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A+
Certification
References
- Bricks and Bouquets
Duncans
MindLeaders
Web-Based A+ Certification Series
Register
Now for Complete A+ On-line Course - only $165 (12 months access)
Duncans Home Page || Core Technologies || Windows/Dos Objectives || System Prices
A+ Certification is a testing program sponsored by the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) that certifies the competency of service technicians in the computer industry. Anyone who wants an internationally recognized credential as a competent computer service professional can take the A+ exams. There are no prerequisites.
The program is backed by major computer hardware and software vendors, distributors, resellers and publications.
The test, which is administered by Prometric (Bloomington, MN), was first available in July 1993, with periodic updates since then.
Earning an A+ certification means that you possess the knowledge, skills, and customer relations skills essential for a successful computer service technician, as defined by experts from companies across the industry.
The exams cover a broad range of hardware and software technologies, but are not related to any vendor-specific products. More than 45 organizations have contributed time and budget resources to develop the A+ computer-based tests.
To become certified, you must pass two test modules - the Core Technologies exam module and the MicrosoftTM Windows®/DOS,® exam module.
In the Duncans Learning Center and computer workshop we offer both the Core Technologies and the Microsoft Windows®/DOS ® module . We combine learning with "on the job" training, lab work and examination simulations.
When candidates pass the exams they receive a certificate from CompTIA
Duncans Home Page || Core Technologies || Windows/Dos Objectives || System Prices
Duncans MindLeaders Web-Based A+ Certification Series
Register Now for Complete A+ On-line Course - only $165 (12 months access)
To really make things simple, we have taken the best course outlines that we could find and reworked them so they are a snap to read. To get a solid start on the course, click on the Objectives below to learn what you need to learn
to "excel" in this accreditation.
Duncans MindLeaders Web-Based A+ Certification Series
Register Now for Complete A+ On-line Course - only $165 (12 months access)
Join our team of Young
Associates
Centurions
of our Industry
Duncans A+ Certification Program
Combine learning with "on-the-job" experience!
6 week full-time or 12 month part-time "on-the-job" A+ Apprentice Program for $1,000 plus GST
If Course is prepaid in full at registration the cost is reduced to only $899 plus GST
Otherwise, the Course is payable is 6 easy installments of $535 down and $107 per month
This Course fee includes ...
100 hours of facilitated learning in our Learning Center
50 hours of paid apprentice shop work working on customers machines
25 hours of lab work
25 hours of simulated exams with exposure to thousands of questions
FrontPage 2000 access to 20 meg Professional web-site
1 year's access 500+ Computer Courses on Duncans MindLeader's Server
$100 Discount on Course Price if paid in advance
Duncans Home Page || Core Technologies Page || Windows/Dos Objectives || System Prices
References
- Bricks and Bouquets
The Duncans MindLeaders A+ On-line Course cover the subject thoroughly. It is not necessary to purchase any other course material. However, for those who might enjoy an excellent reference book, we recommend the following.
Duncans MindLeaders Web-Based A+ Certification Series
Register Now for Complete A+ On-line Course - only $165 (12 months access)
A+ Core Hardware Service Technician
Examination Objectives
Introduction
For A+ Certification, the examinee must pass both this examination and the A+ Operating System
Technologies examination.
The Core Hardware examination measures essential competencies for a microcomputer hardware service technician with six months of on-the-job experience. The examinee must demonstrate basic knowledge of installing, configuring, upgrading, troubleshooting, and repairing microcomputer systems at the standard defined by this test specification.The skills and knowledge measured by this examination are derived from an industry-wide and worldwide
job task analysis which was validated through a survey of almost 2,000 A+ certified professionals. The
results of the survey are used in weighting the domains and ensuring that the weighting is representative of
the relative importance of that content to the job requirements of a service technician with six months
on-the-job experience. The intent is to certify individuals in a body of knowledge that is identified and
accepted as the baseline or foundation of any entry-level PC technician.The exam is in adaptive format, therefore, will be presented with 20-30 questions. You will have 30 minutes
to complete the exam. Please be aware that a score determination could be made before the maximum number
of questions is presented. Once a score determination is made, the exam will shut off.The exam is translated in the following languages: Japanese, French, Spanish and German.
NOTE: This examination blueprint for the A+ Core Hardware examination includes the weighting, test
objectives, and example content. Example topics and concepts are included to clarify the test objectives andshould 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 in the examination.
Domain % Of Examination
1.0 Installation, Configuration and Upgrading 30%
2.0 Diagnosing and Troubleshooting 30%
3.0 Preventive Maintenance 5%
4.0 Motherboard/Processors/Memory 15%
5.0 Printers 10%
6.0 Basic Networking 10%
Total 100.00%
A+ Core Hardware Service Technician
Examination Objectives
Response Limits
The examinee selects, from four (4) or more response options and the option(s) that best completes the statement or answers the question. Distracters or wrong answers are response options that examinees with incomplete knowledge or skill would likely choose, but are generally plausible responses fitting into the content area.
