Entry Cert (s): Should I study but not take the exams?

Entry Cert (s) prices are too high, some say. And if you take a stroll on certification forums, you may begin thinking the same thing.

And then you begin to question, "Should I study the material for the A+, network+, etc exams, to gain the knowledge but not take the exams?"

Who's career is it anyway?

It's your business. Your career is your business. You can take it in any direction you want. You have choices, even if those choices are not crystal clear at times. But You have to work hand in hand with Reality. And the reality is, the I.T industry works with certifications + experience.

But I already have a university diploma

A university diploma will cover broad subjects. Certifications are specific to whatever technology they address. You still need them.

You take what you want with certifications, you leave what you don't

There are dozens of entry certs. You don't need to do them all. Actually, it will be a waste of time if you did. These types of certifications build your foundation solid. Entry certs build basic knowledge. You only need a few key ones which address specific broad technologies to get you started.

For example. A solid foundation can be build with the A+, network+, security+, linux+. From there, any other certification you do, will be decided as you work in the industry. For instance, if your employer requires you to have the convergence+, and is willing to pay for it, then go for it. Else, as you build experience, start looking at certifications which are a level up from entry certs.

Some certs you do once, and can use them twice

Some entry ones can be used as electives when we do higher certs. For example, if you later on decided to follow a MCSA track, the A+ and Network+ count as electives.

Should you study the material and not sit the exams?

Not when you are just beginning your I.T career. Entry level certifications are our foot in the door. As experience at this stage is limited, we have to compensate it somehow, and the best way to do this is with those pieces of paper that state you are officially certified.