The CompTIA certifications are among the most recognized IT credentials globally. They are administered by CompTIA, an association that is well-known in the IT industry for its non-vendor based professional certificates. It has certified more than two million people in the last twenty years. The CompTIA certifications are grouped into four categories. They are Core, Infrastructure, Cybersecurity, and other Additional Professional certificates.

Core Certifications

CompTIA IT Fundamentals (ITF+) is for beginners to test the waters in IT. It involves passing FC0-U61 exam. It contains 75 multiple-choice questions, which are to be completed within an hour. The passing score is 650 on a scale of 900.

CompTIA A+ is an entry-level certificate for IT technicians. The CompTIA A+ Core Series requires candidates to pass two exams: Core 1 (220-1001) and Core 2 (220-1002). These certification exams evaluate candidates’ knowledge of hardware components and networks, including TCP/IP and SOHO; skills in installing and configuring mobile devices; and troubleshooting.

CompTIA Network+ involves passing N10-007. This test contains 90 multiple-choice, performance-based, and drag and drop questions. A period of 90 minutes is allocated to the candidates to complete this exam. Such validation has been updated to meet the current requirements in the networking technologies and now also covers key cloud computing, virtualization of techniques, and critical security concepts. To enroll in such a test, you are recommended to have the A+ certification and at least 9 to 12 months of networking experience.

CompTIA Security+ evaluates the core knowledge of cybersecurity and certifies applicants’ hands-on skills to execute security services and monitor as well as secure hybrid environments. The successful candidates will operate under the applicable laws and policies to identify, analyze and respond to security issues, and monitor hybrid environments. The exam you need to pass is SY0-601, still you can opt for SY0-501 as well, but note, that this version is available till July, 2021. As for exam SY0-601, it contains 90 multiple-choice and performance-based questions to be completed in 90 minutes. The students must score 750 points on a scale of 100-900.

Infrastructure Validations

Server+. This certification involves passing SK0-004 exam that was launched to prove the successful candidates have the skills to operate in data centers and cloud environments. It validates the skills required for the job of a server support technician, server administrator, storage administrator, etc. This exam contains 100 multiple-choice questions that must be completed in 90 minutes. The questions cover virtualization, storage, security, and troubleshooting. The passing score is 750 on the 100-900 scale. The exam is available in English, Simplified Chinese, and Japanese.

Cloud+. This certificate gives emphasis on the management of cloud technologies. The exam for this certification is CV0-002, launched in February 2018, however, the new beta version known as CV1-003 has become available since the 14th of June, 2020. The successful candidates will have the sufficient knowledge required for the position of a system administrator, cloud developer, business analyst, network engineer, and many others. The 90-minute exam CV0-002 contains 90 questions, covering cloud computing, including the movement of applications, databases, workflows, and systems to the cloud.

Linux+. This certification testifies that the candidate is able to configure, monitor, and support servers running the Linux operating system. The exam that you have to take to earn this validation is XK0-004. It includes 90 performance-based, multiple-choice (single and multiple responses), and fill-in-the-blank questions that you are to complete within one hour and a half. To get the certification you are required to score 720 (on a scale of 100 to 900).

Cybersecurity Qualifications

The CySA+ certification is to validate that the successful candidate is able to make use of techniques for intelligence and threat detection, interpret data chunks, implement preventative measures, and respond to incidents if any. To earn it, you should take one exam, CS0-002 by code. It contains 85 questions of multiple-choice & performance-based types, which you need to complete within 165 minutes with a passing score of at least 750 points out of 100-900.

CASP+ (CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner). The exam for this certificate is CAS-003 and it covers conceptualizing, engineering, integrating and implementing secure solutions for resilient enterprise complex environments. Available in English and Japanese, it contains 90 questions to be completed in 165 minutes. There is no passing score for this certification test, it is either a fail or a pass. To enroll in it, you will usually be required to have at least 10 years of experience in IT administration. This number also includes five years of practical experience in technical security.

PenTest+. PT0-001 is the exam code for this certificate. It contains a maximum of 85 multiple-choice and performance-based items. These questions check your proficiency in dealing with scanning for vulnerability & penetration testing. The individuals are given 165 minutes to complete the test with a passing score of 750 on a scale of 100-900. The exam is perfect for you if you have Network+, Security+ or equivalent knowledge and a minimum of 3-4 years of hands-on information security or related experience.

Additional Professional Certifications

Project+ is perfect for those who wish to manage small or medium-sized projects as part of their job. The CompTIA Project+ certification covers various frameworks of project management and evaluates skills in managing the project life cycle, dealing with stakeholders and resources, keeping project documentation, and ensuring successful communication. The exam you need to take to achieve such a certificate is PK0-004.

CTT+ (Certified Technical Trainer) certification validates that the candidate is fully trained for teaching, possesses the required knowledge, and has mastered the required tools to plan classroom activities and evaluate students’ performance. To get certified you will be required to pass two exams. In addition to TK0-201, you’ll have to pass either the CTT+ Classroom Performance Based Exam – TK0-202, or the CTT+ Virtual Classroom Performance Based Exam coded TK0-203.

CompTIA Cloud Essentials+. The certification is for those applicants who want to get the essential business acumen to make informed cloud service decisions. The updated CLO-002 exam establishes that the successful candidates are able to make data-driven cloud decisions and are qualified in managing costs, reducing security risks, and boosting efficiency while making current cloud technology decisions. CLO-002 is only available in English and consists of a maximum of 75 questions.

Books/Study Guides for Efficient Prep

In case you are interested in pursuing any of the CompTIA certifications, you are recommended to refer yourself to the helpful guides during your prep. Thus, you can choose the following:

• Official CompTIA A+ Core 1 Study Guide

  Such a manual has been developed by the vendor for the candidates to cover all Core 1 exam objectives. This guide teaches the essential skills and information required for 220-1001 test. Some of them are:

  • Installing, configuring, and troubleshooting display, multimedia devices, storage devices, and internal system components.
  • Explaining network infrastructure concepts.
  • Supporting and troubleshooting laptops, mobile devices and print devices, etc.
• Official CompTIA A+ Core 2 Study Guide

  This book has been developed by CompTIA to cover all the Core 2 exam objectives. After learning with such material you will know how to:

  • Support operating systems.
  • Install, configure, and maintain operating systems.
  • Maintain and troubleshoot Microsoft Windows.
  • Troubleshoot workstation security issues.
  • Support and troubleshoot mobile operating systems and applications.
  • Implement operational procedures, etc.
• Official CompTIA Linux+ XK0-004 Study Guide

  A book like this is written by CompTIA Learning and organized in such a way to ease your learning process for the official test. It explains configuring, operating, and troubleshooting Linux systems. After studying the guide, you will be able to perform basic Linux tasks, manage kernel modules & secure Linux systems, and automate tasks.

• CompTIA CySA+ СS0-002 Certification Study Guide

  Such a manual is issued by CompTIA Learning and will help you learn and master the fundamental principles of using threat and vulnerability analysis tools and digital forensics tools. It guarantees 100% coverage of the test objectives and content examples. After studying with such a study guide you will learn to respond to security incidents by analyzing data, identifying vulnerabilities, and implementing preventative measures.

  Conclusion

  If you are on the way to building a career in IT or just thinking about it, CompTIA certifications are what you need. The certificates they offer are for candidates of various skill levels. Thus, to gain any, you need proper preparation with the official study guides and other official materials. Explore CompTIA study options as soon as possible to get certified soon.