Are you toying with the idea of doing an MCSE? It's very possible then that you'll fall into one of the following categories: You're someone with a certain amount of knowledge and you'd like to gain accreditation with the MCSE qualification. Instead this could be your first step into the computer workplace, and you've discovered there is a great need for people with the right qualifications.

As you do your searches, you will notice colleges that lower their out-goings by failing to use the latest version from Microsoft. Stay away from training companies like these as you'll experience challenges at exam time. If you're learning from the wrong syllabus, it will make it very difficult to pass. Don't get bullied into a training program without the right advice. Look for a company who will ensure you are on a well matched program for meeting your goals.

Sometimes men and women presume that the school and FE college system is the way they should go. So why is commercial certification beginning to overtake it? With 3 and 4 year academic degree costs spiralling out of control, along with the industry's general opinion that key company training most often has much more commercial relevance, there's been a dramatic increase in Microsoft, CISCO, Adobe and CompTIA based training courses that supply key solutions to a student at a much reduced cost in terms of money and time. They do this by concentrating on the actual skills required (along with an appropriate level of associated knowledge,) instead of going into the heightened depths of background detail and 'fluff' that degree courses often do (to fill up a syllabus or course).

Just as the old advertisement said: 'It does what it says on the tin'. Employers simply need to know what areas need to be serviced, and then advertise for someone with the specific certification. That way they can be sure they're interviewing applicants who can do the job.

An advisor that doesn't ask you a lot of questions - it's more than likely they're really a salesperson. If someone pushes specific products before understanding your background and whether you have any commercial experience, then it's very likely to be the case. In some circumstances, the level to start at for a student experienced in some areas is hugely dissimilar to someone just starting out. If you're a student commencing IT study as a new venture, it can be helpful to start out slowly, by working on a user-skills course first. This can easily be incorporated into most training packages.

'Exam Guarantees' are often bundled with training offers - inevitably that means paying for the exams at the very beginning of your studies. Before you get carried away with a course with such a promise, why not look at the following:

Everybody's aware that they're ultimately paying for it - it's obviously been added into the overall figure from the training provider. It's certainly not free - and it's insulting that we're supposed to think it is! Passing first time is everyone's goal. Going for exams one by one and paying for them just before taking them has a marked effect on pass-rates - you put the effort in and think carefully about the costs.

Find the best exam deal or offer available when you take the exam, and avoid college mark-up fees. You'll then be able to select where you do the examinations - so you can choose somewhere closer to home. A surprising number of questionable training colleges net huge amounts of money through charging for all the exam fees up-front and cashing in if they're not all taken. Re-takes of any failed exams through companies with an 'Exam Guarantee' are monitored with tight restrictions. They'll insist that you take mock exams first until you've demonstrated an excellent ability to pass.

Shelling out hundreds or thousands of pounds on 'Exam Guarantees' is short-sighted - when a commitment to studying and the use of authorised exam preparation tools is what will really guarantee success.

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