Totally Free Certification Training

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D.I.Y. Quizzes

To make a practice quiz you can carry in your pocket, purchase a deck of 3 x 5 index cards (or if you're really frugal, cut up paper into pieces of the same size). On one side of a card write the question, on the other, the answer. Create a set for each sub-topic you are studying, and carry a selection of them with you. Then, when you're standing in line at the grocery store while someone ahead of you cashes in fifty coupons, you can whip out your cards and brush up on the OSI model instead of stressing out.

If you spend a lot of time commuting each day, self-quizzing via cassette tape is a great alternative. To make the quiz, simply record a question, allow a pause of several seconds to a minute, and then record the answer, and repeat. When you listen to the tape on your way to or from work, try to answer each question before the tape does. Because you're recording voice and not music, very cheap, low quality tapes will do the job just fine.

Should You Beta?

There are several ways you can cut your exam costs. The first is to take beta exams. Beta exams are like beta software - pre release versions of the final product. Certification vendors often offer them for a limited time at no charge, or at a reduced cost. Most vendors offer beta opportunities to any interested party. Microsoft broke from that policy last year when it began offering beta exams by invitation only, but they are the only ones to do so thus far.

Beta exams differ from the final versions in several important ways. First, they usually are substantially longer. Because the exams are being used in part to test the validity of individual questions, test-takers will have to face a lot more test items than in a standard exam. Beta exams have been known to last for as long as four hours.

The second crucial difference is in scoring. You will not walk out of the testing center with a score report in hand. In fact, you won't know if you passed or failed for some time, even months! Even though it's for a good reason - the passing score hasn't been determined at the time you take the exam - the wait is very tedious. So as you can see, taking beta exams to save money comes with substantial drawbacks, though some certification candidates may find the savings worth the inconvenience.

Another way to cut exam costs is to take exams at an event you are attending. Vendors have been known to conduct free or reduced cost testing at technical expos and tradeshows, or to pass out exam discount certificates there.

Training generally costs more than testing. Fortunately, training also brings us the most low-cost/no cost alternatives. If you want to get certified with minimal cash outlay, take advantage of these freebies, or convince your employer to foot the bill.

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