10 ways to up your study game
TRANSCRIPT
Studying for an IT certification exam?
Here are 10 tips to boost your study game.
Set a due date.
Schedule the exam before you start studying. Nothing will motivate you like a deadline.
Downloadexam
objectives.
Exam objectives will give you an invaluable outline to work with; the ultimate study checklist.
Leverage your support
network.
As you make time to study, talk to anyone directly affected by your goals. It will help you a lot with accountability and time management.
Name a place & time.
Setting a time and place to study is vital. Put it on your calendar and let everyone in your life know you need this uninterrupted time to yourself.
Get social.
In the world of social media there are numerous groups and communities that can help you learn, as well as feel less isolated.
A few quick resources...• Reddit has its own Cisco CCNA section
• Google+ features IT communities
• LinkedIn facilitates various IT certification study groups
Hit the books.
Most exams have associated training books (some even authored by CBT Nuggets trainers). Study guides are a great way to supplement your training.
Take notes.
The act of writing notes can help ingrain concepts into your memory. Later on, type your notes with additional structure and detail.
Make flashcards.
Base them on vocabulary, workflows, concepts, exam objectives; basically anything you need to memorize.
More flashcard options...• Transcender has a free iOS app that covers CompTIA’s A+ and vaious Cisco exams.
• CBT Nuggets’ Anthony Sequiera has a set available for CompTIA’s Network+ exam.
Get hands-on training.
One of the best ways to gain experience is to learn by doing. Setting up a home lab or using a virtual environment can help immensely.
Where to start?• A handful CBT Nuggets courses have associated virtual labs.
• GNS3 and Cisco VIRL are two platforms that simulate network environments.
Take practice exams.
Practice exams are a great way to measure your progress and identify areas that need reinforced.
Practice makes perfect.• CBT Nuggets offers a large variety of Transcender practice exams.
• Vendor websites may provide practice exams or sample questions.
