How to pick an IT certification and pass the exam
Updated
A certification can open doors, but only if it matches where you want to go and you prepare in a way that sticks. This guide covers how to choose the right exam, how to study for it, and how to use practice questions without falling into the trap of memorising answers.
How to choose the right IT certification
Pick the certification for the job you want, not for the badge. Open five to ten job listings for the role you are aiming at and note which certifications they name. The ones that appear again and again are the ones employers recognise.
Match the level to your experience
- Fundamentals exams need no experience. They teach the vocabulary of a platform and are a good first step, for example AZ-900 (Microsoft Azure Fundamentals) or CLF-C02 (AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner).
- Associate exams test the skills of a hands-on role, for example AZ-104 (Azure Administrator) or SAA-C03 (AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate).
- Professional and expert exams cover design and architecture and assume real experience, for example AZ-305 (Designing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions).
Think in paths, not single exams
Most vendors offer a path: Azure AZ-900, then AZ-104, then AZ-305; AWS CLF-C02, then SAA-C03; CompTIA Network+ (N10-009) before Security+ (SY0-701). Choose the next step on your path rather than the hardest exam you can find.
Check validity and renewal
Many certifications expire. Before you invest the time, check how long yours stays valid and what renewing involves.
Start with the official exam outline
Every vendor publishes an outline of the skills an exam measures, usually with the share of the exam each area makes up. Treat it as your checklist. If an area is worth 30% of the exam, it deserves roughly 30% of your study time. You will also see right away which topics you already know and which are new.
Build a study plan you can keep
- Book the exam date. A date turns “some day” into a deadline. Pick one you can realistically meet.
- Split the outline into weekly blocks, weighted by the percentages in the outline.
- Study in short, regular sessions. Forty-five focused minutes a day beats one long weekend of cramming.
- Leave the last week for review, not for new material.
How to use practice questions to pass
Practice questions are the fastest way to find out what you do not know yet. They only work if you use them to learn, not to collect scores.
- Learn a topic first, then test yourself on it.
- Decide on an answer before you look. Then check it and read the explanation, even when you were right.
- Keep a short list of the topics you got wrong and return to them a few days later.
- Take at least one timed practice exam, so the pace of the real exam is not a surprise.
- If you start recognising answers by their position instead of by reasoning, move on to new questions or a different topic.
On ExamCup you can check each answer and read its explanation, see how other learners answered, flag questions and keep private notes, filter by topic and take a timed practice exam. Browse the exams to start with the free questions.
Get hands-on
Exams increasingly test whether you can choose the right approach in a realistic situation, and that is easier if you have actually done the work. Use the free tiers and sandboxes most vendors provide, and follow the official learning paths, such as Microsoft Learn for Azure and AWS Skill Builder for AWS. Even a few hours of building something small makes the concepts stick.
Exam day tips
- Read the rules of the testing provider ahead of time, especially for online proctored exams (ID, room and equipment).
- Read every question twice. Words such as “most cost-effective” or “least effort” decide the answer.
- Cross out options you know are wrong first, then choose between what is left.
- Flag questions you are unsure about, move on, and return to them with the time you have left.
- Sleep well the night before. Last-minute cramming helps less than a clear head.
Why to avoid exam dumps
“Dumps” are leaked or copied exam questions. They are tempting, but they are a bad deal. Using them breaks the agreement you accept when you book an exam, and vendors can cancel a result or ban a candidate. They also teach you to recall answers, not to solve problems, and the questions are often out of date. Study the outline, practise with original questions and explanations, and you will understand the material and keep your certification.
Frequently asked questions
Which IT certification should I get first?
If you are new to IT or to a platform, start with a fundamentals exam such as AZ-900 for Azure or CLF-C02 for AWS. They teach the vocabulary and show whether the platform suits you. Then move on to an associate-level, role-based exam.
How long does it take to prepare for a certification exam?
It depends on the exam and on your experience. Fundamentals exams often take a few weeks of regular study, while associate and professional exams usually take longer. Use the official skills outline to estimate how much you still need to learn, then set an exam date you can keep.
Are practice questions enough to pass?
Practice questions are best for finding gaps and getting used to the exam style. They work alongside learning the material: read the official documentation or take a course first, then use questions to test yourself.
What should I do if I fail the exam?
Check the score report to see which areas were weakest, review them, and read the exam vendor's retake policy, which says how long you must wait before trying again. Then focus your next round of study on those weak areas.
Are exam dumps worth it?
No. Dumps are leaked or copied exam questions. Using them breaks the exam rules, can lead to a ban or a cancelled result, and teaches you to memorise answers instead of understanding the topic.
Ready to practise?
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