There are four specialist areas of training in a full CompTIA A+ program; you’re seen as an A+ achiever when you’ve passed the test for half of them. This is the reason that it’s usual for colleges to limit themselves to 2 study areas. The truth is it’s necessary to have the information on each subject as industry will demand knowledge and skills of the whole A+ program. It’s not essential to complete all 4 certifications, but we would recommend you take tutorials in all 4 subjects.
In addition to learning about building and fixing computers, trainees on A+ courses will be shown how to work in antistatic conditions, as well as diagnostics, fault-finding and remote access.
You might also choose to think about supplementing the A+ with Network + as you can then also take care of computer networks, which means greater employment benefits.
Full support is of the utmost importance – look for a package that includes 24×7 access, as anything less will frustrate you and could hamper your progress.
Never purchase certification programs which can only support trainees with a call-centre messaging service after 6-9pm in the evening and during weekends. Training schools will try to talk you round from this line of reasoning. But, no matter how they put it – you want to be supported when you need the help – not when it suits them.
Top training companies incorporate three or four individual support centres across multiple time-zones. By utilising an interactive interface to join them all seamlessly, at any time you choose, help is just seconds away, without any problems or delays.
Don’t accept second best when it comes to your support. The majority of trainees who give up, would have had a different experience if they’d got the right support package in the first place.
We’re often asked why traditional academic studies are now falling behind more commercial qualifications?
Industry now recognises that to learn the appropriate commercial skills, the right accreditation from such organisations as Adobe, Microsoft, CISCO and CompTIA most often has much more specialised relevance – saving time and money.
Typically, only that which is required is learned. It isn’t quite as lean as that might sound, but principally the objective has to be to cover the precise skills needed (with some necessary background) – without going into too much detail in every other area – in the way that academic establishments often do.
When it comes down to the nitty-gritty: Recognised IT certifications let employers know exactly what you’re capable of – it says what you do in the title: as an example – I am a ‘Microsoft Certified Professional’ in ‘Designing Security for a Windows 2003 Network’. Therefore an employer can identify exactly what they need and what certifications are required to fulfil that.
Consider only training paths that’ll progress to commercially approved accreditations. There’s a plethora of small companies suggesting unknown ‘in-house’ certificates which are worthless when it comes to finding a job.
Unless the accreditation comes from a company like Microsoft, Adobe, CompTIA or Cisco, then chances are it won’t be commercially viable – as no-one will have heard of it.
A top of the range training course package will undoubtedly incorporate accredited exam preparation packages.
Often students can be thrown off course by practising exam questions that aren’t recognised by official boards. Often, the phraseology is startlingly different and you need to be ready for this.
A way to build self-confidence is if you test your depth of understanding by doing quizzes and practice exams prior to taking the proper exam.
(C) Jason Kendall. Look at www.comptiacertification.co.uk for smart career tips on CompTIA Training & IT Certification.