New track features two TS-level exams, one Professional level exam, all aimed squarely at Microsoft Office Project 2007 implementers.
Microsoft Adds New Certification for Project Managers Even though Office 2007 isn't expected to ship into the mainstream until January 2007 (along with Windows Vista), the Microsoft Learning Group expects to make a big certification-related announcement around Office 2007 next week, but it has nothing to do with its Microsoft Office Specialist program. Instead, the company will now be going after professional project managers with a new line of Microsoft Office Project 2007 certifications that build upon the Project Management Institute's vendor-neutral framework. Microsoft Learning Group General Manager Lutz Ziob will officially announce the track next week, to coincide with the Project Management Institute Global Congress meeting taking place in Seattle.
Read Microsoft Adds New Certification for Project Managers here.
Monday, October 23, 2006
Windows Vista Exams on the Horizon
Preliminary information on new Windows Vista exam numbered 70-620 appears on Pearson Vue testing site this week.
A new exam for Windows Vista has appeared on the Pearson Vue site. The information seems preliminary for now, as there is no listed date for beta availability, which is a good indication that the exam still percolates in development at the Redmond campus. (Microsoft makes no comments on exams in development.)
Read Windows Vista Exams on the Horizon.
A new exam for Windows Vista has appeared on the Pearson Vue site. The information seems preliminary for now, as there is no listed date for beta availability, which is a good indication that the exam still percolates in development at the Redmond campus. (Microsoft makes no comments on exams in development.)
Read Windows Vista Exams on the Horizon.
Thursday, October 19, 2006
Novell To Retire NetWare 5.1 and 6 Exams
Novell recently announced on its Web site that it will be retiring the NetWare version 5 and 6 exams relating to its Certified Novell Associate (CNA), Certified Novell Engineer (CNE) and Master CNE certifications.
The exams themselves will retire in March 2007, with the related titles relegated to a "Legacy" status a few months later.
The current 6.5 track for all of the company's NetWare-focused titles will remain available.
The exams themselves will retire in March 2007, with the related titles relegated to a "Legacy" status a few months later.
The current 6.5 track for all of the company's NetWare-focused titles will remain available.
Free Novell Betas for Linux, Identity Manager, More
Novell is currently offering several free beta exams for upcoming titles.
Two of the betas are open this week: Novell Open Enterprise Server for Linux 1.0 (#051-700) and Systems and Resource Management 1.0 (#051-702). Both are scheduled to close Friday.
Candidates can register for the betas at Prometric and Pearson Vue testing centers by phone only. Each beta is limited to 200 participants -- 100 per network testing vendor.
Another beta, Identity Manager 3 1.0 (#051-703), will be available next week. Candidates can begin registering for this exam by phone on Monday.
According to Novell, those who pass the betas will receive credit toward certification -- however, the company did not specify what credentials the exams count toward.
Two of the betas are open this week: Novell Open Enterprise Server for Linux 1.0 (#051-700) and Systems and Resource Management 1.0 (#051-702). Both are scheduled to close Friday.
Candidates can register for the betas at Prometric and Pearson Vue testing centers by phone only. Each beta is limited to 200 participants -- 100 per network testing vendor.
Another beta, Identity Manager 3 1.0 (#051-703), will be available next week. Candidates can begin registering for this exam by phone on Monday.
According to Novell, those who pass the betas will receive credit toward certification -- however, the company did not specify what credentials the exams count toward.
Friday, June 09, 2006
Certification – it's expensive, and it's hard work!
Certification – it's expensive, and it's hard work. So is it worth it, to get a few letters after your name? That's the sixty-four thousand dollar question.
The first thing to think about is what a certification like Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) or Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) actually means. It shows prospective employers that you know certain things, but there are plenty of networking professionals who will also know those things without necessarily having a certification to prove it. So particularly with the lower level certifications, an employer may be less impressed with the certification than with a few years' experience. A common mistake amongst IT rookies is to assume that a low level certification will open the door to IT jobs. It doesn't
But if you're reading this the chances are that you've been in the industry some time, and you may well already have a certification or two under your belt. So the question is this: is there any point in spending the money and taking the time to get a higher certification? And if so, which is the best investment? Which one will help you get a better job or command a higher salary? Ultimately, the question is a financial one: which one offers the highest return on investment?
