The new upgrade to A+ certification
This year, CompTIA is updating its highly successful A+ certification - what are the changes and what do they mean to you?
20 September 2006
The CompTIA A+ certification is an international industry credential which is designed to validate the knowledge of those computer service technicians who have the equivalent of 500 hours of hands-on experience. Major hardware and software vendors, distributors and resellers accept CompTIA A+ as the standard in foundation-level, vendor-neutral certification for service technicians. The A+ examinations cover a broad range of hardware and software technologies, but are not bound to any vendor-specific products. The skills and knowledge measured by the CompTIA A+ examinations were derived from an industry-wide and worldwide job task analysis.
The current version of CompTIA A+ is available worldwide. Around 700,000 people in some 190 countries hold the CompTIA A+ certification. At e-academy, many delegates have already attended our courses and achieved certification.
This year, (sometime in the third quarter of 2006) A+ is to be updated.
It will then consist of a foundation examination (Essentials) which can be enhanced by a number of options (outlined below) to more accurately reflect your role in the company.
The updated CompTIA A+ certification will continue to include two ‘high stakes’ examinations, delivered as computer-based tests in a proctored environment. One examination will cover core competencies in the latest hardware and software technologies, including a greater emphasis on information security skills, safety and environmental issues and soft skills. The second examination will focus on how to apply the skills in specific job environments. Candidates and employers will have the ability to select the second exam that best fits their employment goals, or employee needs, such as IT technician, remote support or depot technician.
The enhancement of the security component in CompTIA A+ examinations reflects the fact that today’s entry-level IT worker encounters a host of security issues related to applications, operating systems, communications, procedures, and physical environments.
The addition of soft skills to the examinations is in line with the need for IT workers to be able to interact and communicate verbally and in writing in a clear and professional manner with co-workers, customers, partners and others.
This will show employers that you not only understand the latest technologies, but you know how to apply them in the most relevant job environment. The options for the second of the two exams you need are:
CompTIA A+ 220-602: the CompTIA A+ 220-602 examination is targeted for individuals who work or intend to work in a mobile or corporate environment with a high level of face-to-face client interaction. Examples of job roles include: enterprise technician, IT administrator, field service technician and PC technician. Ideally, the CompTIA A+ 220-602 candidate will have already passed the CompTIA A+ Essentials examination. Candidates who pass the CompTIA A+ Essentials and CompTIA A+ 220-602 examinations will be CompTIA A+ certified with the IT Technician designation.
CompTIA A+ 220-603: the CompTIA A+ 220-603 examination is targeted for individuals who work or intend to work in a remote-based work environment where client interaction, client training, operating system and connectivity issues are emphasised. Example job roles include: remote support technician, help desk technician and call centre technician. Ideally, the CompTIA A+ 220-603 candidate will have already passed the CompTIA A+ Essentials examination. Candidates who pass the CompTIA A+ Essentials and the CompTIA A+ 220-603 examinations will be CompTIA A+ certified with the Remote Support Technician designation.
CompTIA A+ 220-604: the CompTIA A+ 220-604 examination is targeted for individuals who work or intent work in settings where hardware related activities are emphasised. Example job roles include: depot technician and bench technician. Ideally, the CompTIA A+ 220-604 candidate will have already passed the CompTIA A+ Essentials examination. Candidates who pass the CompTIA A+ Essentials and the CompTIA A+ 220-604 examinations will be CompTIA A+ certified with the Depot Technician designation.
The updated CompTIA A+ will be available in late 2006. For more information about the updated CompTIA A+ offering, including exam objectives, visit http://certification.comptia.org/a/default.aspx - or call us on 0845 650 6500.
