CompTIA Training In Interactive Format – Options
The CompTIA A+ training program covers four areas of training; you’re seen as competent at A+ when you’ve achieved certifications for two of the four areas. This is why the majority of training establishments offer only two of the training courses. The truth is you will need the training for all four areas as many jobs will be looking for the skills and knowledge of each specialist area. Don’t feel pressured to take all four exams, but we would recommend you study for all four areas.
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.
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.
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 24×7 support delivers what is required.
Don’t put too much store, as a lot of students can, on the training process. Training is not an end in itself; you’re training to become commercially employable. Focus on the end-goal.
Don’t let yourself become one of those unfortunate students who select a program that sounds really ‘interesting’ and ‘fun’ – and end up with a plaque on the wall for an unrewarding career path.
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.
Sense dictates that you seek guidance and advice from an experienced industry advisor before embarking on a training path, so you can be sure that the chosen route will give you the skills for the job being sought.
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.
Why pay a training company early for examinations? Go for the best offer when you take the exam, instead of paying a premium – and take it closer to home – rather than in some remote place.
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.
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.
Always expect the current Microsoft (or Cisco, CompTIA etc.) authorised exam preparation and simulation materials.
Ensure that the exams you practice are not just posing the correct questions in the right areas, but ask them in the way the real exams will ask them. This really messes up trainees if they’re faced with unrecognisable phrases and formats.
Ensure that you test whether you’re learning enough by doing quizzes and practice in simulated exam environments to prepare you for taking the real deal.
Written by Scott Edwards. Pop over to Career Retraining Courses or www.JobQualification.co.uk.