each cost R1080.00 so if I had just bought the books and payed for the exams the course would have cost me around about R4300.00 saving me about R10 000!!!!! I gained absolutely nothing from being registered at this colledge other than having huge problems trying to get exam vouchers, study material ect ect.

Certblaster Access Code

If you have a computer with windows XP and Vista i seriously think that it's cheesecake to pass. I used the certblaster software (free download) to test myself, and in my personal experience, using the books (with no help from anyone) and using the test software is a perfectly good way to do the A+. Also note that I am not an experienced IT person, I have never worked at an IT company, so you are therefore more 'in the know' than I, and I passed so I'm sure you can to. I hope this helps you in making a desicion.

All the best Matt. Sorry one other thing for whom ever may read this, 2010 is the last year that the Comptia A+ will not have to be maintained every few years (ie: writing exams again to keep your certificate) Comptia announced that they where going to make the A+ an expiring course. However after many complaints from people that had registered for the course, said that it would be in breach of contract to make this ruling. Comptia retracted the ruling, however from 2011 this will be the case. Please note I am not sure of the date. Your question was basically asking if it is 'possible' to do the mcse without the A+.

The short answer is yes, as there are no requirements to do the exam. However, it would probably be a good idea to have had some good work experience in IT to understand what is going on, or alternatively, have the A+ or N+ for that same knowledge. So to make the desicion, base it either on your knowledge of IT, or wether or not you are willing to put in the extra effort for where your knowldge is lacking. I hope that answers the question Matt.