New CompTIA exams are produced every three years to maintain the material of the examinations up to date. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has approved CompTIA examinations to demonstrate adherence to strict exam standards and regular modifications, which assist maintain exam material current with the fast-paced technology industry’s demands. Every three years, a new exam is released, meeting certification criteria and preventing information from becoming obsolete. In order to keep you informed, we’ll go through the most recent CompTIA certification modifications as well as those that will be phased out in the near future in this blog.
What’s new in the CompTIA Exam?
– CompTIA A+ Exam Updates
The new code series 220-1101 & 220-1102 will get available in April 2022. Mobile devices, networking technologies, hardware, virtualization, and cloud computing are all covered in the CompTIA A+ 220-1101 exam. And, operating systems, security, software, and operational procedures are all covered in the CompTIA A+ 220-1102 exam. Further, for earning CompTIA A+ certification:
- Candidates must pass both the 1101 and 1102 exams. Exams from different series cannot be combined.
– CompTIA retiring exams dates
There are several CompTIA exams that will get expire. So, CompTIA has provided the date and year for the exam that will soon get retired or are already retired. This include:
- CompTIA Network+ N10-007 (English language version) will retire on June 30, 2022.
- CompTIA Cloud+ CV0-002 (English language version) will retire on January 7, 2022.
- Server+ SK0-004 (English language version) will retire on January 7, 2022.
- CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP+) CAS-003 will retire on April 5, 2022.
- CompTIA PenTest+ PT0-001 will retire on April 26, 2022.
- Project+ PK1-005 will retire on April 6, 2022.
Summarizing CompTIA Certifications Exam
The exam development team and subject matter experts (SMEs) participate in focus groups that involve writing and review to help discover the best information, construct questions, and check their validity. Between 30 and 45 SMEs will engage with CompTIA during the development cycle to establish a new or enhanced certification program. Let’s look at the CompTIA certification exams that are now accessible.
1. Core Skills Certifications
Every IT job necessitates a fundamental understanding of operating systems, hardware, networking, and other related areas. CompTIA’s essential IT skills certifications level the playing field and set the foundation for a successful career in IT, regardless of which path you take.
• CompTIA IT Fundamentals (ITF+)
Exam Code: FCO-U61
Description:
The new CompTIA IT Fundamentals exam is designed to teach you the fundamentals of computing, IT infrastructure, software development, and database management. The plus sign has been added to this new version to make it stand out in the marketplace and to represent CompTIA’s quality and standards.
• CompTIA A+
NEW EXAM CODES: 220-1101 & 220-1102
PREVIOUS VERSION EXAM CODES: 220-1001 & 220-1002
Description:
CompTIA A+ is the only industry-recognized certificate that includes performance testing to demonstrate that professionals can think on their feet and complete key IT support tasks. Employers all around the globe rely on it to identify the go-to person in end-point management and technical support jobs. More tech support job advertisements feature CompTIA A+ than any other IT certificate.
• CompTIA Network+
This covers two exams N10-007 and N10-008.
Exam Code: N10-007
Description:
CompTIA Network+ N10-007 offers enhanced coverage of numerous topics with:
- Firstly, using security concepts for assisting networking experts in collaborating with security practitioners.
- Secondly, best practices in cloud computing and common service models
- Thirdly, newer hardware and virtualization approaches are covered.
- Lastly, individuals should have a diverse set of talents in order for the network to remain resilient.
Retirement: June 2022
Exam Code: N10-008
Launch Date: September 15, 2021
Description:
CompTIA Network+ certifies the technical abilities required to set up, manage, and troubleshoot the critical networks that organizations rely on.
Retirement: Commonly three years after launch
• CompTIA Security+
Exam Code: SY0-601
Launch Date: November 12, 2020
Description:
The candidate will have the ability for,
- Firstly, assessing the security posture of an organization’s surroundings
- Secondly, suggesting and applying suitable security solutions
- Thirdly, checking and protecting hybrid environments, including,
- cloud
- mobile
- IoT
- Then, operating with an understanding of applicable laws and rules, including governance, risk, and compliance principles
- Lastly, discovering, examining, and responding to security events and incidents
Retirement: Usually three years after launch
2. Infrastructure Pathway
IT infrastructure is the foundation of IT operations and is required for every company to operate. However, when you use the CompTIA Infrastructure Career Pathway overall, you can verify the abilities required throughout IT operations, enhancing your understanding and expanding the number of IT infrastructure positions to which you may contribute.
• CompTIA Cloud+
Exam Code: CV0-003
Launch date: June 9, 2021
Description:
CompTIA Cloud+ certifies the abilities required to create and operate secure cloud infrastructures that ensure corporate systems and data are available at all times.
Retirement: Usually three years after launch
• CompTIA Linux+
Exam Code: XK0-004
Launch Date: April 2, 2019
Description:
CompTIA Linux+ certifies IT professionals who have worked with Linux servers and have expertise in configuring, monitoring, and maintaining them. Security, kernel modules, storage & virtualization, enterprise device management, git & automation, networking & firewalls, server-side & command line, server (vs. client-based) coverage, troubleshooting, and SELinux are all covered more in the new exam.
