Realistically how long should A+ (Core 1) take?
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I’m currently studying a few hours each day and trying to keep the momentum I have right now. I would like to schedule my exam so that it lights that fire even more. Just trying to be realistic. Any advice or suggestions for either core 1 or 2 is greatly appreciated.
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Start with the official exam objectives from CompTIA. You can get them from their site. Review those objectives. Highlight anything and everything that you do not understand in a section that you do NOT understand at the verb level required (e.g., explain, understanding, given scenario pick which solution, configure, analyze, etc.). If you cannot do it at that level. You do not understand it.
Review all the rest of the topics and provide yourself a scoring system of 1 to 5 (5 is I have this in the bag. Everything else is (4)hard review, or (3)hard read, or (2,1) need to learn.
The CompTIA A+ exam is supposed to assess you based on the equivalent of 6 months of learning or hand-on experience in the IT industry. So don't take 6 months. Scale it back based on how much you need to learn vs review.
Set a date that you feel confortable by that you've had time to make sure you know the exam objectives at the verb level. Then schedule it a week after and ace it!
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The amount of time it takes to study for the A+ exam is subjective. It largely depends on not only your experience level (CompTIA recommends 9-12 months of experience), but also how easily you digest the content on the exam.
Like @Ronnie-Wong said, I would download the objective from here https://www.comptia.org/certifications/a and use it while you study, checking off the objectives as you learn them.
Lastly, I would give yourself the best opportunity for retaining the information, by using a good book and a video series (like ITProTV), and make flash cards. Also utilize ITProTV's labs. Take the practice exams as well. When you're consistently nailing 80% or higher, I'd say you're ready to take the exam.
For people with less than nine months experience, I would say, if, as you're going through the A+, the content becomes confusing or difficult to retain, maybe stop and do some review with the CompTIA ITF+ (IT Fundamentals), then return to the A+. Plus, utilize your ITProTV community. There are a lot of talented and knowledgeable people on here who are invested in your success.
Good luck!