Lesson #23 - The New COMPtia Exam Format

As we have had several e-mails  this past week asking about our plans regarding the new COMPtia A+ Certified Computer Technician's exams, we decided to let you know exactly what this new testing format is about.  There are some major changes to the testing, including Price and the Content Covered by the Exams.

Price

COMPtia has increased the price per test to $132 in the United States.  This is up from $120 per test.  Similar increases are seen in exam charges in other countries, so check http://www.comptia.org/ for the pricing in your country.

Testing Content - Hardware

The A+ 2001 exams place more emphasis on current technologies, especially Handheld, wireless, and PDA equipment.  Although there is very little new categorical content, except increasing examinations on PIO speeds, modem strings, motherboard bus speeds, and architecture questions

Testing Content - Software/Operating Systems

As the original A+ exams were dealing with the DOS/Early Windows era, a large portion of the test centered on these areas.  This has changed, with more emphasis being placed on Windows 9x and 2000.  Expect to see legacy questions regarding himem.sys, DOS, and Windows 3.1 topics.  Also expect to see questions on Windows 9x Start menus and control panels, NT 3.5/4.0/Win2K filing systems, and a much more extensive networking section.

Taking the Test

The testing locations remain pretty much the same.  To find a testing location near you, go to http://www.comptia.org/searchasc.cfm and input the information requested.

More Information

http://www.comptia.org/certification/aplus/all_about_aplus.htm is the COMPtia Organization information page about the A+ program.

TheComputerNews Tutorials

I have had several questions sent to me regarding the path our tutorials will follow now that the new exams are here.  Our tutorials will complete under the existing format.  We will not be changing to the 2001 format until the tutorials we are doing are complete.

Why?  Because all the information we give you now will still show up on the 2001 exams.  The 2001 exams ADD to the existing exams.  So this information is just as important.  Therefore, we will complete the path we are on, and then bring you up to speed with what the 2001 exams hold.

I hope this helps alleviate some doubt about the tutorials we provide.  If you have any questions, we are always available at support@thecomputernews.com for questions, comments, suggestions, or anything else you need.  Please don't hesitate to use this free service, as it is there 100% for your benefit.