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COMPTIA A+


WHAT IS THE COMPTIA A+ CERTIFICATION?

The CompTIA A+ certification is an entry-level IT credential offered by the
non-profit Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA). It is the first
of three certifications in CompTIA’s “core skills” career path, which includes:
A+, Network+ and Security+. A+ validates your skills across the core network and
endpoint technologies that are required by today’s digital work-from-anywhere
environment. The broad, foundational skills it covers and its introductory focus
make it the most popular certification among entry-level IT job openings today,
and it is an important building block for more advanced IT roles. To learn more
about the CompTIA A+ certification, watch our podcast with Infosec Skills author
Mike Meyers.

Watch Now
 * Domains
 * Overview
 * Exam details
 * Studying
 * Jobs
 * Training
 * More articles
 * Watch Now


1.2 MILLION

# OF A+ HOLDERS


$56,000

AVG. U.S. SALARY


1+ YEARS

RECOMMENDED EXPERIENCE


A+ EXAM OBJECTIVES

Earning your CompTIA A+ certification requires passing two Cores Series exams
(220-1101 and 220-1102), which were both updated in April 2022. The old versions
of the exams (220-1001 and 220-1002) officially retire in October 2022.
Together, the Core 1 and Core 2 exams cover 9 objectives, or domains, including:

 * Mobile devices
   
   Covers the configuration of laptops and other mobile devices as well as the
   support applications necessary for user connectivity.
   
   Learn More

 * Networking
   
   Covers the various types of networks and connections, including TCP/IP, WI-FI
   and SOHO.
   
   Learn More

 * Hardware
   
   Covers the identification, use, and connection of hardware devices and
   supporting components.
   
   Learn More

 * Virtualization and cloud computing
   
   Covers cloud computing concepts and the set-up of client-side virtualization.
   
   Learn More

 * Hardware & network troubleshooting
   
   Covers basic troubleshooting for device and network issues.
   
   Learn More

 * Operating systems
   
   Covers the installation, configuration, support and troubleshooting of
   Windows OS, Mac OS, Chrome OS, Android and Linux.
   
   Learn More

 * Security
   
   Covers the identification of basic security vulnerabilities and their
   remediation across devices and network connections.
   
   Learn More

 * Software troubleshooting
   
   Covers basic troubleshooting for operating systems on both PC and mobile
   devices, including security issues.
   
   Learn More

 * Operational procedures
   
   Covers basic best practices for safety, communication, professionalism, and
   environmental impact.
   
   Learn More

Learn more about the A+ domains.


WHY SHOULD I GET THE A+ CERTIFICATION?

The A+ certification is a great place to launch your IT career — it appears in
more tech support job listings than any other IT credential. Many new A+ holders
go into help desk roles to launch their IT and security careers, explains
CompTIA’s Director of Products Patrick Lane.

These types of jobs “are a great place to start,” Lane says. “You will be
talking to your customers all the time, learning all the ins and outs, and
supporting devices and people.”

The A+ certification, along with time spent working the help desk, is an
excellent way to build a strong foundation of skills for more advanced,
specialized IT and security roles.


HOW DO I GET STARTED ON THE A+?

People come to IT careers from a variety of avenues. While some are just out of
school and new to the professional landscape, others are making a career change.
Infosec Skills Author Jason Dion says “a lot of people try to jump in at a very
high level when they don’t have any experience or certifications and then they
get frustrated because no one wants to hire them.”

“Employers are looking for people with experience, certifications, and degrees,”
he continues. “You have to start with some IT experience as early as you can,
within your study path.” The A+ certification demonstrates you have experience
with key technologies and resultingly, provides a leg up over candidates who
don’t have it.




COMPTIA A+ EXAM FAQS

The CompTIA A+ certification is aimed at entry-level IT professionals and was
last updated in April 2022. You must pass two exams to earn your certification:
220-1101 (Core 1) and 220-1102 (Core 2). Here’s what you should know about the
current A+ exams:

 * What is the A+ exam outline and structure?
   
   Each of the two A+ exams required for certification have a maximum of 90
   questions and test-takers have 90 minutes to complete each exam. For A+
   220-1101, the passing score is 675/900 and for A+ 220-1102, the passing score
   is 700/900.
   
