CompTIA A Plus Training Discussions

The CompTIA A+ training program covers four areas of training; you’re thought of as an achiever in A+ once you’ve passed your exams for 2 out of 4 subjects. Because of this, the majority of training establishments only teach 2 specialised areas. You’ll find that it’s necessary to have the training for all four areas as many positions will demand the skills and knowledge of the entire course. You don’t have to complete all 4 certifications, however we’d advise that you study for all four areas.

Once on the A+ computer training course you will develop an understanding of how to build, fix, repair and work in antistatic conditions. Fault finding and diagnostic techniques through hands on and remote access are also covered. If you’re considering being the person who works in a multi-faceted environment – fixing and supporting networks, you’ll need to add CompTIA Network+, or alternatively look at doing an MCSA or MCSE with Microsoft in order to have a more advanced experience of the way networks operate.

Commercially accredited qualifications are now, undoubtedly, already replacing the traditional routes into the industry – but why is this happening? With university education costs becoming a tall order for many, and the industry’s increasing awareness that vendor-based training often has more relevance in the commercial field, we have seen a great increase in Microsoft, CompTIA, CISCO and Adobe authorised training programmes that provide key skills to an employee at a much reduced cost in terms of money and time. In a nutshell, the learning just focuses on what’s actually required. Actually, it’s not quite as pared down as that, but principally the objective has to be to cover the precise skills needed (including a degree of required background) – without overdoing the detail in every other area (as universities often do).

It’s a bit like the TV advert: ‘It does what it says on the label’. The company just needs to know what they need doing, and then request applicants with the correct exam numbers. That way they can be sure they’re interviewing applicants who can do the job.

If you’re like many of the students we talk to then you probably enjoy fairly practical work – a ‘hands-on’ type. If you’re anything like us, the painful task of reading endless manuals would be considered as a last resort, but it doesn’t suit your way of doing things. Consider interactive, multimedia study if learning from books is not your thing. Many years of research has time and time again shown that becoming involved with our studies, to utilise all our senses, is far more likely to produce long-lasting memories.

Interactive audio-visual materials utilising video demo’s and practice lab’s beat books hands-down. And you’ll actually enjoy doing them. You must ensure that you see the type of training provided by the company you’re considering. They have to utilise video, demonstrations and various interactive elements.

You should avoid purely online training. Physical CD or DVD ROM materials are preferable where possible, so that you have access at all times – you don’t want to be reliant on a good broadband connection all the time.

A typical blunder that students everywhere can make is to look for the actual course to take, instead of focusing on the end result they want to achieve. Colleges are stacked to the hilt with students that chose a program because it looked interesting – in place of something that could gain them an enjoyable career or job. Imagine training for just one year and then end up performing the job-role for decades. Ensure you avoid the fatal error of finding what seems like an ‘interesting’ course only to spend 20 years doing an unrewarding career!

You need to keep your eye on what you want to achieve, and build your study action-plan from that – don’t do it back-to-front. Keep your eyes on your goals – making sure you’re training for a career you’ll enjoy for years to come. Our recommendation would be to look for advice and guidance from an experienced industry professional before making your final decision on some particular study path, so there’s no doubt that the specific package will give the skill-set required for your career choice.

Look at the points below and pay great regard to them if you’re inclined to think the marketing blurb about examination guarantees seems like a good idea:

In this day and age, we tend to be a tad more knowledgeable about sales gimmicks – and the majority of us ought to realise that of course we’re actually paying for it – they’re not just being charitable and doling out freebies! Should you seriously need to pass first time, evidence suggests you must pay for one exam at a time, prioritise it appropriately and give the task sufficient application.

Isn’t it outrageous to have to pay the college at the start of the course for examination fees? Find the best exam deal or offer at the appropriate time, don’t pay mark-ups – and do it in a local testing centre – not at somewhere of their bidding. Big margins are made by many training colleges who get money for exam fees in advance. A number of students don’t take them for various reasons but the company keeps the money. Astoundingly enough, providers exist who depend on students not taking their exams – as that’s where a lot of their profit comes from. The majority of companies will insist on pre-tests and with-hold subsequent exam entries from you until you’ve demonstrated an excellent ability to pass – which makes an ‘Exam Guarantee’ frankly useless.

Prometric and VUE exams are approximately 112 pounds in Britain at the time of writing. Why pay exorbitant ‘Exam Guarantee’ costs (most often hidden in the package) – when good quality study materials, the proper support and study, commitment and preparing with good quality mock and practice exams is what will really guarantee success.

Be careful that the qualifications you’re studying for are commercially relevant and are up-to-date. The ‘in-house’ certifications provided by many companies are not normally useful in gaining employment. Unless the accreditation comes from a big-hitter like Microsoft, CompTIA, Cisco or Adobe, then you may discover it will be commercially useless – because it won’t give an employer any directly-useable skills.

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