Questions to ask about a good MCSE boot camp.

• First and foremost, how long has this company been in business doing accelerated format training?
• How long have the instructors been training and what cross-platforms do they know?
• How long have the instructors been training in boot-camp format?
• Do the instructors also work as industry consultants, and how often do they practice what they preach?
• Are there prerequisites to my attendance?
• Does this company guarantee I'll pass? Warning, Will Robinson, danger!! This is a fatal sign. Look for a guarantee on the training, certainly, but no one can predict you will pass unless they are telling you the answers to the tests.
• How long will I spend in the class with the instructor?
• Will I have as much access to the lab as I need?
• What materials do you use and are they recommended by the company I am training toward certification for?
• Is this training company accredited with Microsoft, Novell or Cisco?
• What are the practice test materials? Are they reputable?
• What restrictions are on the lab hours?
• Am I staying in one place while I'm training, or is the lab in a different location?
• Is the environment I will be in controlled to my benefit? Hotels are fine, but is the room away from the general populace? Is there a 24-hour hold on the training room? Bars, crowded dining rooms, crowded hallways, access to TV and movies that will distract you are all saboteurs.
• Is there immediate access to administration staff?
• Will I be testing in the same facility?
• Does the price of attendance include materials, tests, meals and accommodations? What's not included?
• What about retakes if I fail my exams? (Warning: If they let you retake more than once, they are probably in violation of any contracts they might hold with both training programs and test-delivery companies.)
• Although most very reputable training companies doing boot camps advertise a high pass rate, don't be too concerned about them. What you want to know is if their students have learned enough information to administer their skills. Get references! If they are as good as they say, the company you are looking for should be thrilled to give you a list of their past students to call for a reference.