In terms of landing a new job, there's no doubt that having a higher level certification opens some doors. That's because many employers – especially service providers and other organizations with customer-facing staff or even staff at their customers' premises – will only employ people with a certification to prove their skills. Call it covering themselves or whatever you like, but they need to be able to say that their staff are fully certified to reassure their customers that they are getting the best people – even though certification is not necessarily an alternative to experience.
Like most investments, a certification is risky, as you can never be absolutely sure of the return you'll get. That's because the market changes rapidly, and what's hot one year is not the next. The Sarbanes-Oxley regulations caused many companies to in-source a large number of network professionals last year, but this year it's not causing such a distortion.
What tends to happen when there is strong demand for a particular skill set is this: Employers seek the right people, and those with a certificate to prove they have that skill set get picked up first. Such is the demand that they can also command a premium salary over those without the certification. But because demand is so high, there are plenty of people without the certification – but with the necessary skills – who also pick up jobs. A certification, in other words, gets you higher pay, and that's where you get a return on your investment. "Most certifications get you a 8.5 percent bump in pay on average, while top ones, like Cisco's CCIE, will get you well beyond that with about a 10 - 15 percent pay premium," says David Foote, chief research officer at New Canaan, Connecticut-based Foote Partners.
What about the lower order Cisco qualifications – the CCNA and CCNP? Many recruitment companies find that the more demanding the job, the more reassured clients when prospective candidates have a certification, so a certification opens doors. "If you are looking for Cisco people, especially on the design side, clients are certainly more confident that candidates can do the job if they have a certification," says Leanne Thomas, a consultant at global recruitment company Hays. "For network support it's probably not as important as experience, but for hardcore networking roles, there is a lot to be said for a CCNP. If you have a CCIE you can walk into a lot of jobs."
What about Microsoft qualifications? Thomas says that the majority of networking jobs of the last twelve months have been IP related, so it's the Cisco rather than Microsoft qualifications that have been most in demand. "If you are good then you don't need a Microsoft qualification. We're not being told by clients that they won't take customers unless they have one."
So aside from Cisco's CCNP and CCIE, what other qualifications are worth looking at? The answer is VoIP: a Cisco, Nortel or Avaya IP telephony certification is likely to be a sound investment. Remember – when demand is weak it will open doors, and when it is strong it will likely earn you a premium salary. "We're seeing VoIP more and more in demand these days and not many people have the qualifications," says Paula Murphy, an account manager at international IT recruitment company SCom. "These qualifications are today what a straight Cisco qualification was five or six years ago. Everyone and their dog has got a CCNA certification these days, so it doesn't mean much."
And don't forget security. Security concerns are never going to go away, and that means that any security certification you have is going to make you more employable and more valuable. "Any flavor of security product certification is advantageous, it doesn't really matter what," says Hays' Leanne Thomas.
So remember, a qualification costs money, and isn't worth much unless it distinguishes you from the rest of the crowd. So don't follow the pack. Think long and hard before going for any certification, and what benefits it will bring you. But pick the right one and it could pretty well guarantee you well paid employment for a long time to come.
The first thing to think about is what a certification like Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) or Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) actually means. It shows prospective employers that you know certain things, but there are plenty of networking professionals who will also know those things without necessarily having a certification to prove it. So particularly with the lower level certifications, an employer may be less impressed with the certification than with a few years' experience. A common mistake amongst IT rookies is to assume that a low level certification will open the door to IT jobs. It doesn't
But if you're reading this the chances are that you've been in the industry some time, and you may well already have a certification or two under your belt. So the question is this: is there any point in spending the money and taking the time to get a higher certification? And if so, which is the best investment? Which one will help you get a better job or command a higher salary? Ultimately, the question is a financial one: which one offers the highest return on investment?
In terms of landing a new job, there's no doubt that having a higher level certification opens some doors. That's because many employers – especially service providers and other organizations with customer-facing staff or even staff at their customers' premises – will only employ people with a certification to prove their skills. Call it covering themselves or whatever you like, but they need to be able to say that their staff are fully certified to reassure their customers that they are getting the best people – even though certification is not necessarily an alternative to experience.
Like most investments, a certification is risky, as you can never be absolutely sure of the return you'll get. That's because the market changes rapidly, and what's hot one year is not the next. The Sarbanes-Oxley regulations caused many companies to in-source a large number of network professionals last year, but this year it's not causing such a distortion.
