10 Steps To It Certification - Part 2

By Author: Hugh Nguyen
Total Articles: 4
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Step 5: Forget the Cliff's Notes

Whether you opt for a bootcamp approach or a classic lecture-and-notes program, don't fool yourself into thinking there is any shortcut one way or the other. If you have on-the-job experience and are not a newcomer to the field, then a condensed or accelerated program that rapidly covers the technical material can prepare you for exams without wasting unnecessary time. This may not be the best way for many newcomers, however, who would doubtless report that the longer-term study was certainly not wasted time.

Step 6: Create your study plan

You have to make a plan for when, where and how you are going to read, study and review your materials. Develop a schedule and follow it. If you had a method that worked well in school, by all means implement it. Do not study with the TV on, music playing, cell phones ringing or other distractions. One hour of quality, quiet study time is worth up to three hours of noise- and interruption-filled study. Two hours per day is a good minimum, but maintain your balance (see #4 above) whatever your plan.

Step 7: Assemble your study guide

Once ...
... you identify the information or areas that are the most challenging for you, compile a list of terms, questions, details and reminders as you progress through your studies (and your study materials). In this study guide, put things into logical sections so that related information is kept together for quicker reference. Be thorough but succinct, using no more words than are necessary. Keep your study guide even after the exam, since information covered in one exam is quite likely to reappear on the next one(s) you take.

Step 8: Study for the long term, not for the test

You must remind yourself that you are not studying simply to pass a test. You are studying to acquire and demonstrate expertise. The main place you will demonstrate that in the future, of course, is on the job. This is the goal, being a professional on the job. You will retain information better when you have a clear idea in your mind of what it is for. Memory studies clearly show that the more compelling the narrative or story in our minds concerning information we are processing, the more vividly it will be remembered.

Step 9: First things first

No matter what rationale you come up with, it is simply not a good idea to study for multiple exams simultaneously. Changing focus from one topic to a completely different one will interfere with your concentration on and retention of the material. No matter how high your IQ or how many exams you think you can study for (and take) at once, do yourself a favor and take one step at a time.

Step 10: Take the exam with confidence

The day of the exam, arrive early and spend an hour or so reviewing your study guide. Take all the good advice there is on calming down, focusing and doing your best on tests. There is plenty of material for you to review on that subject, so for now just remember that, if you studied properly, you will pass. In fact, don't even worry about whether you will pass or fail, just focus on doing your best.

Certainly many of these steps may seem like common sense, but we can all use a little encouragement and motivation. If you truly love what you do, and are in IT because it fits your nature and you just get it, then that's the attitude you should have about getting your certification. If you do fail a certification exam, analyze where you went wrong, correct your approach and take the exam again. However, if you put in the time and effort, initially chose an IT career because of your built-in interest, and have a natural gift for the science and the math, it is likely that you will do well. It could be the first step of many, too!

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