Latest CompTIA A+ Certification Exam Update 2024

One of the most widely recognized certifications for entry-level IT professionals CompTIA A+ is getting upgraded this year.  CompTIA certification exams are renewed once every three years to update and incorporate the current industry standards. While the new update is around the corner, here we answer some of your burning questions regarding the new certification exam.

Will there be a new CompTIA A+ exam in 2024?

Yes! The CompTIA A+ exam is getting renewed from April onwards.

How often are CompTIA exams updated? When was CompTIA A+ last updated?

CompTIA exams are updated once every three years to adapt to the dynamic changes in the IT field and to stay relevant. Read on to know more about CompTIA exam retirements.

The previous update for CompTIA A+ was launched on January 15, 2019, and will be replaced by a new exam to be launched in April onwards.

Does CompTIA A+ need to be renewed?

CompTIA A+ certification is valid for three years from the day of the examination, and it can be renewed by participating in the CE or Continuing Education program. You can participate in Certmaster, which is an online self-paced learning course; earn 20 Continuing Education points by taking part in various training programs and activities over three years. Once you upload them to your certification account your certification validity will be extended for the next three years.

Should I take both A+ exams at once?

To receive a CompTIA A+ certification both the Core1 and Core2 examinations need to be passed, these exams cannot be combined across the series.

Is CompTIA A+ worth it in 2024?

CompTIA A+ is the industry standard for entry-level IT professionals. It holds the milestone of more than 1 million IT professionals basing their careers on it.  As there is an ever-growing need for IT-based job profiles, there is no better time than now to kick-start your IT career with a CompTIA A+ certification. It offers job opportunities in a variety of job roles ranging from system administrator to network engineer, and the salary is expected in the range of 40,000$ to 60,000$ per annum.

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What is the latest edition of CompTIA A+?

The latest edition of CompTIA A+ examinations is the 1100 series which comprises the core 1(220 1101) and core 2(220 1102) exams.

Are CompTIA A+ multiple-choice-based exams?

The examination consists of both multiple-choice and performance-based questions. It has a total of 90 questions and 90 minutes duration for each exam. You must score 675(on a scale of 100-900) in core 1 and 700(on a scale of 100-900) to pass the exam.

Is the CompTIA A+ exam hard?

CompTIA A+ is a certification for entry-level IT professionals and this certification is equivalent to 12 months of work experience in desktop support or a service technician job role. The content for the exam is based on basic IT infrastructure and networking. Here is the syllabus breakdown for both exams,

Core 1 (220-1101) examination domain weights are,

• Mobile devices domain carries - 15%

• Networking carries - 20%

• Hardware and devices carry - 25%

• Virtualization and cloud computing carries - 11%

• Hardware and network troubleshooting carries - 29%

Core 2 (220-1102) examination domain weights are,

• Operating systems carry - 31%

• Security measures carry - 25%

• Software troubleshooting carries - 22%

• Operational procedures carry - 22%

Like all the technical certification exams, if you focus on the contents of the syllabus for the examination and get trained using the right resources it is fairly easy to pass.

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What is the cost of the CompTIA A+ exam?

The cost for each of the CompTIA exams is 239 USD.

How many performance-based questions are on the A+ exam?

The number of performance-based questions varies every time in the exam and is kept confidential till the commencement. But for the new updated examination, there is more focus on performance-based questions.

When can I take the CompTIA A+ exam?

You can take up the new CompTIA A+ examinations in April.

Is the CompTIA A+ exam open book?

Yes! CompTIA A+ is an open-book examination.

How much are performance-based questions worth on CompTIA A+?

Performance-based questions are worth a lot more for the recently updated CompTIA A+ examination, as more focus has been laid on scenario-based problem-solving skills. While the CompTIA organization doesn’t make public any of its point-marking schemes, each performance-based question carries approximately 4% of the total weightage.

CompTIA A+ Certification Job and Career Scope

How Much Can I Make with a CompTIA A+ Certification?

CompTIA A+ certification opens the gateway to a huge number of job opportunities in IT infrastructure and it does not limit you to a single career path or single job profile. While the IT industry is known to offer a competitive salary, how much you can make with a CompTIA A+ certification depends upon the job profile you chose, previous work-related experience, and geographical aspects.

Here is the breakdown of salary expectations for specific job profiles with a CompTIA A+ certification.

• IT support specialists can earn up to 55,000USD

• Service technicians can earn up to 45,000USD

• Desktop support engineers can earn up to 60,000USD

• Help desk support (tier 2 troubleshooting) can earn up to 45,000USD

CompTIA is the only industry-standard certification to have performance-based points in their examination, which comes to prove that the certificate holders are qualified technicians who can think on their feet and provide creative and innovative solutions for real-time IT-related problems.

CompTIA A+ Exam Coverage

CompTIA A+ certification examination contains performance-based questions that will test the participants on these subjects,

• Installing and upgrading various operating systems

• Working on virtual machines

• Troubleshooting remote devices

• Working knowledge of computer hardware

• Home and office networks

• Cyber-security

• End-user access

Reasons to Get CompTIA A+ Certification in 2024

There are a lot of high-level certification courses that can land you in a senior position in the IT profession, but if you are looking to gain entry into this field, CompTIA A+ certification is still the best choice in 2024.

There is going to be an ever-growing need for IT professionals. More and more industries are turning towards the virtual-work environment to counter unforeseen distresses like the pandemic. And this places a huge need for qualified and competent technicians. And here are a few more reasons to consider a CompTIA A+ certification.

• Expertise in both software and hardware –
With this certification, you will learn troubleshooting techniques for various devices like laptops, printers, and mobile phones. You will also be able to handle configurations, upgrades, installations, maintenance, IT infrastructure, and networking. Since CompTIA updates its exams every three years to incorporate new technological developments, you will stay relevant in your field.

• Competent pay –
With industry-recognized certification you can finally make that career change you always wanted to. And with the help of a CompTIA A+, you can showcase your skills to potential employers and get hired in prestigious organizations at a better pay scale.

• Diverse job roles –
IT is a diverse field, and there are various types of specialized job profiles even at the entry level. And with the right certification, you can choose the one that best suits your interest and skills.

• Vendor Agnostics fundamentals –
Being vendor-agnostic means you will be open to all possibilities and established solutions that will help your customer. This is an important philosophy that will greatly benefit you while working on deadlines and service-level agreements.

• Cost-Effective –
Certifications are generally the most cost-effective way to break into the industry of your desire while it all depends upon how well you utilize the available resources. CompTIA A+ examinations cost 239 USD which is way less compared to what traditional education institutions cost.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the new update to the CompTIA A+ certification exam in 2024 presents a valuable opportunity for aspiring IT professionals to enhance their skills and stay current with industry standards. With the constant evolution of technology, the updated exam ensures that certified individuals are equipped to meet the demands of modern IT roles effectively.

Whether you're starting your IT career journey or seeking to advance within the field, obtaining CompTIA A+ certification remains a strategic investment for securing diverse job opportunities and competitive salaries. Embrace this opportunity to gain expertise in software, hardware, and troubleshooting techniques, positioning yourself as a qualified technician ready to excel in the dynamic IT landscape. Unlock your potential with CompTIA A+ certification and pave the way for a successful career in IT.

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Other Important CompTIA Updates:

CompTIA CASP+ and CompTIA PenTest+ Exam Retirements