CompTIA A+ vs CompTIA IT Fundamentals: Which IT Certification Is Right For You?

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Your curiosity, passion, and some practical experience, when accompanied by the right IT certification, can land you on a lucrative IT career path. There are two worthwhile IT certifications specifically designed for aspirants who want to enter the sphere of Information Technology, which are CompTIA IT Fundamentals (ITF+) and CompTIA A+ certifications. 

The CompTIA (Computing Technology Industry Association) certifications are splendid online certification courses that are some of the most trusted and popular certifications in the field of IT. Still, the matter is to choose which CompTIA certification course is right for you – CompTIA IT Fundamentals or CompTIA A+? Don’t worry! Here, we will assist you in evaluating these two certifications. Let us begin to explore!

What are CompTIA IT Fundamentals and CompTIA A+ Certifications?

Notably, both CompTIA IT Fundamentals and CompTIA A+ are conducive for beginners. They do not demand any high educational qualification or work experience. Let us discuss both.

CompTIA IT Fundamentals Certification

The CompTIA IT Fundamentals teaches the most basic understanding of Information Technology, and it helps an individual to acquire knowledge of fundamental concepts of IT. This CompTIA certification course revolves around basic IT terminology, concepts, & infrastructure, software development, the basics of a database, cybersecurity, and networking.

Specifically, by pursuing this CompTIA certification training, an individual gets the knowledge needed to identify and elucidate various computer components. It also includes learning how to set up a workstation, and software installation, identify compatibility issues, administer network connectivity, perform maintenance tasks, and evaluate security risks and solutions.

CompTIA A+ Certification

The CompTIA A+ Certification can be considered the successor of CompTIA IT Fundamentals. It involves the essential skills for complementing the present IT support jobs. For individuals who are about to start their IT career, the CompTIA A+ certification is a great kickstart as it provides a good understanding of the IT domain. This CompTIA certification course is based on job roles, i.e., in this, a candidate is tested on the skills sought for specific IT jobs.

Specifically, by pursuing this CompTIA certification training, an individual acquires the knowledge of components of personal computers, internal hardware parts, fundamentals of storage, mobile devices, networking, security systems, and installation, configuration, and management of Windows OS, and more.

Analysing Format of CompTIA IT Fundamentals and CompTIA A+ Certifications

CompTIA IT Fundamentals helps form a base of knowledge for the aspirants to step up towards earning the CompTIA A+ certification. This CompTIA certification online is not hard. 

It comprises 75 Multiple-choice questions which are intended to evaluate the current skills of an individual and facilitate the determination of whether IT is right for him or not. These questions are based on concepts including features and functions of operating systems, administering Network connectivity, identifying applications and their purpose, web browsing best practices, and cybersecurity.

Key Points:

CompTIA A+ certification is considered by employers across the globe to recruit and promote IT support staff. Remarkably, the CompTIA A+ is a step ahead of CompTIA IT Fundamentals. To earn this CompTIA certification online, a candidate is required to pass two exams.

  • Total 75 questions to be attempted within 60 minutes.
  • A minimum score of 650 is necessary to pass the exam.
  • Available languages: English, Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese, Spanish, German, and Korean.

Each exam comprises 90 performance-oriented questions which are intended to evaluate the practical skills of an individual. Holding this certification acts as a validation for employers that you possess the necessary skills for IT to support job roles.

The two exams under this CompTIA certification course are 

  • CompTIA A+ 220-1001 – It includes questions on hardware, mobile devices, networking technology, network troubleshooting, virtualisation, cloud computing, etc. 
  • CompTIA A+ 220-1002- It includes questions on installing and configuring operating systems, software troubleshooting and operational procedures, cybersecurity, etc.

Key points: 

  • Each exam has 90 questions to be attempted within 90 minutes.
  • A minimum score of 675 in the 220-1001 exam and 700 in the 220-1002 exam is necessary.
  • Available languages: English, Japanese,  German, and modern Spanish.

Conclusion

The CompTIA IT Fundamentals involves a wider range of topics. It is designed to offer an overview of Information Technology to aspiring individuals. On the other hand, CompTIA A+ digs a little deeper into technical support skills in IT. Hence, CompTIA IT Fundamentals facilitates individuals to determine whether a tech career is appropriate for them. 

As an individual ensures that IT is the right industry for him, he should proceed toward CompTIA A+. It will help to prove to the employer that he has the essential skills to land his first IT job. With this CompTIA certification training, one can embark on his journey toward a successful IT career.

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