How to Learn More About CompTIA’s Performance-Based Questions (with FREE Webcast offer)

December 4, 2012 at 5:34 pm | Posted in CompTIA, Performance-Based Testing, Vendor news | 3 Comments
Tags: a+, CompTIA, network+, PBT, Performance-Based Testing, Security+

With the release of CompTIA’s new A+ series, 220-801 and 220-802, many of you will finally get your first look at CompTIA’s performance-based questions. The performance-based questions were actually first released by CompTIA in their CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP) exam, but the CASP has a more limited audience than CompTIA’s A+, Network+, and Security+ exams.

Several members of our Content Development team have seen the CASP, the new A+ and Network+ performance-based questions, and we all feel that CompTIA is headed in the right direction with these item types. While we can’t share any details ourselves, CompTIA has released information over the past few weeks that will hopefully answer some of your questions. Here are a few resources I would recommend:

• I found a lot of information in the blog post titled “What Is a Performance-Based Question?” I suggest you read the blog post and watch the accompanying video.
• CompTIA also published another blog entry, titled Rigor of New CompTIA A+ 800 Series Exams Reflects Change in Entry-Level IT Roles, explaining the rationale behind the changed format and objectives.
• Pearson IT Certification announced that it will have a FREE Webcast about the new A+ 800-series exams on December 13, 2012. For more information, go to http://promos.pearsonitcertification.com/acton/fs/blocks/showLandingPage/a/1811/p/p-0058/t/page/fm/19. This Webcast looks especially suited for instructors, as it covers what’s new, improved, and different!

Did you notice CompTIA has increased the recommended hours of hands-on field experience to one year, up from the previously recommended six months? Those of us who have already taken the exam perceived a small but definite increase in difficulty. Again, with those performance-based items, you can either perform a task or you can’t. Hands-on experience is key. If the question simulates an action you do every day at work, then you’re probably going to find it a breeze. If it tests a concept you’ve only read about in books or studied in the abstract, it may take you a little longer to puzzle out the solution.

As I already mentioned, the new A+ and Network+ exams include performance-based questions. CompTIA will integrate performance-based questions into the Security+ exam in January.

So it looks like the move is permanent, folks! Embrace it! And know that what CompTIA has released is just the tip of the iceberg. Does anyone remember Microsoft’s 83-640 exam? I think that was a glimpse of where performance-based testing should really go.

-Robin