CompTIA A Plus Support Training Clarified
Passing the A+ exam on its own will mean that you're able to repair and fix computers and Macs; ones that are most often not part of a network - essentially the domestic or small business sector.
If you're considering being someone who works for a larger company - in network support, build on A+ with Network+, or follow the Microsoft route - MCP's, MCSA or MCSE in order to have a wider knowledge of how networks work.
Be on the lookout that any qualifications you're considering doing are recognised by industry and are bang up to date. 'In-house' exams and the certificates they come with are generally useless.
The main industry leaders such as Microsoft, Cisco, Adobe or CompTIA each have internationally acknowledged skills programmes. These big-hitters will give some sparkle to your CV.
If your advisor doesn't dig around with lots of question - chances are they're just a salesperson. If they push a particular product before understanding your background and experience, then you know it's true.
Don't forget, if you have some relevant qualifications that are related, then you can sometimes expect to begin at a different level to a student who's starting from scratch.
If this is going to be your first effort at studying for an IT examination then you may want to begin with some basic Microsoft package and Windows skills first.
Starting from the viewpoint that it makes sense to find the job we want to do first and foremost, before we can consider which training program meets that requirement, how do we know the correct route?
Perusing lists of IT career possibilities is no use whatsoever. Surely, most of us have no concept what our own family members do for a living - let alone understand the ins and outs of a particular IT career.
Generally, the way to deal with this quandary properly lies in a deep talk over some important points:
* Personality factors as well as your interests - what work-oriented areas please or frustrate you.
* What sort of time-frame do you want for the training process?
* What salary and timescale requirements that are important to you?
* Learning what the main Information technology types and markets are - and what differentiates them.
* The time and energy you will spend on getting qualified.
The bottom line is, the best way of understanding everything necessary is by means of a meeting with someone that knows the industry well enough to give you the information required.
Including exams upfront and offering an 'Exam Guarantee' is common for a good many training companies. Consider the facts:
Everyone knows they're still paying for it - it's quite obvious to see that it's already in the full cost of the package supplied by the training company. It's definitely not free - and it's insulting that we're supposed to think it is!
The honest truth is that when trainees fund their relevant examinations, one by one, they will be much more likely to get through on the first attempt - as they are conscious of the cost and will therefore apply themselves appropriately.
Take your exams somewhere local and look for the very best offer you can at the time.
Buying a course that includes payments for examination fees (plus interest - if you're financing your study) is bad financial management. Why fill a company's coffers with your money just to give them a good cash-flow! Some will be pinning their hopes on the fact that you will never make it to exams - then they'll keep the extra money.
You should fully understand that re-takes through organisations who offer an 'Exam Guarantee' inevitably are heavily regulated. They will insist that you take pre-tests first so you can prove to them you have a good chance of passing.
Spending hundreds or even thousands extra on an 'Exam Guarantee' is remiss - when consistent and systematic learning, coupled with quality exam simulation software is what will really guarantee success.
