220-602 IT technician

220-602 IT technician -the exam for the office based IT worker/field engineer focuses specifically on the skills required to support users and colleagues face to face in a working environment. The other two designations are geared toward remote support (call center work) for 220-603 and being a pure ‘back room’ depot/bench technician for 220-604.

To achieve any of the A+ designations a prerequisite of passing 220-601 Essentials is required.

Boots on the Ground

220-602 IT technician is for you if you are in or looking to get into on site helpdesk work dealing with people’s computer problems either at their desks, over the phone or over remote control.

This exam deals with in depth hardware and software issues, with heavy emphasis on Windows 2000 and Windows XP operating systems and goes into more detail over the environmental, security and customer focus issues encountered in a corporate environment.

220-602 IT technician Objectives (Domains)

• Personal Computer Components
• Laptop and Portable Devices
• Operating Systems
• Printers and Scanners
• Networks
• Security
• Safety and Environmental Issues
• Communication and Professionalism

Much of this material is covered in the Essentials exam so these objectives build on what you’ve already learnt.

The exam is 90 minutes long comprising of 90 multiple choice questions with a passing score of 700/900.

What to know

As previously mentioned above, to pass 220-602 IT technician you’ll need to be very familiar with Windows operating systems used in today’s office environments – in particular Windows 2000 and Windows XP (Professional and Home editions).

Your hardware knowledge will also be tested thoroughly, building on what you learnt to pass the Essentials exam. Particular attention is given to diagnosing and troubleshooting as well as installation and configuration.

The networking technologies covered in 220-602 IT technician now include mobile/wireless networking and Voice over IP. There are some basic LAN/WAN issues such network shares and permissions, internet browser problems, security issues and more. Of course there is also emphasis on diagnostic tools, troubleshooting and preventative maintenance.

You have to know how to fix it when it goes wrong, not only that but in a timely, professional, methodical fashion showing good communication to your co workers.

All of the A+ exams focus a lot on diagnostic tools and preventative maintenance and 220-602 IT technician is no different.

Security Awareness, Soft Skills and Environmental Issues

Much of the security focus in 220-602 IT technician is based around locking down wireless connections and public/private key authentication. Attention is also given to the Windows XP firewall that was added with Service Pack 2.

There is also an overview of how shares and permissions work in a corporate network which is normally dealt with by higher level administrators although awareness of how they function is essential at any level.

Here you are trained in how to deal with customers/co workers face to face, how to communicate with them professionally and not baffle them with techno-babble or talk down to them.

Building on the Essentials syllabus the material in 220-602 IT technician elaborates more to a corporate setting. Tidy and safe cabling is a particular example for an office environment. Other than that a lot of it is pretty much common sense – for instance if a computer is overheating don’t open it up and pour a jug of water over the CPU – that kind of thing.

220-602 – IT technician Training

The best method of preparing for 220-602 IT technician is really down to the individual. There are numerous methods; personally I like a combination of books, video training, practice questions and Q & A on message board forums.

There are a few books you can choose from, different people will recommend different authors, although when it comes to A+ study books the most popular author by quite some margin is the undisputed king of CompTIA Mike Meyers.

Mike has brought out a comprehensive study guide to all 4 of the new A+ exams complete with CD ROM of videos and even some test questions as well. You can find out more about Mike Meyers' "A+ Certification All-in-One Exam Guide" here. To find out more about several different A+ books (including Mike Meyers’) click the link below:

Some people prefer more interactive video based training. Watching a video is closer to classroom training, actually seeing a human explain and demonstrate things can help you learn a lot faster than reading the same sentences over and over again.

For the more visual learners this type of training is probably more preferable. I personally learn a lot more easily and quickly this way. Because I like to do my studying early in the morning before work as opposed to in the evening after a day’s work I’m a lot more receptive to watching a training video with my coffee and cornflakes than reading a book.

As with any certification exam you need practice questions if you want to pass first time. They are included in the higher grade study guides but if you want the best of the best Preplogic are the best available. They do a free trial I recommend you download from this page (half way down on the left hand side).

Conclusion

The 220-602 IT technician designation is already proving to be the most popular of the 2006 A+ certifications. Now complete with soft skills, security focus and environmental awareness no other entry level IT qualification brings all the most essential all round skills into one certification.

If you want to get ahead and stand out from your competition for entry level support roles - 220-602 IT technician is for you. Find out more by following any of the links below: