Usual study-times for these examinations are considered to be around 100 to 150 hrs for the 'A+' , & 75-100 hrs for the 'Network+' . This makes acquiring them both inside of six months part-time studying very likely, providing quality multi-media training materials are used, in conjunction with decent examination preparation software.

Both of the exams have quite recently undergone a 2009 update in-line with CompTIA's move towards ISO standardisation. Worldwide the 2006-2007 versions of 'A+' (those with the exam pre-fix numbers '600') will be retired within the next year. Come the close of Aug 2010, the examinations will be retired in the British Isles. Up until that date, trainees can take either the 600 or the newer 700 examinations in local test-centres (specifically Vue and 'Prometric'). Reason suggests that new entrant students should learn edition 2009. CompTIA 'A+' Essentials & 'CompTIA' 'A+' Practical Application are the new examination titles (220-701 and 220/702 respectively). The main changes were a complete restructuring of the preceding four exams into just 2 examinations, & the inclusion of some coverage on newer relevant technologies. Formerly, the A+ was split into four exams: 1 essential and three elective specialisations. But as the market has moved on, the know-how from all 4 exams is now deemed necessary, & therefore has been condensed in to two essential assessments. Those who have previously passed the '600' exam may bring their qualification up-to-date by sitting an up-grade exam : BR/003. This will almost certainly involve extra study, although not so much if you covered information on all of the previous examinations, and not only the minimum two. Enough study time should be allowed for the new technology aspects however.

Charging for exam fees as an inclusive element of the package price then including an exam guarantee is a popular marketing tool with many companies. But let's examine why they really do it:

You'll be charged for it one way or another. It's definitely not free - it's just been rolled into the price of the whole package. If it's important to you to get a first time pass, then you should pay for one exam at a time, give it the priority it deserves and be ready for the task.

Look for the very best offer you can at the time, and keep hold of your own money. You also get more choice of where you take your exam - which means you can stay local. A lot of unscrupulous training providers net huge profits by asking for all the exam fees up-front then hoping either that you won't take them, or it will be a long time before you do. Also, exam guarantees often have very little value. Most companies will not pay for you to re-take until you can prove to them you're ready to pass.

Due to typical VUE and Prometric tests costing in the region of 112 pounds in this country, it's common sense to fund them one by one. There's no sense in throwing away maybe a thousand pounds extra at the start of your studies. A commitment to studying and the use of authorised exam preparation tools are actually the key to your success.

One useful service that several companies offer is a programme of Job Placement assistance. This is to help you get your first commercial position. Sometimes, this feature is bigged up too much, for it is actually not that hard for well qualified and focused men and women to find work in the IT industry - because companies everywhere are seeking skilled employees.

CV and Interview advice and support might be provided (if not, see one of our sites for help). Be sure to you update that dusty old CV today - not when you're ready to start work! It's not unusual to find that you will be offered your initial job whilst you're still studying (even when you've just left first base). If your course details aren't on your CV (and it hasn't been posted on jobsites) then you're not even going to be known about! The most reliable organisations to get you a new position are normally 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.

A big aggravation of many course providers is how much trainees are prepared to study to become certified, but how little effort that student will then put into getting the job they've acquired skills for. Don't give up when the best is yet to come.

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