Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician
(MCDST)
A+ Certification
The A+ Certification program provides individuals with the necessary technical skills to service and support PCs. The certification is designed and sponsored by a professional organization called CompTIA. Major hardware and software vendors, distributors and resellers accept CompTIA A+ as the standard in foundation-level, vendor-neutral certification for service technicians. Earning the A+ credential proves that an individual has a broad base of knowledge and competency in core hardware and operating system software technologies including installation, configuration, diagnostics, preventative maintenance, and basic networking. To date more then 500,000 individuals have obtained the CompTIA A+ certification.
The Curriculum:
To obtain the A+ credential, a candidate must pass two exams. The first exam is devoted to core PC hardware technology, while the second exam is devoted to the installation, configuration and maintenance of operating system software. Therefore the Springhouse A+ curriculum is divided into two courses, each of which targets one of the two exams. Students begin their training with a 5-day class called Core followed by a 5-day class called Operating System.
Required Exams |
Courses |
# of Days |
Core |
5-days |
|
| OS | A+ Operating Systems |
Network+ Certification
The Network+ certification program is designed for individuals entering the field of network support or administration. This 5-day program is typically taken after a candidate has completed the A+ program, but A+ is not a required prerequisite. To achieve Network+ certification, a candidate is required to pass one exam designed and sponsored by CompTIA, a vendor-neutral, professional organization. Achieving the Network+ credential demonstrates that a candidate can describe the features and functions of networking components, and possesses the knowledge and skills needed to install, configure and troubleshoot basic networking hardware, protocols and services.
Required Exams |
Courses |
# of Days |
Network+ |
5-days |
Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST)
The Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST) certification will get you started in your IT career by ensuring you have the skills to successfully troubleshoot and support desktop environments running on the Microsoft Windows operating system.
The Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST) credential proves that you have the skills to successfully support end users and to successfully troubleshoot desktop environments that are running the Microsoft Windows operating system. To achieve this credential, MCDST candidates are required to pass two core exams. The table below illustrates the Springhouse recommended program to complete this certification.
Required Exams |
Courses |
# of Days |
Exam 70–271
|
Course 2261-Supporting Users Running the Microsoft Windows XP Operating System |
3-days |
Exam 70–272 |
Course 2262- Supporting Users Running Applications on a Microsoft Windows XP Operating System |
2-days |