A+ Certification (Glossary Definition)
The A+ certification, CompTIA’s entry-level certification, is a great way for recent IT graduates to show that they are serious about professional development and staying at the front of a changing field. Mid-career professionals who have never formalized their skills might also find this to be a strong addition to their resume.
Competencies
The CompTIA A+ certification measures your competence in areas such as hardware troubleshooting, repair, maintenance, operating systems, software, networking, security, and operational procedures. These skills are tested in two different exams, A+ Essentials and A+ Practical Applications.
Recertification
Anyone who received the A+ certification prior to 2011 is not required to renew the credential, but starting in 2012 certificate holders will be required to retest every 3 years to prove they have kept their knowledge up to date.
Cost
While the exams for the A+ certification only cost $178, you will need to do some studying before test day. Studying with CompTIA currently runs $449, but you can probably buy all the books you need to study on your own for $250. Some third-party courses cost thousands of dollars, but they won’t prepare you better than CompTIA’s own class.
Have you taken the A+ certification exam? Tell us about your experiences in the Comments section below.
And to follow-through on the ideas introduced in this short post, be sure to download your free copy of the quick reference guide to the Top 21 IT Certifications for Small Business VARs, SPs, and Computer Consulting Businesses.
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