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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.

As well as learning how to build PC’s and fix them, students of A+ will be taught how to operate in antistatic conditions, as well as diagnostics, fault-finding and remote access.

In addition, you could look to think about doing Network+ as you’ll then be in a position to take care of computer networks, and have a more responsible working role.

One of the most important things to insist on has to be proper direct-access 24×7 support from professional mentors and instructors. Too many companies only provide support to you inside of office hours (typically 9am-6pm) and sometimes a little earlier or later (but not weekends usually).

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.

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.

A typical blunder that students everywhere can make is to concentrate on the course itself, instead of focusing on where they want to get to. Universities are stacked to the hilt with direction-less students that chose an ‘interesting’ course – rather than what would get them their end-goal of a job they enjoyed.

It’s an awful thing, but a great many students begin programs that seem wonderful in the prospectus, but which provides the end-result of a job that doesn’t fulfil at all. Just ask several college leavers and you’ll see where we’re coming from.

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.

Have a conversation with a professional advisor that has a commercial understanding of the realities faced in the industry, and is able to give you detailed descriptions of what you actually do in that role. Researching these areas before commencement of any training program has obvious benefits.

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:

You’ll pay for it ultimately. It certainly isn’t free – they’ve just worked it into the package price.

Qualifying on the first ‘go’ is what everyone wants to do. Going for exams one by one and paying for them just before taking them makes it far more likely you’ll pass first time – you prepare appropriately and are mindful of the investment you’ve made.

Sit the exam at a local pro-metric testing centre and hold on to your money and pay for the exam when you take it.

Why tie up your cash (or borrow more than you need) for exam fees when you don’t need to? A great deal of money is made because training colleges are charging upfront for all their exams – and then cashing in when they’re not all taken.

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.

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.

Author: Scott Edwards. Check out CLICK HERE or Career Retraining Courses.