CompTIA A+ consists of 4 training sections; you’re considered A+ competent when you’ve passed the test for half of them. This is the reason that the majority of training establishments only have two of the courses on their syllabus. In reality you’re advised to have the information on each subject as industry will demand an understanding of the whole A+ program. You don’t have to take all four exams, but we would recommend you study for all four areas.

CompTIA A+ without additional courses will set you up to fix and maintain computers and Macs; ones which are usually not part of a network – this generally applies to home use and small companies.

Perhaps you see yourself as a man or woman who works for a larger company – in network support, you should include CompTIA Network+ to your training package, or alternatively look at doing an MCSA or MCSE with Microsoft because it’s necessary to have a wider knowledge of the way networks work.

The age-old way of teaching, involving piles of reference textbooks, is usually pretty hard going. If all this is ringing some familiar bells, look for learning programmes that are on-screen and interactive.

Years of research and study has always verified that connecting physically with our study, is proven to produce longer-lasting and deeper memory retention.

Courses are now available on CD and DVD discs, where everything is taught on your PC. Video streaming means you can sit back and watch the teachers showing you precisely how it’s all done, with some practice time to follow – via the interactive virtual lab’s.

You really need to look at courseware examples from any company that you may want to train through. It’s essential they incorporate video demo’s and interactive elements such as practice lab’s.

You should avoid purely online training. You want physical CD/DVD ROM course materials where possible, as you need to be able to use them whenever it’s convenient for you – ISP quality varies, so you don’t want to be totally reliant on your internet connection always being ‘up’ and available.

Validated exam preparation and simulation materials are vital – and really must be obtained from your course provider.

Make sure that the simulated exams aren’t just asking you the right questions on the right subjects, but additionally ask them in the way the real exams will ask them. This throws people if the questions are phrased in unfamiliar formats.

Ensure that you verify your knowledge through tests and simulated exams prior to taking the real thing.

Most people don’t even think to ask about a vitally important element – how their training provider actually breaks down and delivers the courseware, and into how many bits.

Often, you will join a program requiring 1-3 years study and get sent one module each time you pass an exam. It seems to make sense on one level, but consider these issues:

Maybe the order of study offered by the provider doesn’t suit. You may find it a stretch to finalise each and every section within the time limits imposed?

To provide the maximum security and flexibility, it’s normal for most trainees to make sure that every element of their training is posted to them in one go, with nothing held back. It’s then your own choice in which order and at what speed you want to work.

Does job security truly exist anymore? In the UK for instance, with industry changing its mind at alarming speeds, it seems increasingly unlikely.

Whereas a marketplace with high growth, with a constant demand for staff (as there is a massive shortfall of commercially certified workers), opens the possibility of true job security.

Offering the IT market for example, the 2006 e-Skills analysis highlighted a skills shortage throughout Great Britain of around 26 percent. Showing that for each four job positions in existence throughout IT, we’ve only got three properly trained pro’s to fulfil that role.

Gaining in-depth commercial IT certification is accordingly an effective route to succeed in a long-lasting and enjoyable livelihood.

It’s unlikely if a better time or market circumstances is ever likely to exist for gaining qualification for this hugely expanding and developing sector.

Copyright Scott Edwards. Go to Comptia Certification or CLICK HERE.