Exam Reviews
I will post exam reviews, tips, suggestions on this webpage as I take different types of IT exams.
High School students
Start with the Microsoft fundamental exams either the operating system, security, networking one depending on which area of IT you are interested in. I took the Networking Fundamentals- MTA (Microsoft Technology Associate) and the Security Fundamentals-MTA (Microsoft Technology Associate). Here is my experience with the Microsoft exams below:
Networking Fundamentals- MTA (98-366)
This exam was pretty straight forward if you have a basic understand of computer networking. The exam was multiple choice when I took it but you still need to know your stuff. Know the OSI model and where certain technologies fit into the model. Know your wireless standards and speeds and which type of cabling exist in networking. The next thing I would get familiar with is the different types of wireless security standards.
Security Fundamentals - MTA (98-367)
The exam was pretty straight forward also if you know the basics of information and computer security. The exam was also multiple choice when I took it but I will make sure that it's still multiple choice before you take the exam. For this exam it's important to know the wireless security standards also and the biggest thing I would make sure I know before I sit for this exam is the different types of security attacks that exist today. Which services are secure like telnet or ssh, which ports are used by these services.
A+ Certification
My Keys to success on A+ Certification exam
- You need to be familiar with Windows 7, know the difference between the different types of user accounts. Know where to go to change things like user passwords and account names. Be familiar with the items in the control panel. (software test)
- Make sure you know the following TCP/UDP ports: (software test)
TCP/UDP ports:
20/21 – FTP
22 – SSH
23 – Telnet
25 – SMTP
53 – DNS
80 – HTTP
110 – POP
443 – HTTP over SSL
3389 – RDP
- Make sure you know the different computer ports: (hardware test)
USB 2.0
USB 3.0
Serial port
VGA port
Ethernet port
PS/2 port
S-video
*NOTE:
You need to know the basic of security and networking. My A+ exam didn’t have many questions about security and networking because these areas are thoroughly covered in the network+ and Security+ exams.
Different types of computer memory
- DIMM – Desktop memory (DDR, DDR2, DDR3)
- ECC Memory (Error correcting memory)
- SO-DIMM (Laptop memory)
- ROM – (Read only memory)
6 step troubleshooting process (Most know this process)
1) Identify the problem
2) Establish theory probably cause
3) Test the theory
4) Establish plan of action to resolve the issue
5) Verify full system functionality and implement preventive measures if necessary.
6) Document findings, actions, and the outcomes.
Network+ Certification (N10-005)
OSI Model (Very important)
Wireless standards and Wireless security protocols (WEP, WPA, and WPA2)
Know the 6 step troubleshooting process and how it relates to the network.
UDP and TCP ports (The most common ports for the network)
Security+ Certification (SY0-401)
Material used: Darril Gibson Book
Helpful information:
Know the secure versions of the most common ports within a network.
Know the difference between the various viruses threatening computer systems
Know how to figure firewalls to meet a set of requirements.
FYI - Take your time and use the process of elimination to get through the test.
High School students
Start with the Microsoft fundamental exams either the operating system, security, networking one depending on which area of IT you are interested in. I took the Networking Fundamentals- MTA (Microsoft Technology Associate) and the Security Fundamentals-MTA (Microsoft Technology Associate). Here is my experience with the Microsoft exams below:
Networking Fundamentals- MTA (98-366)
This exam was pretty straight forward if you have a basic understand of computer networking. The exam was multiple choice when I took it but you still need to know your stuff. Know the OSI model and where certain technologies fit into the model. Know your wireless standards and speeds and which type of cabling exist in networking. The next thing I would get familiar with is the different types of wireless security standards.
Security Fundamentals - MTA (98-367)
The exam was pretty straight forward also if you know the basics of information and computer security. The exam was also multiple choice when I took it but I will make sure that it's still multiple choice before you take the exam. For this exam it's important to know the wireless security standards also and the biggest thing I would make sure I know before I sit for this exam is the different types of security attacks that exist today. Which services are secure like telnet or ssh, which ports are used by these services.
A+ Certification
My Keys to success on A+ Certification exam
- You need to be familiar with Windows 7, know the difference between the different types of user accounts. Know where to go to change things like user passwords and account names. Be familiar with the items in the control panel. (software test)
- Make sure you know the following TCP/UDP ports: (software test)
TCP/UDP ports:
20/21 – FTP
22 – SSH
23 – Telnet
25 – SMTP
53 – DNS
80 – HTTP
110 – POP
443 – HTTP over SSL
3389 – RDP
- Make sure you know the different computer ports: (hardware test)
USB 2.0
USB 3.0
Serial port
VGA port
Ethernet port
PS/2 port
S-video
*NOTE:
You need to know the basic of security and networking. My A+ exam didn’t have many questions about security and networking because these areas are thoroughly covered in the network+ and Security+ exams.
Different types of computer memory
- DIMM – Desktop memory (DDR, DDR2, DDR3)
- ECC Memory (Error correcting memory)
- SO-DIMM (Laptop memory)
- ROM – (Read only memory)
6 step troubleshooting process (Most know this process)
1) Identify the problem
2) Establish theory probably cause
3) Test the theory
4) Establish plan of action to resolve the issue
5) Verify full system functionality and implement preventive measures if necessary.
6) Document findings, actions, and the outcomes.
Network+ Certification (N10-005)
OSI Model (Very important)
Wireless standards and Wireless security protocols (WEP, WPA, and WPA2)
Know the 6 step troubleshooting process and how it relates to the network.
UDP and TCP ports (The most common ports for the network)
Security+ Certification (SY0-401)
Material used: Darril Gibson Book
Helpful information:
Know the secure versions of the most common ports within a network.
Know the difference between the various viruses threatening computer systems
Know how to figure firewalls to meet a set of requirements.
FYI - Take your time and use the process of elimination to get through the test.
