This information is for students enrolled in the NOVA Workforce FastForward CompTIA A+ classes that prepare students to pass the corresponding certification exam. 
 
IT Industry Certification Credentials are issued by a certification body such as a trade, industry, or professional association. Earning an IT Industry Certification Credential verifies that you have achieved mastery and competency in specific knowledge, skills, and abilities accepted as IT industry standards. AWS, Cisco, and CompTIA are examples of IT trade professional association. Certifications expire and must be renewed.
NOVA recognizes the demand for IT industry-recognized certification credentials by employers has greatly increased over the past decade. As a result, select NOVA Workforce IT classes include a certification exam voucher with the course tuition.

Calculate Your Potential IT Salary courtesy of CompTIA!
The calendar includes study and testing schedule dates, deadlines, and action items for each class according to the Class ID number. Click the link for your Class ID number below and follow the directions in each section according to the scheduled dates listed for your class.
2023 Spring Term CompTIA A+ Classes:
Class ID Class Name Class Start Date Class End Date
18522 CompTIA® A+ Certification 01/28/2023 03/18/2023
18518 CompTIA® A+ Certification 02/06/2023 03/29/2023
18520 CompTIA® A+ Certification 02/21/2023 04/13/2023
18524 CompTIA® A+ Certification 03/11/2023 05/06/2023
2023 Summer Term CompTIA A+ Classes:
Class ID Class Name Class Start Date Class End Date
19214 CompTIA® A+ Certification 05/10/2023 06/07/2023
18964/18965 CompTIA® A+ Certification 06/03/2023 07/29/2023
18960/18961 CompTIA® A+ Certification 06/06/2023 08/03/2023
18962/18963 CompTIA® A+ Certification 06/12/2023 08/09/2023
18966/18967 CompTIA® A+ Certification 06/24/2023 08/12/2023

Important Steps for Success

The testing process begins on the first day of class while you are learning your course material. Students must earn passing scores for both CompTIA A+ Core 1 and A+ Core 2 exams to earn the CompTIA A+ credential.
 
  • Commit to studying outside of scheduled class hours.
  • Practice time management to create focused study time.
  • Use effective study methods to enhance your understanding and learning.
Use CertMaster Practice
Within the first few days of class all students are sent two separate access codes to CertMaster Practice, the CompTIA online training tool included with your class tuition. One access code is for A+ Core 1 and the other is for A+ Core 2.

Students are expected to use CertMaster Practice to reinforce learning new information taught during class and to complete practice tests to prepare for the certification exams.
 
  1. Log into CertMaster Practice CompTIA Exams
  2. The lessons help students learn course content while building critical-thinking and test-taking skills.
  3. The practice tests prepare students to pass the CompTIA A+ certification exams.
  4. Set a goal to earn at least a minimum of 70% on a practice test.
Understand the CompTIA A+ Exam Details
Click CompTIA A+ to navigate to the CompTIA A+ webpage and read the details about your exam. Be sure to understand the objectives included in the certification exams.

As a reminder, earning the A+ certification credential validates competency in mobile devices, networking technology, hardware, virtualization, cloud computing, operating systems, security, software, and operational procedures. Examples of jobs that use A+ are help desk and field service technician, associate network engineer, and junior systems administrator.
Eligibility Requirements to Claim an A+ Core 1 Exam Voucher
  1. Students must have earned a passing class grade posted to their student records.
  2. Students must submit a PDF copy of a CertMaster A+ Core 1 practice test score report with a minimum score of 70% to the CompTIA A+ Voucher Claim Form.
NOTE: Eligible students have 30-calendar days after their class end date to claim an A+ Core 1 exam voucher. Dates are listed for each class in the Study and Testing Schedule Calendar.
How to Locate Your Practice Test Score Report
  1. In CertMaster for A+ Core 1, from the results page, click the PDF button in the upper right corner.
    CertMaster Sample Screenshot
  2. Save your exam results in a PDF.
  3. Use your first and last name to name your PDF score report file.
  4. Click CompTIA A+ Voucher Claim Form to submit your practice test.
The A+ Core 1 exam voucher will be emailed to eligible students within 7-10 days of submitting the practice test score report.

CertMaster Practice
Students should continue using CertMaster Practice to prepare for passing the A+ Core 1 certification exam. Students that earn a score between 90 - 100% on a practice test are probably ready to pass their certification exam on the first attempt.


 
Pearson Vue manages test delivery for CompTIA certification exams.

