December 2015 - Blogger 4 Ever

Some questions you might see on the A+ practice test are short and sweet. For example, what problem does a “1xx POST error code” indicate? To answer this question it might be helpful to know a little more about the terminology within the error code. POST is an acronym which stands for “Power On Self Test.” When your computer boots up the BIOS or Basic Input / Output System which is a set of computer instructions controlling input and output operations, executes several tests in a sequence to make sure all systems are running properly. If this is the case then Windows will begin to load. If there is a problem then the computer will display error codes sometimes accompanied by beep sounds.

The 1xx POST error code happens to be one of several codes used by IBM. Other codes include 2xx, 3xx, 4xx, 5xx,6xx, 7xx, 8xx,9xx and 10xx. Each number that precedes the “xx” refers to a specific area of the computer’s hardware. The 1xx refers to a “system motherboard error.” The system motherboard is a circuit board inside the computer that allocates electrical power to the CPU (Central Processing Unit), RAM (Random Access Memory) and other parts of the computer’s hardware. The motherboard also facilitates communication between the various components of the computer’s hardware.

Naturally, if you were in the position where you were in need of taking the A+ practice test much of this technical jargon would already be familiar to you. By now (if you read this far) you should know the answer to the question, what problem does a “1xx POST error code” indicate? The error code (of course) indicates a problem with the system motherboard. This type of question is probably not one that can be figured out logically. Unfortunately, it falls under the category of information you will just have to know. Many of the questions on the certification exam will require you memorize information like this. Taking the A+ practice test will help you identify areas of knowledge where you will need further study.

If you want to take the A+ Certification exam then you will most certainly want to familiarize yourself with the material covered on the exam by taking multiple versions of the A+ practice test. If you are already familiar with the material covered on the exam, the practice test will help to make you comfortable with the way in which the questions will be asked on the actual exam. If you are not familiar or perhaps only somewhat familiar with the material covered by the exam then the A+ practice test will help to bring your attention to areas where you need to focus your studies.

All standardized tests are similar in the way they are designed. Becoming comfortable with the format of the test will give you an insight into the “rhythm” of the test. You will get a sense of the pattern in which the questions are asked. You will also get a feel for the length of the test and how fast you need to pace yourself to complete the questions in the allotted time. You will then develop your own unique strategies to take the test more efficiently. For example, many people choose to skip over questions they do not know the answer to and then come back to them after they have completed the rest of the questions. I have found this strategy will allow my mind to access information that lies below the surface but takes a little more time to access. If this strategy works for you, then so much the better. If not, that is fine as well. The important thing is that you become familiar with how the test works and develop a sense for how you can take the exam most effectively. The more practice tests you take the more familiar you will become with the full range of questions that can be asked on the test. Moreover, the more versions of the A+ practice test you take the more you will solidify the approach to taking the exam that will work best for you.

Month: December 2015

Deconstructing the 1xx Post Error Code

A+ Test Preparation