Boot Camp for A+ Certification

Best Practices

June West, Program DirectorComputer TechnologySpartanburg Community CollegeSpartanburg, SC

Significance of A+ Certification

• Ensures a common level of understanding• Enhances student’s knowledge base • Increases employment opportunities• Required to maintain employment• Internationally recognized

Steps to Certification

• Choose the certification• Learn what’s covered• Prepare for the exam• Purchase a voucher• Locate a testing site • Schedule the exam• Take the exam

Choose the Certification

• Computer Support Specialist Certificate designed to provide skills for entry-level PC Technician position where A+ Certification is well-recognized.

• Use Jean Andrews’ hardware/software texts which map to the A+ Certification.

A+ Boot Camp Background

• Perkins Grant provided money• Eligible for A+ Boot Camp

– students required to either have taken and passed or be currently enrolled in hardware and software classes

• Met once a week for ten weeks– Twenty-one (21) students– One day, one evening session

Materials Used

• CompTIA A+ 2009 Q & A study guide• Flash cards• Jean Andrews CompTIA A+ Guide to Hardware• Jean Andrews CompTIA A+ Guide to Software• Test King Software• Various brain dumps• Interactive games

– Jeopardy– Family Feud

Boot Camp Schedule – Getting Started

• First day– Clarify importance of commitment– A+ vouchers distributed

• Required to register through VUE for Essentials exam before next meeting

– Overview of A+ objectives– Discuss study practices

Boot Camp Schedule -- Weekly

• Reviewed/discussed the study guide questions/answers

• Clarified test questions on the CertBlaster CDs (available with the texts)

• Answered questions using TestKing • Studied flash cards• Participated in competitions

– Q&A sessions using TestKing– Jeopardy– Family Feud

Boot Camp Results

• Increased understanding of test questions/ answers– Gained better overall comprehension of the A+

concepts

• 76% (16) passed the 701 exam– 13 on the first attempt; 3 on the second attempt

• 100% (7) passed the 702 exam– Of the 16 who passed the 701 exam, 7 have taken

the 702 exam– All of them passed on the first attempt

Lessons Learned

• Students required to complete both hardware and software classes

• Students who do not use vouchers within 3 months of Boot Camp end must return them to “the pool” for others’ use– Many vouchers will expire in May – unused

• Improve on competitions – Need more structure/rules to avoid controversy– Rethink prizes and how distributed

• Maybe do a “place” win -- 1st 2nd and 3rd • Fewer competitions with prizes• Use competitions to earn vouchers

Lessons Learned (continued)

• Nearest Testing Center located on campus of competitor school– In the process of becoming a VUE testing

center

• Concentration will be on the 801/802 exams for Summer 2013– The new exam became available October

2012– Incorporates simulations now