   Both exams include two types of questions: performance-based questions, which
   involve performing a task or solving a problem, and traditional questions,
   which include multiple-choice, drag-and-drop and fill-in-the-blank.
   
   For more information, read our articles on the:
   
    * Core 1 exam
    * Core 2 exam
    * Most recent A+ exam changes

 * How hard is the A+ exam?
   
   Like most certification exams, the degree of difficulty for A+ test-takers
   will vary from person to person. CompTIA recommends that test takers have 9
   to 12 months of hands-on experience in the lab or field, but even with that
   experience, you will likely need to dedicate time and effort to study for the
   exam.
   
   The passing scores are 675/900 for the first exam (220-1101) and 700/900 for
   the second exam (220-1102).

 * How do you take the A+ exam?
   
   You can take the A+ exam at a Pearson VUE testing center or OnVUE, which is
   the online proctoring service for Pearson VUE.
   
   To register for either an in-person or online exam, you’ll need to go to the
   CompTIA website, create an account and purchase an exam voucher. (To take
   both of the required exams, you’ll need to purchase two vouchers.) From
   there, you can schedule your exam and all exam details will be shared with
   you via that account. If you’re taking the in-person test, you will need to
   bring two forms of identification.
   
   More information can be found on the Pearson VUE CompTIA page.

 * How much does the A+ exam cost?
   
   The CompTIA A+ certification costs vary based on location. Prices outlined
   below are for EACH of the 2 exams required for certification:
   
    * USA: $239 USD
    * Australia: $323 AUD
    * Emerging Market: $134 USDe
    * Euro: 344 EURO
    * Great Britain: 142 GBP
    * Japan: 27,257 JPY
    * South Africa: 1,835 ZAR
   
   The most up-to-date pricing for CompTIA exams can be found on the CompTIA
   website.

 * How to pass the A+ exam?
   
   To pass the first (220-1101) of two CompTIA A+ exams, you must earn 675
   points out of a total of 900 points. For the second exam (220-1102), you must
   earn 700 points out of a total of 900 points. Each exam has 90 questions.
   
   Pass rates vary depending on an individual’s experience, study habits and
   test-taking strategies. For example, Infosec partners with CompTIA to offer
   an A+ Boot Camp that comes with an Exam Pass Guarantee. This means if you
   don’t pass the exam on your first attempt, you’ll get a second attempt at no
   cost to you.

 * How long does the A+ certification last?
   
   Your A+ certification is valid for three years from the date of your exam. It
   needs to be renewed every three years to remain active. A number of
   activities and training programs that offer continuing education units are
   available to help you renew.
   
   For more information, read about the CompTIA A+ renewal process.

 * How do I earn CPEs and renew my A+?
   
   To renew your A+ certification, you’ll have to earn continuing education
   units (CEUs). Over the course of three years, you’ll need to earn a total of
   20 and then upload them to your certification account. There are two tracks
   for renewing your certification: complete a single activity or collect CEUs
   via multiple activities:
   
   Renew A+ with a single activity:
   
    * Complete the CompTIA CertMaster CE
    * Earn a higher-level CompTIA certification
    * Earn an approved non-CompTIA IT industry certification
    * Re-take and pass the latest CompTIA A+ exam
   
   Renew A+ with multiple activities, including:
   
    * Attend webinars and conferences
    * Complete courses
    * Create instructional materials
    * Publish blogs, whitepapers or books
    * Teach, mentor or gain work experience
   
   For the full list of ways to renew your certification, see CompTIA’s website.
   
   You will also need to pay a continuing education renewal fee. The fee comes
   out to $25 a year or $75 for the three-year cycle.


FREE AND SELF-STUDY A+ MATERIALS

Studying for the A+ exam is key to earning a passing grade. Luckily, there are
tons of helpful A+ resources. Before you start scouting out the best  A+
training resources, we recommend taking a look at the official outlines for the
Core 1 (220-1101) and Core 2 (220-1102) exams as they will shed light on what
topics you’ll need to study.


A+ STUDY GUIDES AND A+ BOOKS

A number of study guides and books are available to help you prepare for the A+
exam. You can find them at your local library or bookstore, or at online stores.
A few of the most popular are:

 * Official CompTIA A+ Core 1 Student Guide (Exam 220-1101) by James Pengelly
 * Official CompTIA A+ Core 2 Student Guide (Exam 220-1102) by James Pengelly
 * CompTIA A+ Certification All-in-One Exam Guide by Mike Myers (McGraw Hill)

To earn any certification, you need three things, says Infosec Skills author
Mike Myers. “First, you’re going to need instruction. Second, you’re going to
need some type of reference, like a book. Third, you’re going to need practice
questions.”


