I find this interesting how us, THE Architects, are being exposed to the same challenges!
I was interested in Revit since its crawling beginning when it was a really dull tool comparing to known by me Nemetschek or very well known Archicad, especially since I realized that none of these were used on this side of the pond.
However, when I tried to initiate using it in many old office it was a no no as nobody was interested, especially when we needed to coordinate stuff with other disciplines.
Here I come to my new office, the project I got for leading is in Revit and everybody uses Revit. Some of young staff know Revit and don't know CAD
With 100k+ SF building and 7 other disciplines' models linked in, I had to learn it fast. I am by no means an expert using it within few months. It took some time to understand what in the model belongs to whom, or how to upload others models or change their visibility settings and all that hierarchy. But I am now comfotably controlling what is going on out there. I still support myself with CAD for sketching, as Revit is a horrible tool to sketch things out.
The things which really helped was knowledge of other BIM/3D software, helpful people around me, time constrains, and a pleasure in doing such things. I only regret I cannot fully focus to develop my skills due to family commitments.
Bottom line:
1. I am not sure how to access Revit to excersice. I got my access with my company laptop.
1a. Real life experience is probably one of best ways to learn it. General understanding of BIM or knowledge of Other similar software is a plus.
2. Knowledge and precision of CAD will NOT help you. I would say that knowledge and precision are damaging when you see how everyone is so sloppy with putting stuff in Revit.
3. I find a general management of the work in office while working in Revit being much different. All things are generated from model, so you cannot tell someone to e.g. generate a room schedule if the model is not brought to that level of advancement.
4. Things in the model can go wrong pretty fast, some of it may be irreversible, which will automatically mess your drawings unless you make it right. Lots of control needed.
5. Your model will never be perfect! You need to have a project done so they can build the building, not a model.
Good luck.