A+ Certification and Scenario Based Questions

In the last year CompTIA has upped the ante on question types to include more skills based testing (performance based questions) and analytical/critical thinking (scenario based questions). When it comes to this latter category there is quite the imbalance between the Hardwareexam 220-801 and the Software exam 220-802. This makes sense considering that the Software exam objectives with their analysis of setup and troubleshooting situations lend themselves more easily to “scenario thinking”. While the hardware exam with its emphasis on identifying components is not as obvious a candidate for scenario based situations, at least not on exam day.

So what are those differences? Well, see for yourself:

A+ Exam 220-802 Software lists 14 objectives starting by “Given a scenario…”:

1.2 Given a scenario, install, and configure the operating system using the most appropriate method.  

1.3 Given a scenario, use appropriate command line tools.

1.4 Given a scenario, use appropriate operating system features and tools.

1.5 Given a scenario, use Control Panel utilities (the items are organized by “classic view/large icons” in Windows).

2.6 Given a scenario, secure a SOHO wired network.

4.1 Given a scenario, explain the troubleshooting theory.

4.2 Given a scenario, troubleshoot common problems related to motherboards, RAM, CPU and power with appropriate tools.

4.3 Given a scenario, troubleshoot hard drives and RAID arrays with appropriate tools.

4.4 Given a scenario, troubleshoot common video and display issues.

4.5 Given a scenario, troubleshoot wired and wireless networks with appropriate tools.

4.6 Given a scenario, troubleshoot operating system problems with appropriate tools.

4.7 Given a scenario, troubleshoot common security issues with appropriate tools and best practices.

4.8 Given a scenario, troubleshoot, and repair common laptop issues while adhering to the appropriate procedures.

4.9 Given a scenario, troubleshoot printers with appropriate tools.

…while A+ Exam 220-801 Hardware lists just one objective starting by “Given a scenario…”:

1.10 Given a scenario, evaluate types and features of display devices.

You should take this into consideration when you practice for A+ certification. The CertBlaster practice questions include numerous scenario based questions. Look at them carefully so you recognize the pattern of questioning in order to not been thrown off on exam day. If you study these closely you will see that they often test the exact same knowledge as some of the more traditional multiple choice questions but also test your ability to recognize the situations in which this knowledge is applied.

To get the complete CompTIA Exam Objectives documents click on A+ Exam Objectives.

How different is the new Security+ SY0-401 compared to the "old" SY0-301?

The Security+ Nouveau has arrived! However, would you be so inclined, you will still be able to sit for the “old” SY0-301 until December 31 of 2014.

The new material in CompTIA’s Certification Exam Objectives for Security+ SY0-401 center mostly around the Cloud, mobile and the challenges posed to internal security when allowing third party access.

They say you can make statistics say whatever you want it to say and that holds, to a certain extent, true when it comes to analyzing the difference between the new Security+ and the old one.

A superficial look will make the changes seem very minor. You still have the exact same number of main domain, six. They are labelled exactly the same as before and the difference in how they are weighed at the exam is within a couple of percent or so compared to the old exam. Security+ SY0-401 has six main domains and a total of 33 sub domains. Of these 33 sub domains only four are completely new and they are:

2.2 Summarize the security implications of integrating systems and data with third parties.

2.9 Given a scenario, select the appropriate control to meet the goals of security.

4.2 Summarize mobile security concepts and technologies.

4.5 Compare and contrast alternative methods to mitigate security risks in static environments.

So four new sub domains out of 33 and we're looking at just a bit over 12% added content to cover, right? Wrong, because here, as in so many other cases, the devil is in the details.

Looking closer you will notice that (including the four all new sub-domains) 22 out of the 33 sub-domains in SY0-401 have seen some content added. Now we are looking a 66% difference! This of course is going a bit far in the other direction but does demonstrate that a superficial analysis, is yet again, not going to give you the whole story. So we have to look beyond just the sub-domain level. Just for clarity here is how the terminology works:

Example of CompTIA objectives listing	Our terminology
1.4 Given a scenario, implement common protocols and services.	Sub-domain
• Protocols	Topic
o IPSec	Sub-topic

We prefer “Main-objective” for the top level objective and “Sub-objective” instead of Sub-domain. However, in the interest of clarity and minimum confusion, we use “Domain” because that is what CompTIA uses in their “Certification Exam Objectives” document. To get these documents click on the following links: Exam Objectives for SY0-301 and SY0-401.

So back to our analysis, the new exam objectives have a total of 307 Topic items and 339 sub-topics. How many of those are new? There are in all 61 Topic items and 128 new sub-topics. This means that 20% of the Topics are new while 36 of the Sub-topics are new. This is quite significant. The exam has a maximum of 90 questions, with 128 new sub-topics you could arguably (although agreed, that would be extreme) sit for an exam that has none of the content of the “old” SY0-301 exam. Here is another superficial fact, but this may not lead to the wrong conclusion, the Certification Exam Objectives for SY0-301 is 16 pages while the new Certification Exam Objectives document for SY0-401 is 23 pages long…

So what does this mean to you? It means that if you already have started preparing for Security+ you are probably going to want to make sure you take it before December 31^st because as you can see above there are some chances you will be facing a very different exam next year. If you haven’t started yet, then it doesn’t matter much, just let your schedule dictate which one you go for. Having said that the SY0-301 may still be more attractive as it probably will require a little less preparation. One thing we haven’t covered here are the changes in CompTIA’s Acronym list for the new cert but that will have to wait till the next post…

How long is a CompTIA certification valid?

