How Do I Become An A+ Certified Configuration Associate?

If you want to score straight As with a new career, consider becoming an A+ Certified Configuration Associate. With your A+ certification, you will have the computer skills necessary to forge a new career as a computer technician.

How do I become an A+ Certified Configuration Associate?
A+ certification is mainly for Microsoft operating systems, though efforts are being made to become fully vendor-neutral, so there are some Apple-specific questions on more recent certification exams.

In order to receive A+ certification, one must first complete at least 500 hours of work experience involving operating systems, computer hardware, systems files, computer maintenance, networking, hardware and software configuration, and troubleshooting. That might sound like a lot of hours, but it's really only about three months of full-time employment.

To qualify for A+ Certification, you must first pass the general A+ Essentials exam, then pass another specialty exam of your choosing. You will be tested on many areas and aspects of Microsoft Windows and PC computers, so it pays to take classes at a computer school that teach you the ins and outs of these operating systems.

Ready to start studying? The A+ Essentials test consists of the following eight sections: personal computer components, laptop and portable devices, operating systems, printers and scanners, networks, security, safety and environmental issues, and communication and professionalism. This last section is of particular importance to those looking to become computer technicians, as it is very important to be a good team player when working in the computer industry.

What will I learn in A+ Certification school?
Are you ready to take your computer apart and put it back together? Sure, reading a book about a computer is helpful, but nothing is better than actually digging into the structure of your computer and seeing what's in there. Think of it as looking under the hood of a car-you'll need to know how things work, where they go, and what to do if they need to be repaired or replaced.

In an A+ certification program, you will learn to identify and understand the use of a variety of hardware components, including a hard disk drive, optical disk drive, motherboard, cooling system, CPU, adapter card, and ports. Of course, don't go ransacking your computer until you know how to do it safely. A good class or study manual for A+ certification will teach you how to avoid static electricity that can be very harmful to the components of your computer.

In addition to hardware, you'll be studying operating systems. The A+ exam has a heavy concentration on Microsoft platforms, but you'll also have to know your way around a Mac operating system as well as Unix-like systems.

By achieving A+ certification, you are not only proving to future employers that you've got all the necessary skills, but that you are determined to build a career in the computer industry.
 

Sound Off! Post Your Comments