The Debate Over Certification

A look at the organization's testing practices shows that, in some instances, it charges individuals hundreds of dollars while testing simple, fact-based knowledge, which is now free to anyone who can click into video tutorials on Youtube or read basic white papers available on the Internet. Yet many of those tests are prerequisites for other Comptia tests that are required or recommended for VARs who want to deliver solutions from companies including Microsoft, IBM, Cisco and Novell.

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Comptia has been in the testing and certification business for 16 years and, has certified as many as 2 million IT professionals in a variety of areas -- from basic PC troubleshooting to Linux and security, according to Comptia.

Here's a look at how Comptia's testing, even in the simplest of areas, has helped solidify its position as the market-share leader in technical certification while costing IT job-seekers additional hundreds of dollars each in certain areas.

• In 2006, Comptia added another layer to its basic A+ certification for basic PC knowledge and troubleshooting skills, called "Essentials." A test for Essentials certification -- required before A+ certification can be given, can cost $168 from independent testing facilities, and test prep materials can cost from $75 to $150.
• Comptia points test-takers to prep material they can buy that includes, "getting started with PC hardware support," "computer components overview," "scanners and cameras," "hard drives" and "Windows installation."
• After test-takers pay for Essentials prep materials and tests, they are qualified to pay hundreds more for the actual A+ prep and testing. That can cost another few hundred dollars.
• From 2006 to 2007, the time when Comptia began requiring Essentials, its testing revenue jumped from a little more than $28 million to $31.5 million annually. Its testing costs rose far less, from $8.75 million to $9.2 million during that same time.
• In many ways, the basic testing will verify that an individual at least understands the very basics of technology, and Comptia practice tests require at least some preparation. While some certifications require hands-on experience, Comptia's are more "facts-based" testing.
• The bottom line: Comptia's entry-level certifications barely scratch the surface of IT knowledge, but require those hoping for a career as an IT VAR to spend hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars to prove they have skills freely taught on the Internet and in high schools.