The differences in the CompTIA A+ 900 and CompTIA A+ 1000 Core Series Certification Exams

Anytime there is a refresh for a certification exam; you can typically guarantee that it’s a good thing. Not only does it provide a better value to those who have already obtained certification but it updates the required skill level for those wishing to test for the certification. CompTIA’s latest rollout of the CompTIA A+ core series is no different.

Released on January 15, 2019, the Core 1 (220-1001) and Core 2 (220-1002) certification exams include topics previously covered in the 900-series but also new 1000 level topics considered to be in demand in the IT industry by today’s standards. The 900 series focused mainly on supporting access to applications and data required to complete a task while the Core series focuses on allowing end users and devices to access the need data securely.

When people traditionally think about the differences in the two exams, they immediately think the CompTIA A+ 220-901 or newly CORE 1 (220-1001) as the hardware and CompTIA A+ 220-902 or CORE 2 (220-1002) as the software portion. However, once you start looking at the breakdown of each exam, you will notice that 20% of Core 1 includes networking and 12% virtualization and cloud computing. 

So what is the overall difference?

CompTIA A+ 900 Series Certification

The CompTIA A+ 900 series developed for 2016 through 2018, at the time, seemed drastically different from previous versions. The 900 series added Linux, introduced IoT considerations and expanded security sections to include ransomware, bonnets, and spear phishing.  Also, the first applications of mobility connections, accessories, and ports across various hardware platforms like smartphones, tablets, wearables, and e-readers were integrated into the exam. The 900 series also covered:

·        Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, Android, iOS, Linux, Mac OS X

·        PC hardware tools and components, BIOS/UEFI tools, motherboard form factors, and expansion cards

·        Cloud and remote printing

·        Multifactor authentication and access control lists (ACLs)

·        Powershell, RDP, iCloud, Linux CLI, SaaS applications, and email

·        WiFi networking and encryption types

·        Router configuration

·        RAID arrays

CompTIA 1000 Series – Core Certification Series

The new CompTIA A+ Core Series will better prepare those hoping to break into the IT industry through expansions and updates. It spends more time addressing cloud and virtualization which have a dedicated domain and introduces scripting as a technical tool. The IoT is also getting an expansion with both hardware and connectivity being addressed. The security protocols, privacy concerns/policies, and encryption methods, as well as threat identification and prevention, are highly sought after skills in today’s job market which make having a CompTIA A+ Certification well worth it. The Core series coverage also includes:

·        Windows 10, 7, 8, 8.1, Android, iOS, Linux, Mac OS X, Chrome OS

·        Mobile device network connectivity, application support, and device synchronization

·        Networking hardware devices (Routers, switches, access points, cloud-based network controller, PoE, etc.)

·        Networked hosts, server role, Internet appliances, legacy systems

·        PC hardware tools and components, BIOS/UEFI settings, solid state drives, RAID 10, hot-swappable storage configurations

·        Custom PC configurations including virtualization workstations and NAS devices

·        Sharing multifunction devices and printers via OS settings, wired and wireless connections, 3D printing

·        Logical security concepts, Active Directory security settings, software tokens, MDM policies, MAC address filtering, certificates, VPN, DLP, email filtering

The refresh of the CompTIA A+ Certification exams will test new and expanding technology as a more informative introduction to the IT industry but the format of the test itself will not change by much. To obtain the CompTIA A+ certification, you must still pass two exams, each with a maximum of 90 questions in 90 minutes. The questions will include a combination of multiple choice questions, with both single and multiple responses, drag and drop, and scenario-based questions. You must still score at least a 675 on the Core1 exam and 700 on the Core 2 exam out of 900 total possible points.

If you are already on track to take the 900-series exam, you have until July 31, 2019, to pass the exams and receive your certification. Otherwise, you will need to prepare for the updated material on the Core Series exams. Please know you will are not able to mix and match exams. For example, if you take the CompTIA A+ 220-901 exam, you cannot take the CORE 2 (220-1002) to get your certification.

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