CompTIA announces A+ 2006 exams

Webmaster

www.comptia.org/certification/a/new_A%2B.aspx

As the topic says, CompTIA announces new A+ 2006 exams. I'm just going to quote some stuff from the CompTIA site here, for more info you can follow the links below.

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Will there be a beta exam?
CompTIA will not be releasing a beta exam for this offering.

When is the new offering going to be available?
Updated CompTIA A+ exams are expected to be available in late Q306.

I’ve already begun studying for the current offering. What do I do now?
You are encouraged to continue and complete training and testing toward the currently available CompTIA A+ exams. Candidates have enough time to move through the certification process and should not put off adding the knowledge and skill sets of the valuable CompTIA A+ credential to their experience and resume.

[:In addition the the A+ Essentials exam (no exam code...) you need to pass one of the following:]

Target candidate for the second CompTIA A+ exams:
The CompTIA A+ 220-602 examination is targeted toward individuals who work or intend to work in a mobile or corporate technical environment with a high level of face-to-face client interaction. Job titles in some organizations which are descriptive of the role of this individual may be: Enterprise technician, IT administrator, field service technician, PC technician, etc. Ideally, the CompTIA A+ 220-602 candidate has already passed the CompTIA A+ Essentials examination. Individuals in some non-technical roles such as student, sales personnel or small business office managers may also find the validation of skills associated with the CompTIA A+ credential to be valuable.

The CompTIA A+ 220-603 examination is targeted for individuals who work or intend to work in a remote-based work environment where client interaction, client training, operating system and connectivity issues are emphasized. Job titles in some organizations which are descriptive of the role of this individual may be: Remote support technician, help desk technician, call center technician, specialist, representative, etc. Ideally, the CompTIA A+ 220-603 candidate has already passed the CompTIA A+ Essentials examination.

The CompTIA A+ 220-604 examination is targeted for individuals who work or intend to work in settings with limited customer interaction where hardware related activities are emphasized. Job titles in some organizations which are descriptive of the role of this individual may be: Depot technician, bench technician, etc. Ideally, the CompTIA A+ 220-604 candidate has already passed the CompTIA A+ Essentials examination.


Click the following link for more information about the different exams:
www.comptia.org/certification/a/new_A%2B.aspx
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Exam Objectives:
www.comptia.org/certification/a/objectives.aspx
Also note the handy acronyms pdf.

What has changed?Notice the addition of security and soft skills.

Frequently Asked Questions

Plantwiz

Thanks for getting that up

Not certain I care too much for the breakdown. If all paths lead to A+ then its going to be more confusing trying to decipher what someone who claims an A+ actually knows. As it is, there are too many who take the A+ without any experience, walk in for an interview and state they are A+ certified an know very little about how to work with the components let alone clients.

Should be interesting....

RD28327

I earned my A+ back in 1998. Of course, technology has changed a great deal since then! I did check out the CompTIA web site and read the info about the new A+ exams. It certainly makes me wonder if I need to recertify! Also, according to the web site, it says that I would only have to take one exam to re-certify. To re-certify or not to re-certify ..... that is the question ..... :

Vask3n

I certainly agree with Plantwiz...when someone says they're A+ certified....which one will they be talking about?? I too am interested in seeing exactly what will be the outcome of this update.....should be interesting :P

Plantwiz

RD28327 wrote:

I earned my A+ back in 1998. Of course, technology has changed a great deal since then! I did check out the CompTIA web site and read the info about the new A+ exams. It certainly makes me wonder if I need to recertify! Also, according to the web site, it says that I would only have to take one exam to re-certify. To re-certify or not to re-certify ..... that is the question ..... :

No, your certification is for life. That is stated pretty clearly on the CompTIA site. Mine concern is for all these 'specialities' or 'electives' if you will.

It's like the MCN (horticulture related not computer). Originally it was geared toward Hort people to measure knowledge. Then all of a sudden students, retail people and landscapers wanted separate exams to measure their level of plant knowledge. The whole point of the inital MCN was to measure Plant Nomenclature, Landscape Design, and Plant ID as a whole....breaking it down to allow people who only use part of that knoweldge some of the time so they can pass an exam lessens the certification value (IMNSHO).

If CompTIA wanted to make the A+ 4 tests so candidates could focus on each area separately that may have more meaning. But to break it out as it is....I'm thinking it's a little silly. So, how does it work if you are a 'student' and you take the A+ and pass the suggested sections. Now you move into a help desk position. You fill out your resume and state you have an A+. A+ is A+ according to the 2006 breakdown, but if a company was looking for someone with HelpDesk knowledge it wouldn't be the exact same.

one would hope the interview process as well as level of experience would resolve this, but on the surface it is made to look the same when it is not I've started reading through the objectives not done yet....I just think they should have called it something else and not let it stand as A+. Maybe if they make it A+ specialist in 'X' and if a candidate takes all 4 exams they could have A+. Too much for this level of certification, it's not like it is an MCSE or better a CISCO cert.

