12/2/2000 -- As CertCities' reader Alab noted in a recent post, the Computer Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) has indeed extended the beta period for its revised A+ exams by one week. Candidates now have until Dec. 15 to take the beta core (#220-201) and operating system/OS (#220-202) exams which make up the certification.

CompTIA does not offer a reason for the extension on its Web site, but it may be related to the requirement that candidates pass both exams within the beta time period -- originally just two weeks long -- in order for the exams to count toward A+ certification.

A+ is a vendor-neutral designation sponsored by CompTIA that test the skills of entry-level hardware technicians. There are currently more than 250,000 IT professionals certified under the program's original objectives, developed in 1998.

The beta exams are based on new objectives (click here to access) developed earlier this year. Most notably, the OS exam has been refocused from DOS/Win 3.x to Windows 9x technology.

Those that wish to participate in the beta can sign up through Prometric or VUE testing centers. Each exam costs $68 (U.S.).

The final version of the exams will go live January 31, 2001.

For those of you still hoping to become certified under A+'s 1998 objectives, you've got more time to cram. CompTIA recently decided to enact a two-month grace period, extending the life of the original exams until March 31, 2001.

For more information on A+ certification, please visit http://www.comptia.com. -B.N.

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