A+ plus certification. Community college or technical Institute?

Question

I want to get an A+ Certification. I do NOT plan to goto a University.

So wouldn't it make more sense to just goto a technical institue so I can get the certification and be on my way?

Because if I goto the community college I will be stuck for two years taking bs required classes just to get the certification.

My parents keep pushing me into going to the community college because I will have the ability to goto an university "If I change my mind". ffs! I'm not going to a university, and that it final!

I know it is my choice. but, seriously, am I oblivious of something?

PS: I'm always entitled to my decisions.

Answer 1

A+ certification can be achieved by obtaining practice exams (ebay, etc.). You do not need to attend university, community college, or even a technical school. By studying 100's of practice questions you can pass any of 2 tests (601-604, well 601-essentials is mandatory). I recommend 603 as the 2nd. If you put in 1 hour a night memorizing Q's and A's, you should be able to pass BOTH within 2 months, safely (also depending on you and your current knowledge/experience)

Of course, if you have some knowledge of operating systems and hardware, you will more quickly absorb and retain the answers. I would find practice exams that offer 300-700 questions. Get your scores up to 95-100%, because there will always be a bunch that you did not come across, and you'll have to use deductive reasoning to arrive at the answer.

EXPERIENCE!! This is KEY because even if you pass both exams and become A+ certified, most companies will expect you have real world, hands-on experience. If you have not already done so, buy parts and put together a machine from scratch. You'll find books and online docs to help you make the right component choices and guides to build it.

BOOKS! This is important too, as you should read and familiarize yourself with the knowledge you'll need to be a technician or help desk employee. Find an A+ book and read 30 pages a night, while doing practice questions. A 900 page book should take 1 month.

Again, to PASS the TESTs - memorize practice questions, 100's of them.  To actually learn, and help during the interview process, hands-on experience installing Windows, applications, and swapping parts is a MAJOR plus. Read, read, read.

Finally, entry level Help Desk does not require any degrees, however, longer-term goals may include 4-year degree, possibly Masters, but that will come with experience and time. It ALWAYS helps to have undergrad/grad degress in corporate america. But for starters, get the A+ cert and take it step-by-step.

Answer 2

Spending two years at school to get A+ certified so not a good decision in my opinion. Most IT professionals (myself included) self study. If you study for the A+ by yourself, it will take you the most 3 months. And then you will be able to find youself a job. To self study we buy books from amazon and also supplement our studies by using free study guides and practice exams we find on the internet. Here is a resourse of free study materials.