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Microsoft Certification Advice
From Adviceopedia
Microsoft Certification Advice Checklist
Create a Home Network
You can learn the material from books and study guides, but to really understand, you need some hands on experience. Have four computers connected to a hub or switch so that you can practice setting up a domain, create Global Groups, configure Active Directory and perform unattended installs. The computers needn’t be top of the line—enough to boot windows is all you need. A home network can also be used to describe your experience when answering interview questions.
Set up a Study Schedule
Plan before the exam how long you think you need to study. Then create a realistic study schedule covering the weeks leading up to the exam. If you are only able to study 10-hours a week, make sure you don’t schedule more than 10 hours for any week.
Microsoft Certification Advice: Read Multiple Books
Never study from one source alone. If you study one book only, you may not realize that some topics aren’t covered at all, or are not as in-depth as they should be. Purchase at least two books and refer to both. You may even find that one makes some topics easier to understand.
Take a Class
Some good Microsoft certification advice for those who find it difficult to study alone is to sign up for a class. Check the offerings at your local community or junior college as they will often have quality courses at affordable prices.
Pick Your Exam Time
If you have a choice of when to take the exam, pick the time that works best for you. If you are a morning person, don’t schedule at night for example. If you need time off work, your employer will likely be very accommodating, so don’t be afraid to ask.
Take Practice Exams
The old saying “practice makes perfect” really applies to standardized tests. The more familiar you are with the exam, the higher your score is likely to be. So, some of the best Microsoft certification advice is to practice, practice, practice.
Study with a Friend
Staying motivated while studying can be challenging. So, find someone who is also studying for the certification and work together. You can ask each other questions from the books, take turns explaining the material, and hold each other accountable to the study schedule. You may even have some fun!
Preview the Test Questions
When you start the exam, don’t begin answering question number one. Instead, preview the entire test, looking for questions that you know you can answer, and ones that you will have to guess on. Then go back and work the easier questions to ensure that you answer all of them before the exam ends.
Read the Questions Carefully
A good piece of Microsoft certification advice that is easy to forget is to read the questions—and the answers—very carefully. Often there are answers which are mostly correct, but not as entirely correct as the best answer. If you read too quickly, you may think you are selecting the best answer when really you are not.
Get Some Sleep
You may be tempted to have an all-night cram session before the test in the morning, but this is a poor use of your time. The night before the test, you’ll either know the material or you won’t. Get some sleep to help you best recall everything you have learned.
Arrive Early
Don’t add unnecessary stress to an already stressful day. Arrive at the testing center early so that you won’t feel rushed. Use the time to review difficult material—or just relax and clear your head before the test begins.
Take the Test Again
Hopefully you’ll pass the certification exam the first time, but if you narrowly fail, sign up for the next available test. The material will remain fresh in your mind and you’ll likely pass the second time.
