The CompTIA A+ training program covers four areas of training; you’re seen as competent at A+ when you’ve achieved certifications for two of the four areas. This is why the majority of training establishments offer only two of the training courses. The truth is you will need the training for all four areas as many jobs will be looking for the skills and knowledge of each specialist area. Don’t feel pressured to take all four exams, but we would recommend you study for all four areas.
If you decide to become a student on the CompTIA A+, you’ll be taught how to build and repair PC’s and operate in antistatic conditions. Fault finding and diagnostic techniques through hands on and remote access are also covered.
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.
Proper support is incredibly important – locate a good company providing 24×7 full access, as anything else will annoy you and definitely hold up your pace and restrict your intake.
Locate training schools where you can receive help at any time you choose (even if it’s early hours on Sunday morning!) Ensure you get 24×7 direct access to mentors and instructors, and not access to a call-in service which takes messages – so you’re consistently being held in a queue for a call-back at a convenient time for them.
It’s possible to find professional training packages that recommend and use direct-access support all the time – at any time of day or night.
Always pick an educator that offers this level of study support. Only proper round-the-clock 24×7 support delivers what is required.
Many companies only look at the plaque to hang on your wall, and completely avoid what you actually need – which is of course employment. Always start with the final destination in mind – don’t get hung-up on the training vehicle.
Students often train for a single year but end up doing a job for a lifetime. Don’t make the error of choosing what sounds like an ‘interesting’ course and then spend decades in a job you don’t like!
Make sure you investigate your leanings around earning potential and career progression, plus your level of ambition. It’s vital to know what the role will demand of you, which particular exams will be required and how to develop your experience.
Your likely to need help from an experienced person that can best explain the market you’re hoping to qualify in, and will be able to provide ‘A day in the life of’ synopsis of the job being considered. These things are incredibly important as you’ll need to know if this change is right for you.
A sneaky way that course providers make extra profits is via an ‘exam inclusive’ package and offering an exam guarantee. It looks like a good deal, until you think it through:
You’ll pay for it ultimately. It certainly isn’t free – they’ve just worked it into the package price.
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.
With the average price of Pro-metric and VUE tests in the United Kingdom costing around 112 pounds, it makes sense to pay as you go. Why splash out often many hundreds of pounds extra at the beginning of your training? Study, commitment and preparing with good quality mock and practice exams is what will really guarantee success.
A top of the range training course package should have accredited exam preparation systems.
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.
Always have some simulated exam questions in order to test your knowledge along the way. Practice exams prepare you properly – then you won’t be quite so nervous at the actual exam.
(C) Scott Edwards 2009. Hop over to JobQualification.co.uk or Career Retraining Courses.
