The Path of the PC Tech

Chapter 1

Learning Objectives

In this lesson, you will learn about CompTIA A+ certification. Upon successful completion of this lesson, you should be able to do the following:  Explain the importance of CompTIA A+ certification.

 Describe the structure and contents of the CompTIA A+ Certification exams.

 Plan a strategy to pass the exams.

Pre-test

1. What are the two exams you need to take to become CompTIA A+ certified?

2. CompTIA A+ certification verifies knowledge equivalent to a technician who has worked in the field for what period of time?

3. How are CompTIA A+ Certification exams administered?

4. What is the name of the organization that developed and sponsored CompTIA A+ certification?

5. What are the advantages of CompTIA A+ certification?

Lecture Outline

I. The importance of skill in managing and troubleshooting PCs

A. The information technology (IT) workforce is composed of a large and diverse set of personnel with a wide variety of skills. PC techs make up the core.

B. The concept of certifications: Certifications are required in many different fields and are used to verify someone’s competence.

I. The importance of CompTIA A+ certification

A. Certification identifies personnel who have the skills to maintain, upgrade, and repair PCs.

B. Many computer certifications are available: Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE), Certified Novell Engineer (CNE), and Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) are just a few.

C. What is A+ certification?

1. Vendor-neutral certification program

2. Demonstrates basic competency in supporting microcomputers; the test covers topics that a technician would know after nine months of full-time experience

3. Consists of two computer-based multiple-choice exams

4. Most popular of all IT certification programs with more than 600,000 technicians already certified

D. Who is CompTIA?

1. Non-profit industry trade association

2. Consists of more than 20,000 members in 102 countries

3. Sponsors the Network+, i-Net+, Security+, and other certifications

E. The path to other certifications

1. Many IT companies regard A+ as the entry point toward other certifications.

2. The following additional certifications are worth considering:

a) CompTIA Network+ Certification Tests networking skills, including network hardware, installation, and troubleshooting. For more details, check www.comptia.org.

b) Microsoft Certified Professional Certifications Series of certification for networking professionals. For more details, check www.microsoft.com. Two popular Microsoft certifications are Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) and Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE)

Microsoft accepts many CompTIA certifications as electives in different tracks. For example, A+ with Network+ or A+ with Server+ can be used as an elective for the MCSA certification.

c) Cisco Certification Provides three levels of certification for handling various Cisco products: Certified Cisco Network Associate (CCNA), Certified Cisco Networking Professional (CCNP), and Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE). For more details, check www.cisco.com.

II. How do you become A+ certified

A. Pass two computer-based, multiple-choice exams to become a CompTIA A+ Certified Service Technician

B. The big changes

1. Exams used to be divided into “Hardware” and “Operating Systems” sections.

2. They have been reshaped as two more functional exams.

3. First exam is a basic conceptual exam.

4. Second exam is more in-depth configuration/maintenance/repair exam.

C. The basic exam structure

1. CompTIA A+ Essentials exam concentrates on terminology and technology, plus performing basic tasks.

2. CompTIA A+ Technician exam covers advanced configuration and troubleshooting. It also includes the use of the operating system at the command-prompt level. Technician can take one of three different tests for three separate tracks:

a) IT Technician (220-602) Concentrates on advanced configuration and troubleshooting, including use of the command line

b) Help Desk Technician (220-603) Similar to IT Technician with a stronger focus on managing, configuring, and troubleshooting operating systems

c) Depot Technician (220-604) Stronger focus on hardware maintenance and less focus on customer service

3. Exams are practical application (as opposed to theory).

a) Questions are multiple choice or “click on the right part of the picture.”

b) Question bank frequently has new questions added. Check www.totalsem.com and access the special Tech Files section for articles and updates on A+ exam content..

4. Essentials (220-601)

a) Eight categories or domains.

b) Domains weighted differently to identify how many questions you can expect on any topic. For example, Personal Computer Components shows 21 percent, so for a 100- question test, you would expect 21 questions in this domain.

c) Know all the devices in the computer.

d) Expect to be tested on ability to install, configure, and maintain current technologies within a PC.

e) Security topics are included, coving both hardware and software security principals.

f) Extra emphasis is placed on safety and environmental issues, and on communication and professionalism.

