I have seen a flurry of people taking Microsoft certification training in the last few months. I myself have been on some as well.

It is hard enough to go and do the courses and then find the time to study and do the certification exams. One thing that makes it easier is the opportunity to do the exam a second time for no cost, just in case you do not quite cross the line.

Microsoft calls this the Second Shot Offer. This offer has been around for a while in one form or another. Take note though, you only have a limited time left to take advantage of this opportunity.

The second shot offer officially ends on the 30 June 2009.

It is unlikely that the offer extended or re-introduced given the current economic downturn.

So get active and schedule your exams now.

Three ways that you can get ready for your certification exams:

1. Get as much practice on the actual products as you can – Microsoft virtual labs are a good way to do this if you cannot run up your own virtual machines.
2. review the certification exam criteria and weightings
3. relax and take a real interest in what your doing – get into the inner workings of the products and don’t just settle for overly thin certification guides.

All the best.