CompTIA A + has a total of four exams and sections to study, but you’re just expected to pass two of them to be thought of as qualified. For this reason, the majority of training providers simply offer two. Yet learning about all 4 will equip you with a far deeper level of understanding of the subject, something you’ll appreciate as an important asset in the working environment.
CompTIA A+ without additional courses will set you up to fix and maintain computers and Macs; ones which are usually not part of a network – this generally applies to home use and small companies.
You may also want to consider adding the CompTIA Network+ training as it will give you the knowledge to become a networking engineer, which means greater employment benefits.
The age-old way of teaching, involving piles of reference textbooks, is usually pretty hard going. If all this is ringing some familiar bells, look for learning programmes that are on-screen and interactive.
Memory is vastly improved with an involvement of all our senses – learning experts have been saying this for years now.
Courses are now available on CD and DVD discs, where everything is taught on your PC. Video streaming means you can sit back and watch the teachers showing you precisely how it’s all done, with some practice time to follow – via the interactive virtual lab’s.
You really need to look at courseware examples from any company that you may want to train through. It’s essential they incorporate video demo’s and interactive elements such as practice lab’s.
You’ll find that many companies will only provide purely on-line training; sometimes you can get away with this – but, think what will happen when you don’t have access to the internet or you get slow speeds and down-time etc. It’s much safer to rely on DVD or CD discs that removes the issue entirely.
Don’t accept anything less than the current Microsoft (or relevant organisation’s) accredited exam simulation and preparation packages.
As the majority of examining boards for IT tend to be American, you’ll need to be used to the correct phraseology. It isn’t good enough just understanding random questions – they must be in an exam format that exactly replicates the real thing.
Mock exams can be very useful in helping you build your confidence – so when it comes to taking the proper exam, you won’t be worried.
An important area that is sometimes not even considered by trainees considering a training program is ‘training segmentation’. This is essentially how the program is broken down into parts to be delivered to you, which can make a dramatic difference to what you end up with.
Many companies enrol you into some sort of program spread over 1-3 years, and send out each piece as you complete each exam. This sounds reasonable until you consider the following:
Maybe the order of study offered by the provider doesn’t suit. You may find it a stretch to finalise each and every section within the time limits imposed?
The ideal circumstances are to get all your study materials delivered to you right at the start; the complete package! This way, nothing can happen down the line which could affect your ability to finish.
Does job security truly exist anymore? In the UK for instance, with industry changing its mind at alarming speeds, it seems increasingly unlikely.
Whereas a marketplace with high growth, with a constant demand for staff (as there is a massive shortfall of commercially certified workers), opens the possibility of true job security.
The Information Technology (IT) skills deficit in the United Kingdom is standing at approx 26 percent, as noted by the latest e-Skills survey. To put it another way, this highlights that the UK can only find three qualified staff for each four job positions that are available now.
This disturbing truth reveals the requirement for more properly qualified IT professionals throughout the UK.
Unquestionably, now, more than ever, really is the very best time to train for IT.
Written by Scott Edwards. Visit Comptia Certification or www.mcse-training-uk.co.uk.