What tends to happen when there is strong demand for a particular skill set is this: Employers seek the right people, and those with a certificate to prove they have that skill set get picked up first. Such is the demand that they can also command a premium salary over those without the certification. But because demand is so high, there are plenty of people without the certification – but with the necessary skills – who also pick up jobs. A certification, in other words, gets you higher pay, and that's where you get a return on your investment. "Most certifications get you a 8.5 percent bump in pay on average, while top ones, like Cisco's CCIE, will get you well beyond that with about a 10 - 15 percent pay premium," says David Foote, chief research officer at New Canaan, Connecticut-based Foote Partners.
What about the lower order Cisco qualifications – the CCNA and CCNP? Many recruitment companies find that the more demanding the job, the more reassured clients when prospective candidates have a certification, so a certification opens doors. "If you are looking for Cisco people, especially on the design side, clients are certainly more confident that candidates can do the job if they have a certification," says Leanne Thomas, a consultant at global recruitment company Hays. "For network support it's probably not as important as experience, but for hardcore networking roles, there is a lot to be said for a CCNP. If you have a CCIE you can walk into a lot of jobs."
What about Microsoft qualifications? Thomas says that the majority of networking jobs of the last twelve months have been IP related, so it's the Cisco rather than Microsoft qualifications that have been most in demand. "If you are good then you don't need a Microsoft qualification. We're not being told by clients that they won't take customers unless they have one."
So aside from Cisco's CCNP and CCIE, what other qualifications are worth looking at? The answer is VoIP: a Cisco, Nortel or Avaya IP telephony certification is likely to be a sound investment. Remember – when demand is weak it will open doors, and when it is strong it will likely earn you a premium salary. "We're seeing VoIP more and more in demand these days and not many people have the qualifications," says Paula Murphy, an account manager at international IT recruitment company SCom. "These qualifications are today what a straight Cisco qualification was five or six years ago. Everyone and their dog has got a CCNA certification these days, so it doesn't mean much."
And don't forget security. Security concerns are never going to go away, and that means that any security certification you have is going to make you more employable and more valuable. "Any flavor of security product certification is advantageous, it doesn't really matter what," says Hays' Leanne Thomas.
So remember, a qualification costs money, and isn't worth much unless it distinguishes you from the rest of the crowd. So don't follow the pack. Think long and hard before going for any certification, and what benefits it will bring you. But pick the right one and it could pretty well guarantee you well paid employment for a long time to come.
Thursday, May 18, 2006
More EasyCert practice exams
JRK Software announced the next practice exams in their prodicts list - 70-292, 70-293 and 70-294.
Other certification exam articles: 70-290 exam, 70-270 exam
- 70-292 - Managing and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Environment for an MCSA Certified on Windows 2000. The Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) on Windows Server 2003 upgrade exam is available only to candidates who are currently certified as MCSAs or as MCSEs on Windows 2000. The MCSA on Windows Server 2003 credential is intended for IT professionals who work in the typically complex computing environment of medium to large companies. More details here.
- 70-293 - Planning and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure. The Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) on Windows Server 2003 credential is intended for IT professionals who work in the typically complex computing environment of medium to large companies. An MCSE candidate should have at least one year of experience implementing and administering a network operating system. More details here.
- 70-294 - Planning, Implementing, and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Active Directory Infrastructure. The Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) on Windows Server 2003 credential is intended for IT professionals who work in the typically complex computing environment of medium to large companies. An MCSE candidate should have at least one year of experience implementing and administering a network operating system. More details here.
Other certification exam articles: 70-290 exam, 70-270 exam
Friday, May 12, 2006
'Student' CISSPs put cert's value in jeopardy
Is the CISSP going the way of the MCSE? Now that colleges are beginning to offer the Certified Information Systems Security Professional certification as part of their undergraduate degree programs, this highly valued certification just might lose its luster, much like the once prestigious Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer has.
This fall, Peirce College will join Florida's St. Petersburg College as the second school offering classes tied to the domains of knowledge for both the CISSP and the Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP). Combined with other college courses, a student can not only enter the workforce with either an associate's or bachelor's degree, but also having passed one of the International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium's exams. Due to experience requirements for both certifications, the candidate does not actually get the CISSP or SSCP designation until the experience has been obtained. This program will not be unique to these two schools, as the ISC(2) hopes to sign up as many as 100 colleges to offer its courses.
