Ashley Neu
As a CompTIA Authorized Gold Partner and training facility, we want to make sure you have all the information you need about the CompTIA A+ certification process to begin a highly successful career in IT.
What is CompTIA A+ Certification?
This is the first step in advancing your IT career, so get excited. Taking the CompTIA A+ certification course will give you the opportunity to learn about PC networking, components and security, and get you accustomed with operating systems, computer hardware, mobile devices, laptops and printers. Not only will you gain the necessary skills to install these items, you will also learn to configure, secure and troubleshoot them as well.
On top of that, you will receive customer service training and communication skills so you can effectively interact with your clients and peers.
Who is CompTIA A+ Certification For?
If you are looking to begin a rewarding career in IT and seeking a way to move up in the field, CompTIA A+ certification is for you. The training course and certification validates an IT professional’s knowledge and skills with computer systems and hardware.
Our CompTIA A+ training course is where you begin. It may be helpful to have some basic prior knowledge of computers running on Windows operating systems before enrolling in any training courses, but A+ certification will teach you all the basics.
Why CompTIA A+?
Today’s job market is tough, no doubt, and competition is fierce. Simply having education and experience might not be enough to make you stand out when applying for a job. But a CompTIA A+ certification could be just what you need to get ahead.
This certification is the industry standard that confirms you have the vital skills and knowledge to be effective in today’s workplace. There are a number of benefits to receiving your A+ certification, for both you and your employer.
Individual Benefits
To start anything you must have a desire, so here are some of the benefits you will see once you receive your CompTIA A+ certification:
- Higher number of career opportunities
- Better job security
- Greater chance of employment with the government and military
- Respect from your clients, peers, and from the IT industry in general
- Receive the required certification for programs with organizations such as Microsoft, IBM and Cisco
On top of that, getting your certification shows clear dedication to your career and will provide you with an invaluable sense of self satisfaction.
Employer Benefits
As is evident in an office setting, it isn’t always about you. The following are benefits the whole company will enjoy:
- Higher customer satisfaction with workers who are certified
- Improved productivity, chiefly when an entire department holds CompTIA certifications
- Reduced rate of employee turnover
How Do I Get Certified?
There are two exams you must pass in order to receive your certification, and we offer training and testing for both.
The first exam is CompTIA A+ 220-801, which covers the basics of networking and the fundamentals of computer technology, installation and configuration of PCs, laptops and other related hardware.
The second is CompTIA A+ 220-802, which covers the skills essential to the installation and configuration of PC operating systems. This exam also covers the skills needed to set up typical features such as email and network connectivity on mobile devices running on Apple or Android operating systems.
Each exam consists of 100 multiple choice and performance-based questions; you have an hour and a half to complete each one, and you must score a 675 on 220-801 and 700 on 220-802 to pass.
Each certification lasts for three years. To keep your certification current and valid you can participate in a continuing education program where you receive CEUs (continuing education units). You can earn them by enrolling in more training courses or attending industry events, taking a newer version of the exam, or by getting a higher level of certification.
Having your A+ certification qualifies you to move forward and get certified in CompTIA Network+, CompTIA Security+, CompTIA Storage+, and finally CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP+).
Take this free quiz to assess your skill level and see if you have what it takes to become Certified in CompTIA A+.