.::.Easy Clairvoyance.::.

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.

You may also want to consider adding the CompTIA Network+ training as it will give you the knowledge to become a networking engineer, which means greater employment benefits.

Those that are drawn to this type of work are often very practical, and don't always take well to classrooms, and endless reading of dry academic textbooks. If this is putting you off studying, try the newer style of interactive study, where learning is video-based.

If we're able to get all of our senses involved in our learning, then the results are usually dramatically better.

You can now study via interactive discs. Through instructor-led video classes you'll learn your subject through the demonstrations and explanations. Then you test your knowledge by interacting with the software and practicing yourself.

All companies should be able to show you a few samples of their courseware. You should hope for instructor-led videos and a variety of interactive modules.

Plump for actual CD or DVD ROM's if possible. You can then avoid all the difficulties of broadband outages, failure and signal quality issues etc.

You should look for authorised exam simulation and preparation programs as part of your course package.

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.

Mock exams can be very useful in helping you build your confidence - so when it comes to taking the proper exam, you won't be worried.

An important area that is sometimes not even considered by trainees considering a training program is 'training segmentation'. This is essentially how the program is broken down into parts to be delivered to you, which can make a dramatic difference to what you end up with.

Drop-shipping your training elements one piece at a time, according to your own speed is the usual method of releasing your program. While sounding logical, you might like to consider this:

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.

Locating job security nowadays is problematic. Businesses will drop us from the workplace at the drop of a hat - whenever it suits.

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.

A recent national e-Skills survey showed that over 26 percent of all available IT positions cannot be filled due to a chronic shortage of appropriately certified professionals. Basically, we can't properly place more than 3 out of each four job positions in IT.

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.