Everything You Need to Know About Comptia

What Is the CompTIA A+ Certification? A Certification to Outset Your It Career

Written past Coursera • Updated on December 16, 2021

The CompTIA A+ certification is designed to assistance y'all state an entry-level position in IT by ensuring you lot know the nuts of working with hardware, networks, and computer systems.

The CompTIA A+ certification is an entry-level qualification in the information technology (IT) industry. Issued past Information technology clan CompTIA, the A+ certification is widely accustomed as an industry standard certification often used to kickstart a career in It.

Hither'due south a quick look at the basics:

• The CompTIA A+ is equanimous of 2 exams in the Core Series—the 220-1001 and 220-1002.

• Each test costs $232 in the United states, as of October 2021, with a total price of $464.

• The exams will exam your knowledge of operating systems, data, security, networking, hardware, and help desk-bound services.

• At that place are several grooming programs that will prepare you for the CompTIA A+ exams, including the Google Information technology Support Professional Certificate, and the CompTIA CertMaster Acquire for A+ Core ane.

Larn more: 5 Essential It Certifications: Entry-Level and Beginner

What jobs can I get with the CompTIA A+ certification?

The CompTIA A+ certification is widely recognized as the go-to certification for an entry-level position in Information technology. Here are a few entry-level jobs that often call for the CompTIA A+ certification, and their boilerplate US salaries (co-ordinate to October 2021 data from Glassdoor).

• Assist desk annotator: $44,436

• IT technician: $46,744

• Assist desk specialist: $47,022

• Technical support specialist: $48,836

• Desktop support administrator: $50,903

• System support specialist: $54,997

• Associate network engineer: $67,162

Keep in listen that this number might change depending on where you're located—IT jobs in large cities might pay more than those in smaller towns to suit for cost of living, for instance. Other factors, like your educational activity level and previous feel, can too influence your salary.

What'southward on the CompTIA A+ test?

The examination for the certification combines multiple choice questions and performance-based questions. The exam broadly tests your knowledge of various It nuts in categories including hardware, software, networking, operating systems, and security. Await questions to cover the following domains:

Domains for exam 220-1001

• Mobile devices: Installing and configuring laptops and mobile devices

• Networking: Types of networks and connections (TCP/IP, wifi, SOHO, etc.)

• Hardware: Identifying, using, and connecting devices and hardware components

• Virtualization and cloud calculating: Comparing cloud concepts and setting upward customer-side virtualization

• Hardware and network troubleshooting: Solving problems with devices and networks

Domains for exam 220-1002

• Operating systems: Installing and configuring Windows Bone, and understanding Mac OS, Linux, and mobile Bone

• Security: Identifying and protecting against vulnerabilities in both devices and networks

• Software troubleshooting: Resolving issues with applications on PC and mobile devices, including security back up

• Operational procedures: Best practices for rubber, sustainability, communication, and professionalism

How to get a CompTIA A+ certification

There are several means y'all can prepare for the CompTIA A+ test:

• Online, instructor led-courses can prepare y'all for the examination.

• Community colleges in your area might offering preparatory courses.

• Self-written report—learning through online videos or books without an instructor—can also work.

Whatever method you choose, CompTIA recommends dedicating 120 hours to prepare for the test.

CompTIA A+ training courses

CompTIA offers several resources, including books, instructor-led online courses, and training programs that allow you to progress at your own pace. The CertMaster Learn for A+, for example, is an online form that includes lessons, practice questions, and a practise exam.

The Google It Support Professional person Certificate plan, with v courses that cover the entry-level fields of IT, incorporates easily-on projects that simulate real-earth scenarios.

Here's a quick breakdown of the two.

Google Information technology Back up Professional Certificate

• What you demand to know: A standalone certificate by itself, the Google IT Back up Professional person Certificate as well prepares learners for the CompTIA A+ exam by covering more than 85 per centum of exam topics.

• Toll: $39 a calendar month subscription, with a complimentary trial week (subject to change). The exam is not included, simply learners receive a 20-percent discount on the exam.

• Total time: 3-6 months

Non-traditional backgrounds are mutual in IT circles. Mind to Kevin, an It professional at Google, talk about the people he's worked with and give advice on breaking into the industry.

The Google IT Back up Professional Certificate helped give me the confidence to utilise for IT roles. I don't accept the traditional instructional background in the field but my hands-on learning and what I've gained from the Google program propelled me forward.

- Stevenson Benoit , Google IT Back up Professional Document graduate

CompTIA CertMaster Learn for A+ Core

• What you need to know: The CertMaster Learn includes 2 segments with 40 hours of content each, including lessons, practice questions, and a simulation exam. The plan includes accomplishment badges and a calendar to help go on yous on track.

• Cost: $329 per session or $639 for series. The examination is not included only can be bundled with preparation at a discount.

• Total time: 80 hours+

CompTIA A+ vs. CompTIA Information technology Fundamentals (ITF+)

CompTIA offers two separate entry-level certifications, the CompTIA A+, and the CompTIA IT Fundamentals, or ITF+. They're slightly different. The CompTIA A+ is billed as a certification that will test you on the noesis needed to state an entry-level IT job. The ITF+, on the other paw, is designed for students and professionals who desire to meet if IT is a right career fit for them. The ITF+ exam is also used by not-IT professionals who want a wide introduction to the field.

Which should you choose?

If y'all're even so on the debate about whether y'all'd like a task in It, getting the ITF+ can be a practiced mode to exam the waters. If you know you want to commit to Information technology work and are ready to gain job-ready skills, the A+ certification is probably a ameliorate path.

Leveraging your certification

If you've passed the test, accept some steps to ensure the certification is visible to key players. Add information technology to your resume and LinkedIn, and if you're already in a related career, inform your employer. And it'll be worth looking at other entry-level It certifications—keeping an middle on what other certifications are out in that location tin help you make decisions today on what you lot'd like your future career to await like.

What'south next after the CompTIA A+?

For many Information technology professionals, the CompTIA A+ is the first of many certifications earned over the form of their careers. Since the A+ certification is fairly general, you may choose to movement into an IT specialization, like networking, cybersecurity, or cloud computing. CompTIA offers more than avant-garde certifications in these fields, as do many other reputable organizations. Take a look at this IT certification roadmap to inspire your adjacent career goal.

Ofttimes asked questions (FAQ)

Related articles

• 5 Essential IT Certifications: Entry-Level and Beginner

• 10 Popular Cybersecurity Certifications

• v Deject Certifications to Get-go Your Cloud Career

• 10 Entry-Level IT Jobs and What Y'all Can Practice to Become Hired

Written by Coursera • Updated on Dec sixteen, 2021

This content has been made available for informational purposes just. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals.

hughesjustong.blogspot.com

Source: https://www.coursera.org/articles/what-is-the-comptia-a-certification-what-to-know

Share this post