EXCLUSIVE: CompTIA A+ Exams Undergoing Update
2/8/2006 -- The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) confirmed to CertCities.com this morning that it is currently revising its A+ certification exams and hinted that the update may be significant.
In a statement released to CertCities.com today, Neill Hopkins, vice president of skills development for CompTIA, said in part, "We are currently working with the industry on an update of our CompTIA A+ certification to meet the needs of the modern day IT technician. The most exciting development as a result of all of the research conducted...is the fact that the technician of the immediate future will have broad-based skills beyond the basic technical fundamentals, and CompTIA aims to include these options in the new A+."
CompTIA declined our request for more details on on what these options might be, as well as questions regarding the current status of the update and when the new exams might be delivered. It did say that it will provide more details as the process moves forward.
According to a source in the publishing industry who asked not to be identified, the update has been underway for some time, and courseware publishers have been notified of the plans. The update has not yet been officially announced by CompTIA.
Even though the release date is not known at this time, publishing schedules show that a number of A+ certification books are scheduled to be released in mid-2006.
Whenever the exams are released and whatever form they take, it will be the first major update of CompTIA's flagship title for computer technicians since December 2003. More than 600,000 IT professionals worldwide have passed the two exams required to earn the title.
CertCities.com will bring you more on this story as it develops.  -Becky Nagel
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There are 33  user Comments for “EXCLUSIVE: CompTIA A+ Exams Undergoing Update”
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| 2/8/06: Anonymous says: |
I just barely started studying Aplus under the December 2003 objectives. I bought some studyl kits and books for my self study. But, here comes another wave of changes to thet certification. This move create inconvenience to some aspiring Aplus technicians. The hundreds of dollars I spent for my self study may end up to nothing. |
| 2/8/06: John D. from Pennsylvania says: |
Unless you are planning on taking the rest of the year to prep for this exam, you should be able to finixsh your preparation and take and apss the CURRENT exams. CompTIA just issued the Critical Incident Analysis survey. This is the precursor to updating the exam. They haven't even published new exam objectives yet. It usually takes 6-8 monthe after published objectives for the new exam objectives to take effect. This is taken from past history of CompTIA exam update processes. My educated guess is that the new exam will not go into effect prior to the Fall of 2006. This will alolow the publishers and authors time to revise their manuscripts and get the new, updated titles into circulation. just my $0.02 but I've been through this process twice now and have a bit of a track record. John |
| 2/8/06: Cornelio N. Framil, Jr. from Singapore says: |
CompTIA should offer incentives for people who are already A Plus certified, such as 60% discount for re-certification. |
| 2/8/06: Matthew Latta from Charleston, SC says: |
Cornelio - CompTIA's certifications, including A, are lifelong, meaning no re-certification is necesary. Also they do have incentives available - they are called "Beta" exams. keep reading certcities.com and visit comptia.org to find out more. CompTIA just recently conducted the "Critical Incident Analysis" which means they are in the infant stages of a new exam. I think it's a good think they're revising the exam, the way PC and OS technologies change, it should be revised every 3 years, er so... (Which I am pretty sure it is) And lastly, those of you who purchased study material, it's not going to be completley obsolete, I mean, the exams don't change %that% much.... Good luck to all who are preparing for this entry-level cert! :) Matt |
| 2/8/06: Anisha from Durban, South Africa says: |
im cool with the update cause technology changes all the time, but they should consider us working folks who try and fit in studies on our hectic schedule! as much as its the basics of computers and one can pick up the content very easily, i would appreciate it they could break down the exams and instead of 2 exams, make it 4! 2 for hardware and 2 for OS! i am currently studying for my exams and i hope the update is released at the end of the year to make my life a little less complicated!!! |
| 2/9/06: John says: |
"According to a source in the publishing industry who asked not to be identified, the update has been underway for some time, and courseware publishers have been notified of the plans. " They have? I beg to differ, and note that CompTIA has NEVER released such info to anyone before. Maybe their in-house publisher (ThompsonCourse Technology) has some info, but what would that be? The CIA preceeds everything. |
| 2/9/06: Anonymous says: |
Thanks John D for your insightful advice. Why not CompTIA just tell which part of the objectives need to be added or which topic shall be included. I wonder if Windows Vista shall be a part of the new 2006 Aplus objectives. Anybody knows? |
| 2/9/06: Anonymous says: |
Guess I thought of A plus as an "introductory" certification. Took that, then moved on to MCSE. I have NO plans to recertify. Yep, I have let my MCSE 2000 certification lapse, too, and don't plan on taking 2003 either. Guess I think of certifications as resume builders.... PLEASE, if you are starting out, GET AS MANY AS YOU CAN, then move beyond them. |
| 2/9/06: Anonymous says: |
A+ along with all other CompTIA certifications are good for life. |
| 2/9/06: Anonymous says: |
Also, MCSE 2000 has not "lapsed" yet. It is still a valid certification. |
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