There are actually 4 different sectors in the full CompTIA A+ syllabus, of which you need to pass two for your A+ qualification. We would advise however that restricting yourself to two of the specialised areas could expose flaws in your knowledge when applying for a job. Try to cover all four – employers will notice the difference.
A+ computer training courses cover diagnostics and fault finding – via hands on and remote access, alongside building and fixing and understanding antistatic conditions.
Should you fancy yourself as someone who works for a larger company – supporting, fixing and maintaining networks, add Network+ to your CompTIA A+, or consider an MCSA or MCSE with Microsoft in order to have a better comprehension of how networks function.
A skilled and practiced consultant (in direct contrast to a salesman) will ask questions and seek to comprehend your abilities and experience. This is useful for understanding your starting point for training.
If you’ve got any work-based experience or base qualifications, you may find that your starting point is not the same as someone new to the industry.
It’s wise to consider some basic Microsoft package and Windows skills first. This can often make the learning curve a bit more manageable.
Adding in the cost of examination fees as an inclusive element of the package price then including an exam guarantee is a popular marketing tool with a number of training colleges. However, let’s consider what’s really going on:
It’s very clear we’re still paying for it – obviously it has already in the gross price invoiced by the training company. It’s absolutely not free (it’s just marketing companies think we’ll fall for anything they say!)
The honest truth is that when students fund their own exams, one after the other, the chances are they’re going to pass first time – as they’ll be conscious of their payment and so will prepare more thoroughly.
Doesn’t it make more sense to hold on to your money and pay for the exam when you take the exam, not to pay any mark-up to the college, and to take it closer to home – rather than possibly hours away from your area?
Considerable numbers of questionable training course providers net huge amounts of money through getting paid for exam fees early and banking on the fact that many won’t be taken.
Most companies will require you to sit pre-tests and hold you back from re-takes until you’ve completely proven that you’re likely to pass – which makes an ‘Exam Guarantee’ frankly useless.
The cost of exams was 112 pounds or thereabouts twelve months or so ago through UK VUE or Prometric centres. Therefore, why splash out often many hundreds of pounds extra for ‘an Exam Guarantee’, when it’s obvious that the responsible approach is a regular, committed, study programme, with an accredited exam preparation system.
Student support is absolutely essential – look for a package that includes 24×7 access, as anything less will not satisfy and will also hold up your pace and restrict your intake.
Try and find training where you can access help at any time you choose (even if it’s early hours on Sunday morning!) You want direct-access to qualified mentors and tutors, and not access to a call-in service which takes messages – so you’re parked in a queue of others waiting to be called back – probably during office hours.
The best training colleges provide an online round-the-clock service utilising a variety of support centres from around the world. You will have an easy to use interface that seamlessly accesses whichever office is appropriate at any time of day or night: Support when it’s needed.
Seek out a trainer that gives this level of learning support. Only proper live 24×7 round-the-clock support gives you the confidence to make it.
The old fashioned style of teaching, utilising reference manuals and books, can be pretty hard going sometimes. If this describes you, look for learning programmes which have a majority of interactive, multimedia parts.
Research has time and time again verified that connecting physically with our study, is proven to produce longer-lasting and deeper memory retention.
Fully interactive motion videos featuring instructor demo’s and practice lab’s beat books hands-down. And they’re far more fun.
It’s imperative to see courseware examples from the company you’re considering. They have to utilise full motion videos of instructors demonstrating the topic with lab’s to practice the skills in.
Purely on-line training should be avoided. Physical CD or DVD ROM materials are preferable where available, so that you have access at all times – it’s not wise to be held hostage to your broadband being ‘up’ 100 percent of the time.
Copyright Scott Edwards 2009. Try CLICK HERE or Web Designer Course.