The IT Trench Warfare Blog ...Tips, Tricks, & References to Simplify your life in the IT Trenches

I've read the book...twice and sat through the class and took tons of notes. I really did learn a lot, and my practice test scores underscore that.

But.......there's always a but. I seem to have hit a wall and just can't get past that magic 90% number.

So the $64000.00 Question* is: How can I get over that hump?

So this week I'll share a few of my tips for studying. Trainers are constantly learning new technologies, strategies, and techniques. I know, you thought we already knew everything about everything, But that's just a few of our kind and we try to ignore them. But, since we are always learning we have developed some pretty effective study habits. So, on with the tips already!!

• As you are reading, you will encounter terminology and technologies that you feel like you just don't know cold. And by cold, I mean you could explain it to someone else in non-technical terms....That's knowing it COLD. When I encounter them, I start a list. I get a notepad and add these terms, protocols, technologies, etc. to my list. And then when I finish a chapter or section, I get out my list and start working it. I start with the glossary, and then Google, and even the Wikipedia. Usually as I grab more information, it leads to more links and more questions. You must follow the whole trail. Only when you understand the subject completely and how it relates to the rest of the material, can you move on to the next item on your list. Many times you will find that a number or the items on your list will be related and that working the list in this way will really cement your understanding.
• Don't be afraid to work the book backwards. Not literally of course, but the idea here is simple. Just because the authors and editor assembled the material in one specific order does not mean that other sequencing for the material might be wrong. On the contrary, it just might help you make more sense of the material. Everybody learns differently and associates concepts differently, so fudging the order of material a little is fine. Now don't think that's a license to jump to advanced topics without covering the fundamentals just because they're boring. It will be obvious that some sections build upon previous sections and you should be logical about your restructuring of the material.
• Create a focused study plan. After you do your general study of all of the material, you need to identify and focus on your weak areas of knowledge. Practice tests are a great tool not only for Cert Prep but also knowledge and skill acquisition as well. The practice test will assess your knowledge of each part of the material and show you where you are struggling to convert study to knowledge. Once you know where you are weak, the next trick is to come up with a plan to address that weakness. The plan should focus very narrowly on the area of weakness and play to your strengths as a learner (i.e. if you are a tactile or hands-on learner, then the plan should include lots of hands-on or simulation activities designed to reiterate the conceptual and skills based elements of that area).

That's it for now...look for more tips soon and some test taking tips as well.

*Lame refence to antiquated TV game show