CompTIA
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The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA), a non-profit trade association, was created in 1982 as the Association of Better Computer Dealers, Inc. (ABCD) by representatives of five microcomputer dealerships. Over the course of a decade, ABCD laid the groundwork for many of CompTIA’s initiatives and member benefits.
ABCD later changed its name to the Computing Technology Industry Association. The new name clearly reflected the association’s evolving role in the computer industry and in the U.S. business landscape at large. The nineties were a period of extensive growth for the association as it broadened the scope of its activities to address the needs of the ever‐expanding computer industry. Its initiatives increased to include the networking, UNIX, imaging, mobile computing, and multimedia arenas. In an effort to monitor and take positions on public policy issues, the association added a full‐time Director of Public Policy position.
Currently, it is known as a provider of professional certifications for the information technology (IT) industry. CompTIA chairs and manages the Initiative for Software Choice.
Current Certifications
CompTIA’s certification exams themselves are actually administered through Pearson VUE and Prometric testing centers. In addition to certification, CompTIA also provides corporate membership.
In April 2007, CompTIA's A+, Network+, and Security+ certifications became accredited by the American National Standards Institute.
CompTIA A+
The A+ certification demonstrates competency as a computer technician. Officially, CompTIA A+ certification is a vendor neutral certification, that covers numerous technologies and operating systems from such vendors as Microsoft, Apple Inc., Novell and some of the Linux variations.
The CompTIA A+ certification exam was developed in 1993. There have been four versions of the A+ exam, the 1993 objectives, the 2003 objectives, the 2006 objectives, and the 2009 objectives, which are broken down into two separate exams. Successful completion earns a designation as a "CompTIA Certified Computer Technician". The 2003 objectives exam was retired on June 30, 2007. The 2003 objectives contained the A+ Core Hardware Exam and the A+ Core Operating System Technologies Exam. The 2006 objectives require that a candidate successfully pass the A+ Essentials and one elective: IT technician, remote support technician, or depot technician. The 2006 exams are still currently available, but slated for retirement. The 2009 certification requires passing two exams: Essentials and Practical Application.
The A+ exam is intended for information technology professionals who have the equivalent of 500 hours of hands on experience. The exams are computer based and composed of multiple choice questions, of which there may be more than one correct answer. Over 800,000 people have earned the A+ credential worldwide, to date.
Topics of the Essentials/Core examination include IRQs, direct memory access, and practical computer repair, including the installation and repair of hard drives, modems, network cards, CPUs, power supplies, printers, and so forth. The focus of the exam is not theory, but practice. Sometimes graphics are used in exam questions. Topics included in the Operating Systems Exam include memory management, configuration files, and historical operating environments rather than newer, cutting edge technologies.
In September 2006, the CompTIA A+ test was updated so that the test taker must take the CompTIA A+ Essentials (220-601) test along with one of three other tests (220-602, 220-603, or 220-604). Each of these elective exams offers candidates the opportunity to specialize their A+ certification to match their desired career path.
With the introduction of the 2006 A+ exam, candidates were offered a grace period whereby both the 2003 and 2006 versions were available. As of June 2007, the 2003 version of exams is no longer available in the United States. In some countries, the grace period was extended to December 2007. The 2003 version was also extended in cases where the A+ certification exam was included in a course of study. Also, most legacy support questions have been excluded. The existing CompTIA A+ 600 series exams remain relevant and are in use by organizations and educational institutions throughout the world. The regular, non-academic English version of these exams will retire in the U.S. and Canada on February 28, 2010. The educational versions of these exams (JK0-601, JK0-602, JK0-603 and JK0-604), as well as the German, Korean, Arabic, Chinese and Japanese translations of the 220-601 through 220-604 CompTIA A+ exams, will remain in the market for use until August 31, 2010. [1]
The A+ certification along with Network+ may be used to qualify as an elective for Microsoft's MCSA and MCSE certification. [2]
2003 Exam
[Retired]
Time allocated: 90 minutes per exam.
