An A+ Certification Can Help You Get Your Foot In the Door
[Posted 19 November 2013 by Kathy Yale]
An A+ certification is considered the basic stepping-stone to a career in computers. The A+ certification shows that you have mastered the basic skills necessary to gain an entry-level job in the IT field and lets companies and employers know that you are prepared to handle computer-related assignments.
What Is A+ Certification?
The A+ is a certification that is granted after a candidate passes two written exams. The A+ certification is granted for three years, but can be renewed through a Continuing Education Program.
An A+ Certification is one of the most recognized certification programs in the world. It was developed by, and continues to be sponsored by, the Computing Technology Industry Association, or CompTIA. This is a global association of IT companies that attempts to standardize professional qualifications so that anyone working in the computer industry has a minimum amount of knowledge. Most major computer software and hardware manufacturers and developers are members of CompTIA, including Microsoft, Dell, IBM, Compaq and other companies.
How Do I Get The A+ Certification?
In order to receive an A+ certification, a candidate must pass two written exams. These two exams cover the basic and fundamental knowledge necessary to install and configure computer systems and individual computer stations as well as handle basic software tasks.
The first test, known as the CompTIA A+ 220-801, includes questions on the basics of computer technology. Candidates might be asked to answer multiple choice questions about how computers work, the functions of RAM or ROM, how a hard drive stores information and other facts. There may also be questions on the installation and configuration of computers including both desktop personal computers on wired systems and laptops on wireless systems, hardware issues and networking questions.
The Comp-TIA A+ 220-801 exam includes 40 percent of the questions on PC hardware, 27 percent on networking, 11 percent on laptops, 11 percent on printers and 11 percent on operational procedures. The CompTIA A+ 220-801 consists of 90 questions, and a passing score is 675.
The second test is the CompTIA A+ 220-802. This exam covers skills necessary to install, configure and repair a PC operating system as well as common features for mobile systems. Questions on both Android and Apple iOS systems are included in the test.
The CompTIA A+ 220-802 test breaks down into 33 percent of the questions on operating systems, 22 percent on security, nine percent on mobile devices and 36 percent on troubleshooting. There are a total of 90 questions on the test, and 700 is a passing score.
What Should I Do To Prepare for A+ Certification?
In order to get an A+ Certification, it is important that a candidate prepare well for the test. One activity that is recommended for potential an A+ test takers is to disassemble and reassemble a computer. This allows the candidate to become familiar with the computer’s hardware.
Another way to prepare for the test is to study with comprehensive study guides. These are available for both portions of the test and cover all the basic knowledge necessary to achieve a passing score.
How Does A+ Certification Help Me?
It is important to have an A+ certification if you are serious about a career in the computer field. Most major companies require the A+ certification in order to hire. With an A+ certification, you can get a job that will lead you into a lucrative and satisfying career in the IT industry.
How to Increase Your Competitive Edge with an A+ Certification
[Posted 16 November 2013 by Kathy Yale]
Computer technicians and information technology experts looking for an edge in the workplace should consider attaining A+ certification by CompTIA as a way to gain a leg up on the competition. Keep reading to find out more about the A+ certification and how it can boost the career of even the most knowledgeable, experienced computer tech.
Achieving A+ Certification
CompTIA is a non-profit trade organization that has become a mainstay of the computer and information technology industry by preparing and administering certification examinations in a variety of topics. CompTIA’s examinations are designed by industry experts in each field to test the knowledge required to perform specific computer careers. The A+ certification examination tests knowledge related to setting up, operating and maintaining computers and computer networks and also includes the basics of information technology and systems administration. The A+ certification is intended to equally address all brands and types of computers that the average computer tech might encounter on the job.
The A+ Certification Examination
The A+ examination is comprised of two separate tests, each of which consists of 90 questions and takes up to 90 minutes to complete. The test is given under the supervision of an exam proctor at authorized testing facilities located around the United States. While the A+ certification by CompTIA tests a range of basic computer set-up, repair and troubleshooting skills, the examination itself is far from easy. The newest versions of the examination, 220-801 and 220-802, are so new that reliable statistics on passing rates are not available, but previous versions of the examination claimed to have a passing rate of between three and 20 percent. This low passing rate may be daunting to some examination-takers, but the test can be taken as many times as needed to pass it. Proper preparation with a combination of textbooks, sample examinations and online support also serve to increase the chances of passing the examination the first time.
