GALAXY TAB A PASSWORD RESET Holding the volume key then pressing the home on button does not work 
Whether you hold the volume up or the volume down 
Holding the Home Power Button Letting It Go And continue to hold the volume key up or down does not work
Volume up, home and power should do the trick. It sometimes is a bit tricky though. Make sure;


Turn off the device
Press volume up and hold, afterwards press home, afterwards press power and keep holding them
You should be in recovery