A+ CertificationOct. 9, 2012 release

CompTIA A+ Certification

A+ Knowledge and Skills

• Installation, configuring and troubleshooting of the following:

• PC hardware (including laptops and mobile devices, and custom configurations

• Printers

• Networking components

• Operating systems including Windows 7 Enterprise

• Operational procedures including safety, environment and customer communications

• Security (22% of exam 802)

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Career Advancement for IT Professionals

Target Audience

Individuals working in or planning to work in technical support roles such as:

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2011 IT Technician Job Role Survey

PC Technicians (71%)

Field Support Technicians (65%)

Help Desk Technicians (64%)

Customer Service Technicians (48%)

Network Support Technicians (41%)

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Survey respondents chose the following job roles that A+ is most often required

Why A+

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Organizations that Require, Mandate or Teach A+ Professionals

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Baltimore City

Public Schools

Government Organizations Corporate Organizations Academic Organizations

A+ Exam Details

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CompTIA A+ Objectives

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Changes from the 700 series A+

1. Windows 7 Enterprise has been added to the covered Windows operating systems

2. Mobile Devices (802: 3.0) is a new subject matter domain. It includes Apple iOS and Android. Coverage includes just what a helpdesk technician would be expected to do: Establish network connectivity for the device, configure email, set up security, and troubleshoot.

3. Virtualization (802: 1.9) is new

4. All troubleshooting is in one exam (802: 4.0), more extensive, and organized by specific hardware/software area (e.g. hard drives, display, etc.)

5. Troubleshooting wireless (802: 4.5) is new

6. There is more coverage of troubleshooting security issues (802: 4.7)

7. SOHO-specific security is new (802: 2.5,2.6)

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Objectives on the CompTIA Website

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Performance Based Questions

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New A+ Test Educational Video

YouTube Video •https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0NsbJLkHuuo

Performance based questions section •Begins at roughly the 5 minute mark

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Video demonstrates what a candidate can expect, from the beginning of a CompTIA exam to the end.

Case Study

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Chuck Cooper, program director for certification at IBM believes:

To be Proficient in Technology…. you need to build your skills and take training

Certifications - are a baseline measurement of skills and a consistent measure that validates the skills you achieve

Certifications - build confidence on the part of prospective customers, sellers and business partners

Certifications - listed on a proposal denote people with whom you can collaborate

Keeping CompTIA A+ certification current with Continuing Education

CEUs required for renewal

Annual CE fee Total CE fee (3-year period)

CompTIA A+ 20 $25 $75

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• Those who became A+ certified before January 1, 2011 have until December 31 of this year (2012) to sign up for the Continuing Education program. Otherwise they must take the new exams to have a current A+ certification.

• Those who have certified since January 1, 2011 have received CompTIA A+CE and are automatically enrolled in the Continuing Education program.

• For complete information on the program: http://certification.comptia.org/getCertified/stayCertified.aspx

Study Resources Via CompTIA MarketPlace

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A+ CertificationOct. 9, 2012 release