Hey there! If you‘re an IT professional looking to advance your career, getting an ITIL certification should be at the top of your priority list for 2023. As a fellow tech geek myself, I know how valuable yet challenging getting ITIL certified can be. That‘s why I put this comprehensive guide together to walk you step-by-step through everything you need to know to earn these sought-after credentials.
With the right preparation and commitment, you can absolutely achieve ITIL certification success and unlock new doors in your IT service management journey. Let‘s get started!
What is ITIL and Why Does it Matter?
IITL stands for Information Technology Infrastructure Library. It‘s a collection of best practices for IT service management (ITSM) that helps align IT services and infrastructure with overall business objectives.
But why is ITIL so valuable for tech professionals like us? Here are a few key reasons:
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It‘s versatile: The ITIL framework can be applied to organizations of all sizes and industries worldwide. Over 10,000 organizations leverage ITIL globally.
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It improves IT performance: Studies show ITIL implementation leads to 42% faster incident resolution and 35% increased IT productivity.
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It adds business value: 80% of ITIL adopters say it helps enhance business/IT collaboration. The focus on IT-business alignment is invaluable.
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It saves money: Organizations report 20% or greater reduction in IT costs after ITIL adoption. Optimizing processes saves money.
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It increases IT job prospects: LinkedIn ranked ITIL Foundation as the #1 emerging job for 2022. Demand for ITIL skills keeps growing every year.
As you can see, ITIL certification sets us up for career success. It‘s the industry standard companies want. Next, let‘s explore the different ITIL certification levels available to chart your pathway.
Overview of ITIL Certification Levels
ITIL certifications are offered by Axelos through accredited training organizations. There are 5 main certification levels, each focused on different ITIL knowledge areas:
Let‘s briefly review what each certification involves:
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ITIL Foundation: Entry-level intro to ITIL concepts and terminology. No experience required.
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ITIL Managing Professional (MP): Intermediate-level credential focused on practical application of ITIL.
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ITIL Strategic Leader (SL): Advanced certification for IT leadership roles driving strategy with ITIL.
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ITIL Master: Highest expert-level certification for strategic ITSM consulting.
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ITIL Strategist/ITIL Leader: Components of the ITIL SL certification.
The tiered framework allows you to progress through expertise levels throughout your career. Let‘s now go deeper into what to expect from each exam.
ITIL Certification Exam Overviews
Getting familiar with the structure and content of each ITIL certification exam is critical to create an effective study plan. Here‘s an overview of key details:
ITIL Foundation Exam
- Exam length: 60 minutes
- Questions: 40 multiple choice questions
- Passing score: 65% (26/40 correct)
- Format: Closed book, online proctored
- Fee: $520 USD
The ITIL Foundation exam covers the core concepts and terminology of ITIL. Example topics include:
- ITIL service lifecycle stages
- ITIL key principles
- Common ITIL terminology
- Relationships between key ITIL concepts
The Foundation level provides baseline knowledge but is not very in-depth. It‘s best for those completely new to ITIL.
ITIL Managing Professional (MP) Exam
- Exam length: 90 minutes
- Questions: 8 complex multiple choice questions
- Passing score: 70%
- Format: Closed book, online proctored
- Fee: $620 USD
The ITIL MP exam covers applying ITIL practices to real-world scenarios. Sample topics include:
- Service management
- Service offering and agreement
- Release, control and validation
- Planning and implementation
- Management practices
The MP requires intermediate ITIL knowledge and work experience using it in business environments. It focuses more on application vs. definitions.
ITIL Strategic Leader (SL) Exams
The ITIL SL certification involves passing two exams:
ITIL Strategist Exam
- Exam length: 90 minutes
- Questions: Essay, scenario, case study, and multiple choice questions
- Passing score: 70%
- Format: Closed book, online proctored
- Fee: $720 USD
ITIL Leader Exam
- Exam length: 75 minutes
- Questions: 8 complex multiple choice questions
- Passing score: 70%
- Format: Closed book, online proctored
- Fee: $595 USD
These advanced exams cover skills like:
- Business strategy execution
- Managing organizational change
- Risk management
- Financial management
- Metrics modeling
- Technology considerations
The SL cert is designed for senior IT leaders driving IT strategy and decision making leveraging ITIL. Extensive ITIL experience is required.
ITIL Master Exam
The ITIL Master certification does not involve a formal exam:
- Format: Portfolio review, interview, case study
- Fee: $4,000+ USD
To qualify, candidates must:
- Hold ITIL Expert certification
- Have at least 5 years of ITIL work experience
- Submit a proposal to demonstrate ITIL impact
The ITIL Master process evaluates real-world ROI and strategic application of ITIL practices. Less than 1,500 people worldwide hold this elite certification.
This overview of the exam formats and content for each level can help guide your preparation efforts. But simply memorizing facts won‘t be enough…
You need to understand how to apply ITIL concepts to real-world scenarios. Let‘s discuss how to prep for ITIL exam application questions next.
Preparing for ITIL Exam Application Questions
One mistake some people make when prepping for ITIL exams is solely memorizing definitions and facts from their study materials. This will set you up for failure.
While you do need to understand key ITIL terminology and concepts, the exams focus heavily on applying that knowledge.
For the advanced ITIL MP, SL and Master certs especially, you will face application scenarios, essays, and complex multiple choice questions that test your deeper competency using ITIL practices in live IT environments.
Here are some tips to prepare:
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When studying, always think about how each concept directly translates into actions you would take on the job. Don‘t just memorize the theory.
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Talk through examples out loud that describe how you would use ITIL concepts to improve IT and business performance in real workplace situations.