A+ PRACTICE EXAMS AND SIMULATIONS

Practice exams are a great way to gauge your exam readiness. There are even free
A+ dumps that can be found, although it’s against CompTIA policy to disclose the
actual exam questions being used. A few of the most popular A+ practice question
options are listed below:

 * CompTIA free A+ practice tests and paid A+ practice tests
 * CompTIA A+ Complete Practice Tests by Audrey O’Shea and Jeff T. Parker
   (Sybex)
 * CompTIA A+ Practice Questions Exam Cram by David Prowse (Pearson IT
   Certification)

In addition to these options, many A+ training courses and content include
practice questions. For example, Infosec Skills A+ training with Mike Meyers
includes a customizable practice exam with more than 200 questions.




OTHER FREE A+ TRAINING RESOURCES

There are a number of other free training materials to help you get started in
IT and security and prepare for your A+:

 * Forums like TechExams and Reddit allow you to connect directly with others
   preparing for the A+.
 * YouTube is another great place to connect with cybersecurity practitioners
   and learn about the A+ exam. Although most A+ courses cost money, there are
   numerous free A+ videos available to watch.
 * Webinars can be a great way to learn, like our upcoming A+ exam update
   webcast with CompTIA and our Getting started in cybersecurity in 2022 webcast
   with Keatron Evans.

Podcasts like Cyber Work are a also great way to learn about cybersecurity
career options.


COMPTIA A+ JOBS AND CAREERS

A+ is the industry standard entry-level certification for people interested in
getting into IT careers. If you’re looking for your first industry job, A+
offers a strong foundation for landing new opportunities.

 * What does an A+ certification holder do?
   
   The A+ certification demonstrates your skills in core network and endpoint
   technologies and prepares you for entry-level IT jobs. According to CompTIA,
   some of the more popular job titles A+ certified people hold include:
   
    * Help desk technician
    * Desktop support specialist
    * Field service technician
    * Associate network engineer
    * Junior systems administrator
    * System support technician
   
   If you aspire to a more senior-level, specialized IT position, the A+
   certification is an essential stepping stone in your pathway forward. It can
   be helpful to work backward from your goal and plot out your key
   certification milestones along the way.

 * Is A+ worth it?
   
   Deciding whether or not the A+ certification is right for you is an
   individual decision and often, it depends upon your career goals. A+ is the
   preferred certification for technical support and IT operational roles,
   however, and it appears in more tech support job listings than any other IT
   credential.
   
   For entry-level IT pros, the A+ serves as a differentiator from others who
   haven’t achieved certification. It’s an important indicator for hiring
   managers that you have a firm grasp of the technologies you will be
   supporting and it will set you on a path to more senior positions.

 * What is the A+ average salary?
   
   CompTIA A+ certification is designed for entry-level professionals. This is
   reflected in the national average salary data for popular A+ jobs, according
   to Glassdoor in April 2022:
   
    * Help desk technician $42,169
    * Desktop support specialist $52,793
    * Field service technician $50,013
    * Associate network engineer $67,162
    * Junior systems administrator $52,624
    * Systems support technician $49,337
   
   Comparatively, Salary.com has a similar average salary for these positions:
   $55,998.
   
   The Dice 2021 Tech Salary Report includes the CompTIA A+ certification among
   the 17 highest paid IT certifications in the U.S. With an A+, IT
   professionals can go on to earn an average of $78,629 by honing their skills
   over time and earning certifications.
   
   Your A+ certification is but one factor of many to determine your salary.
   Also important to consider are your years of experience, other certifications
   you may hold, and your geographic location.
   
   For more information, see our CompTIA A+ salary article.

 * How many people have A+?
   
   The CompTIA A+ exams were updated in 2022 so at this early date, relatively
   few people have taken the new versions. However, the A+ certification
   designation was first rolled out in 1993. Today, nearly 1.2 million people
   hold the designation, according to CompTIA — and for good reason. A+
   continues to appear in more tech support job listings than any other IT
   credential.

