Mastering the Fundamentals: Hardware

In the ever-evolving landscape of IT, establishing a solid foundation is crucial. The CompTIA A+, along with Network+ and Security+, is one of three certifications offered by CompTIA commonly referred to as the “trifecta.” Together, these certifications provide that foundation.

The A+ certification, divided into two core exams, serves as a beacon for those entering the field. This post delves into the first segment, Core 1, shedding light on its domains, target audience, benefits, and career prospects.

My Experience with the exam

I think it is safe to say that everyone has handled a smartphone, laptop, and desktop computer before. That being the case, it was easy to dive into the A+ material because it started from a familiar place. A+ takes these common everyday devices and dissects them, explaining all the components and how they run. I found it all very interesting.

Cables & connectors, ports & protocols. These things tripped me up a bit at first. Trying to memorize the data speeds, what connectors go where, what data traveled over which port… it was a bit much. Eventually, I made sense of it all, but these topics were my first taste of new and unfamiliar material.

Who is the Exam For?

CompTIA A+ Core 1 is designed for budding IT professionals, entry-level enthusiasts, and those seeking to validate their fundamental IT skills. It acts as a springboard for more advanced certifications, making it an essential step for anyone eyeing a career in IT.

Benefits of CompTIA A+ Certification

·Industry Recognition: A CompTIA A+ certification is widely recognized in the IT industry, signifying competence in essential IT skills.

·Enhanced Job Prospects: With this certification, doors open to a variety of entry-level IT positions, providing a solid start to a promising career.

·Foundation for Advancement: A+ certification serves as a steppingstone for advanced IT certifications, allowing professionals to specialize in various domains.

·Demonstrated Proficiency: Employers value the A+ certification as proof of an individual's proficiency in core IT concepts.

Exam Overview - Core 1

Domain 1: Mobile Devices (15%)

The Mobile Devices domain covers the hardware and troubleshooting of mobile devices. Candidates will be tested on their ability to address issues related to smartphones, tablets, and other portable devices.

Domain 2: Networking (20%)

Networking is a critical aspect of IT. This domain assesses candidates on networking fundamentals and common protocols, ensuring they have a solid understanding of how devices communicate.

Domain 3: Hardware (25%)

Understanding computer hardware is fundamental for IT professionals. This domain covers the components of computers and the troubleshooting of hardware-related issues.

Domain 4: Virtualization and Cloud Computing (11%)

Candidates are expected to have a basic grasp of virtualization and cloud computing concepts, reflecting the industry's shift towards these technologies.

Domain 5: Hardware Troubleshooting (29%)

Troubleshooting is a key skill in IT. This domain evaluates candidates' ability to identify and resolve hardware and network issues efficiently.

Job Opportunities

Earning CompTIA A+ Core 1 certification opens the door to various entry-level IT roles, including:

·Help Desk Technician

·Desktop Support Technician

·IT Support Specialist

·System Administration

The Exam

The exam features a maximum of 90 questions and is to be completed in 90 minutes. Most likely, there will be 70-80 multiple choice questions and 2-5 PBQs (Performance Based Questions). The PBQs can be a bit tricky, so it is worth putting some effort into preparing for them specifically.

The exam can be taken in person at a local testing center, or online through PearsonVue.

Resources I Used

·A+ Core 1 Exam Objectives: an outline of topics covered by the exam.

·Professor Messer has a Free Video Course on YouTube as well as his paid study material at professormesser.com

·Jason Dion has a Udemy Video Course as well as a Full course which includes the video course plus labs at diontraining.com. Also, if you sign up for the exam through Dion Training, you can get a 10% discount on the exam voucher.

·CompTIA also offers it own Training material called Certmaster. There are several options for Certmaster. Learn includes written study material, quizzes, memory games, a practice test, and practices PBQs. From my experience the practice PBQs is a highly valuable resource because it is a part of the exam that often gives people the most trouble. Certmaster also has a Lab feature that can be purchased separately or combined with Learn.

Other resources you may discover along the way are: Percipio, Pluralsight, CBT Nuggets, ITPro.TV, and more YouTubers than I could list. One of my personal favorites though is NetworkChuck.

As technology continues to advance, a solid foundation becomes increasingly valuable, and CompTIA A+ Core 1 is the key to unlocking a world of IT opportunities.

Could you Pass the CompTIA A+ Core 1 exam? Take this quick 10 question quiz and see.