CompTIA A+ exams will be updated with Windows 7 content

CompTIA Press Releases: Sep 28, 2010

CompTIA A+ Certification Exam Update Planned with New Content on Windows 7 Operating System

New content will be added to existing exams in January 2011

Oakbrook Terrace, Ill., September 28, 2010 – CompTIA, the leading provider of vendor neutral skills certifications for information technology (IT) professionals, announced today it will update its flagship CompTIA A+ certification exams with new content related to the Windows 7 operating system.
The Windows 7 content will be integrated into existing CompTIA A+ exams beginning in January 2011.
"The ever accelerating technology adoption curve places increasing importance on the need to continually update the skills of the high-tech workforce," said Terry Erdle, senior vice president, skills certification, CompTIA. "CompTIA is committed to helping IT professionals keep their skills current and fresh through regular updates of the content of our certification exams."
The changes were recommended by the CompTIA A+ Certification Advisory Committee, which includes representatives from ASI Electronics, HP, Lenovo, Ricoh, Sharp and other organizations that support the certification.
Introduced in 2009, Windows 7 is the latest release in a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft for use on personal computers, including home and business desktops, laptops, netbooks, tablet PCs and media center PCs.
Windows 7 content will be added to both tests required to achieve CompTIA A+ certification: CompTIA A+ Essentials (220-701) and CompTIA A+ Practical Application (220-702).
The new content will appear in the following objective domains:

• CompTIA A+ Essentials (220-701) – Objective Domains 3.0 (Operating Systems) and 4.0 (Software and Networking)
• CompTIA A+ Practical Application (220-702) – Objective Domains 2.0 (Operating Systems) and 4.0 (Security).

The new content will be added as a rolling change to the existing exams beginning in January 2011. Training providers and courseware publishers have been notified of the upcoming changes and are making any necessary adjustments to their existing programs.

"CompTIA A+ delivers a comprehensive measurement of the core skills and knowledge that are universal for any IT technician, regardless of job role or responsibility," Erdle said. "It’s recognized throughout the industry as the best credential an individual can obtain to launch a career in IT."
CompTIA A+ certification is an ISO/ANSI accredited exam that validates competence in areas such as installation, preventative maintenance, networking, security, troubleshooting, customer service and communications. More than 750,000 people worldwide have become CompTIA A+ certified since the program’s inception in 1993.

CompTIA certifications are globally recognized in the private and public sectors and are required or recommended by many employers, certifying and educational bodies. Because all CompTIA certifications are vendor-neutral, they’re relevant across multiple networks, operating systems and product lines; and they equip IT workers with greater versatility and a broader set of business and technical skills. More than 1.85 million CompTIA certifications have been awarded to IT professionals around the world.

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Updated CompTIA A+ (220-701 & 220-702) now available

CompTIA just launched the 2009 edition of CompTIA A+. The 2009 edition consists of two exams, CompTIA A+ Essentials (220-701) and CompTIA A+ Practical Application (220-702). Take the exam to update your CompTIA A+ certification or earn it for the first time.

Some examples of job roles held by CompTIA A+ certified individuals are enterprise technician, field service technician, PC or support technician or IT administrator.

CompTia updates A+ certifications

IT certifications organisation CompTia today launched an update to its flagship certification CompTia A+, designed to give tech support staff a qualification which accurately reflects their changing job requirements.

The updated version of CompTIA A+, which is available worldwide, consists of two tests: CompTIA A+ Essentials (220-701) and CompTIA A+ Practical Applications (220-702).

The new CompTIA A+ Essentials exam is intended to assess the skills of an entry-level IT professional with a minimum of 500 hours of hands-on work experience in the lab or field, according to the organisation.

The exam covers the fundamentals of computer technology, operating systems, networking and security, as well as communication skills and professionalism.

The CompTIA A+ Practical Applications exam, as the name suggests, is more hands-on oriented, covering scenarios in which troubleshooting and tools must be applied to resolve problems.

Terry Erdle, senior vice president of skills development at CompTIA, said: “The new exams are streamlined, yet still deliver a comprehensive measurement of the core skills and knowledge required of all entry-level IT professionals regardless of their job role or responsibility.”

Candidates must pass both exams to become A+ certified, said CompTia.

Prior versions of the CompTIA A+ exams are available until 31 July 2010 to allow candidates currently studying to complete their courses.

Updated CompTIA A+ to launch in August

In August, CompTIA will launch the 2009 Edition of CompTIA A+. The 2009 edition will consist of two exams, CompTIA A+ Essentials (220-701) and CompTIA A+ Practical Application (220-702).