 * Where can I find A+ jobs?
   
   A+ is a requested certification in job listings, and general job boards like
   Indeed, Monster, Glassdoor, LinkedIn and CareerBuilder all allow you to
   search by keywords like “CompTIA A+” or entry-level job titles for open
   roles. There are also cybersecurity-specific job boards, such as
   ClearedJobs, infosec-jobs.com and others. Another great way to find A+ job
   openings is by joining local and national cybersecurity groups — such as
   ISSA, or Women in Cybersecurity — joining local meetups or engaging in other
   cybersecurity forums and websites.
   
   To prepare for your job interview, download our free ebook of cybersecurity
   interview tips, “How to stand out, get hired and advance your career.” Also,
   check out the Top 30 A+ interview questions.


PAID COMPTIA A+ TRAINING AND EXAM PREP

When it comes to preparing for the A+ exam, you can choose to train yourself
with books and free resources, or you can find a paid course. Most A+ courses
fall into two categories: live online A+ boot camps or on-demand A+ courses
where you go at your own pace.


LIVE A+  BOOT CAMPS

An A+ boot camp provides days of in-depth instruction from an expert instructor.
For example, Infosec partners with CompTIA to provide a five-day A+ boot camp
that you can take live online or in person. There are a number of other training
providers that offer similar options.

The benefits of a live A+ boot camp include:

 * Live, expert instruction: If you’re new to IT and security, you’ll likely
   have a lot of questions. A live instructor may be able to get you over that
   initial hurdle much quicker than studying on your own.
 * All-in-one package: Most A+ boot camps come with everything you need:
   instruction, exam vouchers, books, practice exams and hands-on labs. When
   shopping around, be sure you know what’s included in your boot camp — and
   what costs extra.
 * Improved pass rates: Boot camp providers like Infosec stand by their training
   with an Exam Pass Guarantee. That means if you fail your exam on your first
   attempt, you’ll get a second attempt to pass — for free.


SELF-PACED A+ TRAINING

If you’re not in a hurry to earn your A+, the go-at-your-own-pace model can be a
great (and more affordable) option. These types of courses usually consist of a
number of pre-recorded videos, along with practice exams and labs or exercises
you can do on your own to reinforce the material.

The benefits of on-demand A+ training include:

 * Train when you want: You’re in charge of your training schedule, whether
   that’s daily on your lunch break or cramming all weekend long. For further
   motivation, you can join a study group or connect with others who are
   preparing for the exam.
 * Build an individual training plan: Don’t waste time learning what you already
   know. Since you’re not tied to a group, you can spend more time focused on
   the areas you need to learn most.
 * Prepare at your own pace: With on-demand training, you can take your time
   preparing for your A+. Just don’t go too slow! Studies show you can quickly
   forget the information you’re studying — unless you’re actively using it or
   reviewing it.


A+ COMPARISONS AND ALTERNATIVES

A+ is a popular entry-level cybersecurity certification, but it’s not the only
one. Depending on your career goals, you may wish to explore alternative
options. Check out these articles to learn more:

 * Five best entry-level information security certifications: Explore Security+
   vs. SSCP, CEH, GSEC and CCNA.
 * 7 top security certifications you should have: What about more advanced certs
   like CISSP, CISA and CISM?
 * A security pro’s guide to CompTIA certifications: Whether you know nothing
   about computers or are pro with 10 years of experience, CompTIA provides a
   career path you can jump into and follow.
 * Vendor-specific vs. vendor-neutral certifications: Confused about
   vendor-neutral vs. vendor-specific IT and cybersecurity certifications? We
   break them down in detail.




MOST RECENT A+ ARTICLES


 * COMPTIA A+ CERTIFICATION: AN OVERVIEW
   
   Read More


 * AVERAGE A+ SALARY
   
   Read More


 * COMPTIA PERFORMANCE-BASED QUESTIONS
   
   Read More


 * CHANGES TO COMPTIA’S A+ EXAMS IN 2022
   
   Read More


 * COMPTIA A+ EARNING CPES
   
   Read More


 * COMPTIA A+ RENEWAL PROCESS
   
   Read More


 * COMPTIA TOP 30 A+ INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
   
   Read More


 * A SECURITY PRO’S GUIDE TO COMPTIA CERTIFICATIONS
   
   Read More

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