Asking for a friend - cheapest online IT certs

Here is the stuff he is interested in:

A+ CompTia
Net+
Security +

Or Microsoft certiifcations

What is the absoulte cheapest online place?

Thanks!!!!!

Abner

 

Microsoft often gives out free exam vouchers through DreamSpark.
https://www.dreamspark.com/default.aspx

 

Just wondering about the "online IT certs" description.
Are any of the mentioned certificates (e.g. MS) doable online or do they require to take them at a test center?

 

AFAIK, almost all the IT certifications (at least the respected ones) need to be taken a t a test center.

 

Yep, no "real" IT certs are online, you need to go to a prometric or such and sit for the exam.

 

Thanks, I sent him the link and he is looking into.

Abner

 

Hello Abner,

When it comes to IT certifications. Most of them need to be taken at a Prometric or Pearson VUE Certification center.

There are various training programs available both in person and online. However, these training programs are not required for someone with IT experience and most of the certifications can be accomplished using self study of the exam specific books and CDs available on the market.
However, for someone new to IT/starting out, I highly recommend that they take some form of training that prepares them for the certification.

When it comes to IT certifications, you do not ask which one is cheapest but which one is most in demand. From the list of certifications he has provided, I believe he is interested in Systems Administration type of work.
I would recommend the following path
a) CompTIA - A+
b) Microsoft MCTS: Windows 7 Config (one exam)
c) Microsoft MCITP: Enterprise Desktop 7 (two exams, one of these is covered by item b)
(or)
d) CompTIA - Security+

If he still interested in pursuing certification further, he can go for
e) Microsoft MCITP: Enterprise Administrator
and a number of IT Security Certifications.

The A+ certifications qualify someone for a technician job, while the more complex multiexam MCITP: Enterprise Adminstrator would qualify someone for the high end System Administrator job. So, in a way the more effort they can put into the training and certification the more they will benefit. It is best to start with an easy certification and then add additional qualifications.

Regards,
Karthik

 

Wow! Thanks for the great information Karthik, I will pass this along to my friend. What you say makes sense. My friend is from Romania, and is a computer genius. He has been here about 4 years now, so I am trying to help him use his natural abilities with computers to be better prepared and certified so he can make money at something he loves.

Thank you for reading my post, and once again, thanks for you comments.

Abner