.::.Easy Clairvoyance.::.

The CompTIA A+ course covers 4 different sectors - you'll need exam certification in two of these areas to be considered A+ competent. For this reason, most colleges restrict their A+ to just two of the four in the syllabus. To us, this is selling you short - certainly you'll have the qualification, but knowing about the others will set you apart in the workplace, where gaps in your knowledge will expose weaknesses. So that's why you need education in everything.

Courses in A+ computer training teach diagnostic techniques and fault-finding - via hands on and remote access, as well as building and fixing and understanding antistatic conditions. Should you be thinking of maintaining networks, you'll need to add Network+ to your A+ course. This qualification will enable you to assist you greatly in the job market. You may also want to consider the networking qualifications from Microsoft, i.e. MCP, MCSA MCSE.

Looking around, we find a plethora of work available in computing. Finding the particular one for you is generally problematic. Since in the absence of any commercial background in IT, how can most of us be expected to know what anyone doing a particular job actually does? Contemplation on many factors is most definitely required when you want to discover the right answer for you:

* The kind of individual you are - the tasks that you enjoy, and don't forget - what don't you like doing.

* What length of time can you allocate for retraining?

* Does salary have a higher place on your wish list than some other areas.

* Looking at the many markets that the IT industry encompasses, you'll need to be able to see what's different.

* You'll also need to think hard about what kind of effort and commitment that you will set aside for your training.

When all is said and done, your only chance of understanding everything necessary is via a meeting with an advisor that has enough background to be able to guide you.

Review the following facts carefully if you believe the marketing blurb about 'guaranteeing' exams sounds like a benefit to the student:

You're paying for it by some means. One thing's for sure - it isn't free - they've just worked it into the package price. Qualifying on the first 'go' is what everyone wants to do. Entering examinations one at a time 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.

Look for the very best offer you can at the time, and keep hold of your own money. You'll also be able to choose where to take your exam - so you can find somewhere local. Huge profits are made by some training companies who get money upfront for exam fees. For quite legitimate reasons, a number of students don't get to do their exams but the company keeps the money. Amazingly, there are providers that depend on students not taking their exams - as that's how they make a lot of their profit. Re-takes of any failed exams with organisations who offer an 'Exam Guarantee' are monitored with tight restrictions. You'll be required to sit pre-tests until you've proven that you're likely to pass.

Exam fees averaged around the 112 pounds mark twelve months or so ago via UK VUE or Prometric centres. So why pay hundreds or thousands of pounds extra to get 'an Exam Guarantee', when common sense dictates that the best guarantee is a commitment to studying and the use of authorised exam preparation tools.

Usually, trainers will provide a bunch of books and manuals. Learning like this is dull and repetitive and isn't the best way to go about studying effectively. Studies have repeatedly verified that becoming involved with our studies, to utilise all our senses, will more likely produce memories that are deeper and longer-lasting.

Interactive audio-visual materials involving demonstration and virtual lab's will beat books every time. And you'll find them fun and interesting. It would be silly not to view some of the typical study materials provided before you hand over your cheque. You should expect instructor-led video demonstrations and a variety of audio-visual and interactive sections.

Pick physical media such as CD or DVD ROM's every time. You can then avoid all the difficulties of broadband 'downtime' or slow-speeds.

When did you last consider your job security? Typically, this only rears its head when we experience a knock-back. But really, the lesson often learned too late is that job security simply doesn't exist anymore, for most of us. It's possible though to hit upon security at the market sector level, by looking for high demand areas, together with a shortage of skilled staff.

Investigating the Information Technology (IT) market, the recent e-Skills survey demonstrated a more than 26 percent shortfall of skilled workers. It follows then that for every 4 jobs that are available throughout IT, businesses are only able to locate properly accredited workers for three of them. Appropriately qualified and commercially accredited new workers are as a result at a total premium, and it looks like they will be for a long time. Surely, it really is a fabulous time for retraining into the computing industry.

Students will sometimes miss checking on a painfully important area - the way the company actually breaks down and delivers the courseware sections, and into what particular chunks. Delivery by courier of each element one stage at a time, as you pass each exam is the typical way that your program will arrive. While seeming sensible, you must understand the following: How would they react if you didn't complete each and every exam at the proposed pace? Often the staged order doesn't work as well as some other order of studying might.

To be honest, the perfect answer is to have a copy of their prescribed order of study, but get all the study materials at the start. You're then in possession of everything in the event you don't complete everything as fast as they'd like.