A+ consists of two exams and sections to study, and your requirement is to get your exams in each area to qualify for your A+. Once you start your CompTIA A+, you'll become familiar with how to work in antistatic conditions and build and fix computers. Fault finding and diagnostic techniques through hands on and remote access are also covered. Should you want to work towards being responsible for networks of computers, add the excellent Network+ to your A+ course. This qualification will prepare you to get a higher paid position. Also look at the Microsoft networking qualifications (MCP, MCSA and MCSE).

Many trainers provide a shelf full of reference manuals. It's not a very interesting way to learn and isn't the best way to go about studying effectively. Where we can utilise all of our senses into our learning, our results will often be quite spectacular.

Programs are now found in the form of CD and DVD ROM's, so everything is learned directly from your own PC. Utilising the latest video technology, you can sit back and watch the teachers showing you precisely how something is done, followed by your chance to practice - in a virtual lab environment. Every company that you look at must be pushed to demo a few examples of their training materials. Expect video tutorials, instructor led classes and interactive areas to practice in.

You'll find that many companies will only provide training that is purely available online; and while this is acceptable much of the time, consider how you'll deal with it if your access to the internet is broken or you get a slow connection speed. It is usually safer to have actual CD or DVD ROMs which will solve that problem.

One interesting way that colleges make a lot more is through up-front charges for exams then giving it 'Exam Guarantee' status. It looks impressive, until you think it through:

You'll be charged for it ultimately. One thing's for sure - it isn't free - it's just been rolled into the price of the whole package. We all want to pass first time. Entering examinations one at a time and paying for them just before taking them makes it far more likely you'll pass first time - you revise thoroughly and think carefully about the costs.

Hold on to your money and pay for the exam at the appropriate time, and avoid college mark-up fees. You also get more choice of where you do your exams - meaning you can choose a local testing centre. What's the point in paying early for exam fees when you didn't need to? Huge profits are made by companies charging all their exam fees up-front - and then cashing in when they're not all taken. You should fully understand that re-takes with training course providers with 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.

VUE and Prometric examinations are around 112 pounds in Great Britain. What's the point of paying huge fees for 'exam guarantees' (most often hidden in the package) - when a quality course, support and a commitment to studying and the use of authorised exam preparation tools are actually the key to your success.

Far too many companies only concern themselves with gaining a certificate, and avoid focusing on why you're doing this - which is a commercial career or job. You should always begin with the final destination in mind - don't get hung-up on the training vehicle. You may train for one year and then end up doing the job for 20 years. Avoid the mistake of taking what may be a very 'interesting' program only to waste your life away with something you don't even enjoy!

Set targets for earning potential and how ambitious you are. Often, this changes which certifications will be required and what you can expect to give industry in return. Take advice from an industry professional, irrespective of whether you have to pay - it's considerably cheaper and safer to find out at the beginning whether a chosen track will suit, instead of discovering after two full years that the job you've chosen is not for you and now need to go back to square one.

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