If you’re reading this it’s possible that either you’re considering a career change into IT and an MCSE certificate appeals to you, or you could already be in IT and it’s apparent that you can’t get any further without the MCSE accreditation.
As you discover more about training colleges, be sure to don’t use those who cut costs by not upgrading their courses to the latest level of Microsoft development. This is a false economy for the student due to the fact that they’ll have learned the wrong MCSE version which isn’t in line with the existing exam programme, so it’s likely they’ll fail.
Stay away from organisations who are just trying to sell you something. You deserve time, expertise and advice to be sure you’re taking the right decisions. Guard against being rushed into some generic product by a second-rate college.
Think about the points below carefully if you believe the sales ploy of a guarantee for your exam looks like a reason to buy:
You’ll pay for it one way or another. You can be assured it’s not a freebie – it’s simply been shoe-horned into the price as a whole.
We all want to pass first time. Taking your exams progressively one by one and paying for them just before taking them makes it far more likely you’ll pass first time – you prepare appropriately and are conscious of what you’ve spent.
Sit the exam at a local pro-metric testing centre and find the best exam deal or offer available then.
A lot of extra profit is made by a significant number of organisations who incorporate exam fees into the cost of the course. A number of students don’t take them for various reasons but no refunds are given. Believe it or not, there are companies around who actually bank on it – as that’s where a lot of their profit comes from.
Re-takes of any failed exams through organisations who offer an ‘Exam Guarantee’ are tightly controlled. You’ll be required to sit pre-tests until you’ve demonstrated an excellent ability to pass.
VUE and Prometric examinations are around 112 pounds in Britain at the time of writing. Why spend so much more on ‘Exam Guarantee’ fees (most often hidden in the package) – when good quality study materials, the proper support and exam preparation systems and a dose of commitment and effort are what’s required.
Proper support is incredibly important – ensure you track down something that provides 24×7 direct access, as anything less will not satisfy and will also put a damper on the speed you move through things.
Locate training schools where you can receive help at any time of the day or night (irrespective of whether it’s the wee hours on Sunday morning!) You’ll need access directly to professional tutors, and not a message system as this will slow you down – consistently being held in a queue for a call-back at a convenient time for them.
The most successful trainers incorporate three or four individual support centres across multiple time-zones. Online access provides the interactive interface to seamlessly link them all, any time of the day or night, help is just a click away, avoiding all the delays and problems.
Look for a trainer that is worth purchasing from. As only true round-the-clock 24×7 support truly delivers for technical programs.
An advisor that doesn’t dig around with lots of question – chances are they’re just trying to sell you something. If they push a particular product before learning about your history and experience, then you know you’re being sold to.
If you’ve got any work-based experience or qualifications, your starting-point of learning is now at a different level to a new student.
Opening with a basic PC skills course first may be the ideal way to start into your IT program, but depends on your skill level.
The right sort of package of training will undoubtedly also include accredited simulation materials and exam preparation packages.
Steer clear of depending on unauthorised preparation materials for exams. The terminology of their questions is sometimes startlingly different – and this leads to huge confusion in the actual examination.
It’s a good idea to ask for testing modules in order to check your understanding along the way. Simulated or practice exams will help to boost your attitude – then the actual exam is much easier.
(C) Jason Kendall. Pop to LearningLolly.com for the best career advice. www.learninglolly.com or CLICK HERE.
