Don’t Laugh…I’m Certified and I can prove it.

As per my previous post, I’m not a certified A+ IT Technician. And as a A+ Certified IT Technician I am now entitled to use the CompTIA A+ Certified IT Technician logo. It can be used on business cards, Resumes, CV’s, applications, letters, and some other stuff. Not a bad way to remind your clients or potential employers that you have formal qualifications that are recognise globally.

I’ve also requested my IT Technician Kit. I presume this includes my certificate, but it certainly sounds like I get something else. I’m looking forward to seeing what other gems I get sent, and I’ll be sure to let y’all know.

I’m qualified to…Technician

That makes no sense but I just wanted to share my knowledge that today I passed bmy 220-602 IT Technician Exam and am now fully A+ qualified. So I have something extra to put on my CV/application forms now.

For information, it took me abotu 25 mins to go through the 90 multiple-choice questions, and then another 20 to review them. I passed with a 875/900 so a whopping 97%! Pretty good eh!

Well thanks to New Horizons on Edmund Street for putting up with me. Or at least taking my money for the exam!

From here, its job searches. But all thats gonna wait till the weekend.

Success with an A+ (almost)

So today was the culmination of about 14 months of slow studying towards my CompTIA A+. Today I took my 220-601 A+ Essentials exam. And I am glad its over.

I arrived at the test centre (thanks to the kind people at New Horizons, Birmingham) and within 30 seconds of arriving, the fire alarm went off, so I had to stand out in the cold for 20 minutes before I got started. But we went back inside, and I got to it.

I took the sample exam, which was too much really. 15 questions on the universe (none of the answers were 42), and then got stuck into the actual exam. I blasted through the 100 multiple choice questions in about 20 minutes, then spent another 20 reviewing my answers, making some changes and then ended the test. And there it was on the screen. I’ve passed! Scored 780 out of 900 so did quite well considering I was half expecting to fail.

Only query, why did I get three questions, all relating to anti-static wrist straps? Seriously are they worth testing that much? Not that I complained. A few easy questions.

Now I’ve got  90 days to sit the 220-602 IT Technician exam and then I’m fully qualified. That means I’m job hunting soon, and not soon enough.

CT College – Update

I had a letter back from the Computer Training College today.

Bad news.
Firstly, they went into administration on 26 September 2007. So if thats not a clue to NOT JOIN THEM, what is?

Secondly, they completely ignored my actual complaint and only addressed one issue of my original letter to them.
So what now? Now I’m going to reply to them with some strong words. These companies hope that they can fob you off first time and you’ll back down, so remember to be persistent. Continue to  argue your point to them.

So lets give it another go.

Peace out

UPDATE: I’ve opened a Google Group to discuss things in more depth. Check out http://groups.google.com/group/ct-college-complaints

Avoid the Computer Training College

Last year I signed up for courses with the Computer Training College (www.ctcollege.co.uk).

I signed up for the CompTIA A+, N+, Microsoft MCSA and Cisco CCNA. I have reached the stage where I am ready to take my A+ exams and contacted them about booking them. I was then told that the exam fees were not included in the course fees I had paid up front.

Having now done some research online I have found out that the CT College have often been quoted as fleecing students. They charge large fees, provide little support, and misrepresent their services.I am currently speaking to them and will try to cancel my course, and reclaim my course fees. I will be looking to start court action and contact the Trading Standards if I do not get a reasonable response from them.

I’ll keep you updated with my progress, but I would warn anyone considering study with them to reconsider QUICKLY. Having done the study for one qualification, I could do just as good a job with a £30 book from Borders or Amazon.

http://www.certforums.co.uk/forums/thread18129.html

http://www.certforums.co.uk/forums/thread4590.html

Update 1: I received a letter today stating that they stand by their original letter. They have no record of my phone call to them querying the exam fees being included, and believe that it was clearly explained that they were external and excluded. Luckily my girlfriend was in the room with me at the time and can vouch for this. My next action is to get copies of my phone bill showing this phone call to them, and ask them to investigate that. If they cannot prove that they told me otherwise, I will argue some more. As I said, I also have corroboration of this matter.

Update 2: I’ve written back to them for a third time, enclosing proof of a phone call they claim they have no record of where I was told that my exams were included. I now wait for a reply.

Update 3: I have set up a Google Group here where people can share their thoughts a bit better, and hopefully get the word out about these people.

Update 4: I have edited some comments on this post to remove direct contact details of specific tutors at the CTC at that person’s request. I would advise you to contact the central number directly and obtain particular contact details that way. I will also edit any future comments received to remove direct contact info as well.