COMPUTER TIPS

 

 

A+ Certification

 

 

 

 

CompTIA’s A+ certification is meant for entry-level computer technicians. The A+ certification is a vendor-neutral certification that was introduced in 1993 and is now held by over 500,000 people. It has no prerequisites but is widely used as a starting point for various system administration and network administration certifications.

For example, the A+ certification, coupled with either the CompTIA Network+ or Server+ certification, can be used as an elective for Microsoft’s MCSA certification.

Comptia certifications appear to be some of the hottest around at the moment - particularly the A+ certification and Net+ certification. Certainly from an IT entry-level point of view anyhow.

Here’s my collection of free resources and exam information for the Comptia A+ certification. I hope there is something here that will help you to become certified, but first, an overview of the A+ certification.

The Comptia A+ certification has been around for over 10 years now and boasts nearly 500,000 certified technicians around the world. By obtaining the A+ certification you are able to demonstrate that you have a broad understanding and knowledge of the basic hardware and operating system technologies.

 

This includes, but is not limited to, installation, configuration, diagnosing, preventive maintenance and basic networking.

In November 2003 the Comptia A+ Certification was upgraded to reflect current technologies and practices. While the changes in themselves are not major (according to Comptia’s website) the exam now covers the latest memory, bus, peripherals, operating systems (ME and XP) and wireless in addition to the current requirements that require the candidate to display the knowledge and skills necessary to competently install, build, configure, upgrade, troubleshoot and repair personal computer compatible hardware and PC operating systems, including troubleshooting basic network and Internet connectivity, dial-up, DSL, and cable.

The A+ exams test the following areas of knowledge:

• Installation, configuring and upgrading
• Diagnosis and troubleshooting
• Preventive maintenance
• Motherboard, processors and memory
• Printers
• Basic networking
• OS fundamentals
• Networks

View the complete 2001 A+ certification core hardware objectives here
View the complete 2001 A+ certification core Operating System objectives here
View the complete 2003 A+ certification core hardware objectives here (pdf file format, requires Acrobat reader)
View the complete 2003 A+ certification core Operating System objectives here (pdf file format)

The A+ certification is made up of two separate components. The 220-221 A+ Core Hardware exam, and the 220-222 A+ Operating Systems exam.

There are no pre-requisites for either exam meaning you can study for, and take, these exams without any prior certification or course attendance requirement. The tests are adaptive and the exam is graded on a score of 0 – 1300. You need a minimum score of 596 to pass the hardware section, and a minimum score of 600 to pass the OS technology section. Don’t ask me why the difference.

You have a maximum of 30 minutes to complete each exam, and there are between 20 and 30 questions on each of the A+ exams. As with any adaptive test, you may not be required to complete all questions before your exam is graded. You can choose to take the tests separately but you won’t be A+ certified until you have successfully passed both exams.

Tips:

Get an old computer that you can practice on. Nothing beats hands on experience. If you are looking for some cheap hardware to practice on, have a look on eBay and see if there are any good deals to be found.

I used flash-cards to help memorise many of the tables of information required for this exam. You can pick up a free program at www.download.com, but you’ll still have to enter the information, which in itself is a good learning aide.

If you're like me and spend a lot of time at work, but most of your study notes, questions, login details to online questions etc are on your home PC, then sign up for a free 30 trial of GoToMyPC. You'll be able to access your home PC from work and you'll always be able to access your study material and study 'on the fly'.

Whatever else you do, get your hands on a Transcender exam simulation. I'm not sure how they get away with the questions being so close to the actual exam, but they are and they are definitely worth it.

From November 2003 only the upgraded A+ certification test can be taken. The test will be in the conventional format (non adaptive), with no more than 90 questions on each test. If you have already passed the AThe A+ exams test the following areas of knowledge:

• Installation, configuring and upgrading
• Diagnosis and troubleshooting
• Preventive maintenance
• Motherboard, processors and memory
• Printers
• Basic networking
• OS fundamentals
• Networks

View the complete 2001 A+ certification core hardware objectives here
View the complete 2001 A+ certification core Operating System objectives here
View the complete 2003 A+ certification core hardware objectives here (pdf file format, requires Acrobat reader)
View the complete 2003 A+ certification core Operating System objectives here (pdf file format)

The A+ certification is made up of two separate components. The 220-221 A+ Core Hardware exam, and the 220-222 A+ Operating Systems exam.

There are no pre-requisites for either exam meaning you can study for, and take, these exams without any prior certification or course attendance requirement. The tests are adaptive and the exam is graded on a score of 0 – 1300. You need a minimum score of 596 to pass the hardware section, and a minimum score of 600 to pass the OS technology section. Don’t ask me why the difference.

You have a maximum of 30 minutes to complete each exam, and there are between 20 and 30 questions on each of the A+ exams. As with any adaptive test, you may not be required to complete all questions before your exam is graded. You can choose to take the tests separately but you won’t be A+ certified until you have successfully passed both exams.

Tips:

Get an old computer that you can practice on. Nothing beats hands on experience. If you are looking for some cheap hardware to practice on, have a look on eBay and see if there are any good deals to be found.

I used flash-cards to help memorise many of the tables of information required for this exam. You can pick up a free program at www.download.com, but you’ll still have to enter the information, which in itself is a good learning aide.

If you're like me and spend a lot of time at work, but most of your study notes, questions, login details to online questions etc are on your home PC, then sign up for a free 30 trial of GoToMyPC. You'll be able to access your home PC from work and you'll always be able to access your study material and study 'on the fly'.

Whatever else you do, get your hands on a Transcender exam simulation. I'm not sure how they get away with the questions being so close to the actual exam, but they are and they are definitely worth it.

A+ certification under the 2001 objectives (or previously) then you do not have to upgrade to the 2003 track. As before, A+ certification is a lifetime certification. If you have yet to take the A+ certification, you can do one exam under the 2001 track and the other under the 2003 track, or both under the same version.