An area that's often missed by people weighing up a particular programme is the concept of 'training segmentation'. Basically, this means the breakdown of the materials for timed release to you, which completely controls how you end up. You may think it logical (when study may take one to three years for a full commercial certification,) for many training providers to send out one section at a time, until you've passed all the exams. Although: How would they react if you didn't complete everything at the proposed pace? Sometimes their preference of study order won't be as easy as another different route may.

In an ideal situation, you'd get ALL the training materials right at the beginning - meaning you'll have all of them to come back to at any time in the future - at any time you choose. This allows a variation in the order that you complete your exams as and when something more intuitive seems right for you.

One feature that many training companies provide is job placement assistance. This is designed to help you find your first job in the industry. Because of the massive need for more IT skills in the UK today, there's no need to make too much of this option though. It's actually not as hard as some people make out to land the right work once you're properly qualified.

Work on polishing up your CV right away however - you should get plenty of help from your training provider on this. Don't procrastinate and leave it till the exams have actually been passed. Getting your CV considered is far better than not even being known about. A surprising amount of junior positions are given to trainees (who've only just left first base.) The best services to help you land that job are normally local IT focused employment agencies. Because they get paid commission to place you, they have the necessary incentive to try that bit harder.

Fundamentally, as long as you put the same commitment into landing a position as into studying, you won't have any problems. A number of men and women curiously spend hundreds of hours on their learning program and do nothing more once certified and would appear to think that businesses will just discover them.

It's not uncommon for companies to offer inclusive exam guarantees - this always means you have to pay for the exams at the start of your training. But before you get taken in by guaranteed exams, be aware of the facts:

Thankfully, today we're a little bit more aware of sales ploys - and generally we know that for sure it is something we're paying for (it isn't free or out of the goodness of their hearts!) We all want to pass first time. Taking your exams progressively when it's appropriate and funding them as you go sees you much better placed to get through first time - you prepare appropriately and think carefully about the costs.

Isn't it in your interests to find the best exam deal or offer at the time, instead of paying a premium to a college, and also to sit exams more locally - instead of miles away at the college's beck and call? Big margins are secured by many training colleges that incorporate exam fees into the cost of the course. For quite legitimate reasons, a number of students don't get to do their exams and so the company is quids-in. Astoundingly enough, there are training companies that depend on students not taking their exams - as that's very profitable for them. It's also worth noting that exam guarantees often have very little value. The majority of organisations will not pay for you to re-take until you've completely satisfied them that you're ready this time.

Exams taken at local centres are around 112 pounds in Britain at the time of writing. Why spend so much more on charges for 'Exam Guarantees' (often hidden in the cost) - 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.

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