At the top of your shopping list for a training program should be proper direct-access 24x7 support from expert mentors and instructors. It's an all too common story to find providers that only provide support to you inside of office hours (typically 9am-6pm) and sometimes a little earlier or later (but not weekends usually). some companies only provide email support (slow), and so-called telephone support is normally just routed to a call-centre which will take the information and email an instructor - who will call back over the next day or so (assuming you're there), when it's convenient to them. This isn't a lot of good if you're lost and confused and only have certain times available in which to do your studies.

The best trainers utilise several support facilities across multiple time-zones. Online access provides the interactive interface to seamlessly link them all, irrespective of the time you login, help is just seconds away, without any contact issues or hassle. Never make the mistake of compromise when you're looking for the right support service. The majority of IT hopefuls that drop-out or fail, would have had a different experience if they'd got the right support package in the first place.

Only consider study programmes which grow into commercially recognised certifications. There are far too many small companies suggesting minor 'in-house' certificates which are worthless in today's commercial market. From the viewpoint of an employer, only top businesses like Microsoft, Cisco, Adobe or CompTIA (as an example) really carry any commercial clout. Anything less just doesn't cut the mustard.

The 2 examinations are 640/802, & they are split like this - The 'CCENT' ('Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician') examination - also called the 'ICND1' ('Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices Part 1' - 640/822) examination, & the ICND2 (640/816) examination. It might seem very difficult to understand, yet basically the accreditation is best tackled as a packaged examination - the 'CCNA' 640-802. This specific path would greatly benefit from being partnered with the 'CompTIA A+' and N+ qualifications, because they provide all the necessary grounding before having a go at the more specialised Cisco-specific examinations. Anticipate putting in close to 400-500 hours of study time (approx 1 year part time) to finish a track of this nature. Much like all technical training programs, 24/7 direct access student-support needs to be offered to let you study and ask questions whenever you need to. Include comprehensive multi-media tutorial materials, & a highly effective exam-preparation strategy and you will be geared up for success.

Always expect the most up to date Microsoft (or Cisco, CompTIA etc.) authorised exam preparation packages. Ensure that the mock exams aren't just asking you the right questions from the right areas, but ask them in the way the real exams will ask them. This throws people if the phraseology and format is completely different. It's a good idea to ask for testing modules so you can test your knowledge at any point. Practice or 'mock' exams will help to boost your attitude - then you won't be quite so nervous at the actual exam.

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