2/19/2003 -- The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) recently posted new objectives for its A+ certification exams.

As reported by CertCities.com last month, the organization will be updating its two A+ certification exams later this year. The organization characterizes the updates as "minor."

"The certification content continues to validate that the successful candidate has important knowledge and skills necessary to competently install, build, configure, upgrade, troubleshoot and repair personal computer compatible hardware and PC operating systems, including troubleshooting basic network and Internet connectivity, dial-up, DSL, and cable," the organization said on its Web site. "In addition, the 2003 upgrade covers the latest memory, bus, peripherals, operating systems (Me and XP) and wireless."

The new objectives, available in PDF format from CompTIA's Web site here, are more detailed than those previously released. However, CompTIA has not yet said how each major domain area will be weighted on the exams.

Exam items based on the new objectives are currently being developed. These questions will be added to the current A+ exams as beta items this summer, with the revised exams launching sometime before the end of 2003.

CompTIA said that A+ candidates will be allowed to mix-and-match 2001 and 2003 objective exams to earn the title (e.g., the Hardware exam based on the current objectives and the Operating Systems exam based on the new objectives can be used together to earn A+ certification).

The upgrade does not affect those already A+ certified as all CompTIA certifications are good for "life" -- i.e., candidates are not required to recertify.

For more information about CompTIA's A+ certification, click here. -B.N.