Vask3n

I'm currently looking through the objectives for the Essentials exam.....It seems like too much information for one exam, let alone one as entry-level as A+...8 pages of objectives, or was the current one about the same? I'm not sure, I didn't really look through the objectives before taking the exam.

Domain 8: "Use clear, concise, and direct statements" =P

Im curious as to what people who take the exam are going to think....too early to tell now.

ESOK

I think CompTIA is being a bit silly. They are just confusing people by making different versions of the 2nd A+ exam.

If anything, I think CompTIA should spend their time making a new cert like Database+ or something like that. A Database+ cert would be a nice intro to Oracle, MS SQL, etc...

TeKniques

ESOK wrote:

I think CompTIA is being a bit silly. They are just confusing people by making different versions of the 2nd A+ exam.

If anything, I think CompTIA should spend their time making a new cert like Database+ or something like that. A Database+ cert would be a nice intro to Oracle, MS SQL, etc...

ESOK, that is a great idea. I definitely think there is enough database terminology and different platforms out there that a vendor neutral cert would be very beneficial.

As far as the A+ update, I think it could work. Although I do agree it is confusing just reading it.

sharptech

I got A+ Certified today, so I do not need to have to take these tests correct?

Non-Profit Techie

correct. no need to retest. your time will be better spent studing new materials such as net+ ext....

sharptech

Cool- thanks!

RD28327

It makes sense if you've just got your A+ certification recently NOT to worry about the new A+ tests. But, since I got my A+ cert back in 1998, I am still wondering about re-certification. Seems to me that recertification would definitely be something to think about for anyone who earned their A+ cert before 2000.

Right now, I am getting ready for the 70-271 exam and working on my MCDST.

jescab

If you are worried about knowing out dated material it will not hurt and getting the newer A+ cert even though it is not neccessary.

Non-Profit Techie

no employeer is going to ask you if you have the 2006 A+ or an earlier version. Its not like having a MCSE for NT when the employer wants you to have MCSE2003.

nel

Hi

so answer me this.....i am about to take my a+ hardware, say i pass the exam and then the new exams are released in sept will this mean i can take the OS (2003) exam to gain my a+ cert or will i have to continue along the new compTIA career track for a+ ?????????

Plantwiz

HOLD ON!!


Everyone, please take a moment to READ the information that Johan posted above. Follow the links to the CompTIA site and review the FAQs there.

Highlight:
1. You DO NOT need to 'recertifiy', 'retake', 'renew' your CompTIA certs. They are with you for life, period. If you have stopped working in the industry for a number of years and you'd feel better taking them, go for it. However, you're wasting your money and if you have that much extra money, PM me and I'll help you with some better suggestions of what you can do with that money.

2. If you are currently preparing for your A+ exam....here is a Great reason to buckle down and stay focused so you don't have to worry about 'what to do if only 1 test is completed before all these new tests roll out'.

3. The NEW exams are not schedule to release until Q3. If you are unfamilar with what Q3 is that is short hand for the Quarter of the year when an exam is expected. We are in Q2 now and runs until June 30. (unless you are dealing with Dell...whole different topic). Q3 starts July and runs through September.

Since I haven't seen pricing mentioned yet, there is a good chance you have July and Aug on the current objectives, but since I don't work for CompTIA, I do not know that to be true.

At this point, it doesn't matter which book you are studing from...you'll need most of that information anyway, so consider yourself already on the right path.

If you are 'freaking-out' because you don't want to buy books or practice exams until you know 100%, then wait. The ball is in your court.

If I was 'thinking' about taking the exam and the exam was nearing an upgrade date I'd consider two things. 1. Do I have enough experience to take the exam and feel good about the infomration I know? 2. Can I finish reviewing the objectives before the months end to not worry about this?

If I could answer both YES, then I'd put the game counsel away, turn off the computer unless I needed to do some research and get busy with every free minute of time I have to get ready.

If one answer was NO (or both), RELAX it wasn't meant to be right at this monent. Settle down, catch a breath, and prepare yourself to learn and understand the material. Be one of the first to pass under the newest objectives.

Quit thinking of failure as an option get out there and study! :P

OpenSource

My opinion, not that anyone cares, but...

I like the idea of breaking it up into seperate areas of study. I feel this will help alot of us focus more on our strengths then learn material will we never use and probably forget shortly after the exams have been passed. I do agree that it will make things confusing trying to figure out what exactly a person knows when they are considered A+ Certified.

I think one way of making things easier if perhaps adding more to the title. For example, instead of simply A+ Certified or A+ Certified Professional, it could be something like A+ Certified IT Technician or A+ Certified Remote Support Technician. The title depending on what tests you take and subject you specialize in. But that's just an idea. Perhaps people (such as employers) will have to start asking A+ Certified techs what exact field they specialize in.

But for me, I'm happy. I can concentrate alittle more towards being a PC Hardware Technician, rather then dealing loads of useless software knowledge... The reason I say that, is because I'm better with hardware then software, and I find these new tests might make it easier to concentrate on a particular field I (or anyone else) specialize in...

That is my two cents worth...