Test item formats used in this examination are:
The examinee selects one option that best answers the question or completes a statement. The option can be embedded in a graphic where the examinee "points and clicks" on their selection choice to complete the test item.Multiple-choice:
Multiple-response: The examinee selects more then one option that best answers the question or completes a statement.
Sample Directions: Read the statement or question and from the response options, select only the option(s) that represent the most correct or best answer(s).
A+ Core Hardware Service Technician
Examination Objectives
Domain 1.0 Installation, Configuration, and Upgrading
This domain requires the knowledge and skills to identify, install, configure, and upgrade microcomputer
modules and peripherals, following established basic procedures for system assembly and disassembly of
field replaceable modules. Elements included are listed below with each test objective.
Content Limits
1.1 Identify basic terms, concepts, and functions of system modules, including how each module should
work during normal operation and during the boot process.
Examples of concepts and modules are:
o System board
o Power supply
o Processor /CPU
o Memory
o Storage devices
o Monitor
o Modem
o Firmware
o BIOS
o CMOS
o LCD (portable systems)
o Ports
o PDA (Personal Digital Assistant)
1.2 Identify basic procedures for adding and removing field replaceable modules for both desktop and
portable systems.
Examples of modules:
o System board
o Storage device
o Power supply
o Processor /CPU
o Memory
o Input devices
o Hard drive
o Keyboard
o Video board
o Mouse
o Network Interface Card (NIC)
Portable system components
o AC adapter
o Digital Camera
o DC controller
o LCD panel
o PC Card
o Pointing Devices
A+ Core Hardware Service Technician
Examination Objectives
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1.3 Identify available IRQs, DMAs, and I/O addresses and procedures for device installation and
configuation.
Content may include the following:
o Standard IRQ settings
o Modems
o Floppy drive controllers
o Hard drive controllers
o USB ports
o Infrared ports
o Hexidecimal/Addresses
1.4 Identify common peripheral ports, associated cabling, and their connectors.
Content may include the following:
o Cable types
o Cable orientation
o Serial versus parallel
o Pin connections
Examples of types of connectors:
o DB-9
o DB-25
o RJ-11
o RJ-45
o BNC
o PS2/MINI-DIN
o USB
o IEEE 1394
1.5 Identify proper procedures for installing and configuring IDE/EIDE devices.
Content may include the following:
o Master/Slave
o Devices per channel
o Primary/Secondary
1.6 Identify proper procedures for installing and configuring SCSI devices.
Content may include the following:
o Address/Termination conflicts
o Cabling
o Types (example: regular, wide, ultra-wide)
o Internal versus external
o Expansion slots, EISA, ISA, PCI
o Jumper block settings (binary equivalents)
A+ Core Hardware Service Technician
Examination Objectives
2/15/01
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1.7 Identify proper procedures for installing and configuring peripheral devices.
Content may include the following:
o Monitor/Video Card
o Modem
o USB peripherals and hubs
o IEEE 1284
o IEEE 1394
o External storage
Portables
o Docking stations
o PC cards
o Port replicators
o Infrared devices
1.8 Identify hardware methods of upgrading system performance, procedures for replacing basic
subsystem components, unique components and when to use them.
Content may include the following:
o Memory
o Hard Drives
o CPU
o Upgrading BIOS
o When to upgrade BIOS
Portable Systems
o Battery
o Hard Drive
o Types I, II, III cards
o Memory
A+ Core Hardware Service Technician
Examination Objectives
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Domain 2.0 Diagnosing and Troubleshooting
This domain requires the ability to apply knowledge relating to diagnosing and troubleshooting common
module problems and system malfunctions. This includes knowledge of the symptoms relating to common
problems.
Content Limits
2.1 Identify common symptoms and problems associated with each module and how to troubleshoot and
isolate the problems.
Content may include the following:
o Processor/Memory symptoms
o Mouse
o Floppy drive
o Parallel ports
o Hard Drives
o CD-ROM
o DVD
o Sound Card/Audio
o Monitor/Video
o Motherboards
o Modems
o BIOS
o USB
o NIC
o CMOS
o Power supply
o Slot covers
o POST audible/visual error codes
o Troubleshooting tools, e.g., multimeter
o Large LBA, LBA
o Cables
o Keyboard
o Peripherals
2.2 Identify basic troubleshooting procedures and how to elicit problem symptoms from customers.
Content may include the following:
o Troubleshooting/isolation/problem determination procedures
o Determine whether hardware or software problem
o Gather information from user regarding, e.g.,
o Customer Environment
o Symptoms/Error Codes
o Situation when the problem occurred
A+ Core Hardware Service Technician
Examination Objectives
2/15/01
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Domain 3.0 Preventive Maintenance
This domain requires the knowledge of safety and preventive maintenance. With regard to safety, it
includes the potential hazards to personnel and equipment when working with lasers, high voltage
equipment, ESD, and items that require special disposal procedures that comply with environmental
guidelines. With regard to preventive maintenance, this includes knowledge of preventive maintenance
products, procedures, environmental hazards, and precautions when working on microcomputer systems.
