Because you're doing your research on MCSE training programs, you're most likely in 1 of 2 situations: You're possibly contemplating a radical change of career to the field of computers, as it's apparent to you there is a great need for qualified people. Alternatively maybe you're an IT professional already - and you need to formalise your skill-set with the Microsoft qualification.

When researching MCSE's, you'll hit upon companies that compromise their offerings by not upgrading their courses to the most up-to-date Microsoft version. Stay away from these companies as you'll have problems with the present exams. If you're learning from the wrong version, it could be impossible to pass. The focus of a training company must be based upon doing the best thing for their clients, and the whole company should care about students needs. Working towards an MCSE isn't just about the certification - it should initially look at guiding you on the best course of action for you.

The age-old way of teaching, utilising reference manuals and books, is often a huge slog for most of us. If this describes you, look for learning programmes that are on-screen and interactive. Recent studies into the way we learn shows that much more of what we learn in remembered when all our senses are involved, and we get practically involved in what we're studying.

Locate a program where you'll receive a library of CD or DVD ROM's - you'll learn by watching video tutorials and demonstrations, and then have the opportunity to use virtual lab's to practice your new skills. It's imperative to see courseware examples from the company you're considering. Be sure that they contain video demo's and interactive elements such as practice lab's.

You'll find that many companies will only provide just online versions of their training packages; and although this is okay the majority of the time, consider how you'll deal with it when you don't have access to the internet or you get intermittent problems and speed issues. It's much safer to rely on physical CD or DVD discs which removes the issue entirely.

Consider the facts below in detail if you believe the marketing blurb about examination guarantees seems like a good idea:

You're paying for it somehow. It's definitely not free - they've just worked it into the package price. Evidence shows that when trainees fund each examination, when they're ready to take them and not before, they will be much more likely to get through on the first attempt - because they're aware of their investment in themselves and so will prepare more thoroughly.

Don't you think it's more sensible to go for the best offer at the appropriate time, rather than coughing up months or even a year or two in advance to a college, and to do it in a local testing office - rather than possibly hours away from your area? Big margins are netted by a number of companies who take the exam money up-front. A number of students don't take them for various reasons but the company keeps the money. Believe it or not, there are providers who depend on students not taking their exams - as that's how they make a lot of their profit. The majority of companies will require you to sit pre-tests and hold you back from re-takes until you've demonstrated an excellent ability to pass - so an 'Exam Guarantee' comes with many clauses in reality.

Prometric and VUE exams are in the region of 112 pounds in Great Britain. Students should be very wary of forking out hundreds of pounds extra in 'Exam Guarantee' fees (usually wrapped up in the course package price) - when the best course materials, the right level of support and a commitment to studying and the use of authorised exam preparation tools are actually the key to your success.

Validated simulation materials and exam preparation packages are essential - and must be supplied by your training supplier. Be sure that the mock exams are not just posing the correct questions on the right subjects, but additionally ask them in the way the real exams will phrase them. This can really throw some trainees if they're faced with unrecognisable phrases and formats. Be sure to have some simulated exam questions that will allow you to test your knowledge along the way. Practice exams prepare you properly - so the actual exam is much easier.

A knowledgeable and specialised consultant (as opposed to a salesman) will cover in some detail your abilities and experience. This is vital for working out the point at which you need to start your studies. With a bit of commercial experience or certification, your starting-point of learning is not the same as someone new to the industry. Where this will be your initial attempt at studying to take an IT exam then you may want to start with some basic Microsoft package and Windows skills first.

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