So what do you Play when you sit down to study, or do you listen to music at all?
I tend to play orchestral music, particularily Soundtrack music from some of my favorite movies like Glory, Last of the Mohicans, Lord of the Rings, Rudy etc. In addition, I like House/Trance music too. Essentially I don't like music with a lot of words in it as it distracts me but the wordless music seems to help me study.
Also, I like to make a compilation CD of random sonds for each certification I begin and then listen to it repeatedly. Seems the repeated pattern helps me retain the material.

*Currently listening to Paul Oakenfold while studying 70-270*