The CompTIA A+

This certification is the industry standard for computer support technicians. The international, vendor-neutral certification proves competence in areas such as installation, preventative maintenance, networking, security and troubleshooting. CompTIA A+ certified technicians also have excellent customer service and communication skills to work with clients.

CompTIA A+ is part of the certification track for corporations such as Microsoft, Hewlett-Packard, Cisco and Novell. Other technology companies, including CompuCom and Ricoh, have made CompTIA A+ certification mandatory for their service technicians. More than 700,000 people worldwide have become CompTIA A+ certified since the program’s inception in 1993.

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Two exams are necessary to be certified: CompTIA A+ Essentials, exam code 220-701; and CompTIA A+ Practical Application, exam code 220-702.

CompTIA A+ Essentials measures the necessary competencies of an entry-level IT professional with a recommended 500 hours of hands-on experience in the lab or field. It tests for technical understanding of computer technology, networking and security, as well as the communication skills and professionalism now required of all entry-level IT professionals.

CompTIA A+ Practical Application is an extension of the knowledge and skills identified in CompTIA A+ Essentials, with more of a "hands-on" orientation focused on scenarios in which troubleshooting and tools must be applied to resolve problems.

Required exams: CompTIA A+ Essentials, CompTIA A+ Practical Application

Number of questions: 100 for each exam

Length of test: 90 minutes each

Passing score: 675 for CompTIA A+ Essentials, 700 for CompTIA A+ Practical Application on a scale of 100-900

Languages: English, Spanish, German, Turkish, Japanese, Traditional Chinese (Taiwan), Simplified Chinese, Portuguese
Coming Soon: Korean

Exam codes:
220-701 for CompTIA A+ Essentials
220-702 for CompTIA A+ Practical Application

Course Details:

Unit 1: Troubleshooting methodology
Topic A: Troubleshooting models
Topic B: Professionalism

Unit 2: Operating systems
Topic A: Operating system fundamentals
Topic B: Directory management
Topic C: File management
Topic D: File and folder permissions

Unit 3: Electricity and power supplies
Topic A: Electrical safety
Topic B: Power supplies
Topic C: Power supply troubleshooting

Unit 4: CPUs and motherboards
Topic A: Central processing units
Topic B: Cooling techniques
Topic C: Motherboards
Topic D: Motherboard and CPU troubleshooting

Unit 5: The Basic Input/Output System
Topic A: The BIOS and CMOS
Topic B: The POST and boot processes

Unit 6: Memory systems
Topic A: Memory
Topic B: Memory packaging
Topic C: Memory installation
Topic D: Memory monitoring
Topic E: Memory troubleshooting

Unit 7: Bus structures
Topic A: Buses
Topic B: The PCI bus
Topic C: Video buses

Unit 8: Expansion cards
Topic A: Video cards
Topic B: Sound cards
Topic C: Internal modems
Topic D: Expansion card troubleshooting

Unit 9: Peripheral connection types
Topic A: Serial and parallel connections
Topic B: PS/2 connections
Topic C: USB connections
Topic D: FireWire connections
Topic E: Multimedia connections
Topic F: Troubleshooting peripheral connections

Unit 10: Data storage devices
Topic A: Drive adapters
Topic B: Hard drives
Topic C: Optical drives
Topic D: Removable storage devices
Topic E: Drive maintenance
Topic F: Storage device troubleshooting

Unit 11: Video output and image input devices
Topic A: Monitors
Topic B: Scanners and cameras

Unit 12: Printers
Topic A: Printing technologies
Topic B: Printer installation
Topic C: Printer optimization and maintenance
Topic D: Printer troubleshooting

Unit 13: Connecting computers
Topic A: Networking concepts
Topic B: Wired network connections
Topic C: Basic internetworking devices

Unit 14: Networking computers
Topic A: Addressing
Topic B: Client configuration

Unit 15: Network troubleshooting
Topic A: Troubleshooting basics
Topic B: Troubleshooting the network

Unit 16: Portable computers
Topic A: Notebook computers
Topic B: Configuration
Topic C: Component replacement
Topic D: Notebook issues

Unit 17: Windows management
Topic A: System management
Topic B: Task Scheduler
Topic C: Resource management
Topic D: Remote management

Unit 18: Windows monitoring
Topic A: Monitoring
Topic B: System performance
Topic C: Backup and restore

Unit 19: Operating system troubleshooting
Topic A: Windows startup
Topic B: System troubleshooting

Unit 20: Security
Topic A: Operating system security
Topic B: Windows Encrypted File System
Topic C: Security hardware
Topic D: Common security threats
Topic E: The human aspects of security

Unit 21: Windows installation and upgrades
Topic A: Windows installation
Topic B: Upgrades

Unit 22: Safety and maintenance
Topic A: Safety and hazards
Topic B: Computer maintenance
Topic C: Safe work practices
Topic D: Disposing of computer equipment