I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss certifications. Having an A+ cert at least reasonably signifies someone could format a hard drive and install ram. These test

I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss certifications. Having an A+ cert at least reasonably signifies someone could format a hard drive and install ram. These tests do not have to be on paper alone, either. Look at the CCIE from Cisco. That has an extremely difficult lab component that no amount of "teaching to the test" is going to help you overcome (which is why having one pretty much guarantees a six figure income).