There are actually 2 different sectors in the overall A+ programme, and you're just required to achieve pass marks in each to be considered A+ qualified. As well as being taught about the ins and outs of building and maintaining computers, students involved in this training will have instruction on how to work in antistatic conditions, as well as diagnostics, fault-finding and remote access. Should you fancy yourself as the person who works for a larger company - in network support, add Network+ to your CompTIA A+, or alternatively look at doing an MCSA or MCSE with Microsoft to give you a more advanced experience of the way networks work.

One interesting way that colleges make more money is by adding exam fees upfront to the cost of a course and presenting it as a guarantee for your exams. This looks like a great idea for the student, until you think it through:

In this day and age, we tend to be a tad more knowledgeable about sales gimmicks - and generally we cotton on to the fact that we are actually being charged for it (it's not a freebie because they like us so much!) For those who want to pass in one, then the most successful route is to avoid exam guarantees and pay when entering exams, focus on it intently and apply yourself as required.

Find the best exam deal or offer available when you're ready, and save having to find the money early. You'll then be able to select where you sit the exam - meaning you can choose a local testing centre. A lot of current training providers secure huge amounts of money by asking for examinations upfront and hoping either that you won't take them, or it will be a long time before you do. Pay heed to the fact that, with the majority of Exam Guarantees - the company decides when you can re-take the exam. You'll have to prove conclusively that you can pass before they'll pay for another exam.

Average exam fees were approximately 112 pounds twelve months or so ago when taken at local VUE or Pro-metric centres throughout the country. So don't be talked into shelling out hundreds or thousands of pounds more for 'an Exam Guarantee', when any student knows that the best guarantee is consistent and systematic learning, coupled with quality exam simulation software.

We can guess that you've always enjoyed practical work - the 'hands-on' personality type. Usually, the world of book-reading and classrooms would be considered as a last resort, but you'd hate it. So look for on-screen interactive learning packages if learning from books is not your thing. Many years of research has repeatedly confirmed that becoming involved with our studies, to utilise all our senses, is proven to produce longer-lasting and deeper memory retention.

Start a study-program in which you'll receive a selection of DVD-ROM's - you'll begin by watching videos of instructors demonstrating the skills, with the facility to fine-tune your skills in fully interactive practice sessions. It's imperative to see courseware examples from any company that you may want to train through. It's essential they incorporate full motion videos of instructors demonstrating the topic with lab's to practice the skills in.

Often, companies will only use online training only; sometimes you can get away with this - but, consider what happens if internet access is lost or you get intermittent problems and speed issues. It is usually safer to have physical CD or DVD discs that removes the issue entirely.

A number of trainees think that the state educational route is still the best way into IT. Why then is commercial certification becoming more in demand? With fees and living expenses for university students climbing ever higher, together with the IT sector's increasing awareness that accreditation-based training is often far more commercially relevant, we have seen a large rise in Adobe, Microsoft, CISCO and CompTIA based training routes that supply key solutions to a student for much less time and money. Many degrees, as a example, often get bogged down in vast amounts of background study - and much too wide a syllabus. Students are then prevented from getting enough specific knowledge about the core essentials.

What if you were an employer - and you wanted someone who could provide a specific set of skills. What's the simplest way to find the right person: Pore through loads of academic qualifications from various applicants, asking for course details and what trade skills they've mastered, or pick out specific commercial accreditations that perfectly fit your needs, and then choose your interviewees based around that. Your interviews are then about personal suitability - rather than on the depth of their technical knowledge.

Trainees hoping to start an Information Technology career normally have no idea of what route to follow, or what area to get qualified in. Scanning a list of IT job-titles is next to useless. The majority of us have no concept what the neighbours do for a living - so we have no hope of understanding the subtleties of a specific IT job. Generally, the way to deal with this problem in the best manner flows from a deep conversation around some important points:

* Which type of individual you consider yourself to be - what kind of jobs you get enjoyment from, and conversely - what makes you unhappy.

* What time-frame are you looking at for your training?

* Have you thought about travelling time and locality vs salary?

* Getting to grips with what the main work roles and sectors are - including what sets them apart.

* How much time you'll put into the training program.

To cut through the confusing industry jargon, and discover the best path to success, have an in-depth discussion with an industry expert and advisor; an individual that appreciates and can explain the commercial realities whilst covering each certification.

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