[Posted 10 December 2013 by Kathy Yale]
As of January 2011, the CompTIA A+ certification exams began to incorporate content related to Windows 7. This addition reflected the changes in computer usage and the growing number of people utilizing this operating system.
What Is The CompTIA A+ Exam?
The CompTIA A+ Exam is the certification platform used by many IT professionals to prove their level of skill in handling all types of computer devices and software. The content of the CompTIA A+ certification exam is governed by a board of representatives from some of the top names in computer hardware and programming, including Richo, Sharp, Lenovo, HP and ASI Electronics.
The CompTIA A+ exam offers certification related to practical skills as well as knowledge of computer operating systems and hardware. Currently, the CompTIA A+ certification exam covers the following areas:
• PC Hardware
• Networking
• Laptops
• Printers
• Operational Procedures
• Operating Systems
• Security
• Mobile Devices
• Troubleshooting
Windows 7 was released in 2009 and represented a leap forward in personal computing technology. This operating system was incorporated into the CompTIA A+ certification
exam at the request of many of the makers of the latest computer devices such as laptops, PCs and tablets. Windows 7 questions are included under both the Essentials and Practical Applications sections of the CompTIA A+ test.
Where Do Windows 7 Questions Appear on the CompTIA A+ Test?
Windows 7 content has been added to several sections of the CompTIA A+ Certification Exam and will represent a portion of both practical and foundational knowledge questions. The new content appears in the following areas on the 700 series tests:
CompTIA A+ Essentials, Section 220-701– 3.0 Operating Systems
This section of the test asks basic questions about several operating systems, including Windows 7. Also included are Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 8. These questions, which make up a total of 33 percent of the test, can be broken down as follows:
CompTIA A+ Essentials, Section 220-701–and 4.0 Software and Networking
As part of the questions related to overall software and networking knowledge, Windows 7 questions are integrated into the assessment items.
CompTIA A+ Practical Application, Section 220-702–2.0 Operating Systems
This section of the test focuses on more practical applications of the Windows 7 system and may ask test takers to project solutions to problems or speculate on how Windows 7 affects the operation of various tasks.
CompTIA A+ Practical Application, Section 220-702–4.0 Security
This section relates Windows 7 to systems security.
Because CompTIA A+ certification is globally recognized by both the public and private sectors and is required by many employers, those who are interested in studying for and passing the test should focus on the operational aspects as well as the security aspects of Windows 7.
The new 800 series tests also include information on Windows 7. Because the test is transitioning from 700 to 800 series, many test takers are choosing to take the new version which will offer a longer certification option.
The 800 series CompTIA A+ certification tests include more information on Windows 7 than the 700 series. In fact, the 800 versions of the test now compact most of the 700 material and adds more questions on the "Unique to OS" features of Windows 7, XP and Vista. The 800 series of tests no longer covers Windows 2000 or ME.
