• CompTIA A+ certified technicians also have excellent customer service and communication skills to work with clients.
• Two exams are necessary to be certified: CompTIA A+ Essentials, exam code 220-701; and CompTIA A+ Practical Application, exam code 220-702.
• CompTIA A+ Essentials measures the necessary competencies of an entry-level IT professional with a recommended 500 hours of hands-on experience in the lab or field. It tests for technical understanding of computer technology, networking and security, as well as the communication skills and professionalism now required of all entry-level IT professionals.
• CompTIA A+ Practical Application is an extension of the knowledge and skills identified in CompTIA A+ Essentials, with more of a "hands-on" orientation focused on scenarios in which troubleshooting and tools must be applied to resolve problems.
• Candidate job roles include enterprise technician, field service technician, PC or support technician and IT administrator. CompTIA A+ is part of the certification track for corporations such as Microsoft, HP and Cisco. Other technology companies, including Dell, Intel, Lenovo and Ricoh, have made CompTIA A+ certification mandatory for their service technicians. The U.S. Department of Defense recognizes CompTIA A+ and the Department of Homeland Security requires it as part of their computer forensics program.
• CompTIA A+ certification validates the latest skills needed by today's computer support professionals. CompTIA A+ ensures the right people have the right skills. While many of the essential skills are universal, there are additional skills required to support the needs of businesses. By offering alternative validation paths for specific job scenarios, CompTIA A+ gives individuals the ability to grow their careers in a certain area, and employers the flexibility to choose the validation that best fits their needs.

The CompTIA Network+ certification is the sign of a competent networking professional. It is an international, vendor-neutral certification that proves a technician's competency in managing, maintaining, troubleshooting, installing and configuring basic network infrastructure.

CompTIA A+ - Two exams are necessary to be certified: CompTIA A+ Essentials, exam code 220-701; and CompTIA A+ Practical Application, exam code 220-702.

Course Objectives

• You will install, upgrade, repair, configure, optimize, troubleshoot, and perform preventative maintenance on basic personal computer hardware and operating systems.
• Identify the components of standard desktop personal computers.
• Identify fundamental components and functions of personal computer operating systems.
• Identify best practices followed by professional personal computer technicians.
• Install and configure computer components.
• Install and configure system components.
• Maintain and troubleshoot peripheral components.
• Troubleshoot system components.
• Install and configure operating systems.
• Maintain and troubleshoot installations of Microsoft Windows.
• Identify network technologies.
• Install and manage network connections.
• Support laptops and portable computing devices.
• Support printers and scanners.
• Identify personal computer security concepts.
• Support personal computer security.

Course Outline

• A+ Essentials Exam Topics-- Hardware (27% of CompTIA A+ Essentials exam)
  • a. Categorize storage devices and backup media
  • b. Explain motherboard components, types and features
  • c. Classify power supplies types and characteristics
  • d. Explain the purpose and characteristics of CPUs and their features
  • e. Explain cooling methods and devices
  • f. Compare and contrast memory types, characteristics and their purpose
  • g. Distinguish between the different display devices and their characteristics
  • h. Install and configure peripherals and input devices
  • i. Summarize the function and types of adapter cards
  • j. Install, configure and optimize laptop components and features
  • k. Install and configure printers
• Troubleshooting, Repair and Maintenance (20% of CompTIA A+ Essentials exam)
  • a. Given a scenario, explain the troubleshooting theory
  • b. Given a scenario, explain and interpret common hardware and operating system symptoms and their causes
  • c. Given a scenario, determine the troubleshooting methods and tools for printers
  • d. Given a scenario, explain and interpret common laptop issues and determine the appropriate basic troubleshooting method
  • e. Given a scenario, integrate common preventative maintenance techniques
• Operating Systems and Software (20% of CompTIA A+ Essentials exam)
  • a. Compare and contrast the different Windows Operating Systems and their features
  • b. Given a scenario, demonstrate proper use of user interfaces
  • c. Explain the process and steps to install and configure the Windows OS
  • d. Explain the basics of boot sequences, methods and startup utilities
• Networking (15% of CompTIA A+ Essentials exam)
  • a. Summarize the basics of networking fundamentals, including technologies, devices and protocols
  • b. Categorize network cables and connectors and their implementations
  • c. Compare and contrast the different network types
• Security (8% of CompTIA A+ Essentials exam)
  • a. Explain the basic principles of security concepts and technologies
  • b. Summarize the following security features
• Operational Procedure (10% of CompTIA A+ Essentials exam)
  • a. Outline the purpose of appropriate safety and environmental procedures and given a scenario apply them
  • b. Given a scenario, demonstrate the appropriate use of communication skills and professionalism in the workplace
• A+ Practical Application Exam Topics-- Hardware (38% of CompTIA A+ Practical Application exam)
  • a. Given a scenario, install, configure and maintain personal computer components
  • b. Given a scenario, detect problems, troubleshoot and repair/replace personal computer components
  • c. Given a scenario, install, configure, detect problems, troubleshoot and repair/replace laptop components
  • d. Given a scenario, select and use the following tools
  • e. Given a scenario, detect and resolve common printer issues
• Operating Systems (34% of CompTIA A+ Practical Application exam)
  • a. Select the appropriate commands and options to troubleshoot and resolve problems
  • b. Differentiate between Windows Operating System directory structures (Windows 2000, XP and Vista)
  • c. Given a scenario, select and use system utilities / tools and evaluate the results
  • d. Evaluate and resolve common issues
• Networking (15% of CompTIA A+ Practical Application exam)
  • a. Troubleshoot client-side connectivity issues using appropriate tools
  • b. Install and configure a small office home office (SOHO) network
• Security (13% of CompTIA A+ Practical Application exam)
  • a. Given a scenario, prevent, troubleshoot and remove viruses and malware
  • b. Implement security and troubleshoot common issues