Content Limits
3.1 Identify the purpose of various types of preventive maintenance products and procedures and when to
use them.
Content may include the following:
o Liquid cleaning compounds
o Types of materials to clean contacts and connections
o Non-static vacuums (chasis, powersupplies, fans)
3.2 Identify issues, procedures and devices for protection within the computing environment, including
people, hardware and the surrounding workspace.
Content may include the following:
o UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) and suppressors
o Determining the signs of power issues
o Proper methods of storage of components for future use
Potential hazards and proper safety procedures relating Lasers
o High-voltage equipment
o Power supply
o CRT
Special disposal procedures that comply wi th environmental guidelines.
o Batteries
o CRTs
o Toner kits/cartridges
o Chemical solvents and cans
o MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet)
ESD (Electrostatic Discharge) precautions and procedures
o What ESD can do, how it may be apparent, or hidden
o Common ESD protection devices
o Situations that could present a danger or hazard
A+ Core Hardware Service Technician
Examination Objectives
2/15/01
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Domain 4.0 Motherboard/Processors/Memory
This domain requires knowledge of specific terminology, facts, ways and means of dealing with
classifications, categories and principles of motherboards, processors, and memory in microcomputer
systems.
Content Limits
4.1 Distinguish between the popular CPU chips in terms of their basic characteristics.
Content may include the following:
o Popular CPU chips (Intel, AMD, Cyrix)
o Characteristics
o Physical size
o Voltage
o Speeds
o On board cache or not
o Sockets
o SEC (Single Edge Contact)
4.2 Identify the categories of RAM (Random Access Memory) terminology, their locations, and physical
characteristics.
Content may include the following:
o Terminology:
o EDO RAM (Extended Data Output RAM)
o DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory)
o SRAM (Static RAM)
o RIMM (Rambus Inline Memory Module 184 Pin)
o VRAM (Video RAM)
o SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic RAM)
o WRAM (Windows Accelerator Card RAM)
o Locations and physical characteristics:
o Memory bank
o Memory chips (8-bit, 16-bit, and 32-bit)
o SIMMS (Single In-line Memory Module)
o DIMMS (Dual In-line Memory Module)
o Parity chips versus non-parity chips
A+ Core Hardware Service Technician
Examination Objectives
2/15/01
9 of 13
4.3 Identify the most popular type of motherboards, their components, and their architecture (bus
structures and power supplies).
Content may include the following:
o Types of motherboards:
o AT (Full and Baby)
o ATX
o Components:
o Communication ports
o SIMM and DIMM
o Processor sockets
o External cache memory (Level 2)
o Bus Architecture
o ISA
o PCI
o AGP
o USB (Universal Serial Bus)
o VESA local bus (VL-Bus)
o Basic compatibility guidelines
o IDE (ATA, ATAPI, ULTRA-DMA, EIDE)
o SCSI (Wide, Fast, Ultra, LVD(Low Voltage Differential))
4.4 Identify the purpose of CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor), what it contains and how
to change its basic parameters.
Example Basic CMOS Settings:
o Printer parallel port—Uni., bi-directional, disable/enable, ECP, EPP
o COM/serial port—memory address, interrupt request, disable
o Floppy drive—enable/disable drive or boot, speed, density
o Hard drive—size and drive type
o Memory—parity, non-parity
o Boot sequence
o Date/Time
o Passwords
o Plug & Play BIOS
A+ Core Hardware Service Technician
Examination Objectives
2/15/01
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Domain 5.0 Printers
This domain requires knowledge of basic types of printers, basic concepts, and printer components, how
they work, how they print onto a page, paper path, care and service techniques, and common problems.
Content Limits
5.1 Identify basic concepts, printer operations and printer components.
Content may include the following:
Paper feeder mechanisms
Types of Printers
o Laser
o Inkjet
o Dot Matrix
Types of printer connections and configurations
o Parallel
o Network
o USB
o Infrared
o Serial
5.2 Identify care and service techniques and common problems with primary printer types.
Content may include the following:
o Feed and output
o Errors (printed or displayed)
o Paper jam
o Print quality
o Safety precautions
o Preventive maintenance
A+ Core Hardware Service Technician
Examination Objectives
2/15/01
11 of 13
Domain 6.0 Basic Networking
This domain requires knowledge of basic network concepts and terminology, ability to determine whether a
computer is networked, knowledge of procedures for swapping and configuring network interface cards, and
knowledge of the ramifications of repairs when a computer is networked. The scope of this topic is specific
to hardware issues on the desktop and connecting it to a network.
Content Limits
6.1 Identify basic networking concepts, including how a network works and the ramifications of repairs
on the network.
Content may include the following:
o Installing and configuring network cards
o Network access
o Full-duplex, half-duplex
o Cabling—Twisted Pair, Coaxial, Fiber Optic, RS-232
o Ways to network a PC
o Physical Network topographies
o Increasing bandwidth
o Loss of data
o Network slowdown
o Infrared
o Hardware protocols
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Web-Site: http://www.duncans.ca
This page last modified
November 05, 2007
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