In total, there are 4 A+ examinations and areas of study, but you only have to pass two of them for qualification purposes. For this reason, a great number of colleges simply offer two. Yet learning about all 4 will give you a far greater perspective of it all, something you'll appreciate as an important asset in the commercial world.

Courses in A+ computer training are about fault finding and diagnosing - via hands on and remote access, alongside building and fixing and operating in antistatic conditions. You may also want to think about doing Network+ as it will give you the knowledge to take care of computer networks, and have a more responsible working role.

Chat with any specialised advisor and we'd be amazed if they couldn't provide you with many terrible tales of students who've been conned by dodgy salespeople. Only deal with an experienced industry professional who digs deep to find out what's right for you - not for their retirement-fund! Dig until you find a starting-point that will suit you. Sometimes, the training inception point for a trainee with experience is largely dissimilar to someone without. Where this will be your first effort at studying to take an IT exam then you might also want to practice with some basic PC skills training first.

Getting into your first IT role can feel more straightforward with the help of a Job Placement Assistance program. Ultimately it isn't so complicated as you might think to secure employment - once you're trained and certified; because there's still a great need for IT skills in the UK today.

Having said that, it's important to have advice and support about your CV and interviews though; also we would encourage any student to get their CV updated as soon as training commences - don't delay for when you're ready to start work. You may not have got to the stage where you've taken your exams when you will be offered your first junior support role; however this is not possible unless your CV is with employers. The best services to help you land that job are most often specialist locally based employment services. As they will get paid by the employer when they've placed you, they have more incentive to get on with it.

Please be sure that you don't conscientiously work through your course materials, and then just stop and leave it up to everyone else to land you a job. Stand up for yourself and get on with the job. Put as much energy and enthusiasm into getting your new role as it took to get qualified.

Typically, a new trainee will not know to ask about a painfully important area - the way their training provider divides up the training materials, and into how many parts. Delivery by courier of each element stage by stage, as you pass each exam is how things will normally arrive. This sounds sensible, but you should take these factors into account: Often, the staged breakdown pushed by the company's salespeople doesn't suit all of us. What if you find it hard to complete every element within the time limits imposed?

Ideally, you'd get ALL the training materials right at the beginning - enabling you to have them all for the future to come back to - at any time you choose. This also allows you to vary the order in which you complete each objective if another more intuitive route presents itself.

You should look for accredited simulation materials and an exam preparation system included in the package you choose. Sometimes people can get confused by trying to prepare themselves with questions that aren't from the authorised examining boards. Often, the question formats and phraseology is unfamiliar and it's important to prepare yourself for this. Simulations and practice exams are invaluable for confidence building - so that when you come to take the proper exam, you don't get phased.