Training Toolkit

The Web's 10 best IT certification sites, Part Three

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Published: 08 Apr 2002 15:55 BST

3. CertCities

CertCities claims to be the Ultimate Site for Certified IT Professionals, and it definitely comes close. The site offers a clean look, timely news articles, book reviews, salary surveys, links to other certification sites, newsletters, and exam reviews. CertCities also offers forums, sponsors chats, and provides conference information. Another 101communications-powered Web portal, CertCities covers a wide range of certifications, including Microsoft, Cisco, A+, Network+, and Oracle.

However, CertCities isn't my first choice for certification information. When it comes down to the nitty-gritty, I prefer sites that offer grassroots information about what's on an exam and how you can best study for it. Thus, while you should probably drop by CertCities at least once a week, I think I've found a couple of sites on the Net that can better prepare you.

2. CertTutor

It should come as no surprise that CertTutor earns runner-up accolades. You'll find the most active certification forums here, as well as articles covering certification topics. Yes, there's a newsletter. There are also certification-related polls, sample exams, and book reviews. There's even some peace of mind knowing the site is a member of the trusted Windows 2000 & .Net Magazine Network.

But what really accounts for CertTutor landing in the number two spot are its robust certification forums. There are tons of threads, and more important, tons of folks responding to those threads. If you have a question about certification materials, recent announcements, a particular exam, or a question you haven't figured out but must before you take your exam, hit this site's forums. You'll be glad you did.

1. CramSession

I don't like the colour purple, and I recently received a CramSession Byte Back News item (a collection of top 10 lists promoting content that was far from politically correct) penned by A. J. Axline that should never have been sent. Still, CramSession offers some of the best forums and study guides to be found on the Net.

CramSession's study guides are outstanding. They set the bar. Plus, they're available for Microsoft, Cisco, CompTIA, Novell, Lotus, and other vendors' exams. And they're free. All you need to do is register.

The StudyGuides feature alone earns CramSession a spot in the top 10 list. The fact that you can subscribe to CramChallenge newsletters that deliver an exam question a day to your inbox, visit popular forums, find study tips, and read product reviews helps vault the site into the number one spot. The site's SkillDrill feature, which allows you to take 45-question exams similar to real-world vendor tests, helps ensure that CramSession retains the number one spot.

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