Monthly Archives: December 2013

[Posted 24 December 2013 by Kathy Yale]

The A+ Certification Exam has become the standard for those who want to show their computer skills to potential employers. The CompTIA A+ Test consists of several sections, including PC Hardware, Networking, Laptops, Printers, Operational Procedures, Operating Systems, Security, Mobile Devices and Troubleshooting. It is designed to provide a comprehensive view of a candidate’s knowledge, skills and experience so that employers can hire those who are proficient in the computer field.

Hardware Objectives

While it is important to understand how software causes a computer to operate, it is also important to know exactly how the hardware supports the operation of the computer. Without functioning hardware components, no programs will work. Therefore, the CompTIA A+ Certification test focuses a portion of its questions on PC hardware.

On the first part of the test, 38 percent of the questions focus on hardware objectives. Test takers are asked questions relating to installation, maintenance and repair of storage devices. Test takers must understand HDD, including SATA, PATA and Solid State storage; FDD; optical drives, including CD, DVD, Blu-Ray and RW; removable storage and external storage.

Regarding motherboards, questions may be included about jumper settings; CMOS batteries; advanced BIOS settings; bus speeds; chipsets; firmware updates; socket types; expansion slots; memory slots; front panel connectors; and I/O ports, including sound, video, USB, parallel, modem and PS/2. Successful testers must also understand wattage and capacity; connector types; and output voltage of power supplies.

In addition, questions include the areas of socket types; speed; number of cores; power consumption; cache; front side bus; and 32 bit v. 64 bit processors. Test takers must be conversant with the basic hardware associated with computer memory. Graphics cards, sound cards, storage controllers, I/O cards, wired and wireless network cards, capture cards and media readers are also all covered on the test along with cooling system components including heat sinks, thermal compound, CPU fans and case fans. 

Not only should test takers be familiar with how to analyze, repair and maintain all of these components; they should also be ready to select and use the following tools properly:

• Multimeter
• Power supply tester
• Specialty hardware and tools
• Cable testers
• Loop back plugs
• Anti-static pad and wrist strap
• Extension magnet

Test takers will also be asked questions about printers, including how to analyze and repair paper jams, junk printing, out of memory errors, lines and smearing, blank paper and ghosted images.

How Can I Prepare for the Hardware Section of the A+ Certification Exam?

One of the most common suggestions made to those who are preparing for the A+ Certification Exam’s hardware section is to take apart and put back together a computer, printer and other devices covered on the test. This is one of the easiest ways to familiarize yourself with the parts of the machine and to see how they work together. 

While this is invaluable practice for some people, others also prefer to review schematic diagrams or read preparatory materials. There are many books and other items that are devoted to the topic of hardware that can be found at Total Seminars. It may be especially helpful to read preparatory materials while working on a hands-on repair job on a computer or printer.

CompTIA is raising the price of all their exams effective January 1, 2014.

The price of the CompTIA A+ Certification, Network+ Certification, Security+ Certification and all the other CompTIA exams will go up 3% starting in the new year.

Discount vouchers based on the old prices are still available on Total Seminars’ web site.

[Posted 17 December 2013 by Kathy Yale]

The A+ certification is an important credential for those who want to start or advance their IT career.  It is an internationally recognized benchmark utilized by the computer industry to ensure IT professionals achieve a basic competency in concepts and skills employees would need to be successful. Technicians are expected to demonstrate knowledge of a range of topics including installation, upgrading and troubleshooting. An understanding of network configurations and operating systems is also necessary.

The A+ certification was developed and is supported by the Computing Technology Industry Association. Major computer companies such as Microsoft, Dell, Apple and IBM embrace it because it provides standardization of qualifications across the entire industry in the United States and internationally. This means employers in an increasingly globalized economy will have a better idea of the capabilities of each job applicant they interview and will be able to find the best fit for their positions. The certification ensures that individuals will be skilled in the latest technology including tablets, smartphones, and other mobile devices.

The Growing Need for Mobile Device Certification

This attention on mobile devices is partially a result of Bring Your Own Devices (BYOD) policies. Because it is increasingly common for employees to bring their own smart phones and tablets to the office, businesses are beginning to have employees use them as their primary work devices. As a matter of policy, many companies are beginning to use mobile technology as a primary means to operate their business. Industry professionals across the board are utilizing iPhones, iPads and tablet devices and, as a result, it is becoming increasingly necessary for IT professionals to become trained on the inner workings of these devices.

Apple offers a consultant network made up of private contractors to provide companies with onsite IT support for its products. These Apple contractors must be A+ certified as a basic qualification. As mobile devices continue to improve and proliferate, IT technicians will have to stay abreast of the latest developments.

Mobile Modifications to the A+ Certification Exam

The A+ Certification exam consists of two modules: the first module is Essentials, basic IT information that all technicians are expected to master. The second module gives the individual the ability to choose from three concentrations. These include IT Technician, Remote Support Technician and Depot Technician.

In 2012 CompTIA released a revised version of the exam called A+ 800 that reflects recent trends in technology as well as feedback from employers. One change is the addition of performance based questions that require test takers to perform tasks and demonstrate skills rather than simply answer multiple choice questions. Another big change in the test is the increased emphasis on iOS mobile devices including the iPad Touch and iPhone. IT technicians are also expected to show proficiency dealing with the security issues common to smart phones and tablets.

As mobile technology continues to be a fixture in the IT industry, CompTIA will continue to grow their exams to meet the needs of the industry. The A+ certification exam will evolve and adapt to the changing circumstances in the corporate world as it adopts the latest innovations in IT.

