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.
Should you be thinking of maintaining networks, add the excellent Network+ to the CompTIA A+ training you're doing. Taking this course as well will prepare you to command a more senior job role. You may also want to consider the networking qualifications from Microsoft, i.e. MCP, MCSA MCSE.
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.
You'll be waiting ages for an answer with email based support, and phone support is often to a call-centre that will chat nicely with you for 5 minutes to ask what the issue is and then simply send an email to an instructor - who will call back over the next day or so (assuming you're there), when it's convenient to them. This isn't a lot of good if you're stuck with a particular problem and have a one hour time-slot in which to study.
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 24x7 support delivers what is required.
A typical blunder that students everywhere can make is to concentrate on the course itself, instead of focusing on where they want to get to. Universities are stacked to the hilt with direction-less students that chose an 'interesting' course - rather than what would get them their end-goal of a job they enjoyed.
It's an awful thing, but a great many students begin programs that seem wonderful in the prospectus, but which provides the end-result of a job that doesn't fulfil at all. Just ask several college leavers and you'll see where we're coming from.
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.
Have a conversation with a professional advisor that has a commercial understanding of the realities faced in the industry, and is able to give you detailed descriptions of what you actually do in that role. Researching these areas before commencement of any training program has obvious benefits.
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:
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.
Sit the exam at a local pro-metric testing centre and hold on to your money and pay for the exam when you take it.
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.
Don't forget, with the majority of Exam Guarantees - the company decides when you can re-take the exam. Subsequent exam attempts are only authorised at the company's say so.
Splashing out often many hundreds of pounds extra on an 'Exam Guarantee' is naive - when study, commitment and preparing with good quality mock and practice exams is what will really see you through.
It's essential to have accredited simulation materials and an exam preparation system included in your course.
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.
For many reasons, it's very important to be confident that you're completely ready for your commercial exam before taking it. Rehearsing simulated tests will help to boost your attitude and saves you time and money on thwarted exam entries. - 33376
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.
Should you be thinking of maintaining networks, add the excellent Network+ to the CompTIA A+ training you're doing. Taking this course as well will prepare you to command a more senior job role. You may also want to consider the networking qualifications from Microsoft, i.e. MCP, MCSA MCSE.
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.
You'll be waiting ages for an answer with email based support, and phone support is often to a call-centre that will chat nicely with you for 5 minutes to ask what the issue is and then simply send an email to an instructor - who will call back over the next day or so (assuming you're there), when it's convenient to them. This isn't a lot of good if you're stuck with a particular problem and have a one hour time-slot in which to study.
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 24x7 support delivers what is required.
A typical blunder that students everywhere can make is to concentrate on the course itself, instead of focusing on where they want to get to. Universities are stacked to the hilt with direction-less students that chose an 'interesting' course - rather than what would get them their end-goal of a job they enjoyed.
It's an awful thing, but a great many students begin programs that seem wonderful in the prospectus, but which provides the end-result of a job that doesn't fulfil at all. Just ask several college leavers and you'll see where we're coming from.
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.
Have a conversation with a professional advisor that has a commercial understanding of the realities faced in the industry, and is able to give you detailed descriptions of what you actually do in that role. Researching these areas before commencement of any training program has obvious benefits.
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:
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.
Sit the exam at a local pro-metric testing centre and hold on to your money and pay for the exam when you take it.
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.
Don't forget, with the majority of Exam Guarantees - the company decides when you can re-take the exam. Subsequent exam attempts are only authorised at the company's say so.
Splashing out often many hundreds of pounds extra on an 'Exam Guarantee' is naive - when study, commitment and preparing with good quality mock and practice exams is what will really see you through.
It's essential to have accredited simulation materials and an exam preparation system included in your course.
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.
For many reasons, it's very important to be confident that you're completely ready for your commercial exam before taking it. Rehearsing simulated tests will help to boost your attitude and saves you time and money on thwarted exam entries. - 33376
About the Author:
Copyright Scott Edwards 2009. Go to Job Qualifications or www.CareerRetrainingCourses.co.uk.
