Should I get CompTIA A+ in UK?

[anglian]

Hi,

I am about to start a PC repair business, and although I do not have any qualifications for this I have been fixing PC's & laptop's. setting up networks and when I had a webhosting company in 2006 had 60 servers online.
So, should I study for and get CopmTIA A+?
Home learning center has courses for £1800 which although the price includes the final examination is a bit expensive for me as I am currently unemployed.

Would like to hear your views on if it is worth doing on not.

Thanks

Tony

[Trusted IT Solutions]

I think you should go for it. If you have a decent amount of experience (and it sounds like you do) then you should be able to pass the test by reading a book and watching some videos. I just passed my A+ back in August and I am glad that I have it.

recommended study material:

book: http://www.google.com/products/catal...d=0CGUQ8wIwAA# (this is the book that I used)

videos: www.professormesser.com(free)

[Martyn]

I agree study for it at home, those courses are expensive.

[joydivision]

I wonder if this is something I might want to study, is there much point for an experienced tech? I have a computing related degree although it covered more the computer science aspect of things rather than any real hands on skills.

Currently studying a PTTLS course at my local college but once that is finished I would want to keep studying.

[Trusted IT Solutions]

Originally Posted by joydivision

I wonder if this is something I might want to study, is there much point for an experienced tech? I have a computing related degree although it covered more the computer science aspect of things rather than any real hands on skills.

Currently studying a PTTLS course at my local college but once that is finished I would want to keep studying.

I enjoy being able to put the cert logos on my business cards and website (eventually). I feel that when a potential customer sees those logos it gives them a bit of piece of mind. Go for it!

[anglian]

Seems like "Go for it" is the popular answer!

Just have to work out if I can afford the £80/month/24months at the moment

Thanks for the answers

[TLE]

Originally Posted by joydivision

I wonder if this is something I might want to study, is there much point for an experienced tech? I have a computing related degree although it covered more the computer science aspect of things rather than any real hands on skills.

Currently studying a PTTLS course at my local college but once that is finished I would want to keep studying.

Teaching Adult Education, Nice choice Joydivision. I did this back when I was 20, but I never finished the course, although I was already teaching 2 classes at the time. Rather than A+, you might be better off sitting some MS certifications.

As for the OP's questions, I agree with the other, I think you would be better off buying the books and studying at home. A+ is really quite simple, and only demonstrates a basic understanding.

[Martyn]

You can get the logos without paying an arm and a leg.

[anglian]

Originally Posted by TLE

I think you would be better off buying the books and studying at home. A+ is really quite simple, and only demonstrates a basic understanding.

Do you think it would be possible to learn A+ from books and then just to book the examinations myself?
Sounds a lot cheaper

[TLE]

Originally Posted by anglian

Do you think it would be possible to learn A+ from books and then just to book the examinations myself?
Sounds a lot cheaper

Thats exactly what I did. If you ran a hosting company you must have at least have a basic understanding of components, operating systems and networks so I really do think a book is the best way to go. I bought one of the courses and it was a complete waste of time.

I found the Mike Meyers books to be best for the A+. Have a search around on the internet for practice tests and try them. They should at least point out if you need to simply brush up, or if you need to study a bit more in depth.