- Joey

Skoula67

will this effect me im writing my OS soon and i saw on comptia website that the 2003 exam will not be retired untill dec 31 2006 is this true

Non-Profit Techie

omg, lol

nel

yes the exam is available till the back end of 2006

"How much longer will the current CompTIA A+ offering be available?

The 2003 version of the CompTIA A+ offering will be available until at least the end of 2006. Considerations for academic (E2C), regional and language offerings will be made. A complete listing of retirement dates can be found at click here."

as you can see from the quote provided. this gives people like YOU and ME enough time to study both sides of the coin and still pass in time!

manny355

Lot's of good information contained...I don't really see what the commotion is all about...Most Techs don't just stop at A+ so it shouldn't be too confusing to distinguish what a Tech knows because of the other certs that will possess...I.E...it should be too hard to tell that a Tech who has the old A+ and Net + has some basic Networking skills. Just like a Tech who has the old A+ and the MCDST has some helpdesk support (hardware/software troubleshooting) skills.

crap I forgot my old pwd

wow...comptia sure dug themselves into a big hole now. If there are going to be 3 different "routes" for A+, and not everybody is going to know all of the stuff on the A+, like it has been in the past, 1 hardware, 1 OS, then there needs to be 3 different A+ certs. Like mentioned prior, someone saying, "Yeah I am A+ certified" can mean 3 different things now. People conducting interviews and the sort will be like, "oh you have A+, that is fantastic!" and then you get on the job and say, gee I sure wish I woulda taken the remote exam instead.

And about something else mentioned earlier, breaking the A+ exams into 3 different categories to focus on what you are good at and not good at...not looking like a great idea to me. That is what all the different certs are already there for, Network+, Linux+, A+, Security+, Server+, and so on. That is already broken up into different categories, and the test taker can then focus on things they are good at and things they are not. Not being good at a certain aspect of the A+ content means you just need to learn it, which is part of achieving the A+ certification. When I studied for it, I didn't have to choose a test lets say with less SCSI on it because I didn't really like SCSI and prefered to learn something different to still be considered A+ certified. This is going to be a bad move on CompTIA's part because they are just dilluting the value of being A+ certified.

But of course that is just what I think about it.

crap I forgot my old pwd

manny355 wrote:

it shouldn't be too confusing to distinguish what a Tech knows because of the other certs that will possess

And about this too, it is always hard to distinguish what a tech knows by their certs. I work with 2 A+ techs that have never taken apart a computer until they worked with me. I wish there was a way to make more certs hands on. But I am just ranting in a different direction than this thread is going so we will save this for another day...

plettner

crap I forgot my old pwd wrote:

And about this too, it is always hard to distinguish what a tech knows by their certs. I work with 2 A+ techs that have never taken apart a computer until they worked with me. I wish there was a way to make more certs hands on. But I am just ranting in a different direction than this thread is going so we will save this for another day...

So true. I had a guy with every cert. under the sun working with me. Microsoft, Citrix, Novell, you name it. I asked him to change a CD-ROM to a CD-RW. It took him 1/2 hour and he still didn't have it done. Finally I showed him how to do it.

I really started thinking about the authenticity of his certification.

Plantwiz

plettner wrote:

crap I forgot my old pwd wrote:

And about this too, it is always hard to distinguish what a tech knows by their certs. I work with 2 A+ techs that have never taken apart a computer until they worked with me. I wish there was a way to make more certs hands on. But I am just ranting in a different direction than this thread is going so we will save this for another day...

So true. I had a guy with every cert. under the sun working with me. Microsoft, Citrix, Novell, you name it. I asked him to change a CD-ROM to a CD-RW. It took him 1/2 hour and he still didn't have it done. Finally I showed him how to do it.

I really started thinking about the authenticity of his certification.

LOL,
But you didn't say he had an A+ Certification Maybe he doesn't know hardware.

Though I had a guy working for me who could figure out how to install a HDD and and Atapi device with only 1 IDE controller. He was A+ Certified and when I asked him if he set the Atapi device to slave...I got a blank look and a reply of "What's a slave?" He's gone now

luke2123

Just got the reply from CompTIA UK, their said new exam is planned for release in September.

xosag

Although I suppose splitting the A+ into 3 parts with different specialities could have it's benefits, I agree that it's going to be difficult for employers to accurately gauge a technician's skill from having just an A+ now, since it could mean 3 different things. Bad move for CompTIA, in my opinion. And difficult for new technicians who want to get certified, as they now will be asking which exams they should take, if not all three of them.

bighornsheep

I kinda like how they're splitting the areas of a 'computer technician'
The kind of hardware/software technicians works with has changed since they first offered A+.

I think it'll be a ownership question, candidates have the ownership of showing which specializations they have and why it qualifies as important in the job they are applying for. On the other hand, employers, and hiring managers should be aware that A+ has 3 designations now...if they dont know in the early stage..they should eventually find out.

It's not like this will be the last time Comptia does something like this, now that they've discovered a way to get 'more money' from people by having more exams, they might do this with other certifications as well.

chilskater

the exam is just update.. anyone has the lasted info or study guide?

meadIT

Sybex has an updated book coming out the end of this month.

Danman32

Looks like they raised the passing threshold too.