There are four A+ exams and areas of study, but you're just expected to get your exams in 2 of them for qualification purposes. For this reason, most training colleges stick to just two options. But allowing you to learn about all 4 options will provide you with a much wider knowledge and understanding of the subject, which you'll come to realise is essential in industry.

Training courses in A+ teach diagnostic techniques and fault-finding - via hands on and remote access, as well as building and fixing and operating in antistatic conditions. You may also want to consider doing Network+ as it will give you the knowledge to work with networks, and have a more responsible working role.

The way in which your courseware is broken down for you is often missed by many students. How is the courseware broken down? And in what order and at what speed is it delivered? Typically, you will purchase a course taking 1-3 years and get sent one module each time you pass an exam. It seems to make sense on one level, but consider these issues: What if there are reasons why you can't finish every single section? And what if you find the order of the modules counter-intuitive? Without any fault on your part, you might take a little longer and not get all the study materials as a result.

For future safety and flexibility, it's normal for most trainees to insist that all study materials are sent immediately, and not in a piecemeal fashion. It's then up to you how fast or slow and in what order you want to work.

A lot of commercial training providers will only provide basic 9am till 6pm support (maybe a little earlier or later on certain days); not many go late into the evening (after 8-9pm) or cover weekends properly. Never buy training courses that only support trainees through a call-centre messaging system outside of normal office hours. Colleges will always try to hide the importance of this issue. The simple fact of the matter is - support is required when it's required - not at their convenience.

Keep looking and you'll come across the top providers which provide their students direct-access online support at all times - even in the middle of the night. Seek out an educator that offers this level of study support. Only true live 24x7 support truly delivers for technical programs.

Exam 'guarantees' are sometimes offered as part of a training package - inevitably that means paying for the exams at the start of your training. Before you jump at the chance of a guarantee, look at the following:

These days, we have to be a bit more aware of hype - and generally we know that for sure we're actually paying for it (it's not a freebie because they like us so much!) Those who take each progressive exam, funding them as they go are far more likely to pass first time. They are mindful of their spending and so are more inclined to be ready for the task.

Look for the very best offer you can when you're ready, and save having to find the money early. You'll also be able to choose where to do the examinations - so you can find somewhere local. Huge profits are secured 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 and so they pocket the rest. Amazingly, there are companies around that depend on students not taking their exams - and that's how they increase their profits. You should fully understand that re-takes with training companies who offer an 'Exam Guarantee' are monitored with tight restrictions. They'll insist that you take mock exams first until you've proven that you're likely to pass.

Prometric and VUE exams are approximately 112 pounds in the United Kingdom today. Why pay exorbitant fees for 'exam guarantees' (most often hidden in the package) - when good quality study materials, the proper support and study, commitment and preparing with good quality mock and practice exams is what will really guarantee success.

Accredited exam preparation packages are essential - and absolutely ought to be sought from your course provider. Students regularly can get thrown by trying to prepare themselves with questions that aren't recognised by official boards. Quite often, the question formats and phraseology can be completely unlike un-authorised versions and you need to be ready for this. Always ask for exam preparation tools that will allow you to check your comprehension whenever you need to. Simulated or practice exams log the information in your brain - then the actual exam is much easier.