CompTIA Network+® StudyGuide

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Updates on CompTIA A, Network and Security
exams Carol Balkcom Director, Product
Management CompTIA
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• A Certification
• For IT Helpdesk and Remote Support Professionals

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CompTIA product stack
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Employment of U.S. Workers in Core IT Positions
SOC code  Computer and IT Occupations Employment Average Annual Salary 2010-2020 Employment Change 2010-2020 Outlook
15-1150 Computer Support Specialists (A relevant here) 607,100 46,260 110,000 18
15-1132 Software Developers, Applications 520,800 87,790 143,800 28
15-1121 Computer Systems Analysts 544,400 77,740 120,400 22
15-1133 Software Developers, Systems Software 392,300 94,180 127,200 32
15-1131 Computer Programmers 363,100 71,380 43,700 12
15-1142 Network and Computer Systems Administrators 347,200 69,160 96,600 28
15-1179 Information Security Analysts, Web Developers, and Computer Network Architects 302,300 75,660 65,700 22
15-1111 Computer and Information Research Scientists 28,200 100,660 5,300 19
15-1141 Database Administrators 110,800 73,490 33,900 31
Computer Occupations, All -- 73,710 -- 22
17-2061 Computer Hardware Engineers 70,000 98,810 6,300 9
11-3021 Computer and Information Systems Managers 307,900 115,780 55,800 18

Total 3,954,100

Source Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational
Employment Statistics, March 2012
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IT Hiring
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Investments by Firm Size
expecting to increase investment
Staffing Levels
On the hiring front, medium size IT firms
(100-499 employees) are most likely to add new
staff over the next six months. With a range of
new technologies sought by customers (e.g. cloud,
big data, business process automation, mobility)
IT firms must be vigilant in maintaining high
levels of expertise through internal training
and/or new hires.
Source CompTIA IT Industry Business Confidence
Index Q3 Release, July 2012 Base 445 U.S. IT
industry executives
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Case Study
Chuck Cooper, program director for certification
at IBM believes
To be Proficient in Technology. you need to
build your skills and take training
Certifications - are a baseline measurement of
skills and a consistent measure that validates
the skills you achieve
Certifications - build confidence on the part
of prospective customers, sellers and business
partners
Certifications - listed on a proposal denote
people with whom you can collaborate
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CompTIA A Certification

• A Knowledge and Skills
• Installation, configuring and troubleshooting of
  the following
• PC hardware (including laptops and mobile
  devices, and custom configurations
• Printers
• Networking components
• Operating systems including Windows 7 Enterprise
• Operational procedures including safety,
  environment and customer communications
• Security (22 of exam 802)

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Career Advancement for IT Professionals
Target Audience Individuals working in or
planning to work in technical support roles such
as
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2011 IT Technician Job Role Survey
Survey respondents chose the following job roles
for which A is most often required

• PC Technicians (71)
• Field Support Technicians (65)
• Help Desk Technicians (64)
• Customer Service Technicians (48)
• Network Support Technicians (41)

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Why A
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Organizations that Require or Mandate A
Professionals
Government Organizations
Corporate Organizations
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POLLS
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CompTIA WebsiteCompanies that use A

• There is a page on the CompTIA website that lists
  companies that use CompTIA certifications, with
  specific certifications that they use.
• http//certification.comptia.org/ExploreCareers/wh
  ohires.aspx

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A Exam Details
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CompTIA A Objectives
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Changes from the 700 series A

• Windows 7 Enterprise has been added to the
  covered Windows operating systems
• Mobile Devices (802 3.0) is a new subject matter
  domain. It includes Apple iOS and Android.
  Coverage includes just what a helpdesk technician
  would be expected to do Establish network
  connectivity for the device, configure email, set
  up security, and troubleshoot.
• Virtualization (802 1.9) is new
• All troubleshooting is in one exam (802 4.0),
  more extensive, and organized by specific
  hardware/software area (e.g. hard drives,
  display, etc.)
• Troubleshooting wireless (802 4.5) is new
• There is more coverage of troubleshooting
  security issues (802 4.7)
• SOHO-specific security is new (802 2.5,2.6)

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Exam objectives and other information

• For exam objectives and other information, go to
  this page http//www.testbells.com/vendor/CompTIA
  

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Performance Based Questions
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Performance based questions in Network,
Security
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Timeframe and notes

• Performance based questions will be added to
  Network and Security on this schedule
• Network November 2012
• Security January 2013
• Same objectives
• Same number of questions on exam (multiple choice
  will be reduced to accommodate performance based)
• Hands-on training or experience becomes much more
  important

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New demo video of CompTIA exam experience
Video demonstrates what a candidate can expect,
from the beginning of a CompTIA exam to the end.

• YouTube Video
• https//www.youtube.com/watch?v0NsbJLkHuuo
• Performance based questions section
• Begins at roughly the 5 minute mark
• CompTIA website (performance based portion only)
• http//certification.comptia.org/news/12-10-09/Wha
  t_Is_A_Performance-Based_Question.aspx

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Why performance based questions?

• A better measure of skills, not just memorization
• Represents CompTIAs interest in using the latest
  in testing technologies to the benefit of the
  industry
• Intended as a better indication of a certified
  candidates readiness for the job. In the words
  of a member of the CompTIA Security
  Certification Advisory Committee from the U.S.
  Navy
• A certification is not intended to be the
  introductory training tool for an inexperienced
  and untrained individual.....a certification is
  intended to attest that the individual has
  already attained the requisite training and
  experience and has proven it with an
  industry-recognized standard (certification
  exam).

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Thank You! Back to Stick around QAs
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