It's not uncommon for companies to offer inclusive exam guarantees - they always involve paying for the exam fees up-front, before you've even made a start on the course. Before you get carried away with a course with such a promise, why not be aware of the facts:

Patently it's not free - you're still footing the bill for it - it's just been wrapped up in the price of the package. The fact is that when trainees fund each examination, one at a time, there's a much better chance they'll get through on the first attempt - as they're aware of their investment in themselves and so will prepare more thoroughly.

Doesn't it make more sense to hold on to your money and pay for the exam when you take the exam, instead of paying a premium to the training college, and to do it in a local testing office - instead of miles away at the college's beck and call? Many unscrupulous training course providers secure big margins by getting in the money for exams at the start of the course and hoping that you won't take them all. Re-takes of any failed exams through organisations who offer an 'Exam Guarantee' are always heavily controlled. You'll be required to sit pre-tests until you've proven that you're likely to pass.

With average Prometric and VUE examinations in the United Kingdom costing around 112 pounds, the most cost-effective way to cover the cost is by paying when you need them. Why splash out often many hundreds of pounds extra at the beginning of your training? Commitment, effort and practice with quality exam preparation systems are the factors that really get you through.

Beware of putting too much emphasis, like so many people do, on the training process. Training is not an end in itself; you should be geared towards the actual job at the end of it. You need to remain focused on where you want to go. You could be training for only a year and end up doing a job for a lifetime. Don't make the mistake of choosing what sounds like an 'interesting' course only to waste your life away with a job you don't like!

It's a good idea to understand the expectations of your industry. Which particular qualifications they'll want you to gain and in what way you can gain some industry experience. You should also spend a little time considering how far you wish to progress your career as it will often control your selection of certifications. We'd recommend you look for advice and guidance from an experienced advisor before embarking on a study path, so there's little doubt that the content of a learning package provides the skills necessary.

The perhaps intimidating chore of getting your first job is often relieved because some trainers offer a Job Placement Assistance service. Sometimes, too much is made of this feature, for it is genuinely quite straightforward for well qualified and focused men and women to land work in the IT environment - because companies everywhere are seeking skilled employees.

However, don't procrastinate and wait until you have passed your final exams before polishing up your CV. As soon as your training commences, enter details of your study programme and place it on jobsites! Many junior support roles have been bagged by people who are in the process of training and have still to get qualified. This will at least get you on your way. Generally, you'll receive quicker results from a specialist locally based employment agency than you will through a course provider's centralised service, as they will understand the local industry and employment needs.

Essentially, as long as you put the same commitment into landing your first IT position as into studying, you won't have any problems. A number of men and women curiously put hundreds of hours into their training and studies and just give up once they've passed their exams and appear to be under the impression that jobs will come to them.

Most trainers typically provide a bunch of books and manuals. This isn't very interesting and isn't the best way to go about studying effectively. Many years of research has time and time again shown that becoming involved with our studies, to utilise all our senses, is far more likely to produce long-lasting memories.

Learning is now available via DVD-ROM discs, where your computer becomes the centre of your learning. Utilising the latest video technology, you will be able to see the instructor presenting exactly how it's all done, and then practice yourself - in an interactive lab. Always insist on a study material demo' from the training company. You'll want to see instructor videos, demonstrations, slide-shows and fully interactive skills-lab's.

Purely on-line training should be avoided. Always choose CD or DVD based study materials where offered, so you can use them wherever and whenever you want - and not be totally reliant on your internet connection always being 'up' and available.

A few years ago Microsoft brought up-to-date their chief accreditation tracks. They upgraded from their previous 'MCAD/MCSD' (Microsoft Certified Application/Solutions Developer) examinations to the MCTS (Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist) & the 'MCPD' (Microsoft Certified Professional Developer) exams. Before you can tackle the complete 'MCPD' examination, you should finish two MCTS programs first of all. If you are not used to the industry & have not written programs before, (even though the very first unit from Microsoft is classed a 'foundation' unit,) we'd say it's sensible to study a programming introduction-course first. We would also propose going for a 'support' qualification before all this, in order to gain a suitable understanding of software-environments & support. This will allow you to go into the sector doing support work whilst you continue your studies. An entire career track will require around 600 to 700 hrs of study time, which means if you're studying part-time you will be able to complete in roughly twelve to eighteen months.

Cisco CCNA Support Online CBT Certification Courses >>