Check Out Pearson’s CertFlashCardsOnline Offerings

Pearson Publishing is the parent company for Cisco Press, InformIT.com, and Que (the publisher of Exam Cram and Exam Prep titles, for which I was series editor until January 1, 2006). They are currently offering a free flash card pack to anybody who visits CertFlashCardsOnline and who also clicks the “Try it free now” button on the home page (site registration/sign-up is required but their privacy policy specifically enjoins them from opting you into anything involuntarily).

At present, flashcards are available for the following exams:

• Cisco Certification
  CCNA Security 640-553 Cert Flash Cards Online
  CCNA Voice 640-460 Cert Flash Cards Online
• CompTIA Certification
  CompTIA A+ Cert Flash Cards Online
• Microsoft Certification
  MCSA/MCSE 70-290 Cert Flash Cards Online
  MCSA/MCSE 70-291 Cert Flash Cards Online
  MCSE 70-293 Cert Flash Cards Online
  MCSE 70-294 Cert Flash Cards Online
  MCTS 70-620 Cert Flash Cards Online

Numerous other exams are promised for this series in 2009, including the Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), CompTIA Network+ and Security+, plus Microsoft exams 70-622, -623, -640, -642, and -643.

The biggest benefits of this offering, which normally costs $25 to 30 (though I’m guessing certs like the CISSP, CISA, and CISM will cost more), are as follows:

• Ability to store and access all flashcard collections online (it’s not a one-time download)
• Ability to select and group flashcards into custom named collections at will.
• Ability to access flashcard collections on a PDA, iPhone, SmartPhone and other mobile devices, as well as on a conventional notebook or desktop PC.
• Custom annotation and scoring capabilities per flashcard item.
• Create custom card sets based on questions marked incorrect.
• Online checks for question bank updates at will.

At the prices mentioned, these flashcards are at the top end for what’s normally charged for one-time downloads or hardcopy flashcards. But given their interactive capabilities and access to question bank updates, I think this represents good value for the money. But don’t listen to me: Try one for free and see what you think yourself. That’s the only way to be 100% sure your money is well-spent anyway.