Computertraining Scam, fraud, false advertising ripoff Westerville Ohio

I also believe that Computertraining.com is a money making scam that fraudulently advertises what a person can hope to gain by taking their classes.

The pre-requisites in the very first text book you open states that students should have "familiarity with the use of Windows XP, including navigation and operation of major features. A fundamental knowledge of computer hardware, network construction, and operating systems." and "knowledge and course work as defined by the learning institution and the instructor. Completion of the Supporting Users and Troubleshotting Microsoft Windows XP (Microsoft Learning) course or equivalent experience is recommended."

I was not told this when I signed up for the class. The online skills challenge they declare you must pass in order to be accepted is a joke, and even then, there were many people in the class that should not have been there. I have previous experience with computers, was fairly familiar with Windows of various versions as well as hardware, troubleshooting and software installation. Despite that, I still did not receive everything that I needed to pass the exams and gain all the certifications. I am still working on that as I write this. By the end of class, I had only acheived the MCP certification.

The instructor, whom was somewhat personable, ended up being rather inept. Like other reports, he often left class to aid the admissions staff in recruiting new students. "Hands on" training included doing a lab or two per class, and time often only permitted one attempt per lab, whether or not the labs or classroom equipment worked.

The instructor rarely replied to emails unless I wrote him again and again only to finally have to ask him in class, "hey, did you get my email" and when he said yes, I had to pry more to get the answers I sought.

Classrooms were relaxed and often released early. Days missed due to holidays or snow were not made up. The career services staff never contacted me even though I signed up for their help, nor did they reply to emails I sent them.

On top of all of that, Computertraining.com claims they will provide you with everything you need to achieve your certifications...also a lie. About 1/3 of the way through the classes, the instructor approached my lab partner and I and laid before us a folder containing question and answer guides to the exams...also known as "brain dumps". The materials are available on many sites such as testking.com and testkiller.com. They are questions and answers from actual exams compiled by those who have already taken the exams.

One is expected to study these guides for 15-20 hours, memorizing the questions and their answers, and then take the course relying on your memorization skills. Our instructor even admitted to using such materials - he claimed that when he took his 70-350 exam that he was in and out in less than 15 minutes and passed with a score of over 900.

They ask prospective students if they are willing to spend up to 20 hours per week of home study, and I was. I did everything I could do at home in order to learn this material. I have read the textbooks, setup my own home network (as best I could with only a PC and a laptop) but it still did not prepare me. I studied hard for my exams and my in classroom work. I even completed the course with a grade of 100.36%. Although, one only needs to show up for most of the classes in order to receive a certificate of completion, which I also attained.

Half of the labs in the class didn't work, nor did the instructor truly apply himself to helping those of us with problems. When he did try to help, he often could not figure it out either. Often he would tell us to go ahead and take off for the night and he would look into it. His solution most often being to initiate fresh installs of the software on all classroom PCs and start from scratch. Although, when the next class started, he would just move on, whether we understood the previous material or not.

I think the instructor was either not skilled enough or did not care enough to teach the material in earnest. I feel that the classtime was not sufficient to provide the knowledge needed to find a career in this field, or even pass the exams before the end of class. Some people in the class were so intimidated by the material that they shied away from even taking the exams altogether.

Of the jobs that I have applied for (more than 150 now), the few that responded told me that I did not have enough experience and that a college degree was recommended. Computertraining.com made a clear point to me and in their radio commercials that college education was not necessary to take this course. Only a little experience with computers was required, however relaxed their policy concerning that may be.

One simply cannot learn all that needs to be learned to be a proficient and skilled MCSE from the few hours in class and the home study engaged. I honestly feel as though I worked hard in class, paid attention, studied hard at home and have been pro-active in my search for a job. My grades in the class should at least say something of my motivation and determination to try and succeed. The pre-requisites for this material are far more complex than they would lead you to believe. In an attempt to restore some value to the certifications that Computertraining.com offers (and cheapens by showing students how to cheat the exams), employers have had to make greater demands of applicants such as increasing the number of years of work experience and adding in the need for a college education as well.

This course will cost me $25,000. $50,000+ when it's all said and done after interest, and I feel robbed.

I am still trying to get a job. I am still working hard and studying and making an attempt to complete all of my certifications but that doesn't make up for what Computertraining.com has done.

In a nutshell, they lied about the pre-requisites needed in order to just take this class in the first place. They lure you in with talk of high salaries in the particular field you're going to be studying in. $68,535 per year was burned into my brain from all the commercials.

The commercials asks the listener, "are you earning $68,535 per year? If not, we have to ask why not?"

I finally know the answer to that. I spent, or will spend, $50,000 of it trying to pay them back for an "education" that simply didn't live up to the hype or propaganda. The instructors were incompentent and phony, showing us the path in order to cheat. I paid to learn something, not be sent elsewhere to find the answers.

Home study is required, but one cannot do everything needed at home unless they have access to multiple computers. I had the benefit of having more than one computer, many did not, and still it didn't help as much as I would have liked.

Grading was rather flimsy as well in class. Homework could be completed twice so as to raise the overall grade by averaging the two scores (but you could just copy the answers the second time and up your grade). Even due dates on homework were false. Although stated late homework would not be graded, it was anyway.

My class was also pushed back in order to fill all available spots. 26 students in my class overall, 1 instructor who cared more about recruiting than teaching.

Just recently I have contacted my state Attorney General and will contact the Board of Education as well. Hopefully some action will be taken because this school is fraud, pure and simple.

GM
Columbus, Ohio
U.S.A.