by Josh Weimer, online editor

The Roar interviewed junior Keith Adams and senior Chris Maness. The two have earned the CompTIA A+ certifications for computer maintenance.

What type of tech certification do you have?

KA: The A+ exam mainly focuses on computer hardware and troubleshooting. It’s like ‘the computer has a problem, here are the symptoms of the problem, how do you fix it?’

What type of assessment did you have to take?

CM: There’s two separate exams. One is for 801, which is 901 now. The ’01’ is for hardware, and the ’02’ is for software. To take the 802, you have to pass the 801 first. And once you pass both, you’re A+ certified.

What did you do to prepare for it, what did the school do? Were there any difficulties?

KA: The entire point of the Tech I class is to be able to pass the A+ exam at the end of the year. So much so, that if you pass the A+ exam, you get a free 100 for the second semester, and you’re exempted from the final just for taking the exam.

Now that you have your certification, how do you plan to use it?

CM: It gives you better job opportunities. I tried to apply for Reynolds & Reynolds over the summer, and they were looking for people specifically with A+ certifications. Unfortunately I didn’t get the job, but that’s just how it works I guess.