Number of questions: 100 (only 80 of which count)
Scores needed to pass: 515 (hardware), 505 (OS)
Total marks per exam: 900
220-301 CompTIA A+ 2003 Linear Core Exam (Retired December 31, 2008)
220-302 CompTIA A+ 2003 Linear OS Exam (Retired December 31, 2008)
JK0-301 CompTIA A+ 2003 E2C Core Exam (Retired December 31, 2008)
JK0-302 CompTIA A+ 2003 E2C OS Exam (Retired December 31, 2008) 200252
2006 Exam
CompTIA A+ Essentials (220‐601) and one of the following: 220-602 or 220-603 or 220-604
Time allocated: 90 minutes per exam.
Number of questions are as follows:
220-601 (Essentials) 100
220-602 (IT Technician) 90
220-603 (Remote Support Technician) 90
220-604 (Depot Technician) 90
Scores needed to pass:
220-601 (Essentials) 675
220-602 (IT Technician) 700
220-603 (Remote Support Technician) 700
220-604 (Depot Technician) 700
Total marks per exam: 900
2009 Exam
220-701 (Essentials) 675
220-702 (Practical Application) 700
BR0-003 (2009 Edition Bridge Exam) 500 Only those who are certified in the most recent version of CompTIA A+ (2006 objectives) by taking 220-601 and one of the following: 220-602, 220-603 and 220-604 exams are eligible to update their currency through taking the CompTIA A+ bridge exam (one exam), which covers the new objectives.
CompTIA Network+
- See also, Network Plus Certification on Wikibooks.
Network+ is a certification that is used to measure skill as a network technician: understanding of network hardware, installation, and troubleshooting. Network+ was first launched in 1999, and exam updates followed in 2002, 2005, and 2009. Topics include network hardware, connections, software, the OSI Reference model, and different protocols used in local area networks (LANs) and wide area networks (WANs). CompTIA recommends the A+ certification and nine months networking experience before sitting for the exam, but is not required. Network+ prepares one for continuing to Microsoft certifications and Cisco certifications. A combination A+/Network+ or A+/Server+ certification can fulfill the elective exam requirement of the Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) certification.[3] The exam itself is 90 minutes in duration consisting of 100 questions with a passing score of 720 out of 900. You are allowed a whiteboard and pen to assist you.
N10-001 CompTIA Network+ Exam (1999 Edition) (Retired March 14, 2002)
N10-002 CompTIA Network+ Exam (2002 Edition) (Retired June 30, 2005)
N10-003 CompTIA Network+ Exam (2005 Edition) (Retired July 31, 2009)
N10-004 CompTIA Network+ Exam (2009 Edition) (Being retired 2012)
CompTIA Security+
Security+ is a certification dealing with computer security topics such as cryptography and access control. It was developed in 2002 to address the rise of security issues. Currently and according to CompTIA, there are more than 45,000 people around the world who have earned this certification.[4] It is recommended that candidates have two years of security‐related work experience (although not a requirement) and pass the 100 question multiple choice exam. The Security+ exam can be applied as an elective to the MCSA:Security and the MCSE:Security specializations from Microsoft.
The exam is 90 minutes in duration and consists of 100 questions with a passing score of 764 on a scale of 100-900 for SY0-101: Security+ (2002/2007 Edition). A new 2008 update of exam SY0-201 was released in October 2008 incorporating new objectives and has a passing score of 750 on a scale of 100-900. [5][6]
SY0-101 CompTIA Security+ (2002/2007 Edition): Retired July 31, 2009
SY0-201 CompTIA Security+ (2008 Edition)
BR0-001 CompTIA Security+ (Bridge Exam): Only for CompTIA Security+ certified professionals. Measures only the differences between the 2002/2007 exam objectives and the 2008 exam objectives. Has a minimum passing score of 560 on a scale of 100-900
CompTIA Server+
Server+ is CompTIA's certification pathway that focuses on server-specific hardware and operating systems, and certifies technical knowledge in areas such as RAID, SCSI, and multiple CPUs, as well as capabilities with server issues, including disaster recovery. It was developed in 2001, with an update that followed in 2005. The eight domains of the Server+ exam are General Server Hardware Knowledge, Installation, Configuration, Upgrading, Proactive Maintenance, Environment Troubleshooting and Problem Determination, and Disaster Recovery. A combination A+/Network+, A+/Server+ or Security+ certification(s) can fulfill the elective exam requirement for the Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) certification.
