Getting Certified With CompTIA: Where to Start

Posted on 03/20/2023 by Niko Venev

For a new employee in the information technology (IT) industry, there's probably no more valuable asset than a CompTIA A+ certification. But since CompTIA A+ certification is a broad-based credential that can qualify job applicants for a wide variety of roles, there's often confusion about where to start when pursuing this credential. Take a step back and start by exploring whether A+ certification is right for you, then consider how you'll accomplish this feat.

       

Live CompTIA A+ Instructor-led Courses

Course Title Length Price (USD)
CompTIA A+ Prep 5 days $2,240
       

Self-Paced CompTIA A+ eLearning

Course Title Length Price (USD)
CompTIA A+ eLearning Bundle 6 courses $700

Who Should Take CompTIA A+ Courses or Exams?

If you've recently joined the IT industry, A+ certification can jump-start your career. It's one of the most popular and widely respected entry-level technology credentials available. Earning CompTIA A+ certification is an easy way for employees to prove their technical prowess. But when considering who should take CompTIA A+ courses or exams, don't underestimate the value of experience. Those who have a history in technical support or IT operational roles can be ideal candidates for this credential. CompTIA suggests that individuals devote at least nine months to working in the technology field or in a lab before attempting the exam. Once you have the experience recommended by CompTIA, how to get certified will consist of making sure that you have the skills you need and then passing the certification exam.

 

What Do You Need to Know for CompTIA A+ Certification?

The best way to prepare for obtaining a CompTIA A+ certification is to learn about the exams and the concepts slated to be tested by CompTIA. Where to start can depend on your existing skill set. The two parts of the CompTIA A+ exam are A+ Core 1 and A+ Core 2. The areas tested within the A+ Core 1 exam include:

  • Hardware
  • Networking
  • Mobilization
  • Hardware and network troubleshooting
  • Virtualization and cloud computing

The A+ Core 2 exam will test your knowledge of:

  • Operating systems
  • Security
  • Operational procedures
  • Software troubleshooting

Note that recent updates to exam content have been made to reflect a changing professional environment that now includes a hybrid workforce. When determining where to learn CompTIA A+ skills, select a good educational resource that will provide you with training that reflects the most recent version of this certification.

 

Where to Learn CompTIA A+ Skills?

Many different educational resources can help you learn concepts related to CompTIA A+ certification. You can enroll in relevant classes at colleges, sign up for courses offered by private training companies, or try your hand at teaching yourself by reading books, watching videos, or accessing free tutorials. However, private CompTIA A+ training courses can offer significant advantages over more mainstream educational resources. Certstaffix Training classes provide a live instructor and hands-on learning, and you'll also have the opportunity to choose where and how you'll learn. You can take accelerated prep classes in person, putting you on a fast track to earning a certification or choose self-paced modules, giving you the convenient option of learning on your own schedule.

 

Is CompTIA a Good Certification Option?

All in all, a CompTIA A+ certification is considered one of the best credentials that you can earn if you want to start a career in the IT industry. When you obtain this credential, you can qualify for a host of lucrative and corporate jobs, including:

  • IT support specialist
  • Desktop support specialist
  • Data support technician
  • Help desk technician
  • Field service technician
  • System support technicians
  • Associate network engineer
  • Junior systems administrator

The number of jobs that a CompTIA A+ certification qualifies applicants for grows every day.

 

Where to Get CompTIA A+ Certification?

Once you've mastered the concepts required by CompTIA, how to get certified has one more step: taking and passing the exam. Official certification exams for the CompTIA A+ credential must be administered by approved testing providers. Pearson VUE offers nationwide locations where exams can be taken, while Pearson OnVUE provides an online testing option for those who would prefer to take their exam remotely.

 

Certifications:







Related CompTIA A+ Posts:

Public instructor-led CompTIA A+ course prices start at $2,240 per student. Group training discounts are available.

Self-Paced CompTIA A+ eLearning courses cost $700 at the starting point per student. Group purchase discounts are available.







Related CompTIA Network+ Posts:

Public instructor-led CompTIA Network+ course prices start at $2,240 per student. Group training discounts are available.

Self-Paced CompTIA Network+ eLearning courses cost $475 at the starting point per student. Group purchase discounts are available.







Related CompTIA Security+ Posts:

Public instructor-led CompTIA Security+ course prices start at $2,240 per student. Group training discounts are available.

Self-Paced CompTIA Security+ eLearning courses cost $600 at the starting point per student. Group purchase discounts are available.







 

Start your training today!