A+ (Hardware ) Certified by CompTIA.
U.SA
What is A+?
A+ Certification is
a testing program sponsored by CompTIA that certifies
the competency of entry-level (6 months experience)
service technicians in the computer Industry. Anyone
who wants an internationally recognized credential
as a competent entry-level computer service professional
can take the. A+ examination. The program is backed
by major computer hardware and software vendors, distributors,
resellers and publications. The A l test was first
available in July 1993, with a complete revision of
the exam occurring on July 31, 1998. Earning A+ certification
means that the individual possesses the knowledge,
skills, and customer relations skills essential or
a successful entry - level (6 months experience) Computer
service technician, as defined by experts from companies
across the industry. The test covers a broad range
of hardware and software technologies, but are not
related to any vendor-specific products. To become
certified, you must pass two parts — the A+
Core Hardware Service Technician and the Operating
System Technologies Examination. When both the Core
and the Operating System Technologies Examination's
are passed within 90 calendar days, the candidate
receives the A+ designation. Once an individual is
A+ certified this designation is not required to be
updated as the test is revised.
Who
may take the Tests ?
A+ Certification is open to anyone who wants to take
the tests. The A+ exam is targeted for entry level
computer service technicians with at least 6 months
on-the-Job experience. No specific requirements are
necessary, except payment of the fee. Individuals
may retake the test modules as often as they like,
but the Core and DOS/Windows portion must be passed
within 90 calendar days of each other in order to
become certified.
The A+ test is live
throughout the world in English. We have translated
the A+ test into the following languages: Spanish,
French, German, Portuguese, Japanese,* simplified
Chinese* and traditional Chinese. The A+ test contains
situational traditional, and identification types
of Questions. AH of the questions are multiple choice.
There is one answer for each question, A + Core Hardware
Service Technician - Examination Objectives Introduction.
For
A+ certification, the examinee must pass both
this examination and the A+ Operating System Technologies
examination. The Core Hardware examination measures
essential competencies for a microcomputer hardware
service technician with six months of on-the-job experience.
The examinee must demonstrate basic knowledge of installing,
configuring, upgrading, troubleshooting, and repairing
microcomputer systems at the standard defined by this
lest specification.
The skills and knowledge
measured by this examination are derived from an industry-wide
and worldwide job task analysis which was validated
through a survey of almost 2,000 A+ certified professionals.
The results of the survey are used in weighting, the
domains and ensuring that the weighting is representative
of the relative importance of that content to the
job requirements of a service technician with six
months on-the-job experience. The intent is to certify
individuals in a body of knowledge that is identified
and accepted as the baseline or foundation of any
entry-level PC technician. The results of the
job task analysis and survey can be found in the following
report:
CompTIA A+ Certification
Core Hardware and OS Technologies examinations
Job Task Analysis.
This report is available for distribution.
NOTE: This
examination blueprint for the A- Core Hardware examination
includes the weighting, test objectives, and example
content. Example topics and concepts are included
to clarify the test objectives and should not be construed
as a comprehensive listing of all the content of this
examination. The table below lists the domains measured
by this examination and the extent to which they are
represented in the examination.
Domain Of Examination
1.0 Installation, Configuration and
Upgrading 30%
2-0 Diagnosing and Troubleshooting 30%
3.0 Preventive Maintenance 05%
4.0 Motherboard/Processors/Memory 15%
5.0 Printers 10%
6.0 Basic Networking 10%
Total 100%
A+ Core Hardware Service Technician
- Examination Objectives
Response Limits
The examinee selects,
from tour (4) or more response options and the option(s)
that best completes the statement or answers the question.
Distracters or wrong answers are response options
that examinees with incomplete knowledge or skill
would likely choose, but arc generally plausible responses
fitting into the content area- Test item formats used
in this examination are:
Multiple-choice:
The examinee selects one option
that best answers the question or completes a statement.
The option can be embedded in a
graphic where the examinee "points and clicks"
on their selection choice to complete the test item.
Multiple-response: The examinee selects more theft
one option that best answers thy question or completes
a statement.
A+ Core Hardware Service Technician
Examination Objectives
Domain 1.0 Installation, Configuration,
and Upgrading
This domain requires
the knowledge and skills to identify. install, configure;
and upgrade microcomputer modules andperipherals,
following established basic procedures &r system
assembly and disassembly of field replaceable modules
Elements included are listed below with each test
objective.
