A valuable package of training will undoubtedly also offer accredited exam preparation packages. Avoid relying on non-official exam papers and questions. The terminology of their questions can be completely unlike authorised versions - and this leads to huge confusion once in the actual exam. It's a good idea to ask for testing modules so you'll be able to test your understanding at any point. Practice or 'mock' exams prepare you properly - then you're much more at ease with the real thing.

Look at the following facts carefully if you believe the sales ploy of an 'Exam Guarantee' sounds great value:

Everybody's aware that they're still paying for it - it's quite obvious to see that it's already been included in the overall figure from the training provider. Certainly, it's not a freebie - don't think these companies are so generous with their money! Those who take exams one at a time, paying for them just before taking them are far more likely to pass first time. They're mindful of what they've paid and take the necessary steps to be up to the task.

Why should you pay the training company up-front for exam fees? Find the best exam deal or offer at the appropriate time, don't pay mark-ups - and take it closer to home - not at somewhere of their bidding. Paying in advance for exams (and if you're financing your study there'll be interest on that) is madness. It's not your job to boost the training company's account with additional funds just to give them more interest! There are those who hope that you don't even take them all - so they get to keep the extra funds. Additionally, 'Exam Guarantees' often aren't worth the paper they're written on. The majority of organisations won't pay for you to re-take until you have demonstrated conclusively that you won't fail again.

Shelling out hundreds or thousands of pounds on 'Exam Guarantees' is naive - when consistent and systematic learning, coupled with quality exam simulation software is what will really guarantee success.

'In-Centre workshop days' are often touted as a great facet by some training schools. When you chat with many IT trainees who have used them, you'll find they generally end up being seen as a mistake due to many reasons:

- All the travelling required - many journeys and quite often hundreds of miles a time.

- Asking for frequent time off work - many training companies can only give Monday to Friday workshop availability - typically grouping 2 or 3 days together. This isn't ideal for most people who work, even more so if you include the travel time on top.

- Lost holiday days - most trainees only get 4 weeks annual leave. If over half of it is swallowed up by study workshops, that doesn't leave much holiday time left for the family as a whole.

- 'In-Centre' days usually become way too big.

- Workshop pace - centre-days can feature students of varied skill, so tension develops between the quicker-learners and the ones who need a little longer.

- You can't disregard the extra financial outlay of arranging transport or accommodation either. Don't be surprised to find this become many hundreds of pounds more - sometimes thousands. Sit down and add it up - it'll shock and surprise you.

- Study privacy will be of paramount importance to most attendees. There's no need to sacrifice any lift up the ladder, wage increases or success at your current job because you're getting trained in a different area. If your employer knows that you're undertaking accreditation in another area entirely, how will they regard you?

- Don't think it's unusual for people not to put a question forward that they would like answered - purely down to the fact that they're surrounded by fellow attendees.

- When your work takes you away from home, it's a fact of life that classes now become very hard to attend - unfortunately however, they've been paid for in advance.

It really does make a lot more sense to study when it's convenient for you - not the company - and make use of videos of instructors with interactive virtual-lab's. You can train wherever you want. If you've got a laptop, you could get a little sunshine in your garden as you work. Any problems and utilise the 24x7 Support. Repeat lessons and modules whenever you like - repetition is good for memory. And note-taking becomes a thing of the past - everything is laid on for you. Though this doesn't remove every problem, it undeniably removes stress and makes things simpler. You've also got less hassle, travel and costs.