DOWNERS GROVE, Ill., Oct. 9, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- CompTIA, the leading provider of vendor-neutral skills certifications for the world's information technology (IT) workforce, today launched updated exams for CompTIA A+, its flagship certification for IT support technicians.
The new exams reflect the expanding responsibilities IT technicians have within their organizations.
"The IT technician's role is increasingly more complex and sophisticated than in the days of the break-fix PC repairman," said Terry Erdle, executive vice president, skills certification, CompTIA. "They're responsible for a myriad of technologies, from mobile devices and wireless to security and virtualization. Our new exams reflect this reality."
CompTIA A+ is an ISO/ANSI accredited certification that validates foundation-level knowledge and skills necessary for a career in IT service and support. More than 900,000 IT professionals have earned the credential since it was introduced in 1993.
The updated CompTIA A+ exams are available now worldwide in English. Exams in other languages will be introduced in the coming months. Complete exam objectives are available on the CompTIA certification website. Exam vouchers and training materials are available in the CompTIA Marketplace.
The previous versions of the CompTIA A+ exams (220-701 and 220-702) remain available through Aug. 31, 2013.
Employers rely on certifications when hiring because certified IT workers have a greater ability to understand new and complex technologies; are more productive and bring more insightful problem solving to the workplace. A 2011 CompTIA study found 64 percent of IT hiring managers rated certifications as having extremely high or high value in validating the skills and expertise of job candidates. Eight in ten HR professionals surveyed believed IT certifications will grow in usefulness and importance over the next two years.
A 2012 study by the Illinois Community College Board, Illinois State Board of Education and Northern Illinois University found that earnings for community college students with a CompTIA certification increased 12.26 percent within nine months of earning the credential, compared to a 2.71 percent earnings increase for students without a certification.
Educational materials and training resources to support the new exams are available from a number of CompTIA Authorized Partners, including
These materials have been reviewed by industry experts and approved through the CompTIA Approved Quality Content program.
Visit http://www.comptia.org/home.aspx or follow CompTIA at http://www.facebook.com/CompTIA and twitter.com/comptia.
SOURCE CompTIA
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