Content Limits
1.1
Identify basic terms, concepts, and functions of system
modules, including how each module should work during
normal operation and during the boot process.
1.2 Identify basic procedures
for adding and removing field replaceable modules
for both desktop and portable systems
1.3 Identify available IRQs
DMAs, and I/O addresses and procedures for device
installation and con figuration.
1.4 Identify common peripheral
ports associated cabling, and their connectors.
1.5 Identify proper procedures
for installing and configuring IDE/EIDE devices.
1.6 Identify proper procedures
for installing and configuring SCSI devices.
1.7 Identify proper procedures
for installing and configuring peripheral devices.
1.8 Identify hardware methods
of upgrading system performance, procedures for replacing
basic subsystem components, unique components and
when to use them.
Domain 2.0 Diagnosis and Troubleshooting
This domain require
the ability to apply knowledge relating to diagnosing
and troubleshooting common module problems and system
malfunctions. This includes knowledge of the symptoms
relating to common problems.
Content Limits
2.1 Identify
common symptoms and problems associated with each
module and how to troubleshoot and isolate the problems.
2.2 Identify basic troubleshooting
procedures and how to elicit problem symptoms from
customers.
Domain 3.0 Preventive Maintenance
This domain requires
the knowledge of safety and preventive maintenance.
With regard to safety, it includes the potential Hazards
10 personnel and equipment when working with lasers,
high voltage equipment, ESD, and items, that require
special disposal procedures that comply with environmental
guidelines. With regard to preventive maintenance,
this includes. knowledge of preventive maintenance
products, procedures, environmental hazards, and precautions
w'hen working on microcomputer systems.
Content Limits
3.1 Identify
the purpose a/various types of preventive maintenance
products and procedures and when to use them.
3.2 Identify issues, procedures
and devices for protection within the computing environment,
including people hardware and the surrounding workspace.
Domain 4.0 Motherboard / Processors
/ Memory
This domain requires
knowledge of specific terminology^ facts, ways and
means of dealing with classifications, categories
and principles of motherboards, processors, and memory
in micro computer systems.
Content Limits
4.1
Distinguish between the popular CPU chips in terms
of their basic characteristics.
4.2 Identify
the categories of RAM (Random Access Memory) terminology,
their locations, and physical characteristics.
4.3
Identify-the most popular type of motherboards, their
components- and their architecture (bus- structures
and power supplies).
4.4 Identify
the purpose of CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor);
what it contains and how to change its basic parameter;).
Domain 5.0 Printers
This domain requires knowledge of basic
types of printers, basic concepts- and printer components-
how they work. how they print onto a page, paper path,
care and service techniques, and common problems.
Content Limits
5.1 Identify
basic concepts, printer operations and printer components-
5.2 Identify care and service
techniques and common problems with primary printer
type. Content may include the following:
Domain 6.O Basic Networking
This domain requires
knowledge of basic net-work concepts and terminology-
ability lo determine whether a computer is networked,
knowledge of procedures for swapping and configuring
network interface cards- and knowledge of' the ramifications
of 'repairs when a computer is networked The scope
of this Topic is specie to hardware issues on the
desktop and connecting it to a network.
Content Limits
6.1 Identify
basic networking concepts, including how a network
works and the ramifications of repairs on the network.
Content may include the following:
• Installing and configuring network
card*-
• Network access
• Full-duplex-, half-duplex
• Cabling- Twisted Pair, Coaxial, Fiber Optic,
RS-^32
• Ways to network a PC
• Physical Network topographies
• Increasing bandwidth
• Loss of data
• Network slowdown
• Infrared
• Hardware protocols
Operating System Technologies Examination
Objectives
INTRODUCTION
For A+ Certification,
the examinee must pass both this examination and the
A+ Core ) hardware examination. This examination measures
essential operating system competencies for Microcomputer
hardware service technician with six months of on
the job experience. The examinee must demonstrate
basic knowledge of Command Line Prompt - Windows 9x
and Windows 2000 for installing configuring, upgrading,
troubleshooting, and repairing microcomputer systems.
The skills and knowledge measured by this examination
are derived from an industry-level and worldwide job
task analysis Which was validated through a survey
of almost 2,000 A+ certified professionals. The results
of the survey are used in weighting the domains and
ensuring that the weighting is representative of'
the relative importance of that content to the job
requirements of a service technician with six months
on -the-job experience.
