Finding time to study for certification exams can be challenging, especially when you’re working full-time. And if you’re studying alone, it can be tough to know if you’re getting as much prep as you need. One solution that can make those study sessions a little easier: try forming a study group. By studying with others, you can hold yourself accountable to meeting regularly, benefit from others’ knowledge and experience, and hopefully, make doing the work a little more fun.
Where to start
Study groups can really benefit your test prep—so how do you create one, or find one that fits your needs? There are tons of resources and options available that can help you find the right group to fit your needs.
Tip #1
Start by leveraging the VMware Community, where you can search discussions for study group requests, or post your own. If you find you don’t have time for a study group or just need some answers, you can also make use of the VMware community for support. You can find study guides, study tips, and general advice from users who have been through the testing process before. If you don’t see what you’re looking for, just ask – the Community is full of members who have a lot of knowledge that they’re willing (and excited!) to share.
Tip #2
For even more options, turn to social media. Not only can you find other like-minded students, but you can often discover entire communities dedicated to exam prep, which feature tools, resources, and, study groups. Try starting with these resources:
- #vBrownBag, a series of online webinars covering various Virtualization & VMware Certification topics
- VCAP-DCD Study Group on Google+
- VCAP-DCD Exam Simulator
There are many other options out there, so be sure to search often to see what’s available. And don’t forget our own VMware Education and Certification Blog archives—Travis Woods’ tips on preparing for an exam are especially helpful.
Tip #3
Lastly, decide if it’s better for your group to meet in-person, or online – there are plenty of resources to help you do both. If you’re meeting in-person, vHipster has some great tips for running a study group. And if you decide online works better, you have a wealth of platforms to choose from, whether you want a live/video experience or a formal group with categorized discussions: think WebEx, Skype, LinkedIn Groups, or even Twitter for a quick back-and-forth.
With so many resources at your disposal, it should be easy to find the right study group that works for you—as well as some great study materials. Still have questions? Or want to share resources of your own? Feel free to post them in the comments below.
