When reviewing the test blueprint, identify which areas are your strengths and weaknesses. Build a personal study plan. Establish learning objectives based on your assessment in step one. You may want to concentrate more on the content areas that you are least familiar with, or study each area in relation to its weight on the examination. Create a study schedule.
Most candidates allow several months to prepare for a certification examination.
Develop a study schedule to meet your learning objectives and allocate time to review each of the examination content areas. Remember to include time for review courses or seminars if you plan to attend them, and to obtain review materials. Don't leave all your preparation for one long study session the night before the test. Choose your study methods. There are a variety of methods to consider, such as individual study, pairing with a study partner, group study, participating in a review course, using computer assisted instruction, attending seminars or in-service programs, taking the OCN , or AOCN , Practice Tests, etc.