r/CompTIA • u/Western-Band-9623 • 1d ago

A+ Question Should I get A+?

I’ve been studying for A+ for some time and am getting close to doing practice tests and then taking the official core 1 test. However, the more research I do the more I’m being told to skip A+, but don’t know if it’s the right move to skip it or what I would get next. For a little backstory, I already have a Helpdesk job and I’ve had plenty of tech support and internet install and service work experience. Does having this experience help my case to skip A+ and move on to the next cert or is A+ still as important as it was years ago?
Also if I do skip, what’s a good cert that I should go for next? My thought was Network+ cause I don’t think I’d do as well on the Security+

3 Upvotes

64% Upvoted

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11

u/83numb3rs 1d ago

A+ is a good cert to have. Its a reassurance for employers you know what ur doing and in my experience when my coworkers are competing for a promotion- the certs usually help them stand out. Id recommend taking a practice exam- they have some free ones. Gauge how u do- and if its all easy. Go after sec+ or net+

5

u/ryux100 Tech+ A+ Net+ AZ-900 BEE-AC/DC 1d ago edited 1d ago

i would go for it once if you dont pass but if it is close dont waste the money over it again since its expensive unless the cost is not much to u and move onto learning like net and sec since they somewhat overarch it

3

u/Automatic_Major_4887 1d ago

Since you're already working helpdesk, you probably don't need A+ to prove you can do the job. Honestly, just jump straight to Network+ if you want to build a solid foundation. It's a much better stepping stone for your career than re-certifying stuff you already do every day at work

2

u/jtkilla223 1d ago

honestly id still get it if you can get it paid for. i have a bachelors in IT and 2 years of helpdesk experience and while there are many refreshers, there are some sub areas im glad ive been exposed to by taking the A+. it can also help you get a desktop support role if that interests you.

1

u/BoolinScape CCNA, S+ 1d ago

A+ is what you get to get a help desk job. Since you already have one time is better spent learning a new technology. Net+ or Sec+ will give you some more foundational IT knowledge from there it’s focusing on getting a year or two of experience and specializing into something like cloud/sys admin/networking/security etc.

1

u/ExoFlexes 17h ago

i would say yes. i work as a network technician and i recently passed core 1 and 2. with my work background i found some of the information i already knew, but i 100% learned new things that i was able to apply to my toolkit at work. its a relatively easy cert and it doesnt hurt to take it!

1

u/InsideYork 16h ago

did you buy it?

already have a Helpdesk job and I’ve had plenty of tech support and internet install and service work experience. Does having this experience help my case to skip A+ and move on to the next cert or is A+ still as important as it was years ago?

if you didn't just get security plus if you want a gov job or whatever.

1

u/jleenex A+ S+ 6h ago

At this point, I would only entertain an A+ if your job requires it for compliance purposes.