As you're considering studying for the MCSE certificate, you'll fall into one of two camps. You could be about to enter the world of IT, and you've discovered that this commercial sector has a huge demand for qualified people. Or you possibly are an IT professional wanting to formalise your skill set with an MCSE.

We'd recommend you see evidence that the training provider you're using is definitely teaching with the most up-to-date Microsoft version. Many trainees are left in a mess when they find that they've been studying for an old version of MCSE which now needs updating. Don't be pushed into a training program without the right advice. Set your sights on finding a training provider who will make sure that you're on a well matched program for your requirements.

Remember: a training course or a certification isn't what this is about; the career that you want is. Far too many training organisations over-emphasise the qualification itself. Avoid becoming part of that group that choose a course that sounds really 'interesting' and 'fun' - and get to the final hurdle of an accreditation for a job they hate.

Prioritise understanding what industry will expect from you. Which precise qualifications you'll be required to have and how you'll go about getting some commercial experience. You should also spend a little time considering how far you think you'll want to get as it will often affect your choice of exams. Before setting out on a particular study program, it makes sense to talk through specific career requirements with a professional advisor, in order to be sure the retraining course covers all the bases.

Have a conversation with a proficient consultant and you'll be surprised by their many terrible tales of students who've been sold completely the wrong course for them. Ensure you only ever work with an experienced advisor that asks lots of questions to find out what's right for you - not for their bank-account! You need to find a starting-point that will suit you. Quite often, the level to start at for someone with experience can be hugely dissimilar to the student with none. For students commencing IT study for the first time, you might like to ease in gradually, kicking off with some basic Microsoft package and Windows skills first. This can be built into most training packages.

Charging for examinations with the course fee then including an exam guarantee is common for a good many training companies. But let's examine why they really do it:

Everybody's aware that they're still being charged for it - it's not so hard to see that it's been added into the overall price charged by the training provider. It's certainly not free - don't think these companies are so generous with their money! The honest truth is that when trainees fund each examination, one at a time, they'll be in a better position to qualify each time - because they are conscious of their payment and their application will be greater.

Does it really add up to pay your training college in advance for exam fees? Find the best exam deal or offer at the appropriate time, rather than coughing up months or even a year or two in advance - and sit exams more locally - not at somewhere of their bidding. Paying upfront for examinations (which also includes interest if you've taken out a loan) is madness. It's not your job to boost the training company's account with your money just to give them more interest! Many will hope you will never make it to exams - so they get to keep the extra funds. Re-takes of any failed exams with organisations with an 'Exam Guarantee' are monitored with tight restrictions. You'll be required to sit pre-tests to make sure they think you're going to pass.

Shelling out hundreds or thousands of pounds on 'Exam Guarantees' is short-sighted - when hard work, commitment and the right preparation via exam simulations is actually the key to your success.

A lot of students assume that the school and FE college path is the right way even now. Why then are commercial certificates becoming more in demand? With 3 and 4 year academic degree costs becoming a tall order for many, and the IT sector's increasing awareness that vendor-based training is closer to the mark commercially, we've seen a dramatic increase in Microsoft, CISCO, Adobe and CompTIA authorised training paths that provide key skills to an employee for considerably less. University courses, for example, become confusing because of a lot of loosely associated study - and a syllabus that's too generalised. Students are then held back from getting enough specific knowledge about the core essentials.

Think about if you were the employer - and you needed to take on someone with a very particular skill-set. Which is the most straightforward: Pore through reams of different degrees and college qualifications from various applicants, trying to establish what they know and which workplace skills they've mastered, or select a specialised number of commercial certifications that specifically match what you're looking for, and make your short-list from that. You'll then be able to concentrate on getting a feel for the person at interview - rather than on the depth of their technical knowledge.

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