The CISSP is designed for people in a security management position, where they will use their experience to properly assess and mitigate security risks. Though the CISSP exam itself asks concrete questions on topics from business continuity to telecommunications, the spirit and intent of the CISSP is rooted in experience. It is certainly possible to teach someone how to perform a Diffie-Hellman key exchange, but it is the experience that dictates when it is appropriate.
As laudable as it is that colleges are becoming more aware of the need to teach students about information security, let's not pretend that this marriage of colleges and certifications will help the present and future holders of the CISSP. While offering the SSCP at the college level is not quite as worrisome -- it is targeted toward junior-level infosec pros -- offering the CISSP to undergraduates devalues the credential for those with decades of experience.
It may not be long before just about anyone lacking experience in the field can be "coached up" to pass the exam. Plus, with an embellished description of one's job duties, it will become possible for a 22-year-old kid to attain the same certification as those who earned the distinction via sweat equity, working through the ranks. Similarly, it may prove to be a long-term disservice to recent graduates, since their specific degree/certification combo will send many of them on a narrow path at a time in their lives where their true interests are probably unknown.
Let's not forget that the importance of experience in a security role cannot be understated. The scope of material covered by the certifications is so broad that an understanding of a textbook does little to help someone new to the industry. Sure, certification coursework can be taught to college students, but if this learning does not happen alongside practical field experience, then it is virtually useless.
Candidates will not be fully fledged CISSPs until the experience requirement has been met, but I don't think employers will know that. It is the prospect of these inexperienced people entering the workforce holding their CISSP test reports that causes me to draw parallels to the MCSE. Not long ago, the MCSE was the mark of an experienced and knowledgeable Microsoft Windows professional, but the rise of "certification mills" offering certification in a matter of weeks has lead to the MCSE becoming little more than an entry-level classification. Answers to the questions on all the MCSE tests can even purchased on the Internet just a few dollars, leading to the certification's second name, "Must Consult Someone Experienced."
There is, however, a bright point for those already certified: a combination of experience and the certification can be used as credit toward a degree. That is, a security practitioner with his or her CISSP can go back to school and cut up to a year off the time needed to obtain a bachelor's degree.
I applaud the ISC(2) for getting involved with colleges, but I would suggest that it be in work-experience programs and courses involving more hands-on learning. Encouraging inexperienced individuals to pursue higher level security certifications will undoubtedly hurt the industry. Today, when a company hires a CISSP or an SSCP, the company knows exactly what kind of knowledge and experience that person brings. Letting that certainty slip away would be a loss for us all.
This fall, Peirce College will join Florida's St. Petersburg College as the second school offering classes tied to the domains of knowledge for both the CISSP and the Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP). Combined with other college courses, a student can not only enter the workforce with either an associate's or bachelor's degree, but also having passed one of the International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium's exams. Due to experience requirements for both certifications, the candidate does not actually get the CISSP or SSCP designation until the experience has been obtained. This program will not be unique to these two schools, as the ISC(2) hopes to sign up as many as 100 colleges to offer its courses.
The CISSP is designed for people in a security management position, where they will use their experience to properly assess and mitigate security risks. Though the CISSP exam itself asks concrete questions on topics from business continuity to telecommunications, the spirit and intent of the CISSP is rooted in experience. It is certainly possible to teach someone how to perform a Diffie-Hellman key exchange, but it is the experience that dictates when it is appropriate.
As laudable as it is that colleges are becoming more aware of the need to teach students about information security, let's not pretend that this marriage of colleges and certifications will help the present and future holders of the CISSP. While offering the SSCP at the college level is not quite as worrisome -- it is targeted toward junior-level infosec pros -- offering the CISSP to undergraduates devalues the credential for those with decades of experience.
It may not be long before just about anyone lacking experience in the field can be "coached up" to pass the exam. Plus, with an embellished description of one's job duties, it will become possible for a 22-year-old kid to attain the same certification as those who earned the distinction via sweat equity, working through the ranks. Similarly, it may prove to be a long-term disservice to recent graduates, since their specific degree/certification combo will send many of them on a narrow path at a time in their lives where their true interests are probably unknown.
