Do I need A+ if I have a degree?

You've put in years of studying, taking tests, and working hard to earn that valuable piece of paper. Now that you're ready to launch or grow your tech career, you might be asking if adding the CompTIA A+ certification makes sense. Let's take a look at how A+ fits alongside your college degree.

What A+ Offers

Your degree represents a strong foundation of knowledge, while A+ adds specific tech skills that employers value. Your degree tells employers you can master complex topics and long-term goals. Meanwhile, A+ demonstrates your ability to fix computers, set up networks, and handle everyday IT problems.

The tech world keeps changing, and A+ gets updated every three years to stay current. This means you'll gain knowledge about modern technologies that many college programs might not address. While your degree provides broad expertise, A+ fills in those practical gaps that matter in day-to-day IT work.

Real-World Skills That Matter

When starting in IT, employers want to know you can handle common problems right away. A+ teaches you practical skills like:

Setting up and repairing computers Troubleshooting network issues Installing and managing operating systems Supporting users with tech problems Understanding security basics

These tasks make up the core of your first IT job. Your degree might have introduced some of these topics, but A+ goes deep into the details you'll need every day.

The Job Market Reality

Many employers treat A+ as a basic requirement for entry-level IT positions, even for candidates with degrees. Why? Because it indicates you have both academic knowledge and hands-on skills. Hiring managers often use A+ as a filter to find candidates ready for practical IT work.

Using our Certification Salary Finder, you'll see that adding A+ to your degree can lead to better-paying positions. Many companies link certification requirements to pay scales and promotions.

Career Growth and Further Learning

A+ often serves as an entry point into IT certifications. Following A+, you might pursue Network+ or Security+, building a strong set of credentials alongside your degree. This mix of academic and professional certifications tells employers you're committed to your IT career.

Preparing for A+

The A+ exam includes two parts: Core 1 (220-1101) and Core 2 (220-1102). You'll need to pass both to earn certification. Your degree studies might help you grasp some concepts faster, but you'll still need to focus on the specific topics in A+.

For exam preparation, try these practice tests for the 220-1101 exam and practice questions for the 220-1102 exam. They'll help you understand the exam format and identify areas needing extra attention.

Maximizing Both Credentials

Your degree and A+ certification can help you stand out from other candidates. During job interviews, discuss how your broader education meshes with A+'s practical skills. Explain how your academic background enhances your ability to learn new technologies, while your A+ knowledge lets you tackle day-to-day challenges.

The Time and Money Factor

Earning A+ certification typically takes a few months of dedicated study. The cost runs much lower than a college education. Given the potential career benefits, many find it's a worthwhile investment.

Common Questions About A+ and Degrees

People often ask whether A+ makes sense if their degree isn't in IT. Usually, the answer is yes. Even with a computer science degree, A+ includes practical skills absent from most academic programs. For those with non-tech degrees, A+ provides essential IT knowledge for career transitions.

Some worry that pursuing A+ after a degree might appear backward. In reality, it signals to employers your dedication to practical skills and staying current with technology. Many successful IT professionals hold both degrees and certifications.

Different Career Paths

Each person's career journey looks unique. Some begin with A+ before pursuing a degree. Others follow the opposite path. What counts is building a skill set that matches your career goals.

If you're aiming for IT support roles, A+ gives you immediately applicable skills. For management positions, your degree might carry more weight, but A+ demonstrates your grasp of technical operations.

Your Decision

When weighing the value of A+, focus on your career objectives. If hands-on IT roles interest you, A+ can jumpstart your progress. Your degree offers long-term career flexibility, while A+ provides specific skills employers need immediately.

A+ might be right for you if: You want to enter IT quickly Your degree lies outside tech You need to validate your practical IT skills You want to distinguish yourself from other candidates

Looking Ahead

Your degree validates your ability to succeed in high-level academic work. Adding A+ verifies your practical IT capabilities. Together, they form a powerful combination for starting and advancing your IT career.

In technology, education never ends. Your degree laid a foundation, and A+ can become your next milestone in building a successful IT career. Today's job market values both academic knowledge and practical skills - possessing both can give you an advantage.

The most valuable credentials help you reach your professional goals. For many IT professionals, pairing a degree with A+ certification opens doors to both immediate employment and long-term advancement. Evaluate your career path and how A+ aligns with your future plans.