Improved Employment Prospects
Achieving A+ certification gives a computer technician a competitive edge over other uncertified individuals who may be vying for the same jobs. Many employers seek out employees who have demonstrated a basic knowledge of important skills such as the information covered by the A+ examination. Even self-employed computer technicians benefit from achieving CompTIA A+ certification. Clients look for individuals who are at the top of their field and will select a computer technician or repairperson with a widely-recognized certification like the A+ certification over someone without a certification.
Enhanced Self-Confidence
Many computer students invest time and money into a training program without knowing if it will provide adequate preparation for the real-world problems they will face on the job. Even after completing training, a novice computer tech may still feel unprepared to tackle the demands of a full-time job as a computer repair technician or systems administrator. Taking and passing a certification examination like the A+ certification allows an individual to demonstrate knowledge not only to potential employers and clients but also to themself. For most people, knowing that they possess the knowledge and skills needed to perform their job well provides a major boost in confidence.
The A+ certification is not a guarantee of employment but can be a great way to set oneself apart from the crowd.
150,000 new computing jobs will need to be filled each year for the next 10 years.
Computer science education: The ‘why’ and ‘how’
eSchool News October 30, 2013
Advocates say computer science education is fun–and essential
Calls for more integrated computer science education have increased in recent years as studies show that computer science degrees lead to high-paying jobs that help boost the economy.
Computer science, which includes programming and coding, is the highest-paid college degree and jobs in the field are growing at twice the national average, according to Code.org, but fewer than 2.4 percent of college students graduate with computer science degrees.
Some states are working to change that. In May, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee signed a bill that counts Advanced Placement (AP) computer science as a math or science credit. The course previously counted as an elective, meaning that many students passed it over for other courses that would meet graduation requirements.
Forty of 50 states do not count computer science toward math or science requirements for high school graduation, and only 1 in 10 schools offer computer programming classes. That could change, though, if more states make efforts similar to those in Washington.
Recent data indicate that only 35 of the state’s 622 high schools offer AP computer science.
According to data collected by the New Jersey Institute of Technology, 150,000 new computing jobs will need to be filled each year for the next 10 years.
Software engineering jobs are expected to grow by 30 percent by 2020, computer and information systems jobs by 18 percent, database administration jobs by 31 percent, and computing programming jobs by 12 percent.
By that time, 2020, there will be 1.4 million computing jobs and 400,000 computer science students–a shortage of 1 million, and a lost economic potential of $500 million.
By 2018, there will be almost three times as many job openings that require computer science knowledge as there will be qualified applicants. Employers said they struggle finding enough applicants with technical knowledge required for computer-related positions.
Students’ lack of interest in this subject doesn’t begin when they get to college, however–it starts much earlier, and experts say that the sooner students develop an interest in and a love for computer science, the better.
Fewer than 1/4 of students are able to enroll in rigorous computer science courses. In fact, 2011 data show that fewer and fewer high schools are offering AP computer science tests: only 2,100 in 2011–a 25 percent decrease from five years ago. When students do take the AP test, those tests account for just .69 percent of all high school AP tests.
Other nations are boosting computer science education. Scotland revised its school curriculum and places a major focus on computer science. In South Korea, many middle and high schools teach introductory computer science, and the subject will be a major part of a proposed new curriculum. Israel initiated an intense review of school computing courses and now has one of the most rigorous high school computer science programs in the world. In the past seven years, India has tripled the number of bachelor-equivalent degrees conferred.
Experts say that helping students develop and sustain an interest in computer science through in- and after-school activities could help students take that interest with them to college and the workforce. Ensuring that students have the opportunity to explore computer science and move past traditional stereotypes opens the field up to many more.
Practice Makes Perfect: How Practice Material Can Ensure Success for the A+ Certification Exam
[Posted 12 November 2013 by Kathy Yale]
The A+ Certification is a valuable tool that can help IT professionals advance their careers. It provides people with more career options and often results in higher salary levels because it shows employers that the professional is serious and self-motivated. The test features several sections, and many people will not pass it the first time around. However, students can greatly increase their chance of passing the test and receiving their certification by investing in practice materials.
Simulate the Testing Environment
Some people don’t test well. They freeze up and forget material that normally comes to the easily. Anyone who’s nervous that they’re simply going to struggle under the stress can benefit from A+ Certification practice tests. Available online and in printed form, it allows students to simulate the testing environment ahead of time. They can even take it to the next level by having a friend time them on answering questions.
