CompTIA A+ Credential
Building an IT Career with CompTIA A+ Certification
Earning a certification is easily one of the fastest ways to break into the IT industry. While a college degree may require up to 4 years of proper learning, IT certifications can be attained in several weeks, giving you the best shot at entry-level jobs. Some of the options you may choose from at the entry-level include the CompTIA A+.
Certification Path
A+ is a baseline accreditation, so it doesn't have any strict prerequisites. Still, at least 9 months of working experience in the field is recommended by CompTIA. The main requirement to fulfill to attain the CompTIA A+ certification is to pass two exams, 220-1001 and 220-1002, both launched in January 2019.
New A+ Curriculum Explained
CompTIA A+ is the universally accepted standard for building a career in information technology. But what are the skills assessed and validated by it? Well, here's an overview of its outline:
- Operating systems
- Virtualization and cloud computing
- Networking
- Security
- Hardware
- Hardware and network troubleshooting
- Mobile devices
- Operational procedures
- Software troubleshooting
A+ Exams: Detailed Overview
CompTIA 220-1001 or Core 1 test as it's commonly called, emphasizes the knowledge of computer hardware, network troubleshooting, cloud computing, and mobile devices. The passing score is 675 out of 900.
220-1002 exam or Core 2, on the other hand, addresses the installation and configuration of operating systems, security, operational procedures, and software troubleshooting. The required score here is 700 out of 900.
Common features for both tests include a duration of 90 minutes, the number of questions which is 90, and the registration fee of $226. The questions presented in the exams will be of multiple-choice, performance-based, and drag-and-drop types.
CompTIA A+ Exam Hack Tips
Spending countless hours studying for A+ exams could ultimately decide your future. On that note, here are the 3 best tips to guide you during preparation:
1. Get a Study Guide
Purchasing the official CompTIA A+ study guide gives you a good chance of cracking the tests on the first try. Comprehensive guides are not just meant to give you access to critical information about the exams but also help you stay motivated by managing your time efficiently.
2. Take Reliable Training Courses
Online courses focus on what you should know about the exams regarding the topics and the whole testing process as well. CompTIA offers its own A+ courses that cover all the details of Core 1 and Core 2 and ensure students have a solid fundamental knowledge of basic IT concepts.
3. Practice
Nothing boosts confidence better than practicing with the actual exam questions. Thus, taking the official practice tests that you'll strengthen with dumps will be a great decision since these materials mirror the content and structure of the actual exam.
Career Prospects for A+ Certified Professionals
When having the A+ certification, you get many more career options available. These include help desk technician, system support specialist, service desk analyst. Also, you can land a job as an associate network engineer, data support technician, and others. When it comes to salary, PayScale states that A+ accredited professionals can expect to earn about $62k annually on average. Moreover, you can opt for next-level CompTIA certifications such as Network+, Security+, etc. and develop your career further in a specific field.
Conclusion
If you are ready to build an IT career from scratch and finally carve out a niche for yourself, consider gaining the CompTIA A+ certification. Sitting for its exams, you will be facing the ultimate challenge in a field known for its competitiveness and get an edge over other specialists. Take the first step, use the best study materials to unlock the promising opportunities.
