New A+ 900 Series Exams on the Horizon

CompTIA will be releasing objectives for the next version of A+ exams soon.

The current version is 801/802 and the next version will likely be 901/902.

This update is inline with CompTIAs practice of updating their certifications about every three years. This is a good thing. You wouldn’t want to be taking a test covering Windows 95 and antiquated hardware.

However, this type of update always generates a lot of questions and I’m already receiving some. Here are a few:

• I’m thinking of earning the A+ certification. Should I wait for the 900 series exams?
  • Only if you want to delay your career advancement.
    Carpe Certum! Seize the cert today.
    Materials are available for the 800 series exams, but it will take time for vendors and publishers to create new materials for the 900 series exams.
    Pass the 800 series exams now, and by the time 900 series materials come out, you’ll have likely already completed the CompTIA trio of A+, Network+, and Security+.

• When the 900 series exams go live, will it invalidate my tests for the 800 series?
  • No. If you’ve taken one of the 800 series exams, keep studying and take the next one. You’ll then be A+ certified. Keep learning and updating your certifications and you’ll keep the A+ certification indefinitely.

• Will I be forced to take the 900 series exams despite passing one of the 800 series exams?
  • No. As long as you don’t wait too long.
    You typically have as long as 8 months to take the next exam in the current series after the new exams go live.

• Can I take one 800 series exam and one 900 series exam?
  • No. You can’t mix and match. Either take both 800 series exams, or both 900 series exams?

• I’m studying for the 800 series exams. Will the 900 series exams be different?
  • Absolutely. If not, then you would be asked questions about Windows 3.1 from the 100 series exams.
    Think back.
    How old were you when Windows 3.1 came out in 1992?
    Do you want to be tested on Windows 3.1?

• How do I know what’s different?
  • You could compare the exam objectives side-by-side and identify the differences. Also, I typically post the differences for many certifications in a blog post so you can search on differences within this site.

Predicting the Future

As I write this, CompTIA has not released the 900 series objectives to the general public.

Based on CompTIA’s history, the 900 series of exams will likely go live in December, 2015, though they will release the objectives much earlier.

Update. CompTIA announced the 900 series exams will go live December 15, 2015. 

The 800 series of exams will likely expire in August 2016.

Update. CompTIA announced the 800 series exams (English version) will expire on June 30, 2016.

Remember though, I’m just guessing based on history, the number of shooting stars I saw in the Perseid meteor shower*, and my expertise in tasseography**.

Note that while I’m guessing right now, I can edit this whenever I want to to make my guesses look surprisingly prescient. I can even delete this note.

Still, the primary message is the same.

• Don’t worry about what might happen in the future.
• Take action now, in the present.

* Note: It was a great show, but remembering the quote “Wine is proof that God loves us,” I’m not sure that my count was accurate.

** Note: I know nothing of tasseography other than a guess at how to spell it.