The leading MS qualification paths were upgraded some years ago, when they transferred from the earlier 'MCAD'/'MCSD' (Microsoft Certified Application/Solutions Developer) to the more modern 'MCTS' (Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist) and 'MCPD' (Microsoft Certified Professional Developer) exams. Expect to study for two pre-requisite 'MCTS' qualifications prior to getting into the 'MCPD'. Don't be fooled by the fact that MS specify their first unit a 'foundation' module. If you are new to programming, give some thought to taking a programming-introduction module first. We'd also propose going for a support accreditation prior to this, so as to obtain a decent knowledge of software environments & support. A support qualification will help you to obtain your 1st I.T. job. A full career-track will need somewhere around six to seven hundred hours of training time, so if you are training part-time you will be able to complete in around twelve to eighteen months.

Some certification companies still use the rather old-fashioned idea of classroom lessons. Usually touted as a major benefit, following a chat with most students who've had to attend a couple, you'll hear a common theme of many or most of these:

- Loads of journeys to the training centre - sometimes very long trips.

- Availability of classes; usually weekdays only and sometimes 2-3 days at a time. It's not easy to get the time off work.

- Annual leave lost - a lot of working people get just four weeks holiday each year. If you give up at least half to your educational events, that doesn't leave much holiday time left for most student's families.

- Workshops sometimes reach their maximum intake very quickly, giving us the only option of something that we don't really want.

- You may prefer to move at a different pace to others in the class. This creates tension in the class.

- A lot of trainees speak about the high (and unexpected) costs associated with travelling back and forth to the venue and paying for food and accommodation can get very high.

- All of us want some privacy. We shouldn't risk throwing away any possible promotion that could awarded to us because of our studies.

- It's very common for attendees to hide the fact that they want to raise a question - simply because they're in front of other people.

- Living away for part of your working week - a lot of students find themselves working or living somewhere else for certain parts of the program. Classes end up being hard to get to, but the monies have already been handed over in your initial payment.

It would be better to watch a video and study with teachers one-to-one in ready-made lessons, studying them at your convenience - not somebody else's. Imagine... Utilising a notebook PC you can learn wherever you want. And 24 hr-a-day support is only a web-browser click away in case of difficulty. There's no need to take notes - all the lessons are prepared and laid out for you - ready to go. Any time you want to repeat something, it's immediately available. Whilst it's impossible to remove any normal learning difficulties, it definitely removes stress and makes things simpler. You've also got less travel, costs and hassle.

Including examination fees as an inclusive element of the package price and presenting it as a guarantee for your exams is a common method with a good many training companies. However, let's consider what's really going on:

They've allowed costings for it somehow. It's definitely not free - they've simply charged more for the whole training package. The fact is that if a student pays for their relevant examinations, one by one, the chances are they're going to pass first time - as they're aware of the cost and so will prepare more thoroughly.

Why pay your training course provider at the start of the course for exams? Find the best exam deal or offer at the time, don't pay mark-ups - and sit exams more locally - not at somewhere of their bidding. A great deal of money is secured by many companies who incorporate exam fees into the cost of the course. For various reasons, many students don't take their exams but no refunds are given. Amazingly, providers exist who rely on that fact - as that's very profitable for them. Many training companies will insist that you take mock exams first and prohibit you from re-taking an exam until you've completely proven that you're likely to pass - so an 'Exam Guarantee' comes with many clauses in reality.

Splashing out often many hundreds of pounds extra on an 'Exam Guarantee' is short-sighted - when a commitment to studying and the use of authorised exam preparation tools is what will really guarantee success.

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