Reading:

The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA), a non-profit trade association, was created in 1982 as the Association of Better Computer Dealers, Inc. (ABCD) by representatives of five microcomputer dealerships. Over the course of a decade, ABCD laid the groundwork for many of CompTIA’s initiatives and member benefits. ABCD later changed its name to the Computing Technology Industry Association. The new name clearly reflected the association’s evolving role in the computer industry and in the U.S. business landscape at large. The nineties were a period of extensive growth for the association as it broadened the scope of its activities to address the needs of the ever‐expanding computer industry. Its initiatives increased to include the networking, UNIX, imaging, mobile computing, and multimedia arenas. In an effort to monitor and take positions on public policy issues, the association added a full‐time Director of Public Policy position. Currently, it is known as a provider of professional certifications for the information technology (IT) industry. CompTIA chairs and manages the Initiative for Software Choice.

Certificate programs.
CompTIA’s certification exams themselves are actually administered through Pearson VUE and Prometric testing centers. In addition to certification, CompTIA also provides corporate membership.

The A+ certification demonstrates competency as a computer technician. CompTIA A+ certification is a vendor neutral certification.

The CompTIA A+ certification exam was developed in 1993. There has been three versions of the A+ exam, the 1993 objectives, the 2003 objectives and the 2006 objectives, which are both broken down into two separate exams; however, the 2003 objectives exam was retired on June 30, 2007. The 2003 objectives contained the A+ Core Hardware Exam and the A+ Core Operating System Technologies Exam. The 2006 objectives require that a candidate successfully pass the A+ Essentials and one elective: IT technician, remote support technician, or depot technician. CompTIA is vendor neutral but does lean toward Microsoft Windows.

The A+ exam is intended for information technology professionals who have the equivalent of 500 hours of hands on experience. The exams are computer based and composed of multiple choice questions, of which there may be more than one correct answer. Over 800,000 people have earned the A+ credential worldwide, to date.

Topics of the Core examination include IRQs, direct memory access, and practical computer repair, including the installation and repair of hard drives, modems, network cards, CPUs, power supplies, printers, and so forth. The focus of the exam is not theory, but practice. Sometimes graphics are used in exam questions. Topics included in the Operating Systems Exam include memory management, configuration files, and historical operating environments rather than newer, cutting edge technologies.

In September 2006, the CompTIA A+ test was updated so that the test taker must take the CompTIA A+ Essentials (220-601) test along with one of three other tests (220-602, 220-603, or 220-604). Each of these elective exams offers the candidate the opportunity to specialize their A+ certification to match their desired career path.

With the introduction of the 2006 A+ exam, candidates were offered a grace period whereby both the 2003 and 2006 versions were available. As of June 2007, the 2003 version of exams is no longer available in the United States. In some countries, the grace period was extended to December 2007. The 2003 version was also extended in cases where the A+ certification exam was included in a course of study. Also, most legacy support questions have been excluded.

Network+
Network+ is a certification that attempts to measure skill as a network technician: understanding of network hardware, installation, and troubleshooting. Network+ was first launched in 1999, and exam updates followed in 2002 and 2005. Topics include network hardware, connections, software, and different protocols used in local area networks (LANs) and wide area networks (WANs). Network+ prepares one for continuing to Microsoft certifications and Cisco certifications. A combination A+/Network+ or A+/Server+ certification can fulfill the elective exam requirement of the Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) certification.[1] The exam itself is 90 minutes in duration consisting of 90 questions with a passing score of 554 out of 900. You are allowed a whiteboard and pen to assist you.

 Server+
Server+ is CompTIA's certification pathway that focuses on server-specific hardware and operating systems, and certifies technical knowledge in areas such as RAID, SCSI, and multiple CPUs, as well as capabilities with server issues, including disaster recovery. It was developed in 2001, with an update that followed in 2005. The eight domains of the Server+ exam are General Server Hardware Knowledge, Installation, Configuration, Upgrading, Proactive Maintenance, Environment Troubleshooting and Problem Determination, and Disaster Recovery. A combination A+/Network+, A+/Server+ or Security+ certification(s) can fulfill the elective exam requirement for the Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) certification.
The exam is 90 minutes in duration and consists of 80 questions with a passing score of 615 out of 900. CompTIA recommends that the candidate possesses 18–24 months of experience with Industry Standard Server Architecture (ISSA) technology before taking the exam. 

Security+
Security+ is a certification dealing with computer security topics such as cryptography and access control. It was developed in 2002 to address the rise of security issues. Currently and according to CompTIA, there are more than 45,000 people around the world who have earned this certification.[2] It is recommended that candidates have two years of security‐related work experience (although not a requirement) and pass the 100 question multiple choice exam. The Security+ exam can be applied as an elective to the MCSA:Security and the MCSE:Security specializations from Microsoft. The exam is 90 minutes in duration and consists of 100 questions with a passing score of 764 out of 900.

