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Getting my A+ Certification!! — Parallax Forums

Getting my A+ Certification!!

RavenkallenRavenkallen Posts: 1,057
edited 2012-03-26 13:52 in General Discussion
Hey everybody... After a little talk on the phone with a agent from QuickCert, i decided to apply for an A+ certification. It was the next crucial step in getting my little PC repair business up and running. Cost me $450 but has a money back guarantee. I am a now a couple days into the online material(Most off which has been a cakewalk) and i am waiting for a nice book and DVD coming through the mail. I was just wondering if any of you guys have walked the same path and had any pointers or tips? Thanks in advance:)

Comments

  • Mike GreenMike Green Posts: 23,101
    edited 2012-03-24 15:51
    Best of luck. I did a quick search on the name "QuickCert" and found this link. The most important thing I took away from the postings is that you have to use more than the materials that they furnish. Use review guides that you should be able to find at your local library. Read other stuff.
  • Invent-O-DocInvent-O-Doc Posts: 768
    edited 2012-03-24 17:11
    Good luck on that. How long will it take to study up, test and receive the certification?
  • RavenkallenRavenkallen Posts: 1,057
    edited 2012-03-24 19:30
    @Mike... Thank you for pointing towards that page. I have done a little research on the company and most of the reviews are not flattering at all. I have sent my "agent" Gary a E-mail addressing my concerns. I hope this doesn't turn out to be a scam, because i can't take a $450 hit:(
  • WBA ConsultingWBA Consulting Posts: 2,935
    edited 2012-03-24 23:15
    I wouldn't call it a scam, but a business with a few spots on their record. I use the Better Business Bureau as much as possible (I currently am using them to resolve an issue with a company in southern CA that felt it was ok to pay someone else's parking ticket with part of my tax refund). Here is the BBB page for Specialized Solutions, the owner of Quickcert . In all honesty, 15 hits across 3 years on their record isn't bad for a company their size. Keep good records of everything you do with them and read their fine print. Either way it works out, knowledge is worth every penny.
  • LoopyBytelooseLoopyByteloose Posts: 12,537
    edited 2012-03-25 01:58
    California has quite strict laws about refunding tuition for these kinds of schools. Anyone that really wants to cheat the public would likely choose another state.

    On the other hand, certifications have less recognition that licenses and degrees. Microsoft and Novell have had huge certification programs that seem rather prohibitive to the average learner - a univeristy or even a junior college might be a better investment. The British have a world wide network of certification for teaching English as a second language and much of it is based out of Oxford, but I find that it is too much of a summary and very little pragmatic practical teaching is covered.

    So as always, it is buyer beware.
  • average joeaverage joe Posts: 795
    edited 2012-03-25 03:31
    Good luck! The only piece of study advice I have is this. Take the test at the end of the chapters BEFORE reading them. That way you know what you need to pay close attention to when reading. Or at least this is how I do it. Just be careful not to get lazy and skim or skip the stuff you got right. Reading it again never hurts. Everyone else had great advice too.
  • RavenkallenRavenkallen Posts: 1,057
    edited 2012-03-25 06:57
    Thanks everybody... Maybe i freaked out a little. I often jump to conclusions before fully examining the facts. Guess it's just my age? lol
  • LoopyBytelooseLoopyByteloose Posts: 12,537
    edited 2012-03-25 10:02
    If you do end up wanting a refund, check with the State of California's Department of Consumer Affairs for correspondence course refunds. Besides this, a reputable business will generally allow a full refund if you dislike the materials you recieve and return them in entirety and completely unused.

    BTW, I have found the most useful means of diagnosis of computer problems is to use a completely different OS booted from CD or USBstick. Linux does this for free and you immediately can determine if there is a real hardware failure as opposed to a corrupted OS.

    Besides that, the Linux will allow you to make complete backup images of the Windows harddisk partitions for later recover of date.

    All this is very powerful and FREE. Good luck. The below looks very useful.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inquisitor_(hardware_testing_software)

    http://www.inquisitor.ru/about/
  • Peter KG6LSEPeter KG6LSE Posts: 1,383
    edited 2012-03-25 11:12
    Way to go Ravin !


    If you can . Do both a AS EET and a few certs . A rag on the wall is one way to at least show a minimum skill set .


    Best of luck !


    Peter
  • RavenkallenRavenkallen Posts: 1,057
    edited 2012-03-25 16:19
    @Loopy... I do use Linux as a system debugger. I have Ubuntu and Mint on bootable USB and DVD. It is a very useful tool in my arsenal. Also, the company is based out of Florida i thought?

    @Peter... Thanks dude. I hope it all works out
  • RavenkallenRavenkallen Posts: 1,057
    edited 2012-03-26 13:52
    Well my agent e-mailed me and managed to put my mind at ease for now... I thought the 450 included the price of the final exam, but it doesn't. He said it could be a few hundred, but he has some vouchers for a discounted price. Now i gotta continue plugging away at it. Thanks everybody for your help:)
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