what you need to know for comptia a+

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

Written past Coursera • Updated on Mar sixteen, 2022

The CompTIA A+ certification is designed to help you state an entry-level position in IT by ensuring you know the basics of working with hardware, networks, and computer systems.

The CompTIA A+ certification is an entry-level qualification in the information technology (Information technology) manufacture. Issued by Information technology association CompTIA, the A+ certification is widely accepted equally an industry standard certification oft used to kickstart a career in Information technology.

Hither'south a quick look at the nuts:

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

• Each examination costs $232 in the U.s., as of October 2021, with a total cost of $464.

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

• There are several preparation programs that volition set you for the CompTIA A+ exams, including the Google IT Support Professional person Certificate, and the CompTIA CertMaster Learn for A+ Core one.

Acquire 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 IT. Here are a few entry-level jobs that often call for the CompTIA A+ certification, and their average Usa salaries (co-ordinate to October 2021 data from Glassdoor).

• Help desk analyst: $44,436

• IT technician: $46,744

• Assistance desk specialist: $44,586

• Technical support specialist: $48,836

• Desktop support administrator: $50,903

• Organisation support specialist: $54,997

• Associate network engineer: $67,162

Proceed in mind that this number might change depending on where you're located—Information technology jobs in large cities might pay more than than those in smaller towns to conform for cost of living, for example. Other factors, like your education level and previous experience, tin also influence your salary.

What's on the CompTIA A+ exam?

The exam for the certification combines multiple choice questions and performance-based questions. The exam broadly tests your knowledge of diverse IT nuts in categories including hardware, software, networking, operating systems, and security. Expect questions to cover the post-obit 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 computing: Comparing cloud concepts and setting upward client-side virtualization

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

Domains for exam 220-1002

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

• 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: All-time practices for safety, sustainability, advice, and professionalism

How to get a CompTIA A+ certification

At that place are several means you tin can prepare for the CompTIA A+ exam:

• Online, instructor led-courses tin can ready you for the exam.

• Customs colleges in your area might offer preparatory courses.

• Cocky-study—learning through online videos or books without an instructor—tin can also work.

Whatsoever method yous choose, CompTIA recommends dedicating 120 hours to fix for the test.

CompTIA A+ training courses

CompTIA offers several resources, including books, instructor-led online courses, and training programs that permit you to progress at your own pace. The CertMaster Larn for A+, for example, is an online course that includes lessons, do questions, and a exercise test.

The Google IT Back up Professional Certificate program, with five courses that cover the entry-level fields of It, incorporates hands-on projects that simulate existent-earth scenarios.

Hither's a quick breakdown of the two.

Google It Support Professional person Certificate

• What yous need to know: A standalone certificate by itself, the Google Information technology Support Professional Certificate as well prepares learners for the CompTIA A+ exam past covering more 85 percentage of exam topics.

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

• Total time: 3-6 months

Not-traditional backgrounds are mutual in IT circles. Listen to Kevin, an It professional at Google, talk virtually the people he's worked with and give advice on breaking into the industry.

The Google IT Support Professional Certificate helped give me the confidence to apply for It roles. I don't take the traditional instructional background in the field merely my hands-on learning and what I've gained from the Google program propelled me frontward.

- Stevenson Benoit , Google IT Support Professional Certificate graduate

CompTIA CertMaster Acquire for A+ Core

• What you need to know: The CertMaster Learn includes two segments with forty hours of content each, including lessons, practise questions, and a simulation examination. The program includes accomplishment badges and a calendar to help keep you on track.

• Price: $329 per session or $639 for series. The exam is not included but tin be bundled with training at a discount.

• Total time: eighty 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 every bit a certification that will test you lot on the knowledge needed to land an entry-level Information technology job. The ITF+, on the other manus, is designed for students and professionals who desire to see if Information technology is a correct career fit for them. The ITF+ exam is besides used by non-IT professionals who want a wide introduction to the field.

Which should yous cull?

If you're even so on the fence about whether you'd like a chore in IT, getting the ITF+ can be a good mode to test the waters. If you lot know you want to commit to IT piece of work and are fix to gain job-ready skills, the A+ certification is probably a better path.

Leveraging your certification

If y'all've passed the test, take some steps to ensure the certification is visible to key players. Add together it 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 eye on what other certifications are out there can assist yous make decisions today on what you'd similar your future career to look like.

What'due south next afterward the CompTIA A+?

For many IT professionals, the CompTIA A+ is the first of many certifications earned over the course of their careers. Since the A+ certification is fairly general, y'all may choose to move into an IT specialization, like networking, cybersecurity, or cloud computing. CompTIA offers more avant-garde certifications in these fields, equally do many other reputable organizations. Take a look at this IT certification roadmap to inspire your next career goal.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

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• x Entry-Level IT Jobs and What You Can Do to Get Hired

Written by Coursera • Updated on Mar sixteen, 2022

This content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are brash to conduct boosted research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and fiscal goals.

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

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