[Posted 10 December 2013 by Kathy Yale]

As of January 2011, the CompTIA A+ certification exams began to incorporate content related to Windows 7. This addition reflected the changes in computer usage and the growing number of people utilizing this operating system.

What Is The CompTIA A+ Exam?

The CompTIA A+ Exam is the certification platform used by many IT professionals to prove their level of skill in handling all types of computer devices and software. The content of the CompTIA A+ certification exam is governed by a board of representatives from some of the top names in computer hardware and programming, including Richo, Sharp, Lenovo, HP and ASI Electronics.

The CompTIA A+ exam offers certification related to practical skills as well as knowledge of computer operating systems and hardware. Currently, the CompTIA A+ certification exam covers the following areas:

• PC Hardware
• Networking
• Laptops
• Printers
• Operational Procedures
• Operating Systems
• Security
• Mobile Devices
• Troubleshooting

Windows 7 was released in 2009 and represented a leap forward in personal computing technology. This operating system was incorporated into the CompTIA A+ certification 
exam at the request of many of the makers of the latest computer devices such as laptops, PCs and tablets. Windows 7 questions are included under both the Essentials and Practical Applications sections of the CompTIA A+ test.

Where Do Windows 7 Questions Appear on the CompTIA A+ Test?

Windows 7 content has been added to several sections of the CompTIA A+ Certification Exam and will represent a portion of both practical and foundational knowledge questions. The new content appears in the following areas on the 700 series tests:

CompTIA A+ Essentials, Section 220-701– 3.0 Operating Systems

This section of the test asks basic questions about several operating systems, including Windows 7. Also included are Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 8. These questions, which make up a total of 33 percent of the test, can be broken down as follows:

CompTIA A+ Essentials, Section 220-701–and 4.0 Software and Networking

As part of the questions related to overall software and networking knowledge, Windows 7 questions are integrated into the assessment items.

CompTIA A+ Practical Application, Section 220-702–2.0 Operating Systems

This section of the test focuses on more practical applications of the Windows 7 system and may ask test takers to project solutions to problems or speculate on how Windows 7 affects the operation of various tasks.

CompTIA A+ Practical Application, Section 220-702–4.0 Security

This section relates Windows 7 to systems security.

Because CompTIA A+ certification is globally recognized by both the public and private sectors and is required by many employers, those who are interested in studying for and passing the test should focus on the operational aspects as well as the security aspects of Windows 7. 

The new 800 series tests also include information on Windows 7. Because the test is transitioning from 700 to 800 series, many test takers are choosing to take the new version which will offer a longer certification option. 

The 800 series CompTIA A+ certification tests include more information on Windows 7 than the 700 series. In fact, the 800 versions of the test now compact most of the 700 material and adds more questions on the "Unique to OS" features of Windows 7, XP and Vista. The 800 series of tests no longer covers Windows 2000 or ME.

[Posted 9 December 2013 by Kathy Yale]

The CompTIA A+ certification is an excellent way for any computer specialist to demonstrate his or her knowledge in the field of computers and computer technology. The CompTIA A+ certification is broken down into two separate examinations, A+ Essentials and A+ Practical Application. Each examination is 90 minutes long and consists of 90 multiple choice questions. The two exam sections cover different topics in computing, and each requires focused preparation in order to have the best chances of meeting the full certification requirements on the first attempt. 

Comptia A+ Essentials—Section 220-801

The CompTIA A+ Essentials 220-801 examination of the A+ certification is comprised mainly of questions relating to computer hardware. The newest version of the examination consolidates all hardware-related topics into this section and also covers information on computer networking and basic operation. Knowledge the test-taker should possess before attempting this section includes, but is not limited to, the ability to perform the following tasks:

• Assembly and set-up of different brands of computers, including laptops
• Connection of keyboards and other control devices
• Connection of peripheral devices, such as printers and monitors
• Use of uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) devices
• Connection with the internet via dial-up, wi-fi or ethernet
• Use of passwords and firewalls
• Use of USB cables and other connectors
• Installation of routers
• Use of basic networking technology
• Set-up of computer-related gaming devices and home theaters

Comptia A+ Practical Application—Section 220-802

Section 220-801 of the CompTIA A+ examination covers topics that are primarily related to the use of computers after installation and set-up. Systems configuration, security, repair and troubleshooting make up a large portion of this examination. Below is a selection of the material covered in the 220-802 examination:

• Configuration of the latest versions of operating systems and software
• Securing computers and networks, both physically and virtually
• Set-up and use of mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets
• Locating and repairing hardware, software and networking problems

Preparing For The Comptia A+ Examinations

The CompTIA A+ examinations do not focus on any specific brands or products, but instead include information on the array of products manufactured by many different companies. The all-encompassing nature of the material covered on these examinations may seem overwhelming, but exam preparation materials are available to make studying easier. Study materials can be purchased in a textbook or video format, and practice versions of the exams with answers are available so that an exam-taker can test his or her knowledge prior to taking the actual exams. Practice tests are also excellent resources to gauge the effectiveness of the study materials used. While not a guarantee of success, thoroughly studying the material most likely to be covered on the exams can greatly improve the chances of passing the exams on the first attempt. Extensive hands-on experience is also essential to performing well on the CompTIA A+ exams. 

Mastering the information included on both examinations that make up the CompTIA A+ certification is important to any individual who hopes to pursue a successful career as a computer technician or IT specialist. As with most examinations, adequate preparation is crucial to success. High-quality study materials are available to help prospective test-takers prepare for these challenging examinations so that they are passed on the first attempt, and time is not wasted taking and re-taking them.