CompTIA A + has a total of four exams and areas of study, but your only requirement is to achieve certification in two for qualification purposes. As this is the case, a great number of colleges only offer 2 paths. But allowing you to learn about all 4 options will equip you with a far deeper level of understanding of the subject, something you'll appreciate as vital in the commercial world.
Qualifying in CompTIA A+ in isolation will allow you to repair and fix stand alone Macs, computers and laptops; ones which are usually not part of a network - which means the home or small business market. If you add Network+ to your CompTIA A+ training course, you will additionally be able to assist with or manage networks of computers, giving you the facility to move further up the career path.
Think about the points below very carefully if you're inclined to think the sales ploy of an 'Exam Guarantee' sounds great value:
Thankfully, today we tend to be a little bit more aware of sales ploys - and usually we know that for sure we are actually being charged for it - they're not just being charitable and doling out freebies! Qualifying on the first 'go' is what everyone wants to do. Taking your exams progressively in order and paying as you go puts you in a much stronger position to qualify at the first attempt - you revise thoroughly and are aware of the costs involved.
Isn't it outrageous to have to pay the training course provider at the start of the course for exam fees? Go for the best offer when you take the exam, rather than coughing up months or even a year or two in advance - and do it locally - not at somewhere of their bidding. Considerable numbers of questionable training colleges secure big margins by getting paid for exam fees early then hoping either that you won't take them, or it will be a long time before you do. Pay heed to the fact that, in the majority of cases of 'exam guarantees' - you are not in control of when you are allowed to do a re-take. Subsequent exam attempts are only authorised at the company's say so.
Prometric and VUE exams are around 112 pounds in the UK. Why pay exorbitant charges for 'Exam Guarantees' (often covertly rolled into the cost of the course) - when a quality course, support and exam preparation systems and a dose of commitment and effort are what's required.
A lot of commercial training providers only give support available from 9-6 (office hours) and sometimes later on specific days; It's rare to find someone who offers late evening or full weekend cover. Beware of institutions that use messaging services 'out-of-hours' - where you'll get called back during standard office hours. It's not a lot of help when you've got study issues and need an answer now.
Keep looking and you'll come across professional companies who recommend and use online direct access support 24x7 - including evenings, nights and weekends. Don't under any circumstances take a lower level of service. Support round-the-clock is the only kind to make the grade for computer-based study. Maybe burning the midnight-oil is not your thing; often though, we're at work during the provided support period.
Commercial qualifications are now, very visibly, already replacing the more academic tracks into the IT industry - so why is this? With an ever-increasing technical demand on resources, the IT sector has been required to move to specialist courses only available through the vendors themselves - that is companies like CISCO, Adobe, Microsoft and CompTIA. This often comes in at a fraction of the cost and time. Many degrees, for example, can often get caught up in too much loosely associated study - with a syllabus that's far too wide. This prevents a student from getting enough specific knowledge about the core essentials.
The bottom line is: Accredited IT qualifications let employers know exactly what you're capable of - it says what you do in the title: i.e. I am a 'Microsoft Certified Professional' in 'Managing and Maintaining Windows Server 2003'. Consequently an employer can identify exactly what they need and what certifications are required to perform the job.
Many training companies will provide a useful Job Placement Assistance program, designed to steer you into your first job. But don't place too much emphasis on it - it's quite easy for their marketing department to make too much of it. The fact of the matter is, the huge shortage of staff in this country is what will enable you to get a job.
Ideally you should have advice and support about your CV and interviews though; also we would encourage everyone to work on polishing up their CV as soon as training commences - don't wait for when you're ready to start work. Having the possibility of an interview is more than not being known. Many junior support roles are bagged by trainees (sometimes when they've only just got going.) If it's important to you to find work near your home, then it's quite likely that an independent and specialised local employment service might work much better for you than the trainer's recruitment division, because they're far more likely to have insider knowledge of what's available near you.
Do make sure you don't invest a great deal of time on your training course, and then do nothing more and imagine someone else is miraculously going to find you a job. Take responsibility for yourself and start looking for yourself. Channel as much focus into getting your new role as it took to get qualified.
Author Resource:-
(C) Jason Kendall. Pop over to LearningLolly.com for excellent career advice. Comptia A+ or A+ Training.
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