50% discount on A+ (2009) PrepKit

This is official now. uCertify is offering 50% discount on their A+ 2009 PrepKits. This August, CompTIA has released the new edition of A+ certification. The latest version of CompTIA A+ is CompTIA A+ 2009 Edition with following changes:

• Only two papers are there (instead of four in A+ 2006 edition).
• Both papers are required to pass to get the certification.
• Changed objectives with more focused approach.

CompTIA A+ Essentials (220-701) measures the necessary competencies of an entry-level IT professional. It tests for the fundamentals of computer technology, networking and security, as well as the communication skills and professionalism now required of all entry-level IT professionals.

CompTIA A+ Practical Application (220-702) is an extension of the knowledge and skills identified in CompTIA A+ Essentials, with more of a "hands-on" orientation focused on scenarios in which troubleshooting and tools must be applied to resolve problems.

uCertify is the only one to release the study material for A+ 2009 edition. The PrepKit includes Study Guide, Articles, and lots of questions and their analysis. So what are you waiting for; download the PrepKit, learn the stuff, and grab the certification.

Happy learning!

Everything you want to know about A+ Practical Application exam 220-702

Q. What is the CompTIA A+ Practical Application (220-702) exam?

A. CompTIA A+ Practical Application (220-702) is an extension of the knowledge and skills identified in CompTIA A+ Essentials (220-701), with more of a "hands-on" orientation focused on scenarios in which troubleshooting and tools must be applied to resolve problems. The CompTIA A+ certification is the industry standard for computer support technicians. The latest version of CompTIA A+ is CompTIA A+ 2009 Edition. Two exams are necessary to be certified: CompTIA A+ Essentials (220-701); and CompTIA A+ Practical Application (220-702).

Q. What are the prerequisites for the CompTIA A+ Practical Application (220-702) exam?

A. None. Both 220-701 and 220-702 exams are required to be passed for getting the A+ certification.

Q. What are the benefits to becoming an A+ certified professional?

A. The CompTIA A+ certification is the industry standard for computer support technicians. This is the international, vendor-neutral certification that proves competence in areas such as installation, preventative maintenance, networking, security and troubleshooting. CompTIA A+ certified technicians have excellent customer service and communication skills to work with clients. The A+ certification demonstrates competency as a computer technician.

Officially, CompTIA A+ certification is a vendor neutral certification. It covers numerous technologies and operating systems from such vendors as Microsoft, Apple Inc., Novell and some of the Linux variations. Some of the companies such as CompuCom and Ricoh, have made CompTIA A+ certification mandatory for their service technicians.

Q. What credit does the CompTIA A+ Practical Application (220-702) exam provide?

A. Passing CompTIA A+ Practical Application (220-702) provides credit towards CompTIA A+ certification.

Q. What certificate does it provide?

A. You need to pass both 220-701 and 220-702 to earn the A+ certification.

Q. How many questions are asked in the test?

A. 100

Q. What is the duration of the test?

A. 90 minutes

Q. Which type of the test is it? (Adaptive/Linear)

A. Linear

Q. What is the passing score?

A. 700 for CompTIA A+ Practical Application on a scale of 100-900

Q. What is the test retake policy?

A. There is no wait time fixed between the first and second attempt. However, third or any subsequent attempt needs to be at least 30 calendar days apart from the previous test.

Q. Is the CompTIA A+ Practical Application (220-702) exam right for me?

A. A+ is an entry level certification. If you wish to become a support technician, this certification is for you. You can excel your career by getting certified from CompTIA. This certification measures the necessary competencies of an entry-level IT professional with at least 500 hours of hands-on experience in the lab or field. It tests for the fundamentals of computer technology, networking and security, as well as the communication skills and professionalism now required of all entry-level IT professionals.

Q. What to expect in the CompTIA A+ Practical Application (220-702) exam?

A. Multiple-choice questions on the following topics:

• Hardware
• Operating Systems
• Network
• Security

Q. What are the code languages available for the CompTIA A+ Practical Application (220-702) exam?

A. English

Q. Where to take the test?

A. CompTIA certification exams are provided through Pearson VUE and Prometric.

Q. How to locate a testing center?

A. Visit the Pearson VUE and Prometric sites to locate a testing center.

Manage your day

I just went through this wonderful blogpost related to time management. There are lots of books and posts regarding time-management; then what's special about it. This is focussed on IT professionals.

Excerpts...

Step1 (5 Minutes). Before turning on your computer, sit down with a blank piece of paper and decide what will make this day highly successful. What can you realistically accomplish that will further your goals and allow you to leave at the end of the day feeling like you've been productive and successful? Write those things down.

...Set your watch, phone, or computer to ring every hour. When it rings, take a deep breath, look at your list and ask yourself if you spent your last hour productively.

I will recommend to read full blog and act on it to make your life successful. More...

Crack the N10-004 Network+ (2009)

Q. What is the Network+ (2009) N10-004 exam?
A. The exam N10-004 Network+ tests the knowledge and skills of networking professionals. It recognizes a technician's ability to describe the features and functions of the networking components. It also recognizes a candidate's ability to install, configure and troubleshoot basic networking hardware, protocols and services.


Q. What are the prerequisites for the Network+ (2009) N10-004 exam?
A. There are no prerequisites for writing the exam, although it is recommended that CompTIA Network+ candidates have at least nine months of experience in network support or administration or academic training, along with a CompTIA A+ certification.