Let's not forget that the importance of experience in a security role cannot be understated. The scope of material covered by the certifications is so broad that an understanding of a textbook does little to help someone new to the industry. Sure, certification coursework can be taught to college students, but if this learning does not happen alongside practical field experience, then it is virtually useless.
Candidates will not be fully fledged CISSPs until the experience requirement has been met, but I don't think employers will know that. It is the prospect of these inexperienced people entering the workforce holding their CISSP test reports that causes me to draw parallels to the MCSE. Not long ago, the MCSE was the mark of an experienced and knowledgeable Microsoft Windows professional, but the rise of "certification mills" offering certification in a matter of weeks has lead to the MCSE becoming little more than an entry-level classification. Answers to the questions on all the MCSE tests can even purchased on the Internet just a few dollars, leading to the certification's second name, "Must Consult Someone Experienced."
There is, however, a bright point for those already certified: a combination of experience and the certification can be used as credit toward a degree. That is, a security practitioner with his or her CISSP can go back to school and cut up to a year off the time needed to obtain a bachelor's degree.
I applaud the ISC(2) for getting involved with colleges, but I would suggest that it be in work-experience programs and courses involving more hands-on learning. Encouraging inexperienced individuals to pursue higher level security certifications will undoubtedly hurt the industry. Today, when a company hires a CISSP or an SSCP, the company knows exactly what kind of knowledge and experience that person brings. Letting that certainty slip away would be a loss for us all.
Thursday, April 20, 2006
Cisco's IPS Exam (#642-532) Review
Cisco’s newest version of this very product-specific exam for aspiring CCSPs requires in-depth exposure to the company's IDS and IPS products.
Most Cisco security exams are about understanding Cisco’s viewpoint on security and how its sales, marketing and products fit within the network. The Securing Networks Using Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS) security exam is no exception: It’s all about Cisco’s IPS and Intrusion Detection System (IDS) security products. On my exam, the questions quizzed my knowledge on how to configure Cisco IPS and IDS devices and how to use them to identify, mitigate and secure a Cisco network.
Cisco's IPS Exam (#642-532) Review
Most Cisco security exams are about understanding Cisco’s viewpoint on security and how its sales, marketing and products fit within the network. The Securing Networks Using Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS) security exam is no exception: It’s all about Cisco’s IPS and Intrusion Detection System (IDS) security products. On my exam, the questions quizzed my knowledge on how to configure Cisco IPS and IDS devices and how to use them to identify, mitigate and secure a Cisco network.
Cisco's IPS Exam (#642-532) Review
Monday, April 17, 2006
Cisco CCIE Voice Labs to Update in July 2006
Cisco CCIE Voice Labs to Update in July 2006
Starting July 17, 2006 CCIE will be adding a Cisco Unity Express Network Module (NM-CUE) into the exam racks, and updating to IOS version 12.4(3a). Other equipment software is also affected. For the full list see:
http://www.cisco.com/web/learning/learning_certification_program_updates.html
Monday, April 10, 2006
All About the PMP Certification
When I was a kid I hated seeing those signs at festivals that read "you must be this big to ride this ride." Of course, I was always just under the minimum requirements. Bummer! It's no fun to spend a summer trapped between the kiddie rides and the lusty tilt-a-whirl that all of your buddies are barfing on.
But those signs were there for a reason - besides making little pudgy kids like me furious - and the reason was safety. Today I wouldn't dare go on one of those deathtrap thrill rides - height requirements or not. Any carnival ride that can be dismantled, hauled to Sioux City, Iowa overnight, and reassembled in half an hour is not for me.When I talk to people about the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification I often think about those carnival rides. The PMP certification may not have height requirements, but it does have eligibility requirements. Not everyone can sit the exam - and not everyone that sits the exam can pass it.
If you're not familiar with the PMP, I'll give you a rundown. PMP is a certification that proves that the project manager who acquires it has years of project management experience, education, and has passed an exam that tests their project management knowledge. It's not specific to any particular industry, so you'll likely find PMPs with backgrounds in IT, construction, manufacturing, and health care.I think the Project Management Institute (adoringly called PMI), the organization that owns the PMP certification, has learned a thing or two from other certifications over the past decade. For starters, by making candidates qualify for the certification it adds genuine value to the title. Being a PMP immediately shows experience, education, and project management knowledge.
