Advice on Learning Photoshop and getting certified - Can anyone help?

Question

All,
I am currently using Photoshop CS6 and have been gradually self teaching now since CS4. I am by no means an expert, perhaps barely even intermediate but I am keen to do something about this. I am a qualified Comptia Technical Trainer and notice that with the ACE exam under my belt I would be qualified to teach Photoshop. I have a long way to go and do not currently use Photoshop for anything more than a hobby.
I appreciate I need to get some more hands on time with the application and also start tp produce some work and build a portfolio. However before I am prepared to put myself out there and tout for work I want to get to a point where I feel more confident with the feature set and feel that I know enough to claim some level of expertise.
I have looked at the ACA exam and the ACE and both seem like viable options and perhaps both will be part of my journey. I cant afford the time in my current job and financially at the moment to do any courses so I hoped to start off with some self teaching. I have looked at Adobe classroom in a book and that seems like a good start but doesnt by any means take me to the level required. Does anyone have any recommendations for learning material that could help brudge the gap? Has nayone done these exams and has experience or tips they could share to help me get on my way?
My current thought process is to get the classroom in a book and cover all the basics (some of which I will likely know, lots  I wont) then I wonder if thats enough skill to then take the ACA? If not what can get me there? Then I thought I would work towards the ACE, again though here I dont know what to do to leanr the skills needed? I cant seem to find any dedicated books. Is a course my only option or can someone recommend anything?
I am aware that I have asked loads of questions above, if anyone can offer any advice on any of the above I would be grateful. Experiecne of the exams, good books to read etc.
Hope someone out there can point me in the right direction.
Thanks in advance,
James

Answer 1

Alot of CS5 but I assume thats because CS6 is still relatviely new?
Yes. You can expect more CS6 resources in a few weeks/ months. There are a handful of new features that were introduced in CS6. However, the basics that you cover in CS5 will still help in CS6.
I had looked at two options to start me off. There is the Classroom in a Book by AdobePress and the Learn by Video option Core Training in Visual Communication which seem good places to start. Do you know if either of these compliment each other or cover the same content? its not entirely clear from the limited descriptions on the website.
I'm not quite sure. I have read/ gone through neither. I've learnt by experience.
Its such a vast topic and so much to consider.
More than the books, what will help you more is real-life experience. Books are only a reference point. Your experience will speak for itself in the test.
A couple of more resources you may want to check out:
http://www.adobe.com/education/resources/certificate-programs/preparation-materials.html
http://www.adobe.com/content/dam/Adobe/en/education/pdfs/certification-path-individuals.pd f
Also, you may want to visit www.lynda.com - they have great video training courses that will help you.
All the very best!