Two separate areas of study make up a full CompTIA A+; you're seen as A+ competent once you've passed your exams for both specialist areas. As well as being taught how to build PC's and fix them, students involved in this training will learn how to work in antistatic conditions, along with remote access, fault finding and diagnostics. Were you to add Network+ training to your A+, you'll also learn how to look after networks, allowing you to apply for more senior positions.

Full support is of the utmost importance - find a program that includes 24x7 access, as anything less will not satisfy and will also hamper your progress. You'll be waiting ages for an answer with email based support, and phone support is usually just a call-centre who will take the information and email an instructor - who will call back over the next day or so (assuming you're there), when it's convenient to them. This is no use if you're sitting there confused over an issue and only have a specific time you can study.

The very best training providers incorporate three or four individual support centres active in different time-zones. They use an online interactive interface to join them all seamlessly, irrespective of the time you login, help is at hand, with no hassle or contact issues. Don't compromise with the quality of your support. The vast majority of trainees that give up, are in that situation because they didn't get the support necessary for them.

Usually, trainers will provide mainly work-books and reference manuals. This can be very boring and isn't the best way to go about achieving retention. Studies have consistently confirmed that an 'involved' approach to study, where we utilise all our senses, will more likely produce memories that are deeper and longer-lasting.

Interactive full motion video utilising video demo's and practice lab's beat books hands-down. And they're a lot more fun to do. You must ensure that you see courseware examples from your chosen company. It's essential they incorporate instructor-led video demonstrations with virtual practice-lab's.

Avoid training that is purely online. Physical CD or DVD ROM materials are preferable where available, so that you have access at all times - and not be totally reliant on your broadband being 'up' 100 percent of the time.

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