A new 2008 update has been announced which will be released in October 2008 incorporating new objectives. [1] [2]

 HTI+
Home Technology Integrator (HTI+) covers installation, integration, and troubleshooting of automated home subsystems. Replaced by Digital Home Technology Integrator (DHTI+), the CompTIA HTI+ Certification was retired September 30, 2007.

Translation:
Decade = decennium
Broadened = verbreed
Elective  = verkiezings
Determination = Bepaling
Incorporating = het opnemen

Dutch Summary:

De vereniging van de van de Gegevens verwerkende Industrie Technologie(CompTIA) is een vereniging zonder winst oogmerk, deze is ontstaan in 1982 als de vereniging van de Betere Handelaars van de Computer, Inc.( ABCD). ABCD is de grondlegger van een heleboel computer programma’s.
ABCD veranderde later van naam. De Certificatie compTIA examens zelf worden beheerd door centra Pearson VUE en Prometric. Het CompTIA A+ certificatie examen werd ontwikkeld in 1993. Er zijn drie versies van het A+ examen namelijk versie 1993, versie 2003 en de 2006 versie die allebei opgesplitst in twee afzonderlijke examens zijn. De onderwerpen die aan bod komen zijn IRQs, direct geheugentoegang, en praktische computerreparatie, met inbegrip van de installatie en de reparatie van de hardeschijfen, netwerkkaarten, Cpu, machtslevering, printers, enzovoort. De nadruk van het examen is niet theorie, maar praktijk. Vanaf Juni 2007, is versie 2003 niet meer beschikbaar in de Verenigde Staten. In sommige landen nog wel tot December 2007. Network+ is een certificatie die probeert om vaardigheid als netwerktechnicus te meten: begrip van het netwerkhardware, installatie, en oplossen van problemen. Network+ werd eerst gelanceerd in 1999, en examenupdates die in 2002 en 2005 worden gevolgd. Server+ is CompTIA' s certificatieweg die zich op server-specifieke hardware en werkende systemen, concentreert en technische kennis op gebieden zoals INVAL, SCSI, en veelvoudige Cpu, evenals mogelijkheden met serverkwesties, met inbegrip van rampenterugwinning verklaart. Het werd ontwikkeld in 2001, met een update die in 2005 volgde. Security+ is een certificatie die de onderwerpen van de computerveiligheid zoals cryptografie en toegangsbeheer behandelt. Het werd ontwikkeld in 2002 om de stijging veiligheidskwesties te behandelen. Een nieuwe update van 2008 is aangekondigd die in Oktober 2008 zal worden vrijgegeven opnemend nieuwe doelstellingen. HTI+ De Integrator van de Technologie van het huis (HTI+) behandelt installatie, integratie, en het oplossen van problemen van geautomatiseerde huissubsystemen. Vervangen door de Digitale Integrator van de Technologie van het Huis (DHTI+), werd de HTI+ Certificatie CompTIA teruggetrokken 30 September, 2007.
Listning:

http://nl.youtube.com/watch?v=S6-5FCv7-_g&feature=related

Speaking:

About A+

Writing:

CompTIA+ has developed one of the most popular certifications in the IT industry. The certification is designed to test overall knowledge of computer hardware and computer operating systems. Obtaining the certification demonstrates that you have acquired the knowledge and skills required to install, configure, fix, upgrade, and troubleshoot personal computers.

Benefits of A+ Certification

Certifications have become a must in the IT industry, especially for those just starting out. Certifications provide proof of your professional achievements and increase your changes to potential employers. A certain level of knowledge and skills are required to pass any certification exam, and obtaining a credential proves that you have acquired these skills and knowledge. When it comes time to marketing yourself to employers, preference is usually given to those who are certified.

For those of you who are already working in the IT industry, earning the A+ certification may result in the opportunity for advancement and salary increases. Many companies encourage their employees to further their skill set by obtaining certifications.

The A+ certification can also be used to fulfill other certification requirements. Some vendors recognize the A+ certification in lieu of one of their own exams. For example, you can use the A+ certification along with CompTIA’s Server+ or Network+ to fulfill an elective requirement for the Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) certification.

the majority of test questions are multiple choice in format. Most of the questions are straightforward and clear. One thing you do need to watch out for is multiple choice questions that prompt you to select the wrong answer as opposed to the correct ones. Some questions may also have multiple answers. The good thing about the CompTIA exams is that you are notified as to how many correct answers you must select. Also, be prepared to encounter fill-in-the-blank questions, and questions that present you with graphics from which you must select the correct graphic or click the correct area within a figure.