The exam is 90 minutes in duration and consists of 80 questions with a passing score of 615 out of 900. CompTIA recommends that the candidate possesses 18–24 months of experience with Industry Standard Server Architecture (ISSA) technology before taking the exam.
SK0-001 CompTIA Server+ (2001 Edition) (Retired March 31, 2005)
SK0-002 CompTIA Server+ (2005 Edition)
CompTIA CTT+
Certified Technical Trainer or CTT+ certification is a vendor‐neutral certification that is applicable to training professionals in all industries. It proves the mastery of core instructor skills, including preparation, presentation, communication, facilitation, and evaluation in a classroom environment. The challenging CTT+ exam consists of two parts: a computer‐based exam (CBT) and a video‐based exam (VBT).
CTT+ certification can be used as proof of instructional expertise for the following industry certifications: ACI (Adobe Certified Instructor), MCT (Microsoft Certified Trainer), and CNI (Certified Novell Instructor).
CompTIA CDIA+
Certified Document Imaging Architect, or CDIA+, is a certification for competency in document imaging, document management, and enterprise content management. It certifies that one has the skills necessary to develop a system for scanning, storing, and retrieving digital versions of documents and is currently the only industry recognized certification in this area. The test covers the following domains:
- Gather Business Requirements - 25%
- Analyze Business Process - 22%
- Recommend Solution - 16%
- Design Solution - 24%
- Plan for Implementation - 13%
The exam is 90 minutes in duration with a potential 30 minute extension for non-native English speakers and consists of 85 questions with a passing score of 700 out of 900. [7]
CompTIA Linux+
Linux+ is a certification of knowledge of Linux operating systems, from their installation and use to the basics of applicable free software and open source licenses.
The Linux+ exam is intended for information technology professionals who have between six to twelve months of practical experience using Linux. The exam is broken down into several areas of Linux expertise: installation, management, configuration, security, documentation, and hardware.
The test is a computer‐based multiple-choice exam, with a question followed by four possible answers, at least one (but possibly more) of which must be correct. Common subject matter for exam topics include installation methods, boot loader configuration, managing packages (Debian and RPM management systems are covered), navigating directories via the command line, using the bash shell, security considerations, network administration including TCP/IP configuration), mounting file systems (such as NFS, SMB or ext3) and managing configuration files for the more common applications that Linux servers are expected to run. Although configuring and running the X Window system is included in the formal exam objectives, there are rarely any questions pertaining to this as the exam focuses on Linux as a server and network operating system rather than for use as a desktop platform.
The Linux+ exam has undergone some criticism since its inception,[8] due to the excessive amount of hardware‐related questions that were on the exam initially, many of which were covered on the A+ exam. The newest version of the exam, available as of February 2005, does away with this problem.
The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) has announced it will soon begin the process of updating its CompTIA Linux+ certification. The update process will begin with a Job Task Analysis (JTA), around July, 2008. The JTA will bring together subject matter experts in Linux to evaluate the job roles and tasks for IT professionals who work with open source operating systems. This information will be the input used to update the exam objectives and items. The exam is 90 minutes in duration and consists of 98 questions with a passing score of 675 out of 900.
CompTIA Project+
Project+ is a certification showing that one has the knowledge needed to manage projects. CompTIA claims that Project+ is a globally recognized project management certification that provides validation of fundamental project management skills. Curriculum covers the entire project life cycle from initiation and planning through execution, acceptance, support and closure. The exam is 90 minutes in duration and consists of 80 questions with a passing score of 499 out of 900.
