What is CompTIA A+ Certification?

The CompTIA A+ Certification is sponsored
by the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA), and certifies
the competency of entry-level service technicians in the computer
industry. Anyone who wants an internationally recognized credential
as a competent entry-level computer service professional can take
the CompTIA A+ examination. The program is backed by major computer
hardware and software vendors, distributors, resellers and publications.
Earning CompTIA A+ Certification means that the individual possesses
the knowledge, skills and customer-relation skills essential for a
successful entry-level computer service technician, as defined by
experts from companies across the industry. The CompTIA A+ Certification
is easily one of the most widely recognized and credible certification
available. With CompTIA A+ Certification comes credibility that you
have qualified technical skills.
For more information about the tests, please visit: www.comptia.org.
CompTIA A+ Certification is a testing program sponsored by CompTIA
that certifies the competency of entry-level (6 months experience)
service technicians in the computer industry. Anyone who wants an
internationally recognized credential as a competent entry-level computer
service professional can take the A+ examination. The test, which
is administered by Sylvan Prometric, was first available in July 1993,
with a complete revision of the exam occurring on July 31, 1998. The
most recent revision was released in the Fall of 2003.
The test covers a broad range of hardware and software technologies,
but are not related to any vendor-specific products. To become certified,
you must pass two parts -- the Core and the Microsoft DOS/Windows
module portion. When both the Core and the DOS/Windows portions are
passed within 90 calendar days, the candidate receives the CompTIA
A+ Certification designation. Once an individual is CompTIA A+ certified
this designation does not require updating as the test is revised.
What Are the Benefits of CompTIA A+ Certification?
Gaining CompTIA A+ Certification will help you gain recognition as
a service technician with proven skills. The A+ Certification can
assist you in securing a more satisfying and challenging job, earning
a promotion, or aquiring a raise. With the high demand for tech sector
workers, the time to get CompTIA A+ Certification is now.
For employers, hiring a technician with CompTIA A+ Certification can
serve as a guarantee that the individual has gained the necessary
competency in certain job-related skills. The CompTIA A+ Certification
assures that your new employee will be a productive member of your
organization from day one, without weeks, or even months in training.
Training your current employees to acheive CompTIA A+ Certification
also provides these same benefits.
Who may take the certification tests?
CompTIA A+ Certification is open to anyone who wants to take the
tests. The CompTIA A+ exam is targeted for entry-level computer service
technicians with at least 6 months on-the-job experience. No specific
requirements are necessary, except payment of the fee. Individuals
may retake the test modules as often as they like, but the Core and
DOS/Windows portion must be passed within 90 calendar days of each
other in order to become certified.
The CompTIA A+ test contains situational, traditional, and identification
types of questions. All of the questions are multiple choice. There
is one answer for each question.
CompTIA A+ Certification Core Exam Objectives
- 1.0 Installation, Configuration, and Upgrading 30%
- 2.0 Diagnosing and Troubleshooting 20%
- 3.0 Safety and Preventive Maintenance 10%
- 4.0 Motherboard/Processors/Memory 10%
- 5.0 Printers 10%
- 6.0 Portable Systems 5%
- 7.0 Basic Networking 5%
- 8.0 Customer Satisfaction 10%
CompTIA A+ Certification DOS/Windows Exam Objectives
- 1.0 Function, Structure, Operation, File Management 30%
- 2.0 Memory Management 10%
- 3.0 Installation, Configuration and Upgrading 30%
- 4.0 Diagnosing and Troubleshooting 20%
- 5.0 Networks 10%
To prepare for CompTIA A+ certification exams, access our CompTIA
A+ Certification e-Learning courses. These courses are mapped to
CompTIA A+ exam objectives to help you become competent in
basic computer service and repair technology skills. Course topics
range from Operating Systems to Modems to Networks to Troubleshooting.
Our CompTIA A+ Certification Series
has one complete course that comprehensively covers each one of these
exam objectives!