Everything you need to know about CompTIA A+ Certification
CompTIA A+ Certification is in great demand these days because it serves as the foundation for an individual’s IT career. It is considered to be the preferred credential for IT technical support as well as operational roles. By enrolling in the CompTIA Certification Training, an individual is able to develop their problem-solving skills, and hence become better prepared for troubleshooting issues that range from security to mobile devices, to operating and networking systems. A+ is the certification of choice for many companies, such as Dell, Intel, and HP when considering candidates for the position of a service technician. It helps in connecting the users with the data they require in order to perform their jobs, no matter which device they use to access it.
For IT and those individuals or professionals who are serious about a career in IT, CompTIA A+ credential is the beginning, which defines their career path. So what is the A+ certification all about?
CompTIA A+: The Stepping Stone into the IT Career
This is an entry-level certification, which offers information which can be applied universally, as all the exams offered by CompTIA are vendor neutral. What do we mean by vendor-neutral? It refers to the fact that no matter which organization the individual eventually ends up working for, like HP, Microsoft, Dell or Cisco, the foundational knowledge an individual obtains through this course, will serve as the foundation for learning vendor specific, i.e. company-specific product. It is highly recommended by organizations that students obtain their A+ certification before opting for the more advanced certification that is available. Such organizations include Cisco, as well as Microsoft. This certification is often associated with key entry-level jobs such as an administrator, and technician, it can also serve as the propeller which launches the individual as a system admin or network engineer. A strong foundation is likely to take you places.
CompTIA A+ Exam
Technology evolves at such a fast pace that at times it is difficult to keep up with it. Think about it, every couple of days there is a new development which is taking place throughout a world, the latest tech is being launched, or advancement is AI is being discussed. Same is the case with the A+ exam which was recently given a makeover.
IT professionals are required to keep pace with industry trends and new developments. Their skills need to be continuously honed and developed, which is where the revision and updates of these certifications come into play. A+ was updated, keeping in mind the current requirements and topics, such as Linux and security.
Basics of the A+ exam include;
- CompTIA A+ certification does not have any pre-requisites
- In order to obtain this classification, a candidate needs to clear two exams, namely CompTIA A+ 220-901, and CompTIA 220-902.
- The exam includes 90 MCQs that need to be completed within 90 minutes.
Many people debate about whether or not obtaining the A+ certification is the right call. There is immense datable amongst professionals on this topic, and the answer is simple. For those who are starting from square one, A+ is the perfect starting point.
How CompTIA A+ Certification Evolved
Previously, the CompTIA A+ Certification and its exams were focused on supporting desktops and laptops which were based on Windows, currently, it focuses on the ability of a user to access the required information, regardless of which device is being used. It shows that before the certification is opted for, IT Professionals should have basic knowledge of multiple operating systems. In addition to Windows, the A+ now consists of topics and information about Android, Linux, Apple OS X, and Ios. Along with PCs, tablets, wearables, and smartphones are also covered in the certification. An increased focal point is the management of mobile devices, especially their hardware, operating systems, and the data/ connections that exist,
Troubleshooting and technical support are considered to be one of the top three skills that are considered by any organization looking to hire professionals in their IT department. The current version of CompTIA focuses on not only having the ability to troubleshoot but also solve problems when they arise. The candidates are required to install, and configure issue, but also ascertain the course of the problem and resolve it.
Professionals, especially those in the technical support role are responsible for thwarting unauthorized intrusions and thus cybersecurity becomes part of their domain. The CompTIA A+ certification, have 8 domains consisting of topics related to information security, risk mitigation, and privacy. Organizations rely heavily on cloud-based technologies, and thus the need for an IT Professional at the basic level to have the skills of cloud computing, virtualization, deployment, and desktop imaging has become integral, which is why CompTIA A+ has included all these in the certification as well. The core infrastructure concepts allow a foundation to be developed, which serves as a key element for technical support professionals, as well as provides a base for progressing in their career. IT Professionals can then move on to obtain knowledge regarding Virtual System Administration, Physical Server Maintenance, Storage Planning, and Network Configuration.
Eventually, all of these elements will help in setting the stage for IoT (Internet of Things) Support. Since all the devices have become connected to one another, there is an increasing need for problem solvers and solution providers who can tackle an issue in case all these devices are unable to connect with the network. Therefore, CompTIA A+ provides basic knowledge regarding the IoT, since it covers various devices’ form factors such as smartphones, wearable, and tablets, network fundamentals, troubleshooting, different operating systems, as well as cloud computing basics. Hence, the CompTIA certification helps in developing the knowledge and skills for IoT capabilities, which sets the foundation for the future.
