What Is CompTIA A+? And How Does it Impact IT Support?

Mark, one of our 1st Line Engineers, recently passed the CompTIA A+ Core 1 exam. But what exactly does that mean? And how does it benefit the people we support?

What is CompTIA A+?

Pronounced “Comp-tee-a”, the CompTIA A+ certification is often referred to as an entry-level benchmark for IT professionals – but “entry-level” doesn’t mean basic. It’s a globally recognised, vendor-neutral qualification that focuses on practical skills and real-world problem-solving.

A+ is split into two parts:

• Core 1 (220-1101) – This covers hardware, networking, mobile devices, virtualisation, and basic cloud computing
• Core 2 (220-1102) – This covers operating systems, software troubleshooting, security, and professional practice

Passing Core 1 demonstrates Mark’s ability to handle a wide range of technical issues – from diagnosing hardware faults and configuring Wi-Fi networks to deploying cloud-based systems and supporting remote work setups.

Why we value industry certifications

While experience is crucial, structured training ensures our engineers stay sharp, especially when standards shift or new tools are introduced. Certifications like A+ are externally assessed, performance-based, and updated regularly – so they give an objective measure of someone’s capabilities.

The A+ differs from other certifications in a few key ways:

A+ stands out by giving a broad foundation across platforms – not tied to any specific vendor.

Why it matters to your business

It’s a reminder that IT is a human process. People delivering support to people. Things run more smoothly when there’s mutual respect, shared understanding, and a common standard of technical knowledge. That’s what qualifications like A+ aim to support.

If you’d like to understand more about how our team operates and how we build reliable support partnerships, get in touch.