The intent is to certify
individuals in a body of knowledge that is identified
and accepted us 'the baseline or foundation of an
entry-level PC technician. It is not intended to measure
'cutting edge' technologies. The results of the job
task analysis and survey can be found in the following
report; CompTIA A+ Certification Core Hardware and
OS Technologies ex animations, Job Task Analysis Report.
This report is available for distribution, NOTE:
This examination blueprint
for the A+ Operating System Technologies examination
includes the weighting, test objectives, and example
content Example topics and concepts are included to
clarify the test objectives and should not be constructed
as a comprehensive listing of all the content of this
examination. The table below lists the domains measured
by this examination and the extent to which they are
represented.
Domain % of Examination
1.0 OS Fundamentals
30%
2.0 Installation, Configuration
and upgrading 15%
3.0 Diagnosing and Troubleshooting
40%
4.0 Networks 15%
Total 100%
Operating System Technologies Examination
Objectives Response limits
The examinee selects,
from four (4) or more response options and the option(s)
that best completes the statement or answers The question.
Distracters or wrong answers are response options
that examinees with Incomplete knowledge or skill
would Likely choose, but are generally plausible responses
fining into the consent area. Test item formats used
in this examination are:
Multiple-choice: The
examinee selects one option that best answers the
question or completes a statement. The option can
be embedded in a graphic where the examinee "points
and clicks" on their selection choice lo complete
the test item.
Multiple-response: The examinee
selects more then one option that best answers the
question or completes a statement.
Sample Directions:
Read the statement or question and from
the response options, select only the option(s) mat
represent the most correct or best answer(s)-
Operating System Technologies - Examination
Objectives
Domain 1.0 Operating System Fundamentals
This domain requires
knowledge of underlying DOS (Command prompt functions)
in Windows 9x, Windows 2000 operating systems in terms
of its functions and structure, for managing tiles
and directories, and running programs- It also includes
navigating through the operating system from command
line prompts and Windows procedures for accessing
and retrieving information.
Content Limits
1 -1 Identify
the operating system's functions, structure, and major
system files to navigate the operating system and
how to get to needed technical information.
Content may include the following:
• Major Operating System functions
• Major Operating System components
• Contrasts between Windows 9X and Windows 2000
• Major system files: what they a re, where
they are located, how they are used and what They
contain:
System, Configuration, and User Interface
files. Memory management
• Windows 9x
• Windows 2000
• Command Prompt Procedures (Command syntax)
1.3 Identify
basic concepts and procedures for creating, viewing
and managing files, directories and disks. This includes
procedures for changing file attributes and the ramifications
of those changes (for example, security issues).
Domain 2.0 Installation, Configuration
and Upgrading
This domain requires knowledge of installing,
configuring and upgrading Windows 9x, and Windows
2000. This includes knowledge of system boot sequences
and minimum hardware requirements.
Content Limits
2.1 Identify
the procedures for installing Windows 9s, and Windows
2000 for bringing the software to a basic operational
level.
2.2 Identify steps to perform
ah operating system upgrade.
2.3 Identify the basic system
boot sequences and boot methods, including the steps,
to create an emergency boot disk with utilities installed
for Windows 9x, Windows NT, and Windows 2000.
2-4 Identify procedures
for loading/adding and configuring application device
drivers, and the necessary software for certain devices.
Domain 3.0 Diagnosing and Troubleshooting
This domain requires
the ability to apply knowledge to diagnose and troubleshoot
common problems relating to Windows 9x and Windows
2000. This includes understanding normal operation
and symptoms relating to common problems.
Content Limits
3-1
Recognize and interpret me meaning of common error
codes and startup messages from the boot sequence,
and identify steps to correct the problems. Content
may include me following:
3.2
Recognize common problems and determine how to resolve
them. Content may include the following;
Domain 4.0 Networks
This domain requires
knowledge of network capabilities of Windows and how
to connect to networks on the client side, including
what the Internet is about, its capabilities, basil;
concepts relating to Internet access and generic procedures
for system setup. The scope of this topic is only
what is needed on the desktop side to connect to a
network.
Content Limits
4.1 Identify
the networking capabilities of Windows including procedures
for connecting to the network.
4.2
Identify concepts and capabilities relating to the
Internet and basic procedures for setting up a system
for Internet access.
Eligibility :-Pre-Degree
/ ITI
Duration : 4
Months
