The Essential Guide to CompTIA A+ Boot Camps – Don’t Miss Out!
A CompTIA boot camp is a must, seeing as the CompTIA A+ is the IT industry standard for establishing a career in the field. It is the preferred credential for IT operational roles and technical support.
Several companies and institutions offer this certification. And most also look out for this certification when hiring people for jobs. Especially when hiring IT field service technicians, IT support specialists, help desk tier 2 support, and desktop support analysts.
According to the International Data Corporation (IDC), an IT certification makes a fantastic first impression. It is a necessity for today’s computer support professionals, especially if you want to launch your career in the field.
A CompTIA certification comes with a number of learning resources. Here is everything you need to know about a CompTIA boot camp and if it is right for you:
Prerequisites
It all depends on which boot camp you do and who you choose to do it with, as every institution has its own set of rules and prerequisites. In general, you should have the following before enrolling for a CompTIA boot camp:
- Have an understanding of Microsoft windows networking features
- Basic understanding of Windows OS
- A high school certificate or bachelor’s degree
- Experience with Microsoft windows technologies and products
- Understanding of various Microsoft windows editions
Job Outlook for CompTIA A+ Certified IT Professionals
The CompTIA A+ is the only credential that is industry-recognized. It also proves that potential candidates can perform critical IT support tasks and think quickly on their feet. Technology companies all over the world recognize it.
Once you have passed the CompTIA exams, you will have gained the right skills, knowledge, and abilities to fit into certain roles. All of the topics covered in a CompTIA A+ certification match exactly what certain IT roles need to know in today’s world.
After completing your CompTIA A+ exam and boot camp, you will be able to do the following things:
- Troubleshooting common issues so that you can diagnose them and resolve them
- Configure network and software connections and end-user devices
- Demonstrate basic knowledge of the cloud, scripting, and virtualization
- Perform standard cybersecurity mitigations
- Understand security settings for wireless and wired networks and other basic security settings
- Use proper communication techniques
IT professionals who have completed boot camp and are CompTIA A+ qualified can go into the following job roles as successful computer technicians:
- IT Specialist
- Help Desk Technician
- Field Service Technician
- Tier II IT Support Technician
- Technical Support Specialist
Delivery Formats for CompTIA Boot Camp
Each CompTIA boot camp will be different depending on the specific course and institution you do it through. However, each boot camp will have a great delivery format. In general, it includes the following:
- The course is instructor-led or taught live online
- Specified length in which you need to complete the boot camp – some may be a couple of days, while others are a few months
- Full access to all of the boot camp materials
In the delivery format of a boot camp, the following topics are generally covered:
CompTIA A+ 220-1101
- Cloud computing
- PC Hardware knowledge
- Laptops
- Networking
- Printers
- Operational procedures
CompTIA A+ 220-1102
- Security
- Operating systems
- Troubleshooting skills
- Mobile devices
It also includes:
- System cooling and power supplies
- Processors, motherboards, BIOS, and RAM
- Video cards and video displays
- I/O, input ports, and devices
- Cloud computing
- Customized PCs
- Storage devices
- Virtualization
- Configuring operating systems and installing them. Like IOS, Windows, Linus, and Apple OS X
- Security
- Networking
- Wired and wireless networks and wireless security protocols
The standard format of a CompTIA boot camp:
Day 1
- Display devices
- Motherboard components
- Removable storage devices
- Multimedia and audio devices
- System memory
- Mass storage devices
- Processors
- Power supplies
- UEFI and BIOS
- Custom configuration
Day 2
- Laptops
- Mobile devices
- Mobile devices and troubleshooting them
- Troubleshooting system components
- Configuring and troubleshooting printers
- Ethernet networks
- Network architects
Day 3
- Internet protocol
- Wireless network connections
- Internet connections
- Troubleshooting networks
- Firewalls and routers
Day 4
- Managing performance
- Managing devices
- Managing users
- Troubleshooting Windows
- Installing Windows
- Managing users
- Backup and maintenance
- Viruses and malware
- Securing data
- Securing workstations
- Threats and vulnerabilities
Day 5
- Configuring shared resources
- Configuring network connections
- Virtualization and services
- Mobile OS, OS X, Linux
- Safety and Environmental procedures
- Communication and professionalism
Exam
You will then be ready to take your exam and get the necessary qualifications. Each course will be slightly different as they do not all follow the same structure.
FAQ
How many times can you fail CompTIA A+?
There is no limit on how many times you can retake the rigorous CompTIA A+ certification exam. However, you will need to pay every time you retake it, and there is generally a waiting period between each retake.
Is CompTIA A+ hard to pass?
If you do not have an IT background at all or have zero experience, then the exam and the preparation can be quite challenging as the topic will be quite new to you. But you can choose your learning style and starting point when preparing for the exam, so it can be tailored to your skills and knowledge.
Is CompTIA enough to get a job?
Having a CompTIA A+ certification comes with many advantages. It is generally seen as a sufficient certification to get hired for a decent entry-level IT position.
Final Thoughts
A CompTIA boot camp can be incredibly helpful and fully prepare you for a successful career in the IT industry. Once you have your CompTIA A certification, a lot of doors will open for you. So be sure to choose a course that suits and works for you so that you can get the most out of it.
It is always a good idea to get more training as the learning never stops, and you can up your skills, gain more experience, and get certified.
Sources:
https://www.infosecinstitute.com/courses/comptia_authorized_a_plus_boot_camp_training/#schedule
https://secureninja.com/training-courses/a-certification-bootcamp.html