5 Signs You’re Ready for Your IT Certification Exam

Feeling prepared is one thing; being prepared is another. Some IT pros breeze through certification without breaking a sweat, while others never feel ready.

There's no single way to know when you're ready for an exam. It will vary not just by person but also by certification. For a seasoned pro, a mid-tier certification might feel like a breeze even without prepping. But if you're here, there's a good chance you want concrete signs. 

So here's the good news: there are five signs you're ready to tackle your IT certification test. If you can say yes to at least four, it might be time to book your exam. 

1. You've Earned All the Validated Minutes

It's not enough to watch a CBT Nuggets course. You should aim to earn every validated minute as well. Most courses have in-video quizzes that test your knowledge of key topics. Learners earn validated minutes by correctly answering these quiz questions. 

Developed by the trainers, questions often draw on the course objectives to help you retain information. Research shows that it's easier to absorb and maintain information in small, discrete chunks rather than all at once. There's a reason course videos are less than five minutes long. 

One video covers one idea, and each idea builds on the previous one. Validated minutes continue that process by requiring you to recall the information you learned in the last 60 to 90 seconds of viewing.

In sum, validated minutes put your brain in an active learning state. You're awarded points that are visible to your team and even the global leaderboard.

2. You're Able to Pass the Practice Exam, Repeatedly 

Practice exams are crucial for exam success, and not just at the end. 

Before you start studying, take the practice exam. While it seems counterintuitive, by starting with a practice exam, you can manage your time wisely. CBT Nuggets practice exams are derived from course objectives. While it might not be apparent when you're taking the practice exam, you'll see the benefit when you've completed a practice exam.

The results are broken out by course objective. From that report, you can focus on and prioritize your trouble areas and skip or skim the topics you know.

If you pass the practice exams as you conclude your study plan, you'll know you're ready for the real thing.

3. You've Built a Lab and Feel Proficient

Two types of labs are common to IT certifications: home labs and virtual labs.

Home labs consist of physical hardware. They're associated with CCNA and CCNP R&S, CCNP Collaboration, and cybersecurity certifications. More often than not, home labs will be at home. (You can build one for a few hundred dollars.) Maybe it's an old rack at work. In any case, they are invaluable study tools for hands-on certifications.

CBT Nuggets provides virtual labs for select courses, including Oracle Database SQL Certified Associate (1Z0-071), CompTIA CySA+, and VMware Certified Professional - Data Center Virtualization. For each course, CBT Nuggets trainers set up virtual lab environments to demonstrate the concepts that support the course objectives.

Unlike practice exams, which grade your work, virtual labs are much more subjective. You'll have to work toward proficiency rather than a grade. The best indicator will be whether or not you can perform the tasks by yourself—and if so, you're likely ready. 

4. You've Reviewed The Entire Course. Again.

Once you've completed the course and earned all the validated minutes, review it one more time. There are two reasons for this: functional and psychological.

First, the material in CBT Nuggets courses progresses from basic to advanced topics. If you're at the end of a 12-week study plan, it's been a month or more since learning the basics. By watching through the course again, you're refreshing early concepts while contextualizing the more advanced topics you just finished.

During your final review, you don't have to take notes. You don't even have to pay that close of attention. By watching the course again, you're giving your study plan a sense of finality.

Second, reviewing the material again provides a sense of finality in your studies. These psychological factors should not be underestimated when studying for an exam. Feeling ready is as important as being prepared for your exam.

5. You Start Finding Better Ways to Do Things

Studying for an IT exam is about earning the certification. Those certifications are designed to validate the knowledge you've acquired, not teach you how to do your job better. However, the things you learn will eventually seep into your job responsibilities.

When studying for an exam, you're learning basics and best practices. Often, you'll find shortcuts in your daily work. You're ready for the exam once you start finding better ways to accomplish tasks at work. Using your new knowledge means you've learned the material.

Ready to Start Studying for Your Next IT Certification? 

Even if you're not a CBT Nuggets subscriber, you can still recognize the signs that you're ready for your exam. The same principles apply if you're going through one of the certification guides or using another online video training platform.

If you're building a study plan, sticking with it, and feeling good about the material, chances are you'll pass your next IT certification exam.

Good luck.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do I Know If I've Studied Enough for My IT Certification Exam?

If you're consistently passing practice tests, can explain concepts without referencing your notes, have built a lab, and feel confident tackling unfamiliar questions, you're likely ready. No one feels 100% prepared, but strong fundamentals and steady practice scores are a good sign that it's time to schedule your exam.

What Should I Do the Night Before My IT Certification Exam?

Skip the cramming. Review your notes briefly, gather your materials, and go to bed at a reasonable hour. Rest is more valuable than last-minute studying. A clear, rested mind performs better than an exhausted one running on caffeine and anxiety.

How Many IT Practice Tests Should I Take Before I'm Ready?

Take enough practice tests to see consistent, passing scores—not just one good run. Most learners feel confident after 3 to 5 full practice exams. If your scores are improving steadily and plateauing near or above passing, you're in good shape.

What Happens If I Fail My IT Certification Exam?

It happens to the best of us, and it's not the end of the road. Most vendors allow retakes after a waiting period. Use your results to identify weak areas, adjust your study plan, and try again. Many certified professionals failed at least once before passing.