5. IT Technician (220-602)

a) Eight categories or domains (same as the 220-601, but with different percentages).

b) More focus on determining the appropriate technology.

c) Less focus on identification of hardware or operating system utilities.

d) While the Essentials exam has you identify the technology, the IT Technician exam requires that you know the details.

e) Goes much broader into the use of command-line tools.

f) Use of diagnostic tools, system recovery tools and techniques, and major disk management tools.

g) Communication and professionalism is emphasized in this exam.

6. Help Desk Technician (220-603)

a) Seven categories or domains. Laptop and portable devices is missing.

b) Heavier emphasis on operating systems, communication and professionalism, security, and safety and environmental issues.

c) Expect this be more difficult than the IT Technician (220-602) exam.

7. Depot Technician (220-604)

a) Five categories or domains. Operating systems, networks, and communication and professionalism topics removed compared with the Essentials exam.

b) Heavy emphasis on hardware. Almost half is dealing with personal computer components. Laptop and portable devices, and printers and scanners get 20 percent each.

c) Expectation is that you’ll be working in a lab environment instead of directly helping people.

D. Which exam should you take?

1. Given the choice, take Essentials (220-601) and IT Technician (220-602) exams.

2. Essentials and IT Technician exams are the most common track and what employees will expect to see on your resume.

3. Help Desk and Depot Technician tracks target very specific jobs.

E. What chapters cover the Help Desk and Depot Technician exams?

1. First goal of book is to teach the student to become a good technician.

2. The IT Tech banner in each chapter pertains to all three advanced exams (220-602, 220- 603, and 220-604).

Discussion Point Take some time to go over the Exam Map in Appendix B and see how you can use this to target your studying for any individual test.

F. How do I take the exams?

1. Prometric and Pearson/VUE administer the exams at various testing centers in the United States, Canada, and 75 other countries around the world.

2. Register online at www.prometric.com or www.vue.com Web sites or call Prometric at 800-776-4276 or Pearson/VUE at 877-551-7587.

G. How much do the exams cost?

1. For non-CompTIA members, each exam costs $158 (as of February 2007). Discount vouchers are widely available including from Total Seminars. Call Total Seminars at 1- 800-446-6004 or log on to www.totalsem.com to purchase discount vouchers.

2. For CompTIA members, discount vouchers are available, though it’s expensive to become a member as an individual.

3. It is important to pass both exams to be certified. If you fail an exam, you may repay and retake the exam.

Exercise

Examining the CompTIA Web site Examine the CompTIA Web site (www.comptia.org) for more information about the A+ exams and some sample questions. Find the nearest testing centers.

Optional Exercise (may be completed in class or out of class)

Test your current Knowledge of A+ Certification Tests The textbook comes with a CD that contains practice exams for both the core and the operating system. Take one of each of those tests to determine their current level of knowledge.

H. How to pass the CompTIA A+ exams

1. Keep it simple. Give more importance to practical knowledge than theory.

2. Study the book and memorize key concepts.

3. Take practice tests and review any topics you miss.

4. Obligate yourself. Schedule your exams after determining the amount of time required for preparation. Reschedule if you missed the exam.

5. Set aside the right amount of study time based on your current experience and knowledge. Study time may range from as few as 40 hours for experienced techs to more than 200 hours for beginners.

Discussion Point Use the tables in the book to help you identify how much time they need to study.

F. Develop a study strategy. A strategy for study should be based on your experience. Each chapter of the textbook usually includes four sections: “Historical/Conceptual,” “Essentials,” “IT Tech,” and “Beyond A+.” Experienced techs may skip the “Historical/Conceptual” section and go straight to the “Essentials” and “IT Tech” sections. Beginners will need to read the “Historical/Conceptual” section.

G. Study the chapters in the sequence presented in the book to make sure you understand the terms and concepts.

H. Check your knowledge by using the practice tests included on the CD-ROM included with the book. Review the parts you missed. When you consistently make 750 to 800 on the practice tests, you are probably ready to pass the A+ exams.