This certification was previously named IT Project+.[9]
CompTIA RFID+
Radio Frequency Identification or RFID+ tests the knowledge and skills necessary for working with radio-frequency identification technology. The exam is 90 minutes in duration and consists of 81 questions with a passing score of 630 out of 900.
CompTIA Convergence+
Convergence+ validates the knowledge and skills in the area of communications technologies (CT), where datacomm, telephony/telecommunications, video and broadcast multimedia technologies combine into a single IP‐based delivery system. It is an international, vendor‐neutral certification that recognizes a technician’s ability to design, implement, and manage both data and voice networking. Although not a prerequisite, it is recommended that CompTIA Convergence+ candidates are CompTIA Network+ certified and have 18 to 24 months of work experience in areas that include data networking, VoIP, and other convergence‐related technologies. The exam is 90 minutes in duration and consists of 90 questions with a passing score of 720 out of 900.
CompTIA PDI+
Printing and Document Imaging or PDI+ is an entry-level, vendor-neutral certification proving competence in basic maintenance of printers, scanners, copiers and fax machines. The certification is recognized by several industry leaders, including Canon, Sharp and Xerox, as a benchmark certification for professionals that service and support document imaging devices.
CompTIA PDI+ covers a technician's understanding of basic electromechanical components and tools, print engine and scan processes and components, color theory, connectivity and networking. The exam also covers soft skills such as customer service, professionalism, safety and environment. While there are no prerequisites for the CompTIA PDI+ certification exam, it is recommended that entry-level candidates have foundation-level knowledge or hands-on experience working with printing and document imaging devices. The CompTIA PDI+ Beta Exam was available from July 24 through August 31, 2007. The live exam became available on January 7, 2008.[10] The exam is 90 minutes in duration and consists of 85 questions with a passing score of 675 out of 900.
CEA-CompTIA DHTI+
Digital Home Technology Integrator or DHTI+ is a vendor-neutral certification that demonstrates a technician's ability to configure, integrate, maintain, troubleshoot, and comprehend the basic design concepts of electronic and digital home systems. The exam is 90 minutes in duration and consists of 97 questions with a passing score of 680 out of 900.
Discontinued Certifications
CompTIA e‐Biz+
The e‐Biz+ certification covers basic knowledge about e‐commerce. The e‐Biz+ certification was discontinued in English on December 31, 2005, but it can still be taken in Japanese or Korean.
CompTIA HTI+
The HTI+ certification for home technology integrators was retired in 2007[3] and replaced by the CEA-CompTIA DHTI+ certification.
CompTIA i‐Net+
The i‐Net+ certification deals with basic knowledge of “Internet, Intranet, Extranet, and e‐commerce technologies”. Topics on the exam include distinguishing between server‐side and client‐side scripting, basic networking via command line, e‐commerce, and e‐business, security via digital signatures, copyright licenses (including the GPL), and basic HTML coding. The i‐Net+ certification was retired on December 31, 2007. Those who currently have the i‐Net+ certification will continue to be certified.
Corporate Membership
CompTIA’s membership program provides businesses with the information and resources they need to stay at the forefront of the IT industry. Joining CompTIA will provide businesses with a significant resource center that can help you build a stronger business, in a very competitive marketplace.
IT VAR/Reseller Membership
Starting at only $250, CompTIA's membership program provides VAR's with range of business benefits and tools as well as a free CompTIA certification and discounts of over 20% on all further certifications.
See also
References
- ^ http://www.comptia.org/certifications/listed/a/a2006.aspx
- ^ http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/partners.mspx
- ^ "Apply Your Credentials to Microsoft Certifications". microsoft.com. Retrieved 2008-02-10.
- ^ "About CompTIA Security+ Certification". comptia.org. Retrieved 2008-02-10.
- ^ [1]
- ^ [2]
- ^ http://www.comptia.org/certifications/listed/cdia.aspx
- ^ "Linux+ vs. LPI Level 1". certcities.com. Retrieved 2008-04-02.
- ^ http://www.jidaw.com/certarticles/comptiaproject.html
- ^ "CompTIA PDI+ Certification". comptia.org. Retrieved 2008-02-10.
External links