One great way to start a career in IT is to get a CompTIA A+ certification. CompTIA is a non-profit organization with some of the most recognized certifications in the global information technology industry. The CompTIA A+ training is for beginners with no field experience. If you're interested in building a solid foundation in any computing discipline, this full guide to CompTIA A+ in 2022-2023 is for you.
A+ was created in 1993 and is one of the oldest IT certifications. CompTIA updates its exam cycle every two years to keep pace with the continuing evolution of IT, so you don't have to worry about learning outdated. The CompTIA A+ certification gives holders a much-needed foundation they can use to expand their knowledge and expertise in software, hardware, networking and more.
The Global IT Market is expected to reach $11866.34 billion in 2025 at a CAGR of 9%, so it's no surprise that many people are interested in IT positions. CompTIA A+ gives you a head start and a way to impress potential employers with your diligence and dedication.
Who is the CompTIA A+ for?
The best part about CompTIA A+ is that it is best for beginners, but can be useful to everyone. The basic knowledge you will acquire through this certification will cover software, hardware, networking and even cybersecurity.
With CompTIA A+ Course you can:
- Service desk analyst
- Desktop support administrator
- Field service technician
- Associate network engineer
- End-user computer technician
- Computer support specialist
- Help desk technician
- System support specialist
- Data support technician & more.
Those with more IT experience may need to get an A+ to satisfy their employer or as a basis for further training. However, because A+ is an entry-level certification, advanced professionals won't learn anything new here. Other, more demanding CompTIA certifications may be faster.
Benefits of CompTIA A+ Certification:
The general concern is whether the CompTIA A+ is worth it. How to evaluate the value of a certificate? job prospects? Besides the salary increase that IT professionals receive after passing certification? Or is it something completely different?
Here are some benefits of CompTIA A+ Certification exam to consider to help you decide whether or not to take an A+.
- Industry standard:
Every IT professional has heard about the benefits of A+ exam. It is called the standard of the industry across the globe. As per the CompTIA, nearly 1.2 million IT professionals are A+ certified.
All Intel, Dell and HP technicians must pass an A+ rating. The US Department of Defense recognizes it as a Basic 8570 IAT Level 1 certification, meaning it is the basic requirement for those aiming to make their career in information security work.
- Salary increase:
IT professionals generally have higher salaries. No matter where you are in the world, even a new employee is likely to earn an above-average salary. Job security in IT is incredibly high as the industry continues to grow.
However, earning an A+ certification can get you a higher paying or better first job. We've already mentioned that employers love seeing it on resumes. An A+ score indicates your dedication to your job and shows that you want to be respected. Getting a job or getting a promotion depends on a few other factors, but a certification like CompTIA A+ doesn't hurt.
- Developed by IT experts:
CompTIA A+ was created by a group of IT professionals from various fields. As mentioned above, IT discoveries are continuously updated as they become public knowledge. CompTIA makes it a priority to keep up to date with the latest industry developments, so you don't have to worry about what you're learning is up to date.
In the past, CompTIA A+ differed slightly from Microsoft Windows in the operating system section. However, this is no longer the case. The new A+ cycle expands the scope of the subject and covers many other operating systems you may come across in your career. This is generally considered a vendor independent certification.
- Industry Relations:
Networking (a type of interpersonal relationship) is essential to career advancement no matter what industry you work in. For IT, experience, education and certification matter. But it's also important to know the right person who can recommend you a job or point you in the direction of an open position at the right time.
As you work toward CompTIA A+ certification, you can meet like-minded people around the world. There are large A+ communities on Reddit, Twitter and Facebook that you can join at any time and build valuable connections later in your career.
How to prepare for CompTIA A+ Exam?
Everything is covered in the CompTIA A+ certification guide, which can be daunting. The CompTIA A+ exam requires a significant investment of time and effort, covering many technical terms and details that you may not be familiar with.
In other words, test prep doesn't have to be scary. There are simple steps you can take to make sure you have everything you need for test day. Make sure you have a solid grasp of your study material. To create a useful study guide and understand how much work it takes, you need to have a full overview of the study material. This way, you know exactly how much you need to cover, how long it will take, and what resources you need to purchase.
- Read all questions on the exam carefully:
CompTIA A+ course has unique goals that applicants must achieve. You may not know right now, but at least figuring out which topics and subtopics are included will help you get a clear idea of what to expect.
- Do research properly:
Are you planning to handle everything yourself? Or are you looking for an instructor or group lesson? It would be wise to know which teaching method works best for you. If you're the one who moves faster yourself, don't mess with the instructor. However, if you prefer to work in a classroom, we recommend taking instructor-led training.
- Learning style is just as important as the environment:
Are you a visual? Then watch the videos covering all the main topics, draw your own diagrams and color your notes. If you are more proficient with audio instructions, you have the option to record some of the material and listen to it when you have time.
- Another study tip is to use flashcards:
It can be digital (mobile device or computer) and is useful when you need to learn an unfamiliar word or phrase. Whether you're standing in line somewhere or taking public transport, you can use it whenever you want. There is always room for cards and a quick overview!
- Assemble the test lab:
Since so much of the certification is devoted to hardware basics and various hardware components, it can be useful to set up some kind of home test lab. Disassemble and reassemble your desktop configuration. It helps you remember all the abbreviations like RAM, GPU, CPU, SSD, HDD, etc.
- A test lab shouldn't be just for hardware:
You can also spend time setting up your network, installing one or two operating systems, and troubleshooting the most common problems imaginable. There is a lot of theory to learn, but nothing is more important than practice. It will also be helpful to see performance-based simulations that mimic what you do in real life.
- Beware the internet:
Meanwhile, there are many resources and useful information about CompTIA A+ on the Internet. You can read about other people's experiences like this, learning tips and guides. All of this will help you better prepare for the compTIA a+ exam.
Also, be very cautious with the questions you will go through digitally. Cross-check answers with study material to check whether they are correct or not. Strangers on the internet are by no means a reliable source, so don't fall into the trap of believing something is true just because someone replied to it online.
Summing up:
If you`re still wondering how hard CompTIA A+ is after reading our guide, the answer is – depends on how much you already know and how much experience you already have. If you haven't done much computer work, but have been playing video games, filling out spreadsheets, or watching videos, it will take you longer to get the hang of everything than someone who is more tech savvy. However, this is no reason to give up before you even start. A+ is specially designed for beginners! This will give you a better chance of getting to know your first job or promotion, future co-workers and friends, and having a fantastic foundation for all your future IT knowledge.
You will be asked to answer multiple choice questions and performance-based questions. There's no reason to be intimidated either way, as long as you study hard and don't mess around on test day. Finally, design a curriculum that works for you. You can organize your schedule around other responsibilities, gather as many different resources as possible, and gain hands-on experience in small test labs.
To learn more about CompTIA A+ and the entire certification process, feel free to contact Vinsys for further guidance. We're happy to help!
Ready to learn more about getting a CompTIA A+ certification to kick-start your new career and life?
