Aaaahhh! So confused!

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I wasn't sure whether to put this in MCDST or A+ so here it is.

"A+ or MCDST" seems to be a common problem and I've read the posts but:

I live in Ipswich UK and don't seem to be able to find anywhere to do MCDST locally and the only local A+ test centre is Pitman training who:
won't let me do the exams without signing up to their A+ course for £900, this doesn't include exam fees etc.
and when I asked about course materials, resources and what I would study they were very vague, started talking about windows 3.1, win 9x etc and when I asked about hardware, networking, Linux, Solaris etc. they said they primarily focus on microsoft (apparently meaning Windows 95).
Anyway Pitman lost my vote with that and I'd like to do A+ but where? how? I don't want to pay >£1000.
Should I do MCDST instead as it counts toward an MCSE?

I would like to get an entry level IT job. I have years of experience in PC building/repair/networking/Linux & Windows but as a hobby/obsession rather than in a workplace. Trouble is, when i tell agencies or prospective employers what I am capable of they don't believe me as i don't have the qualifications to back up my experience.

Can anyone advise me what would be most useful and the cheapest way of achieving it please?

 

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Why not self study and save yourself some cash, all you need is some books and some dedication.

 

er, you can book Comptia and Microsoft exams with Prometric - That's a bit of sales technique for you

 

I'd strongly advise you to save your £900 and get the A+ book and a computer and start studying away. All you'd need then is the motivation and dedication to see you through.

It can be done the choice is totally up to you but you can't go wrong through self study. If your stuck there is always this site

 

You could self study for the A+ like some people have already mentioned. I have passed the A+ and to be honest if you already have some experience with building and repairing PCs then you should find the A+ fairly easy.

The nearest testing center to you in Ipswich is in Norwich a company called Active Talk I do not know what there training courses are like I only took a test there but you have to book in advanced for the second A+ test I had to go to a testing center in London as the waiting time was to long at Active Talk.

Also you could study the A+ at Colchester Institute I think they are doing the A+ not 100% though.

 

Like the others have suggested, go the self study avenue. There is no reason to spend that kind of money just to study for A+. If anything put that kind of money toward some cheap used puters to pratice stuff on. Start with these books. You really shouldn't need anything more, and if you would you could prob find it online for free.

The first one is By James Pyles. His book is actually what will happen to you in the real world.

http://www.amazon.com/PC-Technician-Street-Smarts-CompTIA/dp/0470084588/ref=sr_1_1/105-6751038-6507648?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1190580300&sr=1-1

The second one is of course by Mike Meyers
http://www.amazon.com/Certification-All-One-Guide-Sixth/dp/0072263113/ref=pd_bbs_1/105-6751038-6507648?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1190580559&sr=1-1

however, I'm not sure if this is the one you need. This was released in dec 2006, and yet he has another one released in feb of 2007 that one does not say though that is the all in one. Do you guys know which one he would need for the exam?

http://www.amazon.com/Meyers-Guide-Managing-Troubleshooting-Second/dp/0072263555/ref=sr_1_3/105-6751038-6507648?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1190580559&sr=1-3

 

Hey thanks for the replies ; I just got more, useful information here than from Google.
Okay so self study is a viable approach; great that's what I'll do, then book the exams.

I'll check out those books; hopefully the'll give me some answers about A+ and the info required to get it.

I've noticed that there are about 10 different exams for A+ but I only need two; what's that about?

 

Hey,
Is this the book I'll need?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Certificati...7880433?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1190582025&sr=8-1

 

I can't help you with that auisce, when I study for it there was only 2. OS and Hardware. I belive that some of them now though go toward certain ms certs? I would go to comptia, and read up on it. I'm sure there will be others along that can explain it too.

 

It certainley is

 

I belive it is but wait till someothers come in and post, like I said it has been a while for me. 7 years, but that is a 2007 book. I would think it would cover the exam that is out now.

 

There are 4 exams in the A+ and you have to do 2 exams the A+ Essentials (220-601) then one of the remaining 3 to get the qualification. The other 3 exams are IT Technician (220-602), Remote Support Technician (220-603) and Depot Technician (220-604). You should go for the IT Technician (220-602) exam as your second exam as people only go for the other exams if specifically asked by there employer or because that’s the field they want to get into.

All the information you need is on CompTIA's website http://certification.comptia.org/a/

and the link to the book is the right book to get Mike Meyers 6th Edition

 

Self study is definitely the way to go... I give another vote to Mike Meyers A+ All-in-One Exam Guide, Sixth Edition and James Pyles PC Technician Street Smarts.

You shouldn't do the A+ *or* the MCDST... you should do the A+ *and* the MCDST.

In any case, if I had to choose just one to start an IT career, it would be the A+. Afterwards, I'd suggest Network+ and the MCDST.

 

Great, thanks.

I've bought both books and will start with those when they arrive.

 

Good Move