Any individual who is new to I.T. will benefit from training and qualifications developed by 'CompTIA'. Generally, individuals who are planning on careers in Networking, Security, Servers, Systems, Communications and Support will begin with 'CompTIA', but in fact students in any sector would likely find a 'CompTIA' accreditation a helpful addition to their Resume. There is certainly also now a drive at CompTIA to offer their beginner-level 'STRATA' programs to those individuals who don't actually work in IT, but would gain from a knowledge of basic I.T. and how it impacts their work.

Both of the examinations have recently undergone a 2009 update in-line with the company's efforts towards ISO standardisation. A+ exams which commenced with the number '600' (i.e. the 2006/2007 version) are being phased out worldwide. In Great Britain, they cease being offered on August 31st 2010. Because both the '600', & the recently released '700' exams are currently allowed to be taken in Prometric and 'Vue' test-centres, it seems sensible to study the 700 exams now, and not have to re-certify later on. CompTIA 'A+' Essentials & CompTIA 'A+' Practical Application are the new examination titles (220/701 & 220-702 respectively). The key changes were a complete re-structuring of the earlier 4 exams in to just two examinations, & the addition of some coverage on newer relevant technologies. Even though the older A+ had four examinations within the whole program, only 2 were necessary to get the qualification. As the industry has progressed, the knowledge from all 4 examinations is now considered necessary, & thus has been fine-tuned in to 2 required exams. CompTIA have also released the BR/003 bridging examination, for students accredited in the '600' examinations who wish to up-date to the current 700 examinations. This would almost definitely call for extra learning, although less so if you covered all 4 of the original exams, instead of only the two that were required. The extra topics will undoubtedly require some fresh study.

Several of these jobs are often starting-points for more professional I.T. positions, and so, as with all career-tracks, it's extremely important to first consider precisely what your end-goals are, and which learning-style you prefer. The best way to optimise your career-path fully is to take advice from an industry expert prior to getting started with your training. it is often really useful to look at tailored career-training packages that include the A+ and 'Network+' programs. 'Bundling' several program materials into one is often very financially attractive.

Be prepared to allow yourself in the region of a hundred to a hundred & fifty hours learning time for the A+ exams, & for the N+ around seventy-five to a hundred hours. With the best multimedia training that's backed up by accredited examination practice software, both accreditations could very well be completed in six months for the trainee who's studying whilst holding down employment.

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