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IT Certification Self Study

One question I hear quite often is do I need formal/classroom training to be able to get an IT certification? This is asked for many different qualifications from the A+ or MCDST exams up to the MCSE, CCNA and beyond.

The first question I ask back is what experience do you have?

IT certification should not be considered as a sole means to learn a new skill but as a way to validate an existing skill set and to give you the credentials to prove your experience in a particular technology. By this I mean that if you want for example to achieve the MCSE qualification, it should not be gained by simply sitting in a classroom and memorising details. It should be earned through experience in a production environment which then may be topped up with additional learning.

Those with experience who do want to get certified have the option of a formal training program or self study.

The choice can depend on the individuals learning style, and also their existing knowledge. Self study has the obvious benefit of being substantially cheaper than a training course. Some courses can cost thousands whereas if you are disciplined enough you can study from a book for a small fraction of the cost.

When deciding on the material you want to use for yourself study it is also worth looking at the practice tests that are available as these can be invaluable in gauging your readiness for an exam.

Some people require the discipline of a structured training course to help them learn effectively, but self study is definitely the best choice for many as it is by far the cheapest option and can offer the most flexibility for those who can do it properly.