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CompTIA Training In Interactive Format - Options

December 30th, 2009

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.

As well as learning how to build PC’s and fix them, students of A+ will be taught how to operate in antistatic conditions, as well as diagnostics, fault-finding and remote access.

If you feel it appropriate to add Network+ to your A+ course, you’ll additionally be equipped to look after networks, allowing you to move further up the career path.

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.

Be wary of any training providers which use messaging services ‘out-of-hours’ - where you’ll get called back during normal office hours. It’s no use when you’re stuck on a problem and could do with an answer during your scheduled study period.

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.

Don’t compromise when it comes to your support. Many IT hopefuls that throw in the towel, are in that situation because they didn’t get the support necessary for them.

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.

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:

We all know that we’re still footing the bill for it - obviously it has been added into the gross price invoiced by the college. It’s definitely not free - and it’s insulting that we’re supposed to think it is!

It’s well known in the industry that if a student pays for each examination, at the time of taking them, there’s a much better chance they’ll pass first time - since they are conscious of their payment and so will prepare more thoroughly.

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 lot of current training course providers net big margins because they’re getting paid for examinations upfront then hoping either that you won’t take them, or it will be a long time before you do.

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.

Always expect the current Microsoft (or Cisco, CompTIA etc.) authorised exam preparation and simulation materials.

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.

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