Are you toying with the idea of doing an MCSE? If so, it's probable that you're in one of two situations: You're currently an IT professional and you should formalise your skills with an MCSE. Alternatively you might be just about to enter the IT environment, and research demonstrates there's lots of demand for certified networking professionals.

As you do your searches, you will discover training providers that lower their out-goings by not upgrading their courses to the latest Microsoft version. Don't use such training providers as you'll have problems when it comes to exams. If you're learning from an old version, it could be impossible to pass. Be on your guard for training providers who are simply out to sell something. Realise that buying training to get an MCSE is much like purchasing a vehicle. They vary hugely; 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 make sure a course is right for you. When providers are proud of their courses, they'll show you examples of it prior to registering.

Beware of putting too much emphasis, as a lot of students can, on the certification itself. Your training isn't about getting a plaque on your wall; you're training to become commercially employable. Focus on the end-goal. You may train for one year and then end up doing the job for 20 years. Ensure you avoid the fatal error of taking what may be a program of interest to you and then spend decades in an unrewarding career!

Take time to understand your leanings around career progression and earning potential, and if you're ambitious or not. You need to know what (if any) sacrifices you'll need to make for a particular role, what particular accreditations are needed and how you'll gain real-world experience. Have a chat with an industry professional who knows about the sector you're looking at, and is able to give you detailed descriptions of what you actually do in that role. Getting to the bottom of all this before commencement of any study course will save you both time and money.

One thing you must always insist on is full 24x7 support with trained professional instructors and mentors. It's an all too common story to find providers that only seem to want to help while they're in the office (9am till 6pm, Monday till Friday usually) and nothing at the weekends. Try and find training with proper support available at all hours of the day and night (irrespective of whether it's the wee hours on Sunday morning!) Ensure you get 24x7 direct access to mentors and instructors, and not simply some messaging service that means you're waiting for tutors to call you back when it's convenient for them.

Be on the lookout for providers that have multiple support offices across multiple time-zones. These should be integrated to enable simple one-stop access together with 24x7 access, when it suits you, with no hassle. Never ever take second best where support is concerned. Most would-be IT professionals that give up, just need the right support system.

Incorporating exam fees upfront then including an exam guarantee is common for a good many training companies. However, let's consider what's really going on:

It's very clear we're still being charged for it - obviously it has already in the overall figure from the course provider. It's definitely not free - and it's insulting that we're supposed to think it is! The fact is that if a student pays for each progressive exam, one after the other, they'll be in a better position to pass first time - as they are conscious of the cost and their application will be greater.

Go for the best offer you can find at the time, and avoid college mark-up fees. You'll then be able to select where you sit the exam - which means you can stay local. Is there a good reason to pay interest on a bigger loan than is necessary because you've paid early for examinations when you don't need to? A great deal of money is secured by training companies getting paid upfront for exams - and then hoping that you won't take them all. The majority of companies will require you to do mock exams and hold you back from re-takes until you've proven conclusively that you can pass - so an 'Exam Guarantee' comes with many clauses in reality.

Prometric and VUE exams are currently clocking in at an average of 112 pounds in this country. Why pay exorbitant fees for 'exam guarantees' (most often hidden in the package) - when the best course materials, the right level of support and consistent and systematic learning, coupled with quality exam simulation software is what will really see you through.