In total, there are 4 A+ examinations and specialised sectors, but your only requirement is to get certified in 2 to qualify for your A+. Because of this, most training colleges simply offer two. Yet learning about all 4 will give you a much wider knowledge and understanding of it all, something you’ll appreciate as vital in industry.
Courses in A+ computer training teach diagnostic techniques and fault-finding – remotely as well as hands on, in addition to building and fixing and having knowledge of antistatic conditions.
In addition, you could look to think about doing Network+ as you’ll then be in a position to take care of computer networks, and have a more responsible working role.
Most training companies only give office hours or extended office hours support; not many go late into the evening (after 8-9pm) or cover weekends properly.
Be wary of any training providers which use messaging services ‘out-of-hours’ – where you’ll get called back during normal office hours. It’s no use when you’re stuck on a problem and could do with an answer during your scheduled study period.
Top training companies have many support offices from around the world. Online access provides the interactive interface to link them all seamlessly, at any time you choose, there is always help at hand, with no hassle or contact issues.
Don’t compromise when it comes to your support. Many IT hopefuls that throw in the towel, are in that situation because they didn’t get the support necessary for them.
Don’t put too much store, as a lot of students can, on the training process. Training is not an end in itself; you’re training to become commercially employable. Focus on the end-goal.
Don’t let yourself become one of those unfortunate students who select a program that sounds really ‘interesting’ and ‘fun’ – and end up with a plaque on the wall for an unrewarding career path.
You’ll want to understand what industry will expect from you. Which particular qualifications you’ll be required to have and how to gain experience. It’s also worth spending time considering how far you’d like to build your skill-set as it may control your selection of qualifications.
Sense dictates that you seek guidance and advice from an experienced industry advisor before embarking on a training path, so you can be sure that the chosen route will give you the skills for the job being sought.
Look at the facts below very carefully if you’re inclined to think that old marketing ploy of ‘guaranteeing’ exams sounds like a benefit to the student:
We all know that we’re still footing the bill for it – obviously it has been added into the gross price invoiced by the college. It’s definitely not free – and it’s insulting that we’re supposed to think it is!
People who take each progressive exam, funding them one at a time are much more likely to pass. They are thoughtful of the cost and so are more inclined to ensure they are ready.
Hold on to your money and pay for the exam when you take the exam, and keep hold of your own money. In addition, it’s then your choice where to do the examinations – so you can choose somewhere closer to home.
A great deal of money is netted by a significant number of organisations who get money for exam fees in advance. For quite legitimate reasons, a number of students don’t get to do their exams but the company keeps the money. Believe it or not, providers exist who actually bank on it – as that’s very profitable for them.
Additionally, many exam guarantees are worthless. Many training companies won’t pay for you to re-take until you have demonstrated conclusively that you won’t fail again.
On average, exams cost approximately 112 pounds in the last 12 months through UK VUE or Prometric centres. So don’t be talked into shelling out hundreds or thousands of pounds more to have ‘an Exam Guarantee’, when it’s obvious that the most successful method is consistent and systematic learning, coupled with quality exam simulation software.
Always expect the current Microsoft (or Cisco, CompTIA etc.) authorised exam preparation and simulation materials.
Because most IT examination boards tend to be American, you need to become familiar with their phraseology. It’s no use simply answering any old technical questions – they need to be in the proper exam format.
Ensure that you test whether you’re learning enough by doing quizzes and practice in simulated exam environments to prepare you for taking the real deal.
(C) 2009 – S. Edwards. Check out Job Qualifications or CareerRetrainingCourses.co.uk.