A+ from LearnDirect

Discussion in 'A+' started by candyman, Jan 12, 2006.

  1. candyman

    candyman Bit Poster

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    Just to add the A+ is free from LearnDirect if you are on benefits (see http://www.ufi.com/course_catalogue/Specialist IT/SpecIT CONTENTS.pdf). They used to have advanced programming courses but they have taken them off. Anyway their A+ is split into 6 modules which seems a lot when the hours are added up:

    1 – Contents Specialist IT
    Version 2 September 2005

    Contents
    Networking & Internet Technology
    Technical Support for ICT Networks (GTS) 1
    Supporting PCs and Networks
    Technical Support for ICT Systems (GTS) 1
    Technical Support for ICT Systems – An Introduction to PCs (GTS) 2
    Technical Support for ICT Systems – Supporting PC Hardware (GTS) 3
    Technical Support for ICT Systems – PC Operating Systems (GTS) 4
    Technical Support for ICT Systems (A+ 2003) 5-6
    Hardware Fundamentals For ICT Support (A+ 2003) 7
    IT Troubleshooting and Preventative Maintenance For ICT Support (A+ 2003) 8
    OS Fundamentals For ICT Support (A+ 2003) 9

    My question is - do you have to do the whole lot to get the A+ cert?

    Also would you need the correct software on your PC and hardware to play around with (which LearnDirect do not supply) and a good textbook to get through the exams?

    Also anyone with experience of A+ from LearnDirect and do you have to pay for the exams?

    - Tim.
     
  2. Modey

    Modey Terabyte Poster

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    I have done a few of the LD A+ courses and they were ok ... but that's as far as I would go with them. If it's an interactive course (some are still just book based) then it would be a good compliment to studying the Myers text.

    They do vary in quality though and can be hard going at times (boring not complex). If you can get them for free as mentioned then it wuldn't do you any harm to do all of the courses before taking the A+. They may not let you at the LD centre though if they are seen to overlap content too much as they have to justify the funding they get for the courses they put people on.

    LD don't have anything to do with the exam side of things so yes you would have to pay for the exams. Having said that, it is possible you may get a centre that could offer you a complete package (training + exams) if they were also a Pearson or Prometric testing centre.

    The company I work for has a LD centre which recently also became a Pearson VUE testing centre. They haven't offered a complete package as mentioned above yet but it's possible they could at some point. One thing they did do though was run a week long full time 'workshop' were people sat several of the above mentioned courses in a row but with the benefit of an onsite tutor to help them if they got stuck etc...

    I didn't use the LD courses I did to help with my A+ (I already had it), the company just told us to do a load of courses so they could say all their tech's had been through x y & z etc... also it makes them money. :)

    I suppose in conclusion I would say have a go if you can get them for free. You still get a certificate showing you completed the course and it would definitely look better on your CV if you showed you were trying to better yourself whilst unemployed (dunno if you are or not).

    Their courses are quite cheap compared to regular training providers so even if you have to pay it wouldn't be much and I supposed they do have the advantage of a personal tutor whilst studying, which you don't get when reading a book.

    Whilst having the hardware & software involved in studying isn't essential it would help a great deal to get hands on experience of the subjects covered. It would also depend on your background eg if you were already familar with supporting various OS's and fidding around inside a PC. as mentioned before the Mike Myers A+ book is supposed to be the daddy of them all, so it would definitely help to have that as well, and I don't think it's hugely expensive either.
     
    Certifications: A+, N+, MCP, MCDST, MCSA 2K3, MCTS, MOS, MTA, MCT, MCITP:EDST7, MCSA W7, Citrix CCA, ITIL Foundation
    WIP: Nada
  3. Boycie
    Honorary Member

    Boycie Senior Beer Tester

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    Candy,

    Can't really say anything- Modey has covered it all :thumbleft

    If you can get it for free, grab it!
     
    Certifications: MCSA 2003, MCDST, A+, N+, CTT+, MCT
  4. candyman

    candyman Bit Poster

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    Thanks,

    Is the best Myers text:

    A+ Certification All-in-one Exam Guide (All-in-one Certification S.)
    Michael Meyers

    Available at amazon.co.uk for £28 (over 1100 pages) in 5th edition. Apparently this edition has a lot of mistakes (according to some of the reviews) but is the bible for getting the A+.

    - Tim.
     
  5. Arroryn

    Arroryn we're all dooooooomed Moderator

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    It is the bible! And I'd recommend it - especially at that price!

    I'd say most books that go to print have errors. The A+ Meyers text thankfully has a comprehensive errata at www.totalsem.com
     
    Certifications: A+, N+, MCDST, 70-410, 70-411
    WIP: Modern Languages BA
  6. simongrahamuk
    Honorary Member

    simongrahamuk Hmmmmmmm?

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    I've no experience with Learn Direct or their program for the A+ but you can find out how much it will cost to do the exams here
     
  7. Modey

    Modey Terabyte Poster

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    In terms of exam price, the standard price in the UK is about £120 for each exam (OS & Hardware). You can get quite good discounts (40 - 50 pound less) from exam vouchers at places like GetCertified4Less. Just make sure if you do use them that you pick international vouchers, not US & Canada. Well that is unless you plan to travel transatlantic for your test. :)
     
    Certifications: A+, N+, MCP, MCDST, MCSA 2K3, MCTS, MOS, MTA, MCT, MCITP:EDST7, MCSA W7, Citrix CCA, ITIL Foundation
    WIP: Nada

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