A+ Certification is awarded by CompTIA (Computing Technology Industry Association) endorsing the expertise of IT professionals in configuring and troubleshooting the operating systems understood as PC Hardware and Software. The organization has nominated Sylvan Prometric and VUE testing centers on its behalf to conduct this exam. The A+ Certification exams are computer based and have established themselves as a standard across the globe by leaders in manufacturing hardware, software, and firmware in addition to resellers, and support centers. It is on account of this that this certification is said to offer enhanced job prospects in the arenas of computer assembly, and servicing. There are no essential pre-requisites specified by the organization to take this exam. The candidates will have to just register by paying an examination fee of about US$ 90 to US$ 225 depending on some membership discount offers. The A+ certification exam comprises 2 individual exams namely A+ Core Hardware exam, and A+ Operating Systems exam. The exam code for the A+ Core Hardware exam is 220-301, while the exam code for the A+ OS Technologies exam is 220-302. The tests are given in adaptive format featuring identification and situational questions.

 

The objectives of A+ Core Hardware Exam include Installation, Configuration, and Upgrading; Preventive maintenance; Diagnosing and Troubleshooting; Motherboard/Processors/Memory; Basic Networking and Printers. The objectives of A+ OS (Operating Systems) Exam include Operating System Fundamentals; Installation, Configuration, and Upgrading and Diagnosing and Troubleshooting. The popular exam codes are 220-601 and 220-602.

 

Those professionals who wish to train through self-learning for A+ exam require approximately about 2-3 months of preparation (Assuming 3-4 hours of study per day). However, candidates must note that this entirely depends on their background. Those who have been already involved in tasks like assembly and servicing of computers might find this extremely easy and may not require any preparation. However, those candidates new to computer hardware and software may even require about six months to prepare through self-learning if they do not wish to go for any formal coaching offered in classroom settings. Most importantly, A+ exam is valid for a lifetime unlike many other certifications. Though it is recommended that the candidates take the exams when new exams are introduced, it is not deemed mandatory. One can take the exam in any one of the five languages including English, Japanese, Spanish, French and German.