Because you're doing your research on MCSE courses, the chances are you're in one of these categories: You're possibly contemplating a radical change of career to the IT sector, and research demonstrates there's a huge demand for certified networking professionals. In contrast you're someone with a certain amount of IT knowledge - and you want to enhance your CV with a qualification such as MCSE.

As you try to find out more, you'll come across colleges that lower their out-goings by not providing the current Microsoft version. Stay away from these companies as you'll experience challenges in the exam. If you're learning from the wrong version, it will be hard to pass. Watch out for training companies who're just trying to sell you something. Understand that buying an MCSE course is much like purchasing a vehicle. They're very diverse; some are reliable and will get you there in comfort, whilst others will constantly let you down. A valid provider will give you a thorough consultation to be sure the course will work for you. If a company has a creditable product, you will be able to look at examples of training materials prior to the sale.

'Exam Guarantees' are often bundled with training offers - this always means exams have to be paid for upfront, at the very beginning of your studies. Before you get carried away with a course with such a promise, why not think about this:

Thankfully, today we tend to be a bit more aware of hype - and most of us grasp that it is something we're paying for (it isn't free or out of the goodness of their hearts!) Students who enter their exams one by one, funding them as they go are much more likely to pass. They're conscious of their spending and take the necessary steps to ensure they are ready.

Isn't it in your interests to not pay up-front, but at the time, instead of paying a premium to the training college, and also to sit exams more locally - instead of miles away at the college's beck and call? Considerable numbers of current training companies make a great deal of profit because they're getting in the money for exams at the start of the course then hoping that you won't take them all. The majority of organisations will require you to sit pre-tests and prohibit you from re-taking an exam until you've completely proven that you're likely to pass - which actually leaves you with no guarantee at all.

Splashing out often many hundreds of pounds extra on 'Exam Guarantees' is naive - when hard work, commitment and the right preparation via exam simulations is what will get you through.

Sometimes students are under the impression that the school and FE college route is still the most effective. So why is commercial certification becoming more popular with employers? The IT sector is now aware that to cover the necessary commercial skill-sets, proper accreditation from the likes of CISCO, Adobe, Microsoft and CompTIA often is more effective in the commercial field - and a fraction of the cost and time. Patently, a reasonable quantity of background information needs to be taught, but core specifics in the areas needed gives a vendor trained person a huge edge.

Assuming a company is aware what areas they need covered, then all it takes is an advert for someone with a specific qualification. Vendor-based syllabuses are all based on the same criteria and can't change from one establishment to the next (as academic syllabuses often do).

Be alert that all exams you're considering doing will be recognised by employers and are up-to-date. 'In-house' certificates are usually worthless. Unless the accreditation comes from a major player like Microsoft, CompTIA, Adobe or Cisco, then it's likely it won't be commercially viable - as it'll be an unknown commodity.

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