Retirement: To Be Declared – Usually three years after launch
• CompTIA Server+
Exam Code: SK0-005
Launch Date: May 18, 2021
Description:
Server+ certifies IT professional’s ability to install, administer, and troubleshoot servers in data centers, on-premises, and hybrid settings.
Retirement: To Be Declared
3. Cybersecurity Pathway
The need for qualified cybersecurity specialists is expanding at a rapid rate, thanks to the ongoing rise in cyberattacks and the number of new connected devices. Cybersecurity experts must develop their practical, hands-on abilities in order to be able to prevent rather than merely identify security occurrences and difficulties.
• CompTIA CySA+
Exam Code: CS0-002
Launch Date“ April 21, 2020
Description:
Candidates earning the CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+) certification will have the skills for,
- Firstly, using intelligence and threat detection techniques
- Secondly, examining and interpreting data
- Thirdly, discovering and addressing vulnerabilities
- Then, recommending preventative measures
- Lastly, effectively responding to and recovering from incidents.
Retirement: Usually three years after launch
• CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP+)
This covers two exams CAS-003 & CAS-004.
Exam Code: CAS-003
Launch date: April 2, 2018
Description:
CASP+ is a certification that covers the technical knowledge and abilities needed to design, create, integrate, and deploy secure solutions in complex settings to support a resilient organization.
Retirement: April 5, 2022
Exam Code: CAS-004
Launch Date: October 6, 2021
CASP+ provides the technical knowledge and abilities needed to plan, engineer, integrate, and deploy secure solutions across complex settings in order to enable a resilient company while taking governance, risk, and compliance needs into account.
Retirement: Usually three years after launch
• CompTIA PenTest+
This covers two exams PT0-001 & PT0-002.
Exam Code: PT0-001
Launch Date: July 31, 2018
Description:
Candidates earning the CompTIA PenTest+ certification will have the knowledge for:
- Firstly, planning and scoping an assessment
- Secondly, comprehending legal and compliance needs
- Thirdly, undertaking vulnerability scanning and penetration testing
- Then, examining data
- Lastly, effectively reporting and communicating results.
Retirement: April 2022
Exam Code: PT0-002
Launch Date: October 28, 2021
Description:
The CompTIA PenTest+ certifies that the candidate has the knowledge and abilities to design and scope a penetration testing engagement, including vulnerability scanning, comprehend legal and compliance requirements, assess results, and provide a written report with remedial procedures.
Retirement: Usually three years after launch
4. Data Analytics Path
CompTIA Data+ is a data analytics certification for professionals who are just starting out in their careers and are responsible for building and supporting data-driven corporate decision-making.
• CompTIA Data+
Exam Code: DA0-001
Launch Date: February 2022
Description:
The CompTIA Data+ exam verifies that the candidate has the knowledge and skills to transform business requirements into data-driven decisions by mining and manipulating data, applying basic statistical methods, and analyzing complex datasets while adhering to governance and quality standards throughout the data life cycle.
Retirement: Usually three years after launch
5. Additional Certifications
IT professionals require professional abilities such as project management and training in addition to the specific skills certified in the CompTIA career pathways.
• CompTIA Project+
Exam Code: PK0-004
Launch Date: March 15, 2017
Description:
CompTIA Project+ is for business professionals who coordinate or manage small-to-medium-size projects. The exam verifies that you have the knowledge and abilities needed to manage the project life cycle, ensure appropriate communication, manage resources, manage stakeholders, and keep track of project documents.
Retirement: N/A
• CompTIA CTT+
Exam Code: TK0-201, TK0-202 & TK0-203
Description:
- TK0-201: CTT+ Essentials
- Then, TK0-202: CTT+ Classroom Performance Based Exam
- TK0 -203: CTT+ Virtual Classroom Performance Based Exam
The CTT+ certification exam examines class teaching abilities, including planning, facilitation, and assessment of physical or virtual classrooms. You have to pass two tests to receive the certification. You must pass TK0-202 or TK0-203 in addition to TK0-201.
• CompTIA Cloud Essentials+
Exam Code: CLO-002
Launch Date: November 2019
Description:
By evaluating business use cases, financial impacts, cloud technologies, and deployment models with knowledge of cloud computing, CompTIA Cloud Essentials+ validates the candidate’s knowledge and skills required for making clear decisions about cloud technologies and their business impact.
Retirement: Usually three years after launch
Above we have understood the CompTIA certifications exams in detail. Now, let’s take a look at some of the important areas of CompTIA Certifications.
CompTIA Exam: Launch and Retirement
After the exam creation process is done, CompTIA begins the transfer from the prior version to the new one. The prior edition remains available for a limited time after the new one is issued; both examinations are available for a limited time.
- The day on which a new exam with updated content is released is referred to as the launch date.
- And, retirement is when an old test is retired, it is no longer available and is taken out of circulation.
When a new version of the exam comes, the previous version remains available for at least six months (sometimes longer depending on other market factors).
Things you should know:
- IT professionals who have been studying for the prior edition of the test have the option of finishing their studies and taking the old version before it becomes unavailable, or pivoting and studying for the new version.
- Secondly, there are occasionally significant changes when new examinations are published every three years. Exam domains are sometimes drastically altered, while other times the nature of the exam objectives is altered. It relies entirely on how the field has evolved.