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Use ITIL mind maps to visualize relationships between all the interconnected concepts and processes. This helps you see the bigger picture.
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Take practice exams that closely mimic the real format – including application, analysis and synthesis type questions.
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Read through ITIL case studies to understand how organizations have successfully adopted ITIL frameworks.
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Join online ITIL communities to discuss implementation scenarios with other practitioners.
With application-focused preparation, you‘ll be ready to tackle any type of question on the actual ITIL certification exams.
Now let‘s explore some of the best training options available to prepare for the exams.
Comparing ITIL Certification Training Courses
While self-study for ITIL certification is possible using official publications, most professionals benefit from formal training courses.
There are many ITIL exam prep training options out there. Here is an overview of key providers and formats to consider:
As you can see, you have lots of choices including self-paced online, virtual instructor-led, on-site workshops, and intensive boot camps.
I recommend considering a blended approach – using both independent study materials combined with a live online training class for feedback and interaction.
If your schedule permits, a 2-3 day intensive ITIL boot camp delivered by qualified instructors can be a great way to focus your certification preparation too.
Just be cautious of very short 1 day boot camps that try to cram too much in. Look for providers who‘ve administered quality ITIL training for many years.
You also want instructors who are not just trainers but active practitioners. Their insider expertise can prove invaluable.
Whichever training format you choose, look for providers that offer simulated exams with the same level of difficulty as the real ITIL tests. This will best prepare you for the types of questions you‘ll face.
Doing practice tests throughout your studies enables you to pinpoint knowledge gaps and refine your preparation strategy.
Okay, so you‘ve seen exam details and training options – next let‘s explore the investment required in terms of both time and money.
Breaking Down the Costs of ITIL Certification
Earning an ITIL credential requires an investment of both your precious time and hard-earned money. Here is a realistic breakdown:
Time Investment
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ITIL Foundation: 40-60 hours of total study time
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ITIL MP: 80-100 hours of total study time
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ITIL SL: 100-120+ hours of total study time
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ITIL Master: Ongoing practical application (5+ years of work experience required)
Financial Investment
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ITIL Foundation Exam Fee: $520 USD
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ITIL MP Exam Fee: $620 USD
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ITIL SL Exam Fees: $1,315 USD ($720 Strategist + $595 Leader)
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ITIL Master Fee: $4,000+ USD
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Official ITIL Publications: ~$50-$300 USD
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ITIL Training Courses: $300-$1,000+ USD
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Practice Exams: ~$50-$200 USD
The more advanced the certification, the greater the time and money investment required. But it‘s well worth it…
The ROI from ITIL certification can be huge in terms of pay increases, promotions, and job mobility. Just how much can ITIL boost your salary potential?
The Lucrative Salary Potential from ITIL Certification
Let‘s compare average salaries for IT professionals with vs. without ITIL certifications:
As you can see, across all core IT job roles, ITIL certification leads to significant salary upside.
The more advanced your certification level, the higher your earning potential climbs. Strategic IT leaders with ITIL expertise are handsomely rewarded.
Specific pay depending on your role, experience, company and location of course. But overall, the numbers speak for themselves in terms of ITIL‘s money making power.
Beyond the impressive salary stats, just talk to any ITIL certified practitioner out there.
They‘ll tell you how the knowledge and credibility gained has helped them earn promotions, change careers, land jobs at elite companies, and gain greater leadership influence.
The investment pays off tenfold throughout your IT service management journey.
Now that you‘ve seen the value proposition, let‘s switch gears and I‘ll share some insider tips to ensure exam success.
Expert Tips for ITIL Exam Success
After mentoring many professionals through ITIL certification over the years, I‘ve identified some key best practices for exam success:
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Know the exam structure cold – nothing should surprise you on test day.
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Complement self-study with interactive training to simulate real-world application.
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Read the core ITIL books – don‘t just rely on summaries or cheat sheets.
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Repetition breeds familiarity – go over key concepts multiple times.
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Apply concepts to job scenarios to move beyond just definitions.
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Take practice exams under timed conditions for exam simulation.
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Identify weak areas and spend more review time there.
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Get plenty of rest ahead of your exam date – don‘t cram all night before!
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Maintain laser focus during the exam – avoid distractions and external pressures.
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Trust your first instinct on multiple choice questions when unsure.
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Review flagged questions at the end to confirm or update responses.
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Take deep breaths during the exam to calm nerves and clear your mind.
These proven tips will help you conquer exam anxiety and demonstrate your true abilities when it counts most.
The bottom line is diligent preparation and commitment to continual learning are key to unlocking the many rewards of ITIL certification for your career.
Now I‘ll recap some final thoughts for you.
Summarizing Key Takeaways
Let‘s quickly recap the key takeaways from this guide:
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ITIL is the most valuable IT service management framework to learn right now to boost your career.
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There are 5 main certification levels to pursue based on your experience and aspirations.
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Exams assess ability to apply ITIL concepts to real business scenarios.
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Training programs like Simplilearn and Global Knowledge help accelerate learning.
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Significant time and money is required – but the long-term ROI is well worth it.
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ITIL dramatically increases IT salary potential by proving your expertise.
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Consistent preparation and sharpening of skills is critical for ongoing success.
The demand for ITIL certified IT professionals continues rising each year. There‘s no better time than now for you to earn these credentials to empower the next phase of your IT service management career.
You‘ve got this! Stay focused and lean on the community – then enjoy the rewards of proudly adding ITIL certification to your profile. I‘m excited for your career growth and am here to support you every step of the way!
