Always expect the most up to date Microsoft (or relevant organisation's) accredited exam simulation and preparation packages. As the majority of IT examination boards are from the USA, you'll need to be used to the correct phraseology. It isn't good enough merely going through the right questions - they have to be in the same format as the actual exams. Ensure that you have some simulated exam questions so you can verify your understanding along the way. Practice or 'mock' exams add to your knowledge bank - so the actual exam is much easier.

Some training companies still use the slightly musty old method of in-centre classes. Quite often pushed as a positive point, if you talk to a student who has had to attend a few, you'll hear a common theme of many or all of these issues:

- Periodic travelling - very long trips usually.

- Taking time off work - many companies provide availability during weekdays and link several days together. This isn't ideal for most people who work, especially when you add the travel time on.

- I think you'd agree that we usually end up feeling 4 weeks holiday each year isn't enough by far. Take away over half of it for study classes and watch how much harder things become.

- Training workshops sometimes become quickly full, giving us the only option of a less-than-ideal slot.

- Some attendees hope to push through at quite a pace, others want a more steady pace and not be pushed beyond their comfort-zone. This will often generate difficulty and tension a lot of the time.

- Rising travel prices - driving to and from the training facility plus accommodation for the duration can really add up every time you have to go. If you only assumed 5-10 workshops costing around 35 pounds for an over-night room, plus 40 pounds for petrol and 15.00 for food, we arrive at 450-900 pounds of costs that we weren't expecting.

- Don't risk any chance of getting ignored for potential advancement or wage increases while you're training.

- Most of us avoid posing questions in a room full of other attendees - as we don't want to look silly.

- It should be remembered that workshops are pretty much unreachable, in cases where you work elsewhere in the country for some part of the year.

Wouldn't it be better to just watch and be taught by tutors one-to-one via pre-filmed classes, doing them when it suits you - not somebody else. Study can happen anywhere that suits. If you have a laptop, why not take in a bit of sun in your garden as you work. Any difficulties and use the provided 24x7 live support. Simply do the elements whenever you feel you need to. There's also no need to scribble any notes as you'll have direct access to the instruction whenever you want to go back to it. What could be more straightforward: You avoid travelling and wasting time and money; and you end up with a more relaxed learning environment.

Consider only learning programmes that'll grow into industry acknowledged accreditations. There are loads of trainers suggesting minor 'in-house' certificates which are worthless when it comes to finding a job. Only properly recognised qualifications from the top companies like Microsoft, CompTIA, Adobe and Cisco will open the doors to employers.

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