The vendor neutral CompTIA A+ exam is one of the few
certifications that require passing two exams in order to get
certified. The exams needed to be cleared for obtaining this
certification are:
A+ Core Hardware
A+ Operating Systems Technology Exam
While the cost of these exams varies between countries,
typically each of these exams cost approximately USD $152 each.
That's $304 total. To know the precise cost of the exam in your
country, visit the official CompTIA A+ Exam Pricing page.
Before you sit for the exam, make sure that you are prepared
well enough to pass the first time. The full exam fee is charged
for each re-take so an exam re-take would have financial
implications.
While the exam is expensive at $152 each, this is the maximum
cost charged to a non-member. A good understanding of various
discount options can help to considerably lower the fee.
CompTIA provides discount to corporate members. Members get a
discounted price that is typically $120 (or lower). If you are
required to take the exam by a corporate employer, ensure that
you check with the company regarding the eligibility of
corporate membership discount.
Discount options are also available to individual non-member
exam takers through coupons known as "vouchers". Vouchers are a
convenient way to pre-pay for the exam at a discounted price.
While vouchers can provide a significant cost saving, it is
important to have a good understanding about vouchers and how
they work. Given below are some essential facts that you should
know:
* Vouchers for A+ exam need to be purchased and are rarely ever
available for free.
* The A+ exam may be given either at a Pearson VUE center or a
Thompson Prometric center. Each organization has it's own
vouchers that can not be redeemed at the other organization.
Since the exam price is same at sites of both companies, most
students prefer to give the exam at the test center closest to
their place.
* Typical saving through a voucher can be 10%-45% of the exam
price. With a recent change in CompTIA's policy typical saving
by vouchers is now expected to be around $20.
* All A+ vouchers are pre-paid and not purchased at the test
site at the time of exam.
* Much like coupons, vouchers expire and cannot be extended
beyond expiration date. Be sure to check the expiry date of the
voucher before making a purchase. In general, the closer the
expiry date on the voucher, the larger is the discount offered.
These high discount vouchers are sometimes also described as
"early expiry vouchers" or "short term vouchers". You MUST
register for the exam before the expiry of the voucher to get
the discount.
* Vouchers may have limited geographical applicability such as
some may be valid only at US and Canadian testing centers
whereas others maybe valid internationally.
* Refund or exchange is typically not permitted, so be sure when
you make the purchase.
* As per CompTIA requirement vouchers are sold by vendors
bundled with study products such as study guides etc
* You can get vouchers either as a electronic copy delivered via
email or as a hard copy (delivered via snail mail).
All in all, Comptia A+ exam is expensive but is well worth money
even at full price. The large number of benefits raning from
increased career opportunities to direct salary raise, make
passing the A+ exam a smart investment in both time and money!
About the author:
ProProfs CompTIA APlus Certification School provides
free study aids like
free A+ study guides.
