Some employees choose to take their CompTIA certification exams on their own time, at their own pace. This option does carry a certain amount of risk, as passing exams requires practice and planning. It is important that a potential candidate spends a good deal of time studying for the exams. A consultant may recommend taking the CompTIA A+ or CompTIA Project+ before attempting any certification exams. Either of these exams will require a great deal of study time.
For business IT professionals who wish to pursue CompTIA certification, there are a number of ways to prepare before taking the exam. The first step is to become familiar with the different sections of the exam and how they test a candidate’s knowledge. There are five parts to the CompTIA A+ examination, each covering a different aspect of computer hardware and software. Familiarization with each section of the exam can help a potential CompTIA certification candidate determine which sections to focus on when preparing.
Before certification exams can be scheduled, a candidate must find a compatible vendor-neutral channel. This should be chosen carefully based on a number of factors. Although every vendor has a different product offering, some have common products that will be an easy fit for a particular CompTIA certification exam. Cisco is one such company that provides a number of common products that would be useful for a CompTIA A+ certification.
Finding a vendor-neutral channel is only one of the steps in locating a partner. Once a vendor-neutral channel is found, it is time to look at training materials that are relevant to the specific exam being taken. Many vendors offer training material that can be used for both the MCSA and CompTIA certifications. This allows a person to review training material for both tests in a relatively short period of time.
Another way to prepare for the exams is to contact the testing centers that are located near the site of the exams. These centers will offer test preparation materials that are relevant to the particular CompTIA exams that will be taken. Test preparation materials may contain diagnostic tools, such as special Windows diagnostic tools that allow IT professionals to determine potential weak spots in a particular CompTIA test and identify areas of concern that should be addressed before taking the actual exam. Having these tools available before sitting for the certification test can help relieve anxiety about the upcoming exams.
When trying to determine CompTIA certification exams dates, it is important to remember that most exams are mailed out six months before the actual examination date. Self-study kits are available from a number of vendors, which can be extremely helpful for people who do not have the time to devote to finding a reliable source for studying and obtaining practice exams. However, self-study testing is not always the best option for people who need to learn a large amount of information on a specific topic in a very short period of time. The CompTIA itself does not recommend the use of home study or practice exams. Rather, the organization strongly recommends the use of official CompTIA A+, CompTIA A+, CompTIA A+, and CompTIA MC+ exams.
CompTIA certification exams can be mailed out two to three months before the exam date. Some exams, such as the MC+ exam, are mailed out a few weeks ahead of the exam dates. In addition, CompTIA certification exams are typically held at testing centers that are located within 100 miles of the organization’s headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia. Taking an exam early can allow students to get extra practice time and get a feel for the exam format before taking the real thing.
