Including examinations up-front then giving it 'Exam Guarantee' status is a popular marketing tool with many companies. Consider the facts:

Of course it isn't free - you are paying for it - it's just been wrapped up in the price of the package. If you want to qualify first 'go', evidence suggests you must pay for each exam as you go, give it the priority it deserves and give the task sufficient application.

Don't you think it's more sensible to go for the best offer when you take the exam, not to pay any mark-up to a training course provider, and to do it in a local testing office - rather than possibly hours away from your area? A lot of so-called credible training providers make huge amounts of money by asking for examinations upfront and hoping either that you won't take them, or it will be a long time before you do. It's also worth noting that 'Exam Guarantees' often aren't worth the paper they're written on. The majority of companies won't be prepared to pay again for an exam until you've completely satisfied them that you're ready this time.

Exams taken at local centres are currently clocking in at an average of 112 pounds in the UK. Students should be very wary of forking out hundreds of pounds extra in fees for 'exam guarantees' (usually wrapped up in the course package price) - when a quality course, support and a commitment to studying and the use of authorised exam preparation tools are actually the key to your success.

Far too many companies are all about the certification, and completely miss what it's all actually about - getting yourself a new job or career. Always begin with where you want to get to - don't get hung-up on the training vehicle. It's possible, in many cases, to obtain tremendous satisfaction from a year of studying only to end up putting 20 long years into something completely unrewarding, entirely because you stumbled into it without the correct research at the beginning.

Spend some time thinking about earning potential and the level of your ambition. Sometimes, this affects which particular certifications will be expected and what industry will expect from you in return. Seek advice from an experienced advisor, even if you have to pay a small fee - it's considerably cheaper and safer to investigate at the start if your choices are appropriate, instead of finding out after 2 years that you've picked the wrong track and have to start from the beginning again.

Proficient user skills can be developed via a number of Microsoft accreditation tracks, and commercial support skill-sets via others. To learn about 'Office' 2003 ('XP') take a look at 'MOS' - Microsoft Office Specialist. For Office 2007 ('Vista') skills choose MCAS - Microsoft Certified Application Specialist. For an accreditation to support other users, go into the Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician, or 'MCDST' as its known.

You could equally be looking at a technical job within the I.T. market, that would mean rather more in-depth and specialist MS accreditation study. 'Microsoft' have recently revamped their certification structure, and whilst there are still many tracks based upon the 'MCP' accreditations, we're increasingly observing the move to MCITP (Microsoft Certified IT Professional) and 'MCTS' (Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist) programs. 'MCTS' learning packages are generally taken as building-blocks to the 'MCITP'.

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