In total, there are 4 A+ examinations and specialised sectors, but your only requirement is to get certified in 2 to qualify for your A+. Because of this, most training colleges simply offer two. Yet learning about all 4 will give you a much wider knowledge and understanding of it all, something you’ll appreciate as vital in industry.

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.

Locate training schools where you can receive help at any time you choose (even if it’s early hours on Sunday morning!) Ensure you get 24×7 direct access to mentors and instructors, and not access to a call-in service which takes messages – so you’re consistently being held in a queue for a call-back at a convenient time for them.

Keep your eyes open for colleges that utilise many support facilities from around the world. Every one of them needs to be seamlessly combined to provide a single interface and also access round-the-clock, when you need it, with the minimum of hassle.

Don’t compromise when it comes to your support. Many IT hopefuls that throw in the towel, are in that situation because they didn’t get the support necessary for them.

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.

Stay focused on what it is you’re trying to achieve, and create a learning-plan from that – not the other way round. Keep your eyes on your goals – making sure you’re training for a career that’ll reward you for many long and fruitful years.

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.

A sneaky way that course providers make extra profits is via an ‘exam inclusive’ package and offering an exam guarantee. It looks like a good deal, until you think it through:

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!

People who take each progressive exam, funding them one at a time are much more likely to pass. They are thoughtful of the cost and so are more inclined to ensure they are ready.

Hold on to your money and pay for the exam when you take the exam, and keep hold of your own money. In addition, it’s then your choice where to do the examinations – so you can choose somewhere closer to home.

A great deal of money is netted by a significant number of organisations who get money for exam fees in advance. For quite legitimate reasons, a number of students don’t get to do their exams but the company keeps the money. Believe it or not, providers exist who actually bank on it – as that’s very profitable for them.

Re-takes of any failed exams through training course providers who offer an ‘Exam Guarantee’ are monitored with tight restrictions. You’ll be required to sit pre-tests until you’ve proven that you’re likely to pass.

On average, exams cost approximately 112 pounds in the last 12 months through UK VUE or Prometric centres. So don’t be talked into shelling out hundreds or thousands of pounds more to have ‘an Exam Guarantee’, when it’s obvious that the most successful method is consistent and systematic learning, coupled with quality exam simulation software.

It’s essential to have accredited simulation materials and an exam preparation system included in your course.

Avoid depending on unofficial preparation materials for exams. The terminology of their questions can be quite different – and often this creates real issues when the proper exam time arrives.

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.

Copyright 2009 Scott Edwards. Try Career Retraining Courses or Job Qualifications.