Students must contact Pearson Vue directly upon receipt of the test voucher to schedule an appointment and complete the exam by the testing deadlines set for each class listed in the testing schedule calendar.
  • Do not wait to schedule your appointment!
  • Students may choose to complete an exam at a Pearson Vue test center or at home using remote test proctoring with Pearson OnVue.
  • Call Pearson Vue Customer Service at 877-551-7587 for questions about scheduling your appointment.
Testing Policies, Test Center and At-Home Test Delivery
  • Students must follow ALL testing policies set by Pearson Vue and the test sponsor for test center delivery and at-home remote test delivery while completing their exam.
  • Failure to follow policies may result in your testing session being canceled by the proctor or invalidated by Pearson Vue in cooperation with the test sponsor, and your voucher will be forfeited.
Test Center Delivery:
Pearson OnVUE-At-Home Test Delivery:
  • At-home remote test delivery has unique rules and requirements you must follow.
  • Read the Pearson OnVue Testing Guide (PDF) for detailed information.
  • Students must be able to meet Technical Requirements for at-home remote test proctoring appointments.
  1. Click ‘Login’ to create your CompTIA account and follow the directions to schedule a CompTIA exam appointment.
  2. Use your exam voucher as payment for your appointment.
  3. Your appointment is officially scheduled only after you receive an email directly from Pearson VUE confirming your appointment.
  4. If necessary, it is the student's responsibility to cancel or reschedule an appointment at least 24-48 hours before a confirmed scheduled appointment by contacting Pearson Vue directly; failure to do so may result in forfeiting your voucher.
Exam Name Scheduling Codes
CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1101)
CompTIA A+ Core 2 (220-1102)
Importance of Reporting Your Scores
ALL students must UPLOAD a PDF copy of all their A+ Core 1 exam score report, whether they have passed or did not pass their exam, no later than 48 hours after the last test date for each exam.

Exam results are used:
  • To verify you used the voucher issued to you.
  • To determine eligibility for a Merit-Based RETAKE exam voucher.
  • As evidence that you earned a CompTIA A+ certification credential.
  • To add your credential to your student record. This is a requirement for the FastForward/WCG agreement and serves as verification for VA Ready Scholars (if applicable).
DO NOT email a photo, screenshot, or email attachment of your score report; it will not be accepted.

How to Locate Your Certification Exam Score Report
  1. Log into your CompTIA account on a computer
  2. Open 'Manage Exams'
  3. Under 'My Account' click 'View Score Reports'
  4. Click 'View' to open a PDF copy of your score report.
  5. Save a copy to your computer and upload it.
Visit the CompTIA 'After Your Exam' webpage for more information.

Spring 2023 Score Report Upload Link
Summer 2023, Fall 2023, Spring 2024 Score Report Upload Link
Use this link to upload your exam score reports for both A+ Core 1 and Core 2.
Eligible students have 90-calendar days after their class end date to claim an A+ Core 2 exam voucher. Dates are listed for each class in the Study and Testing Schedule Calendar section on this website.

Students must follow the same procedure for claiming the A+ Core 2 exam voucher.
 
  1. Log into CertMaster Practice and complete an A+ Core 2 practice test with a minimum score of 70%.
  2. Save a PDF copy of your score report.
How to Locate Your Practice Test Score Report
  1. In CertMaster for A+ Core 2, from the results page, click the PDF button in the upper right corner.
    CertMaster Sample Screenshot
  2. Save your exam results in a PDF.
  3. Use your first and last name to name your PDF score report file.
  4. Click CompTIA A+ Voucher Claim Form to submit your practice test.
The A+ Core 2 exam voucher will be emailed to eligible students within 7-10 days of submitting the practice test score report.

CertMaster Practice
Students should continue using CertMaster Practice to prepare for passing the A+ Core 2 certification exam. Students that earn a score between 90 - 100% on a practice test are probably ready to pass their certification exam on the first attempt.


 

Retake Policy, Included Benefit, Eligibility Requirements

One (1) retake exam voucher is available at no cost to eligible students that do not pass their exam on the first attempt.

Students MUST Meet ALL Eligibility Requirements as Listed Below:
  1. Complete initial exam no later than LAST DAY OF TESTING SESSION FOR YOUR CLASS
  2. UPLOAD a PDF of your score report to the Score Reporting File for your exam no later than 2-calendar days after last day of testing session
  3. Score within 150 points of passing the exam
Completing the Initial Exam After the Last Day of Scheduled Testing
Students that complete their exam after the last day of testing for their class forfeit their eligibility for a retake exam voucher if they do not pass their exam on the first attempt.
Exam Name Passing Score To receive a Retake Voucher, your score must be between
A+ Core 1 675 525-674
A+ Core 2 700 550-699

Notice: Retake voucher supply is limited; policy is subject to change without notice.
Students are responsible for contacting the test sponsor directly.

CompTIA offers discounted prices and payment options.
https://Academic-Store.CompTIA.org
 
NO SHOW
NOVA does not provide a 'retake/replacement voucher' for students with a 'NO SHOW' status for their scheduled exam appointment.
  • A 'NO SHOW' appointment status is assigned when a student misses a confirmed scheduled appointment.
  • It is the student's responsibility to cancel or reschedule an appointment at least 24-48 hours before a confirmed scheduled appointment by contacting Pearson Vue directly.
  • Call Pearson Vue Customer Service at 877-551-7587 for questions about scheduling your appointment.
Proctor Cancelled Testing Sessions
NOVA does not provide a ‘retake/'replacement voucher' for students whose testing session is stopped by an exam proctor.
  • Proctors may stop a testing session due to a violation of the Pearson Vue testing policy.
  • It is the student's responsibility to follow all testing policies set by Pearson Vue and the test sponsor.
Invalidated Test Scores
NOVA does not provide a 'retake/replacement voucher' for students whose exam results have been invalidated by Pearson Vue and the test sponsor after their testing session has ended. 
 

Questions?