I am a senior in highschool and am currently self-studying (AP Comp Sci A teacher is sort of a mentor) for the Comptia A+ certification for IT computer science. The exam is in May and I started studying just now. I spend around 5 hours a week studying for the certification. I want to go into computer science in college, and really wanted to include this in my application, so would this be good under the Activities section?
Definitionally, extracurricular means anything outside the standard school curriculum. So yes.
The question is whether you include it. If you won’t earn what you’re studying for until May, and you just started studying now, it’s not an extremely strong EC. Whether to include it depends on what else you have listed, and whether the list is limited.
Is this what it is?
”A+ (A Plus) is an entry-level computer certification for PC computer service technicians. The exam is designed to certify the competency of entry-level PC computer service professionals in installing, maintaining, customizing, and operating personal computers”
No question include it. Good luck on the test.
You don’t have to wait until May to take the test. You can take it any time you feel you are ready at a Pearson-approved test site. It’s a tough test. Best of luck to you!
Thanks for the advice. I don’t have anything that I need to put in the Activities section that CompTIA A+ is taking up room for, so if I remove this from my Activities section, I won’t be adding anything to replace it. Even if it does not add much to my application, should I include it anyway since it is better than nothing, or will it look like I am just padding in extra stuff into my Activities section, in which case removing it would be best?
My school district is paying for the May exam
My S20 is also self-studying for this certification and also wants to study CS. My understanding is that this is a 2 part certification? He has passed the first part. I don’t even know if he has thought to list this anywhere, but I assume he should. This is a great idea! I never even thought about it, so I’m glad to find this thread. I just hope he can try to complete the 2nd half and take the exam to be fully certified, although it won’t happen before applications are submitted. Is there a suggestion from others on how he can mention this? It’ll be hard for him to find time with his 20 hour/week internship, in addition to his part time job and starting an online AP Stats course! Yikes!
Sorry to piggyback on this thread, but thanks for any advice!
If you’re still preparing (or only passed one of the two exams), include it with ECs. If you’ve got the certification (passed both exams), you could put it under either ECs or awards.
@dreambig55 When did your son pass the first test? CompTIA changed the set of A+ exams and retired both of the old versions at the end of July. So if he hasn’t passed more recently than that, I believe he will have to retake the first exam. The new versions include more questions on cloud computing, that seems to be the difference. Still, they are paired.
@Groundwork2022 - Oh wow, I didn’t know that. He took it at the end of last school year, so that’s a bummer! Thanks for the info! Now I’m not sure what he can include on his application.
He can still list the preparation as an EC. However, unless he earns actual certification and moves it to the “awards” category, I’d say his internship and PT job trump the A+ preparations as the better ECs.