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I think I’ve reached a point in my CompTIA A+ training, where I feel like I’m learning a totally new language. I almost feel like I’m not speaking English anymore. The vocabulary is definitely my biggest hurdle and something that is consuming a lot of my time.
At the beginning, when I was just starting out with the videos, I made an Excel spreadsheet for all of my A+ acronyms, vocabulary words, and their definitions. This has been very helpful, but there’s still something missing.
What I want to do (and feel like I need to do) is write down the relationships of all these words, and how the terms interact with each other.
What I’m trying to say is that even though I know that DIMM stands for dual inline memory module, and I know that it is a form of RAM and that the DIMM chip can be single or double sided — what do I really know?
Is this going to be enough for me to pass the exams? Or better yet, is knowing just these few pieces of information going to be enough for me to properly function as an IT technician?
I know that memorization is a big part of this exam, but it’s also only the beginning. Technical skills - or knowing how to perform the tasks is just as important as knowing all the terms and their definitions. But does this lead to understanding all of this information? Does it lead to knowledge?
To me knowledge is something more — it’s not about memorizing a word and being able to come up with the definition, it’s not about just knowing the information — it’s about knowing how to apply this information in the real world, and understanding the relationships between pieces of information.
And this is what I’m having a hard time with. The vocabulary terms themselves are just half the battle. Seeing the meaning behind the words is what I strive for. But with nearly 300 acronyms is this even possible?
Is anyone else out there having the same problems?
Today I made it through video 16 of the CompTIA A+ training — the advanced part about Laptops and Portable Devices. If you haven’t been following along, I’m up to the IT Technician Exam objectives, which in this video included:
See you next week as I try to go beyond memorizing words to understanding …
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Rudy Says:
December 2nd, 2007 at 6:31 pm
Although I am not taking the same course you are I have found a similar experience. For example I learned a lot about Cisco Routers and switches and how they work. The surprising aspect of my first search for hardware was my lack of knowledge in the physical appearance of different connections. It dawned on me I couldn’t tell someone what kind of physical hardware connections I would need for different setups. OK most of the home units are RJ45 or some RJXX family look alike but no real road map what to expect in the professional industry. Most have suggested I go to Cisco’s web site and look at routers and switches and this is what I have decided to do. Would have been nice to find this information in the videos, maybe it was and i missed it. Anyhow good luck with your continuing learning process.
Joe G. Says:
February 22nd, 2008 at 9:52 pm
Kasia,
It is now February 2008… I just found your November 2007 posting using a web search. Did you take the A+ exam?
I took it in November, and failed by a slim margin. I am trying to study again to re-take it. Any suggestions?
…Joe
Kasia Grabowska Says:
February 25th, 2008 at 10:43 am
Hi Joe,
Thanks for your comment!
I’m glad to hear you were able to find my article. There’s lots more if you’re interested in reading them … you can find them all here: http://www.trainsignaltraining.com/certification-blogs/
And no I have not taken my exam yet, although I have been studying for it. It’s just so hard to find the time … I have been working full time here at TST and taking some classes for my M.S. degree, which leaves very little time to do anything else.
This semester I have reduced my school load, so that I can concentrate on passing the A+ exam, but I haven’t done it yet. Here’s what I am doing to prepare for the big day:
1. I’ve made an A+ glossary for myself that I’m trying to basically memorize — it has all the important acronyms and terminology along with the definitions.
2. I’ve been taking practice exams to keep track of my progress — this however, is something that should be done with caution. You don’t want to take the exams so often that you memorize the questions.
3. I’ve been visiting blogs and forums — reading as much as I can and finding out what others are doing to prepare. TechExams.net is my favorite place to go: http://www.techexams.net/comptia.shtml
4. I have also been going over my notes — going over everything I learned in my A+ training videos.
5. And lastly, I’m trying to get as much hands on experience as I can — testing out configurations, installations, and troubleshooting things on my computer. I want to get some experience building a computer, but I haven’t figured out a way to do this yet.
All in all, I’m trying to get as much done as I can before I go take the exam. I’m not a good “test taker”, I get very nervous, sometimes to the point where I just forget stuff. So I want to be as confident about my knowledge as I possibly can be, so that I have to take the exam only once.
If you don’t mind, I would like to ask what have you been doing to prepare for your A+ exam?
Kasia