Overview of the CompTIA A+ Exam

COURSE CONVENTIONS AND CONTENT

What does course convention mean? Course conventions are the concepts and methods with which I will be presenting the course material to you. The content is broken down into several chapters, of which many are also subdivided into several smaller sections. Every time that I start a new section or chapter, I will mention its name to you.

I will be presenting you with short quizzes throughout the course. You can find these quizzes in the Follow-along PDF Manual that I will discuss with you in a while. I suggest you take a quiz and refer to the answer key afterward to gauge how well you have retained the course material. Alternately, I will be discussing the correct quiz answers during the lectures. You can choose to pause the audio, take the short quiz, and then listen for the correct answers afterward if you don’t want to use the PDF manual. The quizzes usually consist of ten questions given near the end of each chapter.

As a way of recapping a chapter, I will finish each one with at least ten takeaways . These takeaways are the key points to remember from the chapter. They will help you to retain as much information as possible the concepts you need to know.

I mentioned a Follow-along PDF Manual a while ago. Each AudioLearn course comes with a Follow-along PDF Manual which acts as a companion study guide. You can choose to either print out the manual to help you along, or read it in digital format. These manuals contain quizzes, your final exam, learning summaries, and some links to additional relevant information. One good thing about printing the manual is that you can also use it to write additional notes and comments. This helps some people to better retain material they have learned. I find that it works for me, at least. Simply use the format of the Follow along PDF Manual that works best for you.

If you have been paying close attention, you heard me mention a final exam. Included in this course is a one hundred question final exam. Take it after you complete this course. It will help you determine just how ready you are for the actual certification test. We have done our best to assemble questions that closely match up with what you will see on your certification exam. When you complete the course, take the exam, multiple

times if you want. Shoot for a perfect score. This is a great way to reinforce what you will learn with me.

During the course of my lectures, I usually construct my sentences by referring to persons with a “he” or “his”. I find it simpler, rather than repeatedly saying “he or she” or “his or her”. Just note that when I use those words, I mean an individual, regardless of gender.

Many listeners find that repetition is an effective tool for learning. Throughout this audio course, I will be repeating many terms and concepts. This is because we consider them to be very important ideas that are worth repeating.

I also recommend that you listen to every lecture in this course at least twice for greater retention. It is difficult to fully grasp all the information, concepts, suggestions, and ideas in one listen. Taking notes is also highly recommended, whenever possible, depending on where you are listening. The concepts are best absorbed if you follow along with the PDF manual as I am presenting the course. If you cannot refer to the manual or take notes while listening, then just refer to it at a more appropriate time. Please, don’t look at the manual while driving or doing anything that requires your full attention.

Throughout the course, I will be presenting and reviewing a wide range of topics. I will provide lots of helpful information. You’ll need to know this information to pass the exam.

Next up, I will present you with an outline of our course material, so that you can set the proper expectations.

I will start the course by discussing all the essential details related to CompTIA A+ certification.

From there, I will discuss the importance of passing the CompTIA A+ examination and how it will give you head start in launching your career in the IT industry.

Next, I will take stock of the key steps in the certification process. Along the way, I will answer your initial questions such as “What is Comp-TIA?”, “What is A plus certification?” and “What can I do with an A plus certification?”.

From there, I will delve into the technical scope of the exam. This can help you evaluate whether you are ready to take it or if you need further preparation. I’ll also cover the additional steps you need to take to confirm your eligibility to sit for the test. I will also inform you about the process of registering for and scheduling your exam.

After registering and receiving your test date, the next thing to do is to study and prepare for your scheduled exam. I will provide you with helpful tips, as well as cover some of the important points that you need to bear in mind when taking the exam. In this section, I will also anticipate possible questions that you may face. I’ll share some tips, strategies, and guidelines for the exam.

Next, I’ll talk about the various protocols and procedures you must observe during the actual test. I will touch on some scenarios that you may face during the course of the exam. Then you’ll know how to respond to these situations if they arise.

The course will close out with a discussion of the steps you need to follow upon receiving your CompTIA A+ exam results. Now that you have received the results, what happens next? If you were not fortunate enough to pass the test, I will explain the mechanics of applying for a retake, as well as other matters regarding your results and retakes.

As you have just heard, we have a lot of ground to cover. So, be sure to listen attentively and as often as you can. Make sure to work at a pace that is comfortable to you. Our aim is to set you off on a course towards a rewarding career in the IT industry. You'll start your journey by passing the CompTIA A+ certification exam. Familiarize yourself with the material and other necessary requirements as much as you can, so that you will be thoroughly prepared and confident heading into the exam.

While I have only started with the introductory part of this course, that does not mean there will be no takeaways that you can derive from this chapter. So, here they are:

One: The CompTIA A+ certification can pave the way towards a potentially rewarding career in the IT industry.

Two: More and more people are needed to fill in various positions within the IT industry. This is due to the exponential advances in technology that we have experienced over the past fifty years or so. Advances have been in computing