Randomized Questions to Ensure Preparedness
When learning the material, it’s grouped in logical clusters. Many people make the mistake of studying for the test in those clustered units. The information is easier to remember because they’re only focusing on one key area at a time, but the test may not be in this format. The test is meant to mimic what is seen in the actual working environment, and that means being able to work on one component of the material and transition smoothly into another. Certification practice tests aim to help students prepare for the exam, so they offer randomized questions at the highest level. This ensures that students have learned the material thoroughly and will be prepared for the upcoming test.
Discover how the Questions are Phrased
The phrasing of a question can make a big difference in how it’s answered. If students don’t understand the particular phrasing or use of words, they may answer incorrectly even when they know the material. Practice materials take questions directly from previous tests, so students can see how questions may be phrased in order to be better prepared for the test. This helps students avoid mistakes on the day of the big test.
Highlight Weak Areas
It’s normal for students to drift mentally when studying, so they may miss an important section without realizing it. With practice tests, students can review the information and highlight any areas of weakness. Once they know where they struggle and what they may have missed, they can go back and review those sections before paying money to take the actual exam.
Save Money
The exams aren’t free, and students will become discouraged if they continue paying to sit for an exam that they fail. With practice tests, they can prepare for the questions that will be on the exam and have a greater chance of passing on the first attempt.
The IT field is becoming highly competitive, and employers are looking for professionals who are serious about their work and ready to move forward in the field. Even when someone already knows the material, taking the certification is an excellent way to show managers and hiring agents that they’re willing to make an investment in themselves and their own careers. When individuals take the time to practice and review information, they’re more likely to pass the test the first time around and begin benefiting from the certification.
Why the A+ Certification is the Stepping Stone into the IT Field
[Posted 11 November 2013 by Kathy Yale]
Computer technicians and information technology experts looking for an edge in the workplace should consider attaining A+ certification by CompTIA as a way to gain a leg up on the competition. Keep reading to find out more about the A+ certification and how it can boost the career of even the most knowledgeable, experienced computer tech.
Achieving A+ Certification
CompTIA is a non-profit trade organization that has become a mainstay of the computer and information technology industry by preparing and administering certification examinations in a variety of topics. CompTIA’s examinations are designed by industry experts in each field to test the knowledge required to perform specific computer careers. The A+ certification examination tests knowledge related to setting up, operating and maintaining computers and computer networks and also includes the basics of information technology and systems administration. The A+ certification is intended to equally address all brands and types of computers that the average computer tech might encounter on the job.
The A+ Certification Examination
The A+ examination is comprised of two separate tests, each of which consists of 90 questions and takes up to 90 minutes to complete. The test is given under the supervision of an exam proctor at authorized testing facilities located around the United States. While the A+ certification by CompTIA tests a range of basic computer set-up, repair and troubleshooting skills, the examination itself is far from easy. The newest versions of the examination, 220-801 and 220-802, are so new that reliable statistics on passing rates are not available, but previous versions of the examination claimed to have a passing rate of between three and 20 percent. This low passing rate may be daunting to some examination-takers, but the test can be taken as many times as needed to pass it. Proper preparation with a combination of textbooks, sample examinations and online support also serve to increase the chances of passing the examination the first time.
Improved Employment Prospects
Achieving A+ certification gives a computer technician a competitive edge over other uncertified individuals who may be vying for the same jobs. Many employers seek out employees who have demonstrated a basic knowledge of important skills such as the information covered by the A+ examination. Even self-employed computer technicians benefit from achieving CompTIA A+ certification. Clients look for individuals who are at the top of their field and will select a computer technician or repairperson with a widely-recognized certification like the A+ certification over someone without a certification.
Enhanced Self-Confidence
Many computer students invest time and money into a training program without knowing if it will provide adequate preparation for the real-world problems they will face on the job. Even after completing training, a novice computer tech may still feel unprepared to tackle the demands of a full-time job as a computer repair technician or systems administrator. Taking and passing a certification examination like the A+ certification allows an individual to demonstrate knowledge not only to potential employers and clients but also to themself. For most people, knowing that they possess the knowledge and skills needed to perform their job well provides a major boost in confidence.
The A+ certification is not a guarantee of employment but can be a great way to set oneself apart from the crowd.