For a great many years the standing position at CompTIA's A+ Executive Committee was that re-certification was not needed. Why? Well, the reasoning was that if you get certified this year and work as an A+ Certified Support Technician, then six years down the line, you will be current in all the latest technologies because that's what you are working on day in, day out. This all changed a couple of years ago when the reason that won the day was that certification credibility trumps all and therefore it is important that the certification proves that you are current. So here is the CompTIA re-certification requirements for the "big three": 
CompTIA A+, Network+, Security+, certifications will be valid for three years from the date the candidate is certified. After the three years renewal will be required although there are a few ways around this. Instead of recertifying you can earn CEUs and some other certifications, would you take them, can alleviate the need to recertify, for more on this, go to CompTIA. A huge exception to this policy are candidates who certified prior to January 1, 2011. If you did, you are certified for life!

A+ Certification Tips by Jean Andrews, PhD

For our very first post we are honored to get certification tips by Jean Andrews. Jean is THE bestselling A+ author with her famous "A+ Guide to Managing Your PC" currently in its 8th Edition. She has helped hundreds of thousands get ready for the exam and here is what she has to say about getting A+ certified:

Tips for Taking the A+ Certification Exams

Preparing for and taking the A+ certification exams can stress you out, but knowing a few tips discussed here can smooth your nerves and help you feel on top of your game. The better prepared you are, the less stress you’ll feel. Read through this list and perhaps you can even add a couple of tips of your own based on your own exam-taking experiences.

·         Before you sit for the A+ certification exams, you’ll need to take a course in PC repair that targets the certification or have about 6 to 12 months practical experience in troubleshooting, maintaining, upgrading, and supporting personal computers. After you have taken the course or have the practical experience, you’re ready to prep yourself for the exams.

·        Get a copy of the exam objectives. Remember A+ has two exams: The A+ 220-801 exam and the 220-802 exam. Go to www.comptia.org under "certification" and download the two PDF files that contain the objectives for each exam. You might want to print out the two files. Here’s what you’ll find:

o   The A+ 220-801 exam covers PC hardware, networking, laptops, printers, and operational procedures. It’s primarily about hardware although it also covers working with customers.

o   The A+ 220-802 exam covers Windows operating systems, security, mobile devices (mostly software) and troubleshooting hardware and software.

·         If you feel like your PC repair course and/or your work experiences are really strong, I suggest you prepare to take both exams at the same time. Most people find the second exam no more difficult and sometimes easier than the first exam because the first exam covers a lot of facts to memorize (such as port numbers). If you did not do well in your PC repair course or don’t have strong work experiences, plan to take the A+ 220-801 exam first and then prepare for and take the A+ 220-802 exam at a later date.

·         Read through the two objectives documents and mark the objectives that you are not familiar with and know you must study. Also read through the list of acronyms at the end of each document and mark the ones you are not familiar with.

·         Look up each objective you need to study in a textbook or google it. Take notes about what you find and make sure you satisfy your own curiosity about each objective. Also, look up each acronym that you marked. Make sure you know a little about each acronym.

Now you’re ready to find out how much you know and if you’re prepared enough to pass the exams. That’s where CertBlaster comes in.  I suggest you use the Certification mode first so that you can get a true picture of how well you would do on the actual exams if you were to take them right now. If you get at least an 85% score on both exams, you’re good to go! Sign up for and take the exams!

If you don’t score high enough in Certification mode, use the Assessment mode and let CertBlaster lead you through what to focus on as you practice the exams. Keep practicing until you consistently score 80 to 90%. You’re then ready to sit for the exams. 

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             Be sure you get a good night’s sleep the day before you take the exams.  

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      Eat protein for breakfast, such as eggs and sausage, a protein shake, or high-protein food bar.

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      Arrive early to take the exams. Relax your mind. Think happy thoughts!

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      When taking the exam, read the instructions carefully. Read each question carefully. If you’re not sure about a question, mark it and you can come back to it later. Don’t spend too much time on any one question.

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            Don’t second guess yourself. Don’t change an answer unless you’re really sure you are correct.

You’ll find out your score a few moments after you walk out of the testing room. Take a break before you go back to take the second exam. Eat a snack. Look up answers to any questions you were not sure about on the first exam before you sit for the second exam.

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            If you didn't pass the first exam, you could still do very well on the second exam. Remember, the first exam is primarily about hardware and the second exam is primary about software and troubleshooting. You might be weak in the A+ 220-801 hardware exam content, but still do very well with the A+ 220-802 software and troubleshooting exam.

Good luck on getting certified!