It's essential to have the very latest Microsoft (or any other key organisation's) accredited exam simulation and preparation packages. Often students can get confused by practising exam questions that aren't recognised by the authorised examining boards. Often, the way questions are phrased can be quite different and you need to be ready for this. Ensure that you have some simulated exam questions in order to verify your comprehension whenever you need to. Practice exams add to your knowledge bank - then you won't be quite so nervous at the actual exam.

The way in which your courseware is broken down for you is often missed by many students. How is the courseware broken down? What is the order and do you have a say in when you'll get each part? By and large, you'll enrol on a course that takes between and 1 and 3 years and get posted one section at a time - from one exam to the next. It seems to make sense on one level, but consider these issues: Many students find that their providers usual training route doesn't suit. They might find it's more expedient to use an alternative order of study. Perhaps you don't make it within their exact timetable?

To avoid any potential future issues, most students now choose to have all their training materials (which they've now paid for) posted to them in one go, with nothing held back. It's then up to you at what speed and in which order you'd like to take your exams.

It's not uncommon for companies to offer inclusive exam guarantees - this always means exams have to be paid for upfront, before you've even made a start on the course. Before you get carried away with guaranteed exams, consider this:

You're paying for it by some means. It certainly isn't free - it's just been rolled into the price of the whole package. Trainees who take exams one at a time, funding them as they go are much better placed to get through first time. They are conscious of the cost and so are more inclined to be up to the task.

Take your exams somewhere close to home and find the best exam deal or offer available then. Paying upfront for exam fees (and interest charges if you're borrowing money) is bad financial management. Resist being talked into filling the training company's account with your hard-earned cash just to give them more interest! There are those who hope that you will never make it to exams - but they won't refund the cash. You should fully understand that re-takes with training companies with an 'Exam Guarantee' are always heavily controlled. You'll be required to sit pre-tests so you can prove to them you have a good chance of passing.

Due to typical VUE and Prometric examinations coming in at around 112 pounds in the UK, the most cost-effective way to cover the cost is by paying when you need them. There's no sense in throwing away maybe a thousand pounds extra at the start of your studies. A commitment to studying and the use of authorised exam preparation tools are actually the key to your success.