As you've arrived here it's probable that either you want to get into networking and the MCSE has reared its head, or you're currently an IT professional and you've realised that your career is blocked until your get the MCSE accreditation.

Be sure you see evidence that your provider is definitely teaching with the latest level of Microsoft development. Many trainees get frustrated when they find that they've been studying for an outdated MCSE course which inevitably will have to be up-dated. Be aware of computer training companies that are just trying to sell you something. Always remember that buying training to get an MCSE is like buying a car. They are not all equal; some will be fantastic, whilst others will probably break down on route. A good company will give you a thorough consultation to ensure you're on the right course. When providers are proud of their courses, you will be able to look at examples of training materials prior to registering.

If your advisor doesn't ask you a lot of questions - it's likely they're really a salesperson. If someone pushes specific products before understanding your background and experience, then you know it's true. If you have a strong background, or perhaps a bit of live experience (some certifications gained previously perhaps?) then it could be that the point from which you begin your studies will be quite dissimilar from a student that is completely new to the industry. Commencing with a user skills program first is often the best way to get up and running on your IT program, but really depends on your level of familiarity with computers.

We can't make a big enough deal out of this point: You absolutely must have proper 24x7 professional support from mentors and instructors. You'll definitely experience problems if you don't adhere to this. Many only provide email support (too slow), and phone support is usually just a call-centre which will just take down the issue and email it over to their technical team - who'll call back sometime over the next 1-3 days, when it's convenient to them. This is all next to useless if you're lost and confused and only have a specific time you can study.

The very best training providers utilise several support facilities active in different time-zones. An online system provides an interactive interface to seamlessly link them all, any time of the day or night, help is just a click away, avoiding all the delays and problems. You can't afford to accept anything less. Direct-access round-the-clock support is the only kind that ever makes the grade when it comes to computer-based study. Perhaps you don't intend to study during the evenings; but for the majority of us however, we're working during the provided support period.

A number of students think that the school and FE college track is the way they should go. So why then are commercially accredited qualifications beginning to overtake it? With the costs of academic degree's becoming a tall order for many, alongside the industry's general opinion that vendor-based training is often far more commercially relevant, we've seen a dramatic increase in Microsoft, CISCO, Adobe and CompTIA authorised training paths that educate students for much less time and money. Higher education courses, for example, can often get caught up in a lot of loosely associated study - and a syllabus that's too generalised. This prevents a student from understanding the specific essentials in enough depth.

If an employer understands what work they need doing, then they simply need to advertise for the particular skill-set required. Syllabuses are set to meet an exact requirement and do not vary between trainers (as academic syllabuses often do).

'Exam Guarantees' are often bundled with training offers - they always involve paying for the exam fees up-front, before you've even made a start on the course. Before you get carried away with the chance of a guarantee, be aware of the facts:

Patently it isn't free - you're still being charged for it - the price has simply been included in the whole thing. People who go in for their examinations when it's appropriate, funding them one at a time are far more likely to pass first time. They're mindful of their investment and prepare more appropriately to ensure they are ready.

Why should you pay the training company early for examinations? Find the best exam deal or offer when you're ready, rather than pay marked up fees - and do it in a local testing centre - instead of miles away at the college's beck and call. Is there a good reason to pay interest on a bigger loan than is necessary because you've paid early for exams when you don't need to? A great deal of money is made by companies getting money in early for exam fees - and then cashing in when they're not all taken. Many training companies will require you to sit pre-tests and not allow you to re-take an exam until you've completely proven that you're likely to pass - so an 'Exam Guarantee' comes with many clauses in reality.

With average prices for VUE and Pro-metric exams costing in the region of 112 pounds in this country, it makes sense to pay as you go. Not to fork out thousands extra in up-front costs. Study, commitment and preparing with good quality mock and practice exams is what will really guarantee success.

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