Two specialist training areas feature in the full CompTIA A+ syllabus, of which you need to pass both to gain A+ competency. CompTIA A+ without additional courses will set you up to repair and fix computers and Macs; ones that are most often not part of a network - this generally applies to home use and small companies. Were you to add Network+ training, you'll also have the ability to assist with or manage networks of computers, allowing you to expect a better remuneration package.

'Exam Guarantees' are often bundled with training offers - this always means you have to pay for the exams at the very beginning of your studies. However, prior to embracing this so-called guarantee, think about this:

You'll be charged for it one way or another. It certainly isn't free - they've just worked it into the package price. Should you seriously need to pass first time, evidence suggests you must fund each exam as you take it, give it the necessary attention and be ready for the task.

Find the best exam deal or offer available when you're ready, and hang on to your cash. You also get more choice of where you do the examinations - which means you can stay local. Buying a course that includes payments for examination fees (and if you're financing your study there'll be interest on that) is bad financial management. It's not your job to boost the training company's account with your hard-earned cash just to give them a good cash-flow! There are those who hope that you won't get to do them all - but they won't refund the cash. You should fully understand that re-takes with training companies who offer an 'Exam Guarantee' are monitored with tight restrictions. You will be required to do mock exams till you've proven conclusively that you can pass.

Prometric and VUE exams are approximately 112 pounds in the UK. What's the point of paying huge 'Exam Guarantee' costs (usually wrapped up in the course package price) - when good quality study materials, the proper support and consistent and systematic learning, coupled with quality exam simulation software is what will really see you through.

Beware of putting too much emphasis, as can often be the case, on the certification itself. You're not training for the sake of training; this is about gaining commercial employment. You need to remain focused on where you want to go. Avoid becoming one of those unfortunate students who set off on a track that on the surface appears interesting - and end up with a certification for a career they'll never really get any satisfaction from.

You'll want to understand the expectations of your industry. What precise certifications you'll need and how you'll go about getting some commercial experience. It's also worth spending time considering how far you'd like to get as it will force you to choose a particular set of certifications. Speak to an experienced industry advisor who has a commercial understanding of the realities faced in the industry, and could provide detailed descriptions of the kind of things you'll be doing on a daily basis. Getting to the bottom of all this long before commencement of any learning programme will prevent a lot of wasted time and effort.

There are colossal changes about to hit technology as we approach the second decade of the 21st century - and it only gets more exciting every day. We've barely started to scrape the surface of how technology will affect our lives in the future. Computers and the Internet will significantly transform the way we regard and interact with the world around us over the coming decades.

And don't forget salaries moreover - the average salary across the UK for an average IT employee is much higher than remuneration packages in other sectors. It's likely you'll bring in a much greater package than you'd expect to earn doing other work. It would appear there's no end in sight for IT sector expansion across Britain. The market sector continues to develop hugely, and we don't have anywhere near enough qualified skilled IT professionals to fill current job vacancies, so it's not likely that there'll be any kind of easing off for decades to come.

A successful training course package will undoubtedly have accredited exam preparation systems. Make sure that your practice exams aren't just asking you the right questions in the right areas, but are also posing them in the way that the actual final exam will phrase them. It really messes up people if they're faced with unrecognisable phrases and formats. A way to build self-confidence is if you test your depth of understanding through quizzes and simulated exams before you take the real deal.

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