HP ATA® Accredited Technical Associate FAQ
QUESTIONS:
- Q1. Does HP offer certification programs?
- Q2. What certifications are available in the HP ATA program?
- Q3. What is the Pilot and how can test centers participate?
- Q4. What are the key dates to know with this release?
- Q5. Why create this new line of HP certifications?
- Q6. What are the benefits of becoming certified?
- Q7. For what types of jobs do these certifications prepare candidates?
- Q8. What are the necessary skills and knowledge candidates will need to have in order to pass the certification exams?
- Q9. Does a candidate need to take multiple exams in order to certify?
- Q10. Do the exams need to be taken in any order?
- Q11. Can other certifications be substituted for the HP ATA certification?
- Q12. After passing the exams, how will candidates receive their certifications?
- Q13. Do the HP ATA courses and exams focus on HP technology only?
- Q14. What types of questions are used within the HP ATA program?
- Q15. How many questions will be used per exam and how much time will be allotted?
- Q16. Will HP Remote Lab access be required for all institutions who offer the HP ATA exams?
Q1. Does HP offer certification programs?
The HP career certification program is called ExpertONE. (Complete information on the HP ExpertONE program is available at www.hp.com/go/certification.) HP is partnering with Certiport to develop and distribute an academic - focused version of the ExpertONE certification program - HP Accredited Technical Associate (ATA).
Q2. What certifications are available in the HP ATA program?
Four initial certification exams will be available: The three pillar certifications (Connected Devices, Networks, and Servers and Storage) and the Cloud certification
| Course | Exam | Certification |
| Designing and Deploying Connected Device Solutions | Designing and Deploying Connected Device Solutions | HP ATA - Connected Devices |
| The HP ATA - Connected Devices certification provides the knowledge and experience required to discover a customer's business objectives and to design a PC client and connected device solution that meets the customer's requirements. In addition, knowledge and skill to deploy and troubleshoot the solution are also included. | ||
| Designing and Deploying Network Solutions | Designing and Deploying Network Solutions | HP ATA - Networks |
| The HP ATA - Networks certification provides the knowledge and experience required to discover a customer's business objectives and to design a wired and wireless switched and routed solution that meets the customer's requirements. In addition, knowledge and skill to deploy and troubleshoot the solution are also included. | ||
| Designing and Deploying Server and Storage Solutions | Designing and Deploying Server and Storage Solutions | HP ATA - Servers and Storage |
| The HP ATA - Servers and Storage certification provides the knowledge and experience required to discover a customer's business objectives and to design an application hosting and data storage solution that meets the customer's requirements. In addition, knowledge and skill to deploy and troubleshoot the solution are also included. | ||
| Designing and Deploying Cloud Solutions | Designing and Deploying Cloud Solutions | HP ATA - Cloud |
| The HP ATA - Cloud certification provides the knowledge and experience required to discover a customer's business objectives and to design an end - to - end IT solution that meets the customer's requirements. This includes on premises elements, hosted and cloud services. In addition, knowledge and skill to deploy and troubleshoot the solution are also included. | ||
Q3. What is the Pilot and how can test centers participate?
Institutions may join the HP ATA Preview to pilot the English exams and bridge curriculum. For more information or to register, visit www.certitrain.com/hpata.
Q4. What are the key dates to know with this release?
The HP ATA pilot program begins on November 15, 2011. The HP and Certiport partnership will be announced publically on December 1, 2011. Until December 1, all HP - related communications must take place under a non - disclosure agreement. In February, the official program will be announced.
Q5. Why create this new line of HP certifications?
The pace of business in our world is accelerating to staggering levels. The increase in information, the rate of transactions and interactions is exponential. All of these drivers are causing business leaders to reevaluate their business models and look to technology to give them a strategic advantage, but they need skilled IT professionals with the foundational skills and abilities to keep pace. This new certification program will help educators effectively teach and validate IT skills, while also providing students with credentials that demonstrate real - world prowess to prospective employers.
Q6. What are the benefits of becoming certified?
By certifying one's skills, individuals can validate their technical abilities and demonstrate proficiency. HP's associate - level certifications are based on IT skills required by industry, government, and education. The objectives reflect the skills needed to successfully design and deploy end - to - end customer IT solutions for a complexity level typically found within small - and medium - sized businesses.
In educational settings, industry - recognized certification programs ensure students and teachers are acquiring the knowledge and skills valued in today's workplace. For institutions seeking to keep curriculum vitalized and relevant, certification plays a critical role in bridging classroom learning to real - world application.
Q7. For what types of jobs do these certifications prepare candidates?
HP ATA certification directly applies to a broad range of IT job roles, including but not limited to:
- IT Architects
- System Engineers
- System Administrators
- Technical Support Engineers
Q8. What are the necessary skills and knowledge candidates will need to have in order to pass the certification exams?
The learning objectives for the HP ATA exams can be found here: www.certitrain.com/hpata_esami.asp
Q9. Does a candidate need to take multiple exams in order to certify?
No. Each time a candidate successfully completes an exam, he/she will earn the corresponding HP ATA certification. To complete the HP ATA - Cloud certification, a candidate must first complete the Connected Devices, the Networks, and the Servers and Storage certifications.
Q10. Do the exams need to be taken in any order?
No. Except for the HP ATA - Cloud certification, which must be proceeded by the three pillar certifications, the certifications may be taken in any order.
Q11. Can other certifications be substituted for the HP ATA certification?
If a candidate has successfully completed the Cisco CCNA certification, he/she may use that as a substitute for the HP ATA - Networks certification requirement before taking the HP ATA - Cloud certification. More information will be provided prior to launch.
Q12. After passing the exams, how will candidates receive their certifications?
Upon successful completion of the HP ATA certification exams, results are immediately available on Certiport's Digital Transcript. Candidates may log into their Certiport portal account, access their Digital Transcript and print out their official HP ATA certification. Once candidates have received their HP Learner ID (within 5 - 7 business days of passing the exam), the HP ATA exam results will also be made available on HP's certification website (https://hpcp.swjdallas.com/hpcpbenefits/hplogin.aspx).
Q13. Do the HP ATA courses and exams focus on HP technology only?
No. The HP ATA certifications focus on industry - standard principles. The courseware and lab will be based on HP equipment.
Q14. What types of questions are used within the HP ATA program?
The HP ATA certification exams will help validate a test candidate's knowledge through select - response (multiple choice) questioning.
Q15. How many questions will be used per exam and how much time will be allotted?
Upon formal release of the program, approximately 40 - 50 questions will be used with a 50 - minute time limit. During the Pilot phase, 90 questions will be used with a 90 - minute time limit.
Q16. Will HP Remote Lab access be required for all institutions who offer the HP ATA exams?
No. Institutions may choose how to best offer a hands - on training component. Some institutions have access to the necessary hardware or will choose to invest in that equipment in order to run the training themselves.