There are a total of 2 specialist training sectors in the A+ syllabus, of which you need to pass both for competency in A+. Alongside being taught about building and fixing computers, students involved in this training will learn how to work in antistatic conditions, as well as diagnostics, fault-finding and remote access. If you aspire to taking care of computer networks, you'll need to add CompTIA Network+ to your training package. This qualification will prepare you to assist you greatly in the job market. Also look at the networking qualifications from Microsoft, i.e. MCP, MCSA MCSE.

Often, students don't think to check on something of absolutely vital importance - how their training provider actually breaks down and delivers the courseware elements, and into how many parts. Typically, you'll join a programme requiring 1-3 years study and get sent one module each time you pass an exam. This sounds logical on one level, until you consider this: Many students find that the company's 'standard' path of training isn't as suitable as another. You may find that a different order of study is more expedient. Could it cause problems if you don't get everything done at the pace they expect?

In a perfect world, you want everything at the start - giving you them all for the future to come back to - as and when you want. This allows a variation in the order that you complete each objective as and when something more intuitive seems right for you.

One thing you must always insist on is full 24x7 support via expert mentors and instructors. So many companies we come across only provide support to you inside of office hours (typically 9am-6pm) and sometimes a little earlier or later (but not weekends usually). Avoid, like the plague, any organisations that use 'out-of-hours' messaging systems - with the call-back coming in during typical office hours. This is no use if you're stuck and could do with an answer during your scheduled study period.

The most successful trainers have many support offices active in different time-zones. They use an online interactive interface to provide a seamless experience, irrespective of the time you login, there is always help at hand, without any problems or delays. Find a training company that gives this level of learning support. Because only live 24x7 support provides the necessary backup.

Charging for exam fees as an inclusive element of the package price then including an exam guarantee is a common method with many training course providers. But look at the facts:

These days, we're a tad more knowledgeable about sales gimmicks - and most of us know that for sure it is something we're paying for - it's not because they're so generous they want to give something away! Qualifying on the first 'go' is what everyone wants to do. Progressively working through your exams in order and paying for them just before taking them puts you in a much stronger position to qualify at the first attempt - you revise thoroughly and are mindful of the investment you've made.

Hold on to your money and pay for the exam when you take the exam, and keep hold of your own money. You also get more choice of where you take your exam - so you can choose somewhere closer to home. Huge profits are secured by many training colleges who incorporate exam fees into the cost of the course. For quite legitimate reasons, a number of students don't get to do their exams and so they pocket the rest. Amazingly, there are companies around who rely on that fact - as that's how they make a lot of their profit. Re-takes of any failed exams via training course providers with an 'Exam Guarantee' are tightly controlled. You'll be required to sit pre-tests until you've proven that you're likely to pass.

With the average price of Pro-metric and VUE examinations costing in the region of 112 pounds in this country, it's common sense to fund them one by one. Why splash out often many hundreds of pounds extra at the beginning of your training? Consistent and systematic learning, coupled with quality exam simulation software is what will really see you through.

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