Q. What are the benefits of becoming Network+ certified?
A. The CompTIA Network+ certification is the sign of a competent networking professional. It is an international, vendor-neutral certification that proves a technician's competency in managing, maintaining, troubleshooting, installing and configuring basic network infrastructure.

Microsoft includes CompTIA Network+ in their Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) program, and other corporations such as Novell, Cisco and HP also recognize CompTIA Network+ as part of their certification tracks.


Q. What certificate does it provide?
A. Passing exam N10-004 provides the Network+ certification.


Q. How many questions are asked in the exam?
A. This test consists of multiple-choice questions. There are no case study type questions, and the test is not adaptive. You will be required to attempt one hundred (100) questions.

Q. What is the duration of the exam?
A. Users are required to attempt all questions in 90 minutes.


Q. Which type of test is it? (Adaptive/Linear)
A. The exam N10-004 is in linear format.


Q. What is the passing score?
A. You need a score of 720 on a 100-900 scale to pass the exam.


Q. What is the test retake policy?
A. There is no wait time fixed between the first and second attempts. However, a third or any subsequent attempt needs to be at least 30 calendar days apart from the previous test.


Q. Where can I take the exam?
A. CompTIA exams may be taken at Pearson VUE or Prometric testing facilities.


Q. What is the exam fee?
A. US$ 238.00

This August... CompTIA Releasing... A+ (2009)

CompTIA is releasing new exams and objectives for A+ certification this August. Now this is official that the new CompTIA A+ (2009) certification will contain only two exams -

• 220-701 CompTIA A+ Essentials
• 220-702 CompTIA A+ Practical Application

According to CompTIA, the new version of CompTIA A+ Essentials is intended for the entry-level IT professional with at least 500 hours of hands-on experience in the lab or field. A+ exam 220-701 will test candidates for the fundamentals of computer technology, networking and security, as well as the communication skills and professionalism previously included in the 603 and 604 exams.

The CompTIA press release states that the exam 220-702, Practical Application, will be the extension of the knowledge and skills identified in CompTIA A+ Essentials, but the focus will be on scenarios in which troubleshooting and tools must be applied to resolve problems, with more of a “hands-on” orientation.

For earning CompTIA A+ (2009 Edition) certification, successful completion of both 220-701 and 220-702 is required. More...

Network+ version 2007 N10-003 to retire on July 31.

CompTIA has announced the retirement of Network+ version 2007 (N10-003 and JK0-012) exam. This exam will be available until July 31, 2009. Although exam will retire, the certification status of candidate will not change. So, candidates preparing for this exam since a long time are advised to take the exam as early as possible.

Network + version 2009 (N10-004 and JK0-016) is available for applicants who want to take the most recent version of the exam.

Celebrating Independence Day

uCertify is celebrating Independence Day this July with its users by offering them 15% additional discount on all PrepKits for limited time period. To avail the opportunity, use discount code "JULY15" in order page. More...

Microsoft Releases Windows 7 Certification Exam Objectives

Microsoft has released its exam objectives for Windows 7 (70-680) certification. This exam will be for candidates those operate in computing environments that use Microsoft Windows 7 as a desktop operating system in an enterprise environment. Althought theres will be no pre-requisite for appearing in the exam, candidates should have at least one year of experience in the IT field, as well as experience implementing and administering any Windows client operating system in a networked environment.

The exam will test for candidates for their ablity on the following:

• To install, deploy, and upgrade to Windows 7, including ensuring hardware and software compatibility.
• To configure pre-installation and post-installation system settings, Windows security features, network connectivity applications included with Windows 7, and mobile computing.
• To maintain systems, including monitoring for and resolving performance and reliability issues.
• A basic understanding of Windows PowerShell syntax.

Credits

Passing Exam 70-680: TS: Windows 7, Configuring, will complete the requirements for

MCTS: Windows 7, Configuration

Exam 70-680: TS: Windows 7, Configuring: counts as credit toward the following certification(s):

• MCITP: Enterprise Administrator
• MCITP: Enterprise Desktop Administrator 7
• MCITP: Enterprise Desktop Support Technician 7

I am eagerly waiting for this exam to become live.

Cheers! and happy learning.

IT world is changing fast...

I am unable to understand, why in this great recession, all vendors are upgrading or changing their certification exams. CompTIA has upgraded its Net+ (2007) to Net+ (2009). The same vendor is also working on upgrade for its flag bearer A+. They are about to release new papers for A+. The are releasing 220-701 and 220-702 in place of 220-601 and 220-602 respectively.

Microsoft is also upgrading its product list and in the coming months we will see some new papers there too. Exchange 2007 's next version Exhange 2010 is in beta phase now and will be out by the end of this year. Its exam will be out by the end of first quarter of the next year. Same vendor is also releasing its new desktop OS with the name of Windows 7. Very soon we will be hearing some new papers for this version too.

May god bless us!

Network+ (N10-004) version 2009

On Friday 22nd, 2009 I passed my first CompTia exam. I cleared it with 810 out of possible 900 marks. The exam was easy as compared to Microsoft exams. Hoever, they have a vast course to cover up. As someone said- "a mile long and an inch deep".

It was a confidence booster for me. I made some notes a week before that was very useful for me. That included the area, where exact information is required to be learnt; viz., default ports used by well known protocols, Valid public or private addresses, etc.

I am happy that I can use the Network+ logo. Cheers!