Certifications increases your chances to get hired in a particular job role. If you are a nervous test taker like most people, these certification cracking tips are designed to help you ace your exam. No matter what the industry is, if you are taking Amazon Web Services (AWS), Azure, Salesforce, PMP  or any certification out there, these tips will help you with your exam preparation.

1. Study the course outline.

There is no doubt that studying for the certification exam is important, but it’s also important to make sure you are studying the material thoroughly and completely. Make sure you are familiar with all of the topics covered in the certification exam. Almost all certifications have their prerequisites, study materials, exam objectives, that should be read, understood and practiced. For example, check out these official pages for AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate, Google Cloud Certified Professional Data Engineer), Azure Admin Certification Exam.

Learning style differs from person to person. Either you can take a video course from online training platforms like Udemy, ReviewNPrep, Coursera or take an instructor-led training (in-person/virtual) from platforms that offer them.

You can also check out preparation journeys from experts who have already passed their certification. 

2. Take practice exams as often as possible.

Practice, practice, practice! Taking practice exams as often as possible is one of the best ways to prepare for your certification exam. By taking practice questions, you can assess your knowledge of the material and identify any areas where you need more practice.

Additionally, in some cases by taking practice exams outside of the context of the actual certification exam, you can increase your chances of success. For example, if you are preparing for Scrum Master Certification, it is not a bad idea to practice Scrum Developer Certification exam questions.

3. Make a study schedule and stick with it.

Having a consistent study time will help you stay focused and avoid feeling overwhelmed by the material. Experts say it takes 20 days to establish a habit. If you can study diligently for 3 weeks, you are more likely to continue with the plan and increases your chances to succeed drastically. The more time you spend preparing, the better your chances of success on test day. Also, setting realistic goals during preparation phase will help you stay on track.

4. Get organized.

Besides sticking with a good, well lit study space, it is also important to get organized digitally. The more organized you are, the easier it will be to find what you need when studying. Based on the certification exam blueprints, create folders for each exam topics, and store all your materials in them. This will also make studying more comfortable since everything will be in one place.

5. Have a study buddy or a group. 

Find someone who can help you study effectively and who understands the material. Ask a family member, friend, or colleague to help you study for your certification exam. They will be able to provide constructive feedback and help you stay on track. There are many forums you can join to stay motivated and on-track. 

6. Flashcards help you memorize.

Use flashcards or other study tools to aid in retention of the information you’re learning. You can either create a digital flashcard or the old school flashcards using pen and paper. 

Create unlimited flashcards on ReviewNPrep and share with others.

Free Flashcards App.

7. Multiple choice questions hack.

If your exam format is multiple choice questions, you can increase the probability of marking the correct answer. If your certification exam doesn’t penalize you for an incorrect answer, use the process of elimination, for any question you aren’t sure of. Eliminate choices that are out right wrong and go with your gut feeling for the remaining choices. 

8. Allow yourself time to review and reflect on what you have learned.

It is important to allow yourself time to review and reflect on what you have learned in order to best prepare for your certification exam. This will help you to better understand the material, identify any gaps in your knowledge, and focus your study efforts.

Additionally, taking some time to reflect on the material will also help you develop a greater understanding of why certain concepts are important and how they relate to each other. 

9. Skip questions as needed and keep track of time.

Stay focused during the exam by avoiding distractions and focusing on each question individually. Make sure you have an eye out to keep track of the clock. Based on the number of questions, do not spend more time on one single question. If the software allows to bookmark the question for later, make use of it and move on. Revisit these before you click the submit button. 

10. Get plenty of rest and exercise.

A tired mind is not as capable of performing at its best. Make sure to avoid cramming the night before the exam and try to schedule some time for relaxation during the week leading up to it. If you are going to the testing center, make sure you arrive 15mins before the scheduled exam time.

You passed, now what?

Congrats on your hard work! It’s time to rejoice and raise a toast. You can leave your preparation journey on ReviewNPrep and get paid for doing so. Your exam experience and tips will help others. 

Conclusion

A professional certification is an indicator to your boss, coworkers, and future employers that you posses a certain skillset, and that you’re ready to put in the hard work it takes to prepare for an exam. Remember that there is no substitute for hands-on experience, so make the maximum out of your certification exam content 

Always keep a positive attitude during all the phases of your preparation. Stay calm and focused during the exam session. Remember that success in any endeavor requires hard work, dedication, and perseverance – just like in any other area of your life!

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Further Reading: How to start a career in cloud

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