A+ Certified IT Technician

The CompTIA A+ certification is the international industry standard for competency in computer service and technical support. The exam is distributed by the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA), which is an organization comprised of IT companies from all over the world. The purpose of CompTIA is to create standardized measures for evaluating the competencies of professionals working in the IT industry.

Examination

Competencies:

The CompTIA A+ certification tests technicians on their abilities relating to computer hardware, operating systems, and basic networks. Exam topics include:

• Installation
• Configuration
• Troubleshooting
• Repair
• Preventative maintenance

Additional topics covered include:

• Professionalism
• Safety
• Environmental concerns
• Security

Structure:

The A+ certification exam (2009 updated version) is broken into two parts:

1. CompTIA A+ Essentials 220-701: This exam focuses on the skills required for entry-level IT professionals and carries the equivalent of 500 hours of hands-on experience in a lab or industry setting.
2. CompTIA A+ Practical Application 220-702: Those passing this exam understand how to effectively provide in-person service to customers either in-house or when working outside of the office in field service or a mobile environment.

Prep courses:

The following courses are critical in the preparation for these exams:

• IS 185 Computer Architecture and Troubleshooting
• IS 186 Computer Architecture and Troubleshooting II

Certification

Students passing both exams will be A+ certified with the IT Technician designation. This credential is carried for life; it does not require re-certification.

For more information regarding the CompTIA's A+ certified IT Technician, visit comptia.org.