CompTIA A+ computer training comprises of 4 specialised sectors - you'll have to qualify in two of these areas to reach the level of competent in A+. You'll find that most colleges only offer two of the 4 sectors. We think this isn't enough - yes you'll have qualified, but knowing about the others will set you apart in the workplace, where you'll need a more comprehensive understanding. That's why we believe you should train in everything.
Once on the A+ training course you'll be taught how to build computers and fix them, and work in antistatic conditions. Fault finding and diagnostic techniques through hands on and remote access are also covered. You might also choose to consider adding Network+ training to your A+ as you can then also take care of computer networks, which means greater employment benefits.
Authorised exam preparation packages are crucial - and absolutely ought to be supplied by your training company. Confirm that the exams you practice are not only asking questions on the correct subjects, but ask them in the exact format that the real exams will phrase them. This completely unsettles people if the questions are phrased in unfamiliar formats. Practice exams are enormously valuable for confidence building - so that when you come to take the real deal, you won't be worried.
Including exam fees as an inclusive element of the package price then including an exam guarantee is a common method with a number of training colleges. Consider the facts:
You're paying for it ultimately. It certainly isn't free - it's simply been shoe-horned into the price as a whole. We all want to pass first time. Going for exams when it's appropriate and funding them one at a time puts you in a much stronger position to qualify at the first attempt - you put the effort in and are conscious of what you've spent.
Does it really add up to pay your training course provider early for exam fees? Hold on to your money and pay for the exam at the appropriate time, don't pay mark-ups - and take it closer to home - rather than in some remote place. Paying upfront for exams (and if you're financing your study there'll be interest on that) is a false economy. It's not your job to boost the training company's account with extra money of yours simply to help their cash-flow! Some will be pinning their hopes on the fact that you will never make it to exams - so they don't need to pay for them. It's worth noting that exam re-takes with organisations with an 'Exam Guarantee' are always heavily controlled. You'll be required to sit pre-tests until you've proven that you're likely to pass.
Exams taken at VUE and Prometric centres are in the region of 112 pounds in the UK. Students should be very wary of forking out hundreds of pounds extra in 'Exam Guarantee' costs (often hidden in the cost) - when the best course materials, the right level of support and a commitment to studying and the use of authorised exam preparation tools are actually the key to your success.
Commercial certification is now, very visibly, taking over from the traditional academic paths into IT - why then is this the case? With a growing demand for specific technological expertise, industry has moved to the specialised training that can only come from the vendors - for example companies such as Microsoft, CompTIA, CISCO and Adobe. Frequently this is at a far reduced cost both money and time wise. Obviously, a necessary quantity of background detail has to be covered, but precise specialised knowledge in the required areas gives a commercially trained student a distinct advantage.
In simple terms: Recognised IT certifications give employers exactly what they're looking for - everything they need to know is in the title: i.e. I am a 'Microsoft Certified Professional' in 'Windows XP Administration and Configuration'. So an employer can look at the particular needs they have and which qualifications are required to fulfil that.
Beware of putting too much emphasis, as can often be the case, on the training process. You're not training for the sake of training; this is about employment. Begin and continue with the end in mind. Don't be one of the unfortunate masses who choose a training program that on the surface appears interesting - and get to the final hurdle of an accreditation for a job they hate.
Take time to understand your feelings on career development, earning potential, and if you're ambitious or not. You should understand what will be expected of you, what qualifications will be required and in what way you can develop commercial experience. It's good advice for all students to speak to highly experienced advisors before following a particular retraining program. This gives some measure of assurance that it contains the commercially required skills for the chosen career.
Author Resource:-
(C) Jason Kendall. Pop to LearningLolly.com for intelligent ideas on IT Course and Comptia Certification.
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