CompTIA A+ Certification: Everything You Need to Know

The industry benchmark for starting the IT profession is CompTIA A+. This is an entry-level certification in the information technology (IT) industry issued by the IT association CompTIA.

CompTIA A+ Certification Overview

Are you looking to start your career in the IT field and looking for a basic certification, or are you working in the IT field and want to get an IT certification? This post will help you on your journey.

To maintain and support their IT infrastructure and devices, almost every company around the world requires the services of an IT professional or specialist. Employers around the world prefer professionals with CompTIA A+ certifications for technical support and operational IT roles.

The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) is responsible for issuing certifications. To date, we have issued over 2 million vendor-neutral IT certifications, making us the market leader in this field.

CompTIA follows ISO/ANSI (International Standards Organization and American National Standards Institute) guidelines. This is an entry-level certification, so it’s valuable for anyone interested in a career in IT.

Most major hardware and software companies accept CompTIA A+ as a vendor-neutral certification. This means that the holder is not limited to using a particular type of computer.

The CompTIA A+ certification is a foundational credential that validates an individual’s suitability to perform tasks such as installing and configuring PC operating systems, finding hardware and software problems, network installation, security, troubleshooting, and virtualization. is.

Additionally, this certification provides the competencies needed for higher-level certifications such as Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA) and Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA).

In this post, you’ll learn how to prepare for the CompTIA A+ exam, the competencies you need to pass the exam, job prospects and salaries, and some resources to help you develop the competencies you need to pass the exam. Pick up the topic. .

What does CompTIA A+ certify and how long is the certification valid?

The foundational knowledge and competencies needed for a successful career in IT support are validated by the CompTIA A+ certification, an internationally recognized industry credential.

Earning the CompTIA A+ certification prepares you for entry-level IT support positions in today’s rapidly changing digital world.

This is a popular way to start the IT profession, and the program covers hardware (mobile, laptop, desktop), virtualization and cloud computing, networking, security, operating systems (Windows, Mac, Linux, Extensive validation of your knowledge in the field of Android. , and other operating instructions.

The CompTIA A+ certification is valid for three years and can be extended for an additional three years through continuing education programs .

What areas and competencies does the CompTIA A+ certification cover?

Today’s environments rely on SaaS apps, remote work, cloud virtualization, IoT devices, and data management, which require support activities to keep IT infrastructure operational.

The CompTIA A+ certification covers the competencies listed below.

• Set up and troubleshoot hardware and network devices
• Setup and installation for desktops, laptops, and mobile devices
• Install, configure, and troubleshoot Windows, Mac OS, Android, and Linux operating systems
• Virtualization and cloud computing support
• Vulnerability protection and security
• Adherence to operating procedure rules and optimal execution approaches

CompTIA A+ certified personnel follow industry best practices and are responsible for all technical support tasks to ensure your IT infrastructure operates without interruption or downtime.

CompTIA A+ Exam (220-1001) and (220-1002) Overview

Let’s take a look at the exam pattern for the CompTIA A+ certification exam.

To earn the CompTIA A+ certification, candidates must pass two exams: Core 1 (220-1101) and Core 2 (220-1102).

(Formerly exam codes 220-1001 and 220-1002, scheduled to be retired on October 20, 2022)

The following table shows each exam domain and its corresponding weight.

New exam patterns will also emphasize remote working, increasing the need for remote diagnostics and troubleshooting, SaaS application integration, cloud computing, BYOD culture, and more. These two trials will test all of these new differences.

Exam outline

The total number of questions is 180, including 90 questions from each major exam, and the questions are comprised of multiple-choice questions and real-world scenarios.

View the simulation demo and virtual environment questions to understand the exam pattern.

passing score

To pass and become certified on both exams, you must earn a score of 675 on CompTIA A+ Core 1 and 700 out of 900 on Core 2.

Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites required to take these tests. Still, it takes 9 to 12 months of work experience to understand the exam content and pass it on the first try.

It is very easy to pass the exam if you have more than 1 year of work experience. If you don’t have any work experience, you can enroll in instructor-led or self-paced learning courses and training.

The exam is also available in German, Japanese, Portuguese, Thai, Spanish, and English.

Examination fee

In the US, CompTIA A+ exams cost $246 USD each, and since you need to pass both tests to get certified, you’ll need to spend $492 USD.

Below is a list of costs for other countries.

Check out CompTIA Vouchers for the latest coupons for different discounts that constantly change based on your region.

How to take the CompTIA A+ exam

There are two ways to take the CompTIA A+ exam.

Face-to-face and online tests

In-person testing : You can take an in-person test at one of tens of thousands of Pearson VUE testing locations around the world.

Online Tests: Take online tests from anywhere at your convenience.

To book your exam,

• Start by creating a CompTIA account here .
• Schedule your online exam. You can choose between an online test and an in-person test on the screen.
• Select regions for in-person testing from various locations around the world.

retest

CompTIA indicates that there is no waiting period to take a second attempt if your first attempt to pass the exam is unsuccessful. However, for third and subsequent attempts, you must wait at least 14 days from the date of your previous attempt.

Please note that candidates must pay to retake the test each time they take the test.

Job Descriptions and Positions Available After CompTIA A+ Certification

Let’s take a look at the roles and responsibilities of a CompTIA A+ certified professional.

Complete activities are related to IT infrastructure support such as:

• operating system: Setup and maintenance of Windows OS, Mac OS, Chrome OS, Android, Linux OS.
• Software and Hardware: Set up, configure, and resolve all software and hardware-related issues, including security issues for desktop computers and mobile devices.
• Networking: Configure TCP/IP protocols, troubleshoot connectivity issues, and perform LAN and WAN support activities.
• Security: Basic knowledge of firewalls, VPNs, etc. is required. You should be able to identify security flaws in your devices and their network connections and take the necessary steps to avoid them.
• Install and configure bring your own devices (BYOD) such as laptops, mobile devices, tabs, and other mobile devices to ensure end-user connectivity.
• Ability to install and configure virtual client software, basic troubleshooting of connectivity issues, and strong cloning and migration skills in cloud computing.
• One of the non-technical factors that CompTIA A+ certified professionals need to be aware of is: Operating instructions. Industry standards regarding communication, professionalism, safety, and environmental impact must be adhered to.

The positions and job openings available to CompTIA A+ Certified Professionals are related to Level 1 technical activities in most organizations.

• IT support specialist
• help desk technician
• Tier I Support Specialist
• field technician
• desktop support engineer
• system support technician
• Associate Network Engineer
• junior system administrator

How much does a CompTIA A+ Certified Professional make?

Compensation is completely dependent on the company you join, your region, and your experience.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), computer support specialists earned a median income of $57,910 per year, or $27.84 per hour.

According to Salary.com’s research analysis, typical CompTIA A+ salaries in the United States range from $28,833 to $80,500.

According to Payscale reports, CompTIA A+ Certified Professional certification earnings range from $41,000 to $61,000 per year, depending on experience level.

Resources you need to prepare for the exam

All courses and training listed below cover all relevant areas of both CompTIA A+ core exams. Therefore, we will not cover every topic in each course, but only the important points.

#1. Whizlabs CompTIA A+

To help you pass the online CompTIA A+ exam, Whizlabs offers Core 1 and Core 2 study materials. Comprehensive and user friendly. This course was created to help learners achieve their goals and pass the exam on the first try.

With a vast catalog of courses covering popular technologies and disciplines, Whizlabs is a global provider of online certification training solutions.

This course covers a variety of hardware, software, networking, and security topics. Candidates will understand networking concepts and learn how to install PC systems, configure hardware devices, troubleshoot network connections, and implement virtual clients.

Whizlabs can provide practice exams that address the objectives of this course and the new CompTIA exam through video lectures, practice questions, session tests, and 24-hour support from knowledgeable instructors.

#2. Udemy CompTIA A+

An online learning site called Udemy offers over 130,000 video courses taught by qualified professors. Udemy offers both Core 1 and Core 2 exam preparation materials.

Over 100,000 students worldwide have previously taken this CompTIA A+ course. Access self-paced courses anytime, anywhere.

The text is thorough, efficient, easy to understand and covers all exam subjects. This course uses downloaded resources and videos to provide course material.

Important topics covered are personal computer and mobile device hardware, networks, hardware and network problem resolution, and operational processes. This course has been updated to align with the latest CompTIA A+ exam objectives.

#3. Udemy CompTIA A+ Mock Test

CompTIA A+ Core 1 and Core 2 test preparation and simulations available on Udemy are perfect for increasing your certification exam score.

This course is ideal if you have already studied or are knowledgeable about the CompTIA A+ exam areas and are looking for a practice session.

This course focuses on exam preparation, exam design, and what to expect on the exam in terms of number of questions and exam time.

This course provides interactive question-level feedback, authentic test questions, and top 5 test-taking strategies.

Students often consider performance-based questioning (PBQ) to be quite complex. This course provides information about these questions so that students can quickly solve them.

#4. Coursera Google IT Support Professional Certification

Google offers IT Support Professional certification programs on the Coursera platform. IT professionals who want to learn more about support services and how they are delivered can enroll in the program.

Covering subjects such as server administration, network administration, and software installation, it helps you develop the competencies you need to succeed as an IT support specialist.

This course is highly interactive and created exclusively by Googlers with decades of IT experience, so you can finish it in less than 6 months, even if you only join part-time.

This program allows you to practice simulating real-world IT support scenarios that are essential to your professional success.

The program includes over 100 hours of instruction and hundreds of practice-based assessments with videos, exams, and hands-on labs. This course covers the basic IT skills needed for entry-level positions, including networking, operating systems, security, networking, and troubleshooting.

The Google IT Support Professional certification also helps students prepare for the CompTIA A+ exam, as it covers over 85% of the exam subjects. Additionally, students receive a 20% discount on exams.

#5. CompTIA Free Mock Test

Free practice exams can be downloaded from the CompTIA A+ website.

#6. CompTIA A+ Complete Study Guide

This is the entire CompTIA A+ certification preparation package. This book contains all the goals and skills you need to pass the Core 1 and Core 2 tests.

This book covers a wide range of topics important to becoming an independent IT support expert, including troubleshooting, operating systems, security, and operational processes.

preview	product	evaluation	price
	CompTIA A+ Complete Study Guide: Core 1 Exam 220-1101 and Core 2 Exam 220-1102		$36.99	Buy on Amazon

This book provides access to the Sybex online test bank, review questions, a complete set of practice exams, hundreds of electronic flashcards, and a glossary of key terms.

All of this material will help you pass the exam and confidently succeed in the field as a computer support professional.

#7. CompTIA A Exam Preparation

This is the perfect book to help you pass the CompTIA exam.

It comes with a variety of study aids, including quizzes, exam alerts, last-minute prep sheets, two complete practice exams in print books, and two more exams in the test engine via the content website.

preview	product	evaluation	price
	CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1001) and Core 2 (220-1002) Exam Preparation		$39.99	Buy on Amazon

In addition, 14 unique real-world scenario case studies are provided, all of which include links to simulations or videos on the website.

conclusion

The CompTIA A+ certification is a widely recognized credential that demonstrates competency in information technology. This is a valuable qualification that will help you in your career and provide you with the skills you need to succeed in the industry.

CompTIA A+ certification indicates that the holder has undergone extensive training and has appropriate IT expertise.

Additionally, it may give you a competitive advantage when applying for jobs. From an employer’s perspective, CompTIA A+ certified talent is a valuable asset.