When it comes to gearing up for IT certification exams, savvy IT pros already know there are two primary avenues to achieving a proper state of “exam readiness.” The first path is often called self-study and consists of reading and practicing more or less on one’s own. Experienced IT pros also know they will be well-served by joining a study group that focuses on the topics, tools and technologies included in their upcoming certification exam. The second path involves turning to a reputable and reliable source for training. This can come in the form of instructor-led training (ILT) in a physical classroom, virtual ILT that brings students together with an instructor online, or video- or web-based training materials that don’t involve a live instructor, but which may provide access to an experienced mentor to help with questions, issues or concerns.
Low budget? Choose self-study
A solid self-study approach involves finding the best training materials to prepare for your exams (for a good discussion on how to find those kinds of materials, see the three questions to ask before purchasing them). I recommend acquiring one or two full-length study guides (at an average price of $50 each, that’s $50-$100 to start), an Exam Cram (or similar short, focused prep book, at an average price of $30, for a running total of $80-$130 so far), and two sets of practice exams (at an average price of $65 each, that adds $130 to the running total, which is now at $210-$260).
Hand-on practice
For topics that require hands-on practice, you’ll have to decide between a virtual lab, where you’ll normally buy time in blocks of 20-25 hours for anywhere from $2-$5 an hour (for a running total of $250-$385), or you can invest in a powerful PC with 16 GB of RAM or better and build your own virtual lab at home. I won’t put a price tag on the latter because costs are all over the place and many readers will already have such gear at their disposal. If you take this route, expect to spend at least $400 a year on software subscriptions to obtain the necessary licenses. Even so, keeping costs under $400 per exam is about as cheap as IT certification preparation gets, and this probably explains why over half of all certification candidates usually take this route to earning certs (but remember, for some certifications, such as those from VMware and Oracle, specific training is often mandatory).
Factoring in exam costs
For budgeting purposes, don’t forget to figure in the cost of the certification exams you must take to earn the credential you’re working towards. For example, the brand-new Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA), which typically requires two or three exams at $150 each, would increase overall costs by $300-$450, plus the exam prep costs for each exam at between $250-$400 apiece. Even so, this represents an outstanding value for most IT professionals.
This is the route chosen most often when certification candidates must pay all or part of their own way.
Get top of the line education with formal training
For some programs (again, such as VMware and many Oracle certs), training is not an option; instead, it is a mandatory part of the IT certification process. The average cost per classroom day is around $500 for these programs and the usual length of the cert exam classes ranges from 3-5 days. Do the math: Classroom training (or its online equivalents, which may be slightly cheaper from some training providers) costs real money.
The value in training
But there is considerable value to be had for the greater expenses involved in attending such training:
- Unfettered access to knowledgeable and helpful experts during classes and labs
- Well-equipped and well–appointed labs where students can practice skills they must learn and master common tasks they’ll encounter on cert exams
- The same study materials that students would have to buy for themselves if they took the self-study route would be provided by the training provider
At several points in my own career, I’ve been lucky enough to attend some excellent classes taught by real experts in several different cert programs. Each time I’ve finished a class, I’ve always marveled at how much great information the instructor was able to convey. For those who can afford it or who are willing to shoulder the expense, nothing beats a good class from a great instructor. To do that, you must identify a great training company and then make sure you get the chance to work with its very best classroom staff. TrainSignal makes that easy with its best-of-breed online training materials, which it now offers for $49 per month, making it a more affordable alternative to classroom training. The subscription includes access to all of its training courses and practice exams. For more information on what’s involved in finding the best training, check out my new guide to preparing for IT certs and an article I wrote entitled “Pros and Cons of Classroom and Online Training for Certification Prep.
The bottom line is that self-study works but takes more time and usually involves more effort than a blend of training and self-study materials. Analyze your needs thoroughly and set your budget carefully. If there’s room in your wallet for a class of some kind, whether in person or online, you will probably find that it provides a pleasant and positive learning experience and will help you feel more at ease when the time comes to make your way to an exam center.
Studying for a cert exam? Get Ed’s Ultimate Guide to Preparing for IT Certifications, with more info on selecting the right materials, studying tips and what to expect on exam day.