Best Way to Study for CompTIA A+
Are you seeking a career in the information technology (IT) industry? If so, you should consider getting an A+ certification from the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA). While having this certificate to succeed in your career as an IT expert is not a must, it’s a great starting point for your career because it sets you apart from other IT experts.
Before you book your A+ exam, you need to ask yourself a few important questions, including: How common is A+ certification? How do I pass the CompTIA A+ exam? How do I study for the CompTIA A+ exam? This article will answer these and other concerns related to CompTIA A+.
What Does CompTIA A+ Entail?
CompTIA A+ is a performance-based certification offered by CompTIA–a leading international association that issues certificates to specialists in the IT industry. This certification is provided for individuals who pass two exams: the performance-based exam and the multiple-choice exam.
Both exams focus on different aspects of the IT industry, including cloud computing, networking, PC repair, hardware, software, security, operating systems, and mobile devices. So, even if you choose your preferred A+ certification course, ensure it covers these areas. Fortunately, there are many online A+ courses that you can take.
But how long does an online A+ certification course take? The duration depends on the topics covered and the trainers available–so you should choose a reputable CompTIA certification training company with enough training centers and instructors to help you finish your training as soon as possible.
CompTIA A+ is an entry-level certification for IT specialists, especially those looking to become technical support specialists, desktop support technicians, field technicians, network admins, and more. In addition, many employers who want someone to service their computer hardware, software, and operating systems prefer a specialist with CompTIA A+ certification.
How to Study Effectively for CompTIA A+ Certification
As mentioned above, you must pass the two CompTIA exams to get the A+ certification. These exams are titled Core 1 (exam 220-1101) and Core 2 (exam 220-1102). The Core 1 exam covers mobile devices, cloud computing, virtualization, hardware, technology, and troubleshooting.
The Core 2 exam, on the other hand, covers topics such as software troubleshooting, operating systems installation and configuration, security, and operational procedures. As a result, the two exams can be pretty challenging if you do not have the necessary knowledge of the exam topics.
This is why you need to study hard for your CompTIA A+ exam. Here are some quick tips for studying for CompTIA A+:
Plan Accordingly
Before enrolling in any CompTIA A+ training course, you must develop a solid plan for the whole program. Therefore, getting into the training is essential when you’re well organized. For instance, you need a proper schedule for your training.
This will determine how long your training takes and how soon you sit for your CompTIA A+ exam. Your plan should also include the training materials you need and how to practice what you learn.
Get CompTIA A+ Exam Objectives
You need to download CompTIA A+ exam objectives to help you know the most important areas to focus on during your study. You don’t need to waste time studying topics that you will likely not be tested on.
Exam objectives help you make the most of your limited time by studying exam topics. You can download your CompTIA A+ 220-1101 and 220-1102 exam objectives from the main CompTIA site.
Study the Materials Thoroughly
Once you know what you need to study, take your time to study the available materials carefully. Then, you can either do it as self-study or join classroom-based training. While studying independently is possible, classroom-based training offers more benefits, like asking for clarifications and understanding complex concepts quickly.
Practice
Before booking your CompTIA A+ exam, ensure you have acquired enough hands-on experience. CompTIA recommends eight to twelve months of practice before you take this exam.
Luckily, a reputable IT training company like ONLC will provide you with a lab where you can practice your skills and gain enough experience. If you want to study for the CompTIA A+ exam successfully, talk to ONLC today!
