Your training program should always include the very latest Microsoft (or relevant organisation's) authorised simulation materials and exam preparation packages. Be sure that the simulated exams are not just posing the correct questions from the right areas, but additionally ask them in the same way that the proper exam will pose them. It throws people if they're met with completely different formats and phraseologies. A way to build self-confidence is if you test your knowledge through quizzes and mock ups of exams before you take the real deal.

If you're thinking of using a trainer which still utilises workshop days as a benefit of their course, then listen to these hassles experienced by the majority of trainees:

- Loads of travelling - frequent trips and quite often hundreds of miles each time.

- For those of us that work, then Mon-Fri workshops are difficult to make. Often you're facing at least 2, if not 3 days in a row.

- Lost holiday days - the majority of IT hopefuls only get 4 weeks annual leave. If half or more of that is used up by training events, that isn't going to leave much vacation time for the student.

- Workshops fill up fast and can sometimes be too big - so they're not personal enough.

- Maybe you like to work at a somewhat more suitable pace - rather than be dictated to by the rest of the class. Often this can bring about tension in the class.

- You can't disregard the extra expense of arranging transport and accommodation either. Don't be surprised to find this become many hundreds of pounds more - sometimes thousands. Sit down and add it up - it'll shock and surprise you.

- All of us want some privacy. We should never risk giving up any advancement due to us because we're getting trained in a different area.

- Most of us feel awkward about asking questions in a class full of other trainees - because none of us wants to look like we don't understand.

- If you at times work or live away part of the time, consider the added problems of making the requisite workshops, as time is now more scarce than ever.

Why not simply watch and study with tutors one-on-one from pre-made modules, working on them at a time that's convenient for you and you alone. If anything comes up, get onto the live 24x7 support (that should've been packaged with any technical type of training.) Don't forget, if you own a laptop, study isn't restricted to the home or office. Repeat any of the classes if you need to - doing something over will help you remember it. And no worrying about keeping up with note-taking either - everything is laid on for you. Put simply: You save money, avoid hassle, don't waste time and completely avoid killing more trees.

If you wish to go for the 1st phases of professional IT certification, then User And Systems Support might be a valid move. The Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician ('MCDST') is certainly a good qualification if you are aiming to offer software support for commercial users. A training course of this level normally requires roughly a hundred hours of learning time.

Following this, we get into the realms of full professional I.T. certification. 'CompTIA' offer the most commonly recognised entry to industry exams (known as 'A+' and Network+) for hardware-support, networking & security. Training will cover hard-ware & network installations at a fundamental level, plus elements of security, support & administration. Study time is normally estimated at about 200-250 hours for both, and so can be realistically completed in 6 months on a part time basis.

IT Career Multimedia Self-Study Certification Courses >>