As you’re considering studying to get an MCSE, it’s probable that you fall into one of the following categories. You may want to enter the computer sector, as it’s apparent this commercial sector has lots of demand for men and women who are commercially qualified. Or you could be an IT professional looking to gain acknowledgement with the Microsoft qualification.
Be sure you see evidence that the training company you use is educating you on the latest Microsoft version. Many students get frustrated when they discover they’ve been educated in an old version of MCSE which will need updating.
Be on your guard for training companies who are simply out to sell something. You should know that buying training to get an MCSE is the same in a way as buying a car. They are not all equal; some are comfortable and reliable, whilst some will be completely unreliable. A valid provider will spend time understanding your needs to check you’ve got the correct course. When providers are proud of their courses, they’ll show you examples of it before you buy.
Some training companies will only provide basic 9am till 6pm support (maybe a little earlier or later on certain days); very few go late in the evening or at weekends.
Never buy certification programs which can only support trainees via a call-centre messaging service after office-staff have gone home. Colleges will try to talk you round from this line of reasoning. The bottom line is – you want to be supported when you need the help – not as-and-when it’s suitable for their staff.
The very best training providers incorporate three or four individual support centres across multiple time-zones. An online system provides an interactive interface to seamlessly link them all together, any time of the day or night, help is just seconds away, without any contact issues or hassle.
Never compromise with the quality of your support. The vast majority of would-be IT professionals that throw in the towel, are in that situation because they didn’t get the support necessary for them.
The way a programme is physically sent to you can often be overlooked. How is the courseware broken down? What is the specific order and what control do you have at what pace it arrives?
Typically, you will purchase a course that takes between and 1 and 3 years and get sent one module each time you pass an exam. It seems to make sense on one level, but consider these issues:
Students often discover that the trainer’s ‘standard’ path of training isn’t the easiest way for them. You may find that varying the order of study will be far more suitable. And what if you don’t get to the end at the pace they expect?
For maximum flexibility and safety, it’s normal for most trainees to make sure that every element of their training is sent immediately, and not in a piecemeal fashion. That means it’s down to you in which order and at what speed you want to go.
Review the points below very carefully if you believe the marketing blurb about a guarantee for your exam looks like a reason to buy:
It’s very clear we’re still paying for it – it’s not so hard to see that it’s already been included in the gross price invoiced by the training provider. Certainly, it’s not a freebie – and it’s insulting that we’re supposed to think it is!
Passing first time is everyone’s goal. Going for exams when it’s appropriate and paying as you go puts you in a much stronger position to qualify at the first attempt – you revise thoroughly and think carefully about the costs.
Find the best exam deal or offer available at the time, and avoid college mark-up fees. You’ll then be able to select where you sit the exam – which means you can stay local.
Is there a good reason to pay interest on a bigger loan than is necessary because you’ve paid early for examinations when there was no need to? A great deal of money is secured by training companies charging all their exam fees up-front – and then cashing in when they’re not all taken.
You should fully understand that re-takes via training companies who offer an ‘Exam Guarantee’ are monitored with tight restrictions. They will insist that you take pre-tests first until you’ve demonstrated an excellent ability to pass.
With average prices for VUE and Pro-metric exams in the United Kingdom costing around 112 pounds, by far the best option is to pay for them as you take them. It’s not in the student’s interests to fork out hundreds or thousands of pounds for exams when enrolling on a course. Consistent and systematic learning, coupled with quality exam simulation software is what will really see you through.
You should look for an accredited exam preparation programme included in your course.
Students regularly can be thrown off course by practicing questions for their exams that don’t come from official sources. Often, the terminology in the real exams can be quite different and you should be prepared for this.
Ensure that you ask for testing modules that will allow you to verify your understanding whenever you need to. Practice exams log the information in your brain – so the actual exam is much easier.
(C) 2009 – S. Edwards. Try Career Change Options or www.AdultTrainingCourse.co.uk.