CompTIA A Plus Training Companies Considered

By: Jason Kendall Click author's name for more of his/her articles

In total, there are 4 A+ examinations and areas of study, but you're just expected to get your exams in 2 of them to qualify for your A+. Because of this, many educational establishments only offer 2 paths. However, training you in all four will equip you with a far greater perspective of the subject, which you'll come to realise is vital in industry.

In addition to learning about building and fixing computers, students on A+ courses will be taught how to work in antistatic conditions, how to fault find, to diagnose and to remotely access problems. In addition, you could look to consider doing Network+ as you'll then be in a position to take care of computer networks, which is where the bigger salaries are.

If an advisor doesn't question you thoroughly - the likelihood is they're really a salesperson. If they push a particular product before learning about your history and experience, then it's definitely the case. Of course, if you have some relevant qualifications that are related, then you will often be able to commence studying further along than someone new to the industry. If you're a new trainee starting IT studies and exams as a new venture, you might like to break yourself in gently, by working on user-skills and software training first. This can be built into any study program.

Make sure you don't get caught-up, as a lot of students can, on the training course itself. You're not training for the sake of training; you should be geared towards the actual job at the end of it. Focus on the end-goal. It's unfortunate, but a great many students kick-off study that often sounds amazing from the syllabus guide, but which delivers a career that is of no interest at all. Speak to a selection of college graduates for examples.

Make sure you investigate your leanings around career progression and earning potential, and how ambitious you are. You should understand what will be expected of you, what particular qualifications are required and how to develop your experience. Long before starting a study programme, it's good advice to chat over individual career needs with an experienced industry professional, to be absolutely sure the training course covers all the necessary elements.

One interesting way that course providers make more money is by charging for exams up-front and then including an 'Exam Guarantee'. It looks impressive, till you look at the facts:

Of course it's not free - you're still paying for it - it's just been wrapped up in the price of the package. If it's important to you to pass in one, then you should avoid exam guarantees and pay when entering exams, give it the priority it deserves and apply yourself as required.

Do your exams somewhere local and don't pay up-front, but seek out the best deal for you when you're ready. A lot of extra profit is netted by a number of companies who take the exam money up-front. For quite legitimate reasons, a number of students don't get to do their exams and so they pocket the rest. Believe it or not, providers exist that actually rely on students not sitting all the exams - as that's where a lot of their profit comes from. It's also worth noting that 'Exam Guarantees' often aren't worth the paper they're written on. Many training companies won't be prepared to pay for re-takes until you've completely satisfied them that you're ready this time.

Splashing out often many hundreds of pounds extra on 'Exam Guarantees' is foolish - when consistent and systematic learning, coupled with quality exam simulation software is what will get you through.

Be on the lookout that any exams that you're considering are recognised by industry and are up-to-date. 'In-house' exams and the certificates they come with are often meaningless. From a commercial standpoint, only the big-boys like Microsoft, Adobe, Cisco or CompTIA (for instance) will open the right doors. Nothing else will cut the mustard.