CompTIA A+ Essentials 2006
Duration: 5:00-8:30pm (Monday - Thursday) /10 Evenings
EXAMINATION OBJECTIVES
In order to receive CompTIA A+ certification a candidate must pass two exams. The first exam is CompTIA A+ Essentials. The CompTIA A+ Essentials Examination measures necessary competencies for an entry-level IT professional with the equivalent knowledge of at least 500 hours of hands-on experience in the lab or field. Hands-on experience or equivalent knowledge includes installing, building, upgrading, repairing, configuring, troubleshooting, optimizing, diagnosing, and performing preventive maintenance of basic personal computer hardware and operating systems.
CompTIA recently convened a core of CompTIA A+ subject matter experts representing a diverse group of employers, educators and IT professionals which resulted in the revised CompTIA A+ examinations objectives. The skills and knowledge measured by these objectives were validated through a survey of more then 5,000 CompTIA A+ certified professionals and employers. The results of the survey were used in weighting the domains and ensuring that the weighting is representative of the relative importance of that content to the job requirements of an entry-level IT professional. The intent is to certify individuals in a body of knowledge that is identified and accepted as the baseline or foundation of an entry-level IT professional.
This examination blueprint includes domain 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. CompTIA A+ Essentials (2007 Edition) exams are based on these objectives.
| DOMAIN | PERCENTAGE OF EXAMINATION |
| 1.0 Personal Computer Components | 21% |
| 2.0 Laptop and Portable Devices | 11% |
| 3.0 Operating Systems | 21% |
| 4.0 Printers and Scanners | 9% |
| 5.0 Networks | 12% |
| 6.0 Security | 11% |
| 7.0 Safety and Environmental Issues | 10% |
| 8.0 Communication and Professionalism | 5% |
| Total | 100% |
PERSONAL COMPUTER COMPONENTS
1.1 Identify the fundamental principles of using personal computers
1.2 Install, configure, optimize and upgrade personal computer components
1.3 Identify tools, diagnostic procedures and troubleshooting techniques for personal computer components
1.4 Perform preventive maintenance on personal computer components
LAPTOP AND PORTABLE DEVICES
2.1 Identify the fundamental principles of using laptops and portable devices
2.2 Install, configure, optimize and upgrade laptops and portable devices
2.3 Identify tools, basic diagnostic procedures and troubleshooting techniques for laptops and portable devices
2.4 Perform preventive maintenance on laptops and portable devices
OPERATING SYSTEMS (unless otherwise noted, operating systems referred to within include Microsoft Windows 2000, XP Professional, XP Home and Media Center)
3.1 Identify the fundamentals of using operating systems
3.2 Install, configure, optimize and upgrade operating systems – references to upgrading from Windows 95 and NT may be made
3.3 Identify tools, diagnostic procedures and troubleshooting techniques for operating systems
3.4 Perform preventive maintenance on operating systems
PRINTERS AND SCANNERS
4.1 Identify the fundamental principles of using printers and scanners
4.2 Identify basic concepts of installing, configuring, optimizing and upgrading printers and scanners
4.3 Identify tools, basic diagnostic procedures and troubleshooting techniques for printers and scanners
NETWORKS
5.1 Identify the fundamental principles of networks
5.2 Install, configure, optimize and upgrade networks
5.3 Identify tools, diagnostic procedures and troubleshooting techniques for networks
SECURITY
6.1 Identify the fundamental principles of security
6.2 Install, configure, upgrade and optimize security
6.3 Identify tool, diagnostic procedures and troubleshooting techniques for security
6.4 Perform preventive maintenance for computer security
SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
7.1 Describe the aspects and importance of safety and environmental issues
7.2 Identify potential hazards and implement proper safety procedures including ESD precautions and procedures, safe work environment and equipment handling
7.3 Identify proper disposal procedures for batteries, display devices and chemical solvents and cans
COMMUNICATION AND PROFESSIONALISM
8.1 Use good communication skills including listening and tact / discretion, when communicating with customers and colleagues
8.2 Use job-related professional behavior including notation of privacy, confidentiality and respect for the customer and customers’ property
