CompTIA A Plus Networking Training Clarified

Apr 21
07:47

2010

Jason Kendall

Jason Kendall

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There are four specialised areas of training in the complete CompTIA A+ course, but you're just required to achieve pass marks in 2 for competency in ...

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There are four specialised areas of training in the complete CompTIA A+ course,CompTIA A Plus Networking Training Clarified Articles but you're just required to achieve pass marks in 2 for competency in A+. However restricting yourself to two of the four specialities could leave gaps in your knowledge. Try to cover all four - this will give you the edge in the working environment.

Courses in A+ computer training cover diagnostics and fault finding - via hands on and remote access, in addition to building and fixing and operating in antistatic conditions. It could be a good idea to think about doing Network+ as it will enable you to become a networking engineer, which means greater employment benefits.

Usually, trainers will provide a big box of books. This isn't very interesting and not a very good way of achieving retention. Memory is vastly improved when multiple senses are involved - learning experts have been saying this for years now.

The latest audio-visual interactive programs featuring instructor demo's and practice lab's will turn you off book-based study for ever more. And you'll actually enjoy doing them. It's imperative to see some example materials from each company you're contemplating. They have to utilise full motion videos of instructors demonstrating the topic with lab's to practice the skills in.

Avoid training that is purely online. Always choose CD or DVD based study materials where offered, so you can use them wherever and whenever you want - ISP quality varies, so you don't want to be totally reliant on your broadband being 'up' 100 percent of the time.

Think about the following points very carefully if you've been persuaded that the sales ploy of examination guarantees seems like a good idea:

Everybody's aware that they're still footing the bill for it - it's not so hard to see that it's been added into the overall price charged by the training provider. It's absolutely not free (it's just marketing companies think we'll fall for anything they say!) If you want to qualify first 'go', then the most successful route is to fund each exam as you take it, focus on it intently and give the task sufficient application.

Find the best exam deal or offer available at the time, and avoid college mark-up fees. In addition, it's then your choice where to do the examinations - so you can choose somewhere closer to home. Considerable numbers of current training colleges make a great deal of profit by asking for exam fees early then banking on the fact that many won't be taken. You should fully understand that re-takes with companies who offer an 'Exam Guarantee' are always heavily controlled. You'll be required to sit pre-tests till you've proven conclusively that you can pass.

Exams taken at VUE and Prometric centres are around 112 pounds in the UK. Why pay exorbitant 'Exam Guarantee' fees (usually wrapped up in the course package price) - when good quality study materials, the proper support and a commitment to studying and the use of authorised exam preparation tools are actually the key to your success.

A top of the range training package will also offer Microsoft (or key company) exam simulation and preparation packages. Because many examination boards in IT come from the United States, you'll need to be used to the correct phraseology. It's not sufficient just answering any old technical questions - they have to be in the same format as the actual exams. Ensure that you ask for exam preparation tools in order to verify your understanding at all times. Simulated or practice exams add to your knowledge bank - then you won't be quite so nervous at the actual exam.

Student support is absolutely essential - find a program providing 24x7 full access, as anything less will not satisfy and will also put a damper on the speed you move through things. Email support is too slow, and telephone support is usually to a call-centre which will just take down the issue and email it over to their technical team - who'll call back sometime over the next 1-3 days, when it suits them. This is no use if you're lost and confused and only have a specific time you can study.

We recommend that you search for study programmes that incorporate three or four individual support centres active in different time-zones. These should be integrated to offer a simple interface together with 24x7 access, when you need it, with no hassle. Never ever take second best with the quality of your support. The vast majority of IT hopefuls that give up, are in that situation because of support (or the lack of).