Microsoft certification exams can be extremely challenging to pass. Study material is often very dense and difficult to make sense of. Study guides are not always available either, which can be discouraging when you need a little extra help understanding something.
Exam questions can also be complex, with tricky wording and a variety of possible answers.
Fortunately, even though it requires time and effort, obtaining a Microsoft certificate is far from impossible.
This blog post will talk about how to prepare for a Microsoft certification exam and give you some tips on what works best, regardless of which exam you are studying for.
If you think you might need expert help to pass your Microsoft certification? MyComputerCareer is ready to assist you with their specially designed certification programs!
The Exam Scope
First things first, you should know what you need to know. You have to figure out the scope of the exam to narrow down the study material to only what is required. You may also need to purchase or order study guides and practice questions.
To make things easier for their candidates, Microsoft provides description pages for every exam. You can find the description page by searching for “exam name” on Microsoft’s website. Study these carefully and determine what skills are required to pass the exam before learning too much of any subject.
There are also official practice tests you can take advantage of. Microsoft has a specific online platform for its certification exams. Here, you can find practice tests, exam tips and study advice, online courses with live mentoring from experts in the field, discussion boards to ask questions of your peers, blogs on topics related to IT certifications, and more.
After going through all this, you should have a better idea about how to get started studying for your certification exam!
Self-Study or Instructor-Led Training
Once you get a good idea of what you need to learn to pass your Microsoft certification exam, you’ll want to decide between self-study or certified instructor-led courses. If you’re new to IT certifications and have never taken a course on anything related before, it would be best if you start off with some formal instruction from an expert in the field.
You can choose between a range of online or in-person training programs.
Some benefits of instructor-led courses are:
- Formal instruction from IT professionals who know what they’re talking about
- Study materials and instructional labs
- One-on-one time with an instructor to answer any questions you may have
If, on the other hand, you feel like you can tackle this on your own, then a self-study route may be more suitable. The study material for IT certifications can be found online, and the key to success is understanding how to use your chosen exam resources effectively.
Some benefits of self-study are:
- Easy accessibility when there’s no class available in your area
- Cost savings if the course is too expensive for your budget
- No need for a class to start and stop at the same time as your work schedule
Keep in mind that, in this case, study materials are not tailored to you, so they may be too difficult or too easy. You will have no one on hand to answer questions you might have that aren’t in the study material.
Taking Notes
Regardless of which method of learning you go for, one of the most important things you can do for yourself is take notes. You can do this the traditional way by using a pen and paper or taking notes on your computer. Either way, your brain will be grateful for the assistance.
Whenever you run into a technical detail in your study material – especially a detail you are unfamiliar with – it’s always a good idea to jot it down in your notes. A technical detail can be anything – registry settings, configuration settings, command-line options, code solutions, or any other that you might find in your resources.
Note-taking will not only help you stay organized and focused, but it will also help you pick up on things that might seem confusing or complex. It will help you revise for the exam and more easily remember what you learned.
Practice Makes Perfect
Two types of practice are crucial here: technical practice and exam practice.
Technical or technology practice involves setting up a lab environment and practicing the technologies on the exam, such as different operating systems, virtual networks, etc. This may not always be feasible for everyone, but those who can do this should try. Setting up a lab environment is also helpful for practicing and experimenting with features you may be unfamiliar with or uncertain about.
Exam practice involves taking timed practice exams, either ones created by you or pre-created materials from other sources.
Knowing how to work the test is every bit as important as knowing the content. This includes working through a test quickly and understanding how each question is formatted and what type of information it will ask for (or not).
If you are in a position where you can’t practice on your own, then find someone else who has taken this exam or at least study materials that include real questions from previous exams. They will help you work through the test and give you tips on how best to answer.
You may not always pass your Microsoft certification exam on the first try, and by taking practice exams you can identify your weak points and adjust your study plan.
Various training programs, such as ones offered by MyComputerCareer, include practice tests. These are valuable to help you figure out what areas you need more study and where your strengths lie.
Conclusion
It is no secret that Microsoft exams are rigorous and complex. The best way pass your Microsoft certification is by preparing early, practicing whenever possible, and finding the suitable study material that will work with your schedule.
Find out what will be covered on the exam. Decide whether you want to study on your own or in a group setting.
Study the material. Study some more. Practice with practice tests and take notes during your studies to help you remember key points, essential terms or acronyms, formulas, and so on.
When it comes time for the exam itself, make sure that you are prepared mentally by not cramming the day before. Don’t get too stressed out about any one question. If you have no clue about an answer – guess! Maybe you get lucky on that one.
Above all else, don’t hesitate to contact MyComputerCareer if you have any questions or need assistance in your certificate preparations. We are looking forward to hearing from you soon!