The CompTIA A+ certification has been around for a long time. Many new professionals wonder if the A+ certification from the CompTIA is worth the time and effort.
The short answer is, yes.What is CompTIA A+ Certification?
CompTIA A+ certification is earned by passing a set of exams – created by IT industry professionals – that validate skills needed for entry-level IT jobs.The 220-1001 exam covers concepts related to mobile devices, networking technology, hardware, virtualization and cloud computing, and network troubleshooting.The 220-1002 exam covers the installation and configuration of operating systems, expanded security, software troubleshooting, and operational procedures.That being said, CompTIA’s A+ certification is not just about repairing PCs. CompTIA A+. Candidates are better prepared to troubleshoot and problem solve a wider range of issues, ranging from network and operating system issues to mobile device and security issues.
Is the A+ Certification for You?
A+ is one of the most popular hardware and software certifications in the world because it gives you a very strong grasp of computer concepts and creates a foundation to help you understand more advanced concepts.CompTIA A+ is for new professionals looking to start a career in IT and have 9 to 12 months of hands-on experience in the lab or field or equivalent training.What Jobs can you get with an A+ Certification?
Jobs in the area of computer networking are expected to rise significantly through 2028 and beyond, according to the US department of labor.These jobs include:- Service desk analyst
- Help desk tech
- Technical support specialist
- Field service technician
- Associate network engineer
- Data support technician
- Desktop support administrator
- End-user computing technician
- Help desk technician
- System support specialist
This certification is a DoD Approved 8570 Baseline Certification and meets DoD 8140/8570 training requirements.
The A+ is recognized by the US Department of Defense as an approved 8570 IAT Level 1 baseline certification. IT and cybersecurity professionals will find that most, but not quite all, CompTIA certifications are recognized by the Department of Defense.*The A+ or Network+ certification qualifies only for Technical Level I and cannot be used for Technical Level II positions.
Exam Details- 1.0 Mobile Devices 14%
- 2.0 Networking 20%
- 3.0 Hardware 27%
- 4.0 Virtualization and Cloud Computing 12%
- 5.0 Hardware and Network Troubleshooting 27%
- Total 100%
How to Prepare for the CompTIA A+ Certification Exam
To prepare for CompTIA A+ certification, there are several options available.Download the CompTIA A+ (220-1001) Exam Objectives and CompTIA A+ (220-1002) Exam Objectives for a more complete curriculum.Self-Study Resources
The first option is self-study resources. These resources include books, study guides, and videos. They are designed based on the course objectives of the Network+ exam and will help you cover the complete syllabus.Books
Books are a good choice for you if you prefer learning from written text and illustrations. There are many books available in print and digital formats. Some of these books are listed below:
CompTIA A+ Complete Certification Kit: Exam Core 1 220-1001 and Exam Core 2 220-1002 4th EditionOne of the best books is CompTIA A+ Certification All-in-One Exam Guide by Mike MyersBooks also look great on your shelf.
Books are not the best option if you are short on time.
Video Training
YouTube! Yes YT is a great source for finding information whole classes are on the platform. Are you not quite understanding the Ports and protocols?Instructor-Led Training (Boot Camps)
If you are like me and the self-study method isn’t enough for you, you can use instructor-led training. The biggest advantage of this method is that you can ask questions directly to an expert, get hands-on training, and quickly remove confusion as you work through the exam preparation material.However, instructor-led training programs can be quite expensive. I have two thoughts on this. One, if you pass the exam you are mostly looking for a better-paying position. This will be a $500 – $4000 investment in you. How much more are you going to make?Global KnowledgeThis full-service test preparation course includes:A+ study guideA+ pre-and post-assessment test questionsComprehension exercises and study digestVoucher for each A+ examA+ Practice ExamsCost $3095 or $360 for the GK Polaris Accelerate SubscriptionWestern Governors UniversityWestern Governors University is a distance learning school where you can earn an inexpensive, accredited, career-oriented college degree at an accelerated rate.
They offer several different levels of certification including Associate’s Degree, Bachelor’s Degree, Master’s Degree, and Doctorate Degree.Their online program is very affordable.This is on the same level as self-study and instructor-led. You can get your degree by passing the certification test. Once you pass the assessment test online through the school they will give you a voucher to take the certification. Once you pass you turn in your passing grade and you pass the course.
Practice Tests
It’s not easy to solve 90 questions in 90 minutes. No matter how well you are prepared, you should do practice tests for Network+ certification before you sit in the actual exam.Going through practice tests will help you understand how to solve complex network questions in a short period of time.CompTIA A+ 220-1001 Practice Exam – $11.99CompTIA A+ 220-1002 (Core 2) Practice Exam – $11.99Practice Labs
Computer networking is a highly practical domain where concepts must be applied in real-life scenarios to resolve problems.Practice Labs are a must if you’re going to get a good score on the exam. They let you practice networking concepts in a real live environment. Live practice labs will help you prepare for any scenario-based question by ensuring you understand the concepts behind them.
One of the biggest advantages of focusing on practice labs is that you will develop a keen eye for the practical resolution of different problems.The Truth About CompTIA A+
A+ certification is an entry-level certification that is not vendor-specific. This means that having this certification will give you a general, but solid understanding of IT concepts.A+ is very useful in helping you get started with your IT career. If you want to move up to the next level, it is recommended that, in addition to A+, you also obtain intermediate and advanced level certifications like Microsoft Azure Administrator Associate Certification or ITIL Foundation.
Having a vendor-specific certification like Microsoft will boost your chances of getting good jobs in the industry, as companies prefer experts who are qualified, and can configure, deploy, monitor, and understand networks that are being used in their organization.So, is the CompTIA A+ certification worth it?
If you are new to IT and looking for an infrastructure networking certification to help you get your first job or advance up the IT career ladder then A+ will be worth the time, effort, and cost.Next Steps
