The MCSA course is an ideal qualification for anybody thinking about being a supporter of networks. So if you already have some understanding but want to improve your CV with a good qualification, or you are just getting into the computer world, you'll have the ability to find a course to fit your requirements. Search for a training company that's eager to get to know you, and will help identify the right direction for you, prior to any discussions about the course contents. Experts will also suggest where to start based on your present skill-set or lack of it.

Most trainers typically provide a big box of books. It's not a very interesting way to learn and not ideal for remembering. Years of research and study has constantly confirmed that an 'involved' approach to study, where we utilise all our senses, is far more likely to produce long-lasting memories.

Interactive full motion video with demonstrations and practice sessions beat books hands-down. And they're a lot more fun to do. It would be silly not to view some examples of the kind of training materials you'll be using before you purchase a course. The minimum you should expect would be instructor-led video demonstrations and interactive audio-visual sections with practice modules.

It's usually bad advice to select online only courseware. Connection quality and reliability varies hugely across the ISP (internet service provider) market, it makes sense to have disc based courseware (On CD or DVD).

Incorporating examinations with the course fee then giving it 'Exam Guarantee' status is popular with many companies. But let's examine why they really do it:

In this day and age, we have to be a bit more aware of hype - and the majority of us ought to realise that of course we're actually paying for it - it's not because they're so generous they want to give something away! Students who take exams one at a time, funding them as they go are far more likely to pass first time. They're mindful of what they've paid and revise more thoroughly to be ready for the task.

Find the best exam deal or offer available at the time, and keep hold of your own money. You also get more choice of where you take your exam - so you can choose somewhere closer to home. A great deal of money is made by many training colleges that take the exam money up-front. Many students don't take them for one reason or another and so the company is quids-in. Surprising as it sounds, there are companies around who rely on that fact - and that's how they increase their profits. It's worth noting that exam re-takes via training companies who offer an 'Exam Guarantee' are monitored with tight restrictions. They'll insist that you take mock exams first until you've demonstrated an excellent ability to pass.

The cost of exams was approximately 112 pounds twelve months or so ago through local VUE or Pro-metric centres throughout the country. So why pay hundreds or thousands of pounds extra for 'Exam Guarantees', when any student knows that the best guarantee is a regular, committed, study programme, with an accredited exam preparation system.

Don't accept anything less than the latest Microsoft (or any other key organisation's) authorised exam preparation packages. Ensure that your practice exams haven't just got questions on the correct subjects, but ask them in the exact format that the real exams will formulate them. It completely unsettles trainees if they're met with completely different formats and phraseologies. You should make sure you test whether you're learning enough through quizzes and practice in simulated exam environments prior to taking the real thing.

You should only consider retraining programs which will grow into industry accepted accreditations. There are way too many small companies suggesting 'in-house' certificates that are essentially useless in the real world. From an employer's perspective, only the top companies like Microsoft, Adobe, Cisco or CompTIA (to give some examples) will get you into the interview seat. Anything less won't make the grade.

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