Microsoft MCSE Certification (2003-2008)

Any program that you're going to undertake must provide a nationally (or globally) recognised exam as an end-goal - and not a worthless 'in-house' plaque for your wall. All the major IT certification organisations such as Microsoft, Cisco, Adobe or CompTIA have widely approved proficiency programs. These heavyweights will make sure you're employable.

With all the options available, there's no surprise that a large percentage of career changers don't really understand the best career path they will follow. After all, if you don't have any understanding of the IT sector, what chance is there for you to know what someone in a particular field spends their day doing? Let alone arrive at what educational path is the most likely for success. Consideration of the following points is essential when you need to uncover the right solution that will work for you:

- Personalities play an important role - what kind of areas spark your interest, and what are the areas that you really dislike.

- Do you hope to reach a key aspiration - like being your own boss sometime soon?

- How highly do you rate salary - is it the most important thing, or do you place job satisfaction a lot higher on the priority-scale?

- Learning what typical career areas and sectors are - and what differentiates them.

- The level of commitment and effort you will set aside for your training.

In all honesty, the only way to seek advice on these issues is through a chat with an experienced advisor who has experience of computing (as well as the commercial requirements.)

You should look for accredited simulation materials and an exam preparation system included in the package you choose. Some students can get confused by going through practice questions that are not from official sources. Often, the way questions are phrased can be quite different and it's vital that you know this. It's a good idea to have some simulated exam questions that will allow you to verify your understanding at all times. Practice exams will help to boost your attitude - so you won't be quite so nervous at the actual exam.

Including examinations as an inclusive element of the package price and then giving it 'Exam Guarantee' status is common for a number of training colleges. But let's examine why they really do it:

These days, we're a little bit more aware of sales ploys - and the majority of us ought to cotton on to the fact that it is actually an additional cost to us (it isn't free or out of the goodness of their hearts!) It's well known in the industry that if a student pays for their relevant examinations, one at a time, there's a much better chance they'll qualify each time - since they'll be conscious of their payment and their application will be greater.

Go for the best offer you can find at the time, and hang on to your cash. You'll then be able to select where you do your exams - so you can find somewhere local. Huge profits are netted by a number of companies who incorporate exam fees into the cost of the course. For quite legitimate reasons, a number of students don't get to do their exams but no refunds are given. Astoundingly enough, there are companies around that depend on students not taking their exams - as that's where a lot of their profit comes from. It's worth noting that exam re-takes through training companies who offer an 'Exam Guarantee' are monitored with tight restrictions. You will be required to do mock exams so you can prove to them you have a good chance of passing.

With the average price of Pro-metric and VUE tests coming in at approximately 112 pounds in Great Britain, the most cost-effective way to cover the cost is by paying when you need them. It's not in the student's interests to fork out hundreds or thousands of pounds for exams when enrolling on a course. Commitment, effort and practice with quality exam preparation systems are the factors that really get you through.

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