I want to self-study but...

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I have spent a long time mulling over the different certifications and which is most ideal for me to begin with. I think being sensible is the best approach and have opted to begin with A+. (I am currently doing Apple Technician self-study but since it is not a serious work in progress, it looks like I will be abandoning that since it's a remnant from my previous employer)

My question is, how do I know which company is good, reliable and most importantly the cheapest one for me to purchase a "self-study" course from? I'm always skeptical of the companies that appear top of the google searches.

Any advice would be welcomed!

 

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Why not save the money and do it yourself? A 'cheap' course provider would be fairly crap, as they woudn't have the resources to back up the study-guides.

Just buy some of the recomended books, a second-hand PC to experiment on, and away you go!

Harry.

 

I agree with Harry. If you have a basic technical background, and your studies for the Apple Technician suggest this, then just buying a few books and an old PC or two will be just fine. I looked in the A+ forum here at CF in the Books and Resources pinned thread and pulled this post out of it:

The first book is written by Mike Meyers and is considered *the* classic learning guide for the A+. I have a particular bias for the second book since I wrote it, but it's been reviewed favorably on amazon.co.uk and NewsForge.com. Go to your local bookstore and thumb through a copy to see if it would interest you. If functions like a lab manual so that, plus a PC and a couple of screwdrivers, would give you plenty of practical exercises.

 

I agree with Trip - Mike Meyers book was a godsend when I was studying for the A+. I haven't used Trip's book, but always read favourable things about it.

 

Advice has been excellent -- it's lead me to ask the question: can I self-study from the books and then just sit the exam? Is it really that straight-forward? I have a very extensive technical background and I hope that will help in me attaining the A+ to start with.

 

Well...it's not *that* straightforward. Experience helps, but if you ahve a "very extensive technical background" as you say, then you probably already have the experience to back up your A+ studies. A lot of times, in answering questions, you'll take a look at a scenario and work your way through how you'd solve the problem.

As you get to more involved certs, experience plays a huge role. You'll never pass a certification exam about how to secure Windows Server 2003 unless you've spent a lot of time actually working on Windows Servers securing them from threats.

If I gave you or anyone the impression that all you have to do is read a book and pass an exam and poof, you're certified, I apologize. Certification exams are designed to establish what you already know. Learning comes from both reading and doing.

 

I've just purchased the CompTIA A+ Certification ALL IN ONE EXAM GUIDE Sixth Edition from WHSMiths for £34.99.

When I am ready, where do I book my exams?

Am I right in my understanding that there are 4 exams, starting with the essentials then 220-602, 220-603 and 220-604? Would I have pay and sit each one separately?

 

No!!!!!!!!!!!! You don't need to do all 4 - just 2:
1) 220-601
2) EITHER 602 or 603 or 604
and that will get you your A+ qualification.

Where to book - I'd suggest going to GetCerify4Less and buying your A+ voucher from there (a lot cheaper than going direct, but they don't have any in stock currently) and then going to pearson vue website - Linky - or Prometric - Linky - and book your exam.

So, in all - 2 exams, 2 vouchers - about £80 for the 2.

 

Thanks for the reply mate I've already started reading and found the answers to those questions, but thanks nonetheless

This book that I have, for this will I have to sit the 2003 exams or can I do the new exams? That's my last confusion really.

 

I believe the A+ 2003 exams either expired or going to expire shortly. Either way you might as well do the new A+ exam its more up to date and has new concepts.

 

They expired 9 days ago on the 30th June.
Can only do the 2006 objectives from now on.