Starting the PMP Process
The PMP certification requirements also helps avoid the plague of paper certifications we've endured over past years. A long time ago, I was a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer. I earned my title starting with Windows NT 3.51, and then Windows NT 4.0, 95, and then it just snowballed. I was flooded with opportunity and it was great. But, before too long, being an MCSEwas suddenly no big deal. I knew things weren't good for Microsoft, and the IT world in general, when I saw a waiter wearing his MCSE lapel pin while working at Denny's. I didn't ask for details – just coffee and pie.
So, in order to sit for the PMP examination you must qualify. Here's a quick breakdown of the various requirements.
If you have a bachelor's degree:
- You need 36 non-overlapping months of project management experience within the last eight years. That non-overlapping part means that if you worked on six projects throughout the month of January that only counts as one month of project management work, not six months.
- Your project management experience, all projects included, must total at least 4,500 hours, and all within the past eight years.
- You must complete at least 35 hours of project management training. There's no time limit on this educational requirement, so college courses and online courses qualify.
- You have to promise to abide by the PMP Code of Professional Conduct. Don't worry, you don't have to sign it in blood and the confines of the code are probably things you're already doing. Mafia aside.
- You must pass the exam with a score of 61 percent or better. (I'm hoping you do better, but rest assured it's a pass or fail exam).
- You need 60 non-overlapping months of project management experience. Again, one month of project management work equates to just one month, regardless of the number of projects you worked on during that month.
- You must log a total of 7,500 hours of project management experience over the past eight years.
- You must complete 35 contact hours of project management training. Contact hours means that the training must be interactive. You can't just read a book, this article, or consider on-the-job training and claim your hours. Web-based training, however, is now being accepted as interactive.
- You must agree to abide by the PMP Code of Professional Conduct.
- You must pass the PMP examination with at least a 61 percent score.
Applying for the Exam
The fee for the examination isn't cheap: $405 for PMI members and $555 for non-PMI members. Guess what? It's actually cheaper to join PMI and then complete your application, as their membership fee is $129. Besides, as a member you also get some added benefits such as newsletters, magazines, and other goodies.Beware, completing the PMP application is about as much fun as a root canal. My advice is to complete your application through PMI's website where you can pause, resume, and edit the application at your convenience until you're ready to submit it. On the PMP application, you'll have to document all of your education, experience, and the details of the projects you've completed. In addition, you'll have to provide contact information for your supervisors and managers that can verify (uh, that's vouch for you) the experience you say you've gotten on the projects you've listed.
PMI can take up to fourteen days to approve your application, though most of the applicants I've trained report a speedy response. Within those fourteen days, PMI may elect to audit your application for verification.This is not fun.
If chosen, you'll have to provide PMI with proof of your experience, your education, and your project management training. This means you'll have to track down old bosses and get confirmation letters of your experience, photocopy your degrees, and provide your training certificates. I've known a few folks that have gone through the audit with no problems other than an extra helping of anxiety as they prepare to pass their examination.Passing the Examination
Once your application is approved, PMI will send you a letter with a confirmation code, which you'll then provide to a Prometric testing center. Be advised that these Prometric testing centers aren't the same cozy testing centers where you took your Microsoft and CompTIA exams. These centers are secured environments where you'll check-in with two pieces of valid ID, stash your belongings in a locker (where they'll remain until you're ready to leave), and take your exam in a proctored room. In addition, you'll be monitored by more than one video camera in the testing environment. (You'd better comb your hair and sit up straight.)The PMP exam consists of 200 questions and must be completed within four hours. Ready for a twist? Of the 200 questions only 175 actually count towards your grade. The 25-mystery questions are seeded throughout the exam to determine their overall worthiness for future PMP examinations. Can you say "guinea pig?"
Getting Some PMP HelpThere are many different resources available to help you prepare for the PMP certification, here are some top choices:
1. The PMP Study Guide by Joseph Phillips; ISBN: 0072262907. Hey, that's my book! Yep, I'm plugging my book as your best choice. I use this book to teach both my live and online PMP Boot Camps. It works! It's now in its second edition – go get it. Now.
2. A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge from PMI; ISBN: 193069945X. No matter which resources you use to study for your exam you'll want for the simple reason that it's the book the exam is centered on. Two insider tips: Just call this book the PMBOK (pronounced Pim-Bach) and don't read it far from your pillow.
3. PMP Exam Cram2 by Michael Soloman; ISBN 0789734621. I've heard great things about this book (and the entire Exam Cram series). This book is loaded with PMP exam facts, quizzes, and exam tips. And it's from Pearson Education, which InformIT.com is a part of, so I'd better mention it, right?
There's also a bevy of online resources:
- http://www.pmpinabox.com: where you can download a free 25-question PMP assessment exam or buy their online offerings.
- http://www.college-net.com/boston.asp: where you can complete an online project management course.
- http://www.pmi.org: where you can find all of the PMP certification details, application requirements, exam objectives, and complete your exam application.
After the Exam
Once you've completed your certification you'll also have to continue your education by obtaining at least 60 Professional Development Units (PDUs) over a three-year span. A PDU equates to one hour and you can earn these by attending PMI events, completing training through PMI Registered Education Providers, or by volunteering at PMI events.The PMP certification requirements, like those carnival rides, aren't meant to make you furious. They exist to protect the value of your certification and add worth to a title that's not easy to achieve.
Tuesday, April 04, 2006
Thursday, March 30, 2006
One More .NET Exam Goes Live in March
Last week Microsoft announced the pending release of Microsoft exam 70-529 TS: .NET Framework 2.0 - Distributed Application Development on Friday, March 24.
The exam counts toward the MCTS: .NET Framework 2.0 - Distributed Applications title, and is among five exams required for the vaunted Microsoft Certified Professional Developer: Enterprise Application Developer certification.
The company says that candidates should have at least one year of experience developing distributed applications using the Microsoft .NET Framework and working knowledge of Visual Studio 2005.
Those taking the exam will have the option of coding in either Visual Basic 2005 or Visual C# 2005 for those exam questions that require answers in coded format.
The exam counts toward the MCTS: .NET Framework 2.0 - Distributed Applications title, and is among five exams required for the vaunted Microsoft Certified Professional Developer: Enterprise Application Developer certification.
The company says that candidates should have at least one year of experience developing distributed applications using the Microsoft .NET Framework and working knowledge of Visual Studio 2005.
Those taking the exam will have the option of coding in either Visual Basic 2005 or Visual C# 2005 for those exam questions that require answers in coded format.
Monday, March 27, 2006
CompTIA to Launch RFID Certification Exam
The Computing Technology Industry Association will officially debut the CompTIA RFID+ exam on Mar. 28.
The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) has announced it will officially launch the CompTIA RFID+ examination on Mar. 28. Until the end of December 2005, CompTIA had been offering a beta version of the exam. One of the first opportunities to take the test will be at RFID Journal LIVE!, to be held May 1-3 in Las Vegas.
CompTIA RFID+ certification is intended to help address the skills shortage. The foundation committee identified the broad areas the test should cover. Subject matter experts from companies on the committee then identified specific skills implementers would need, and CompTIA experts created questions to indicate whether someone taking the test had the relevant skills. Beta exams were offered, and the test was revised to ensure the accuracy and fairness of the results.
The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) has announced it will officially launch the CompTIA RFID+ examination on Mar. 28. Until the end of December 2005, CompTIA had been offering a beta version of the exam. One of the first opportunities to take the test will be at RFID Journal LIVE!, to be held May 1-3 in Las Vegas.
CompTIA RFID+ certification is intended to help address the skills shortage. The foundation committee identified the broad areas the test should cover. Subject matter experts from companies on the committee then identified specific skills implementers would need, and CompTIA experts created questions to indicate whether someone taking the test had the relevant skills. Beta exams were offered, and the test was revised to ensure the accuracy and fairness of the results.
Thursday, February 16, 2006
Passing Your MCSE Exams On The Road To Microsoft Certification
To earn the Microsoft certified systems engineer certification and to prove expertise in designing and implementation of the infrastructure for business solutions based on the Microsoft Windows 2003 platform and Microsoft Windows Server system, MCSE exam is the best medium.
MCSE exam is held to improve the expertise in designing and implementing Windows Server 2003 and other issues related to it. In order to take an MCSE exam one needs to go through a fourteen-day MCSE training boot camp that helps in successfully becoming an MCSE. They use custom developed curriculum that is designed to provide