CompTIA exams through WGU, or not?

[pluggingalong]

Is it worth it stop going to WGU, and go get a bunch of CompTIA exams on your own, then rejoin WGU and transfer them - or just take them at WGU?  Are there advantages to taking them at WGU? For example, I know CompTIA has some official labs that are very close to the exams, but they are expensive. Does WGU get you access to these labs, or do they just tell you to watch the Professor Messor videos, or buy a Sybex Study Guide? I'm currently in WGU, but may switch from a major that required almost no certs, to one that has several. It usually takes me longer than usual to study for a cert.

[bjcheung77]

WGU is awesome in regards to getting exams paid for, that's the main reason their IT programs are 'hot'. I wouldn't pay for it yourself and transfer them in, you should transfer all the general education, electives, anything that's available from their partners.wgu.edu webpage using alternative credit. Take the certs and non-transferable classes at WGU to finish off the degree.

[MNomadic]

WGU gives you access to cert master learn I believe, plus LinkedIn learning, Udemy(alumni Udemy access is ending soon), pluralsite and more. I transferred my Comptia certs in because someone else paid for them but otherwise I would have had WGU pay for them. Doesn't hurt to prestudy ahead of time with the many free/cheap resources.

[bjcheung77]

Exactly, I would try to use as many WGU options as possible for each certification unless you've already got that cert for cheap already (if not free) from work.

[LevelUP]

Is it worth it stop going to WGU, and go get a bunch of CompTIA exams on your own, then rejoin WGU and transfer them - or just take them at WGU?  Are there advantages to taking them at WGU? For example, I know CompTIA has some official labs that are very close to the exams, but they are expensive. Does WGU get you access to these labs, or do they just tell you to watch the Professor Messor videos, or buy a Sybex Study Guide? I'm currently in WGU, but may switch from a major that required almost no certs, to one that has several. It usually takes me longer than usual to study for a cert.

Certs are free at WGU, so it's optional if you want to pay the fees to transfer in certs.

You would want to do certs outside WGU if:

• You wanted to maximize the 90 credits of transfer credits.
  
  
• You were trying to do a WGU degree in 1 term or as few terms as possible.
  
  
• You wanted to get some experience in the field to make sure that is the major you want.
  

I usually suggest bringing in as many certs as you since once you start WGU, you can't bring anything else in.

If you fail a WGU exam, it doesn't cost you anything for the 1st retake, though for additional retakes, they start charging you.

[pluggingalong]

I'm going to drop out as a SWE, hopefully get the 7 BSIT certs and transferable classes, and then reapply as BSIT. Everyone here suggested I stay enrolled in WGU while I get the certs, but due to some personality quirks of mine, I don't think I would do them. Please don't think I ignored your suggestions.

If I am not at WGU, and I know the certs are the only thing preventing me from getting a degree at WGU, I think I would at least try the first one. It is hard to express in words, but if I feel like someone is telling me I have to memorize something within their timetable, after which they will judge me as having passed or failed, I will them to go F themselves, and go do something else. This has not been helpful in my career. Yet, if someone asks me to do something, I will die trying to accomplish it. If I am outside of WGU and preparing for a cert, I can take however long I want. Knowing that, is the difference for me. So instead of signing up for another 6 month term at WGU, and then likely abandoning it because I wont study for the A+ cert because their is a 6 month time-limit, I will try to advance with an awareness of my own weaknesses.

Doing the certs on my own would probably take about the same amount of time, maybe a little longer. I'm sure it will be more expensive, but would still be within my budget. I just see this as taking the WGU courses outside of WGU, with the expectation I would be back in WGU within a year. If the transferable classes are really faster at SDC/Sophia, that would be an added benefit. If I get the certs, I will find out what classes remain, and post them here to make a game plan. I definitely see the wisdom of getting all the certs and transferable classes before going to WGU at all.

[origamishuttle]

"Know thyself" is maybe the most important concept here because it allows you to map out the plan that gives you the best chance of ultimate success. So congratulations on finding your path! Also, you may be pleasantly surprised at how well you do with the certs. I think I completed the five I didn't transfer within the first few weeks at WGU, along with at least a few other courses. I recommend transferring Project Management from Sophia for Project+. For the CompTIA trifecta, LPI, and ITIL, I recommend you review all the Dion courses on Udemy before you lose free access through WGU. If you need to purchase them, you can get a discount through his site. Also, join the discord if you haven't yet: https://discord.com/invite/unwgu Best of luck!