Certification Magazine - November 2007 - (Page 38)

As with boot camps, fast tracks usually guarantee you will pass your certification exams. Because fast tracks tend to cater to those new to the IT marketplace, they usually offer placement and career service assistance, as well. Invest in the Right Practice Tests Whatever method of study you employ to prepare for certification, I have found the No. 1 time saver and predictor of whether a certification candidate will pass the exams is finding a good-quality practice test. Certification exams are tricky and often ask questions that are barely relevant to the real world. A good practice test will prepare you for those types of questions. Practice tests can be found in abundance online, and some are free. The following are qualities you should look for in a practice test: • Testing conditions similar to the real exam: If the real test is three hours long, the practice test should be too. • Explanation of why questions were missed: This also saves you valuable study time. • Identification of weak areas: Many practice tests grade the test but do not identify the areas you need to work on before taking it again. Find one that breaks down your results and identifies your strengths and weaknesses. Don’t waste a lot of time searching for the best practice tests — simply find co-workers or buddies who already possess the certification you are going for and ask which practice tests they would recommend. If you don’t know anybody who has that certification, go to an online forum, such as CertMag’s. Make it a goal this year to get certified. Start by making a plan and setting a deadline. Choose a study method that sets aside blocks of time, free from interruptions and distractions. If you can get time off of work and can afford it, consider a boot camp or fast track. And if you choose to self-study, make sure to choose study tools that will streamline your study process in the smallest amount of time, such as good practice tests. • Questions similar to the real exam: Not the same questions (this would be cheating). But I have seen some practice tests in which the questions were not at all similar to the questions on the real exam — it was like studying for a totally different exam. Finding the time to fit certification into your schedule involves changing your priorities, making a plan and then sticking to it. Most important, do not wait — the time never is going to be just right. As Walt Disney said, “The way to get started is to stop talking and begin doing.” 8 Matt McGrath is a senior education consultant with Centriq Foss Training Center, which is based in Kansas City, Mo. He can be reached at mmcgrath@certmag.com. • Correct answers: Many practice test vendors waste your time by making you look up the correct answers to questions that you missed. This can potentially take hours. 38 CERTIFICATION MAGAZINE November 2007

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Certification Magazine - November 2007

Certification Magazine - November 2007 Contents Editor's Letter Data Stream Tech Careers Academic Connection Dear Techie Virtual Village Certification Outside Technology Inside Certification The Webmaster: Online Everyman Interface Time Tips: How to Fit Certification into Your Schedule Ad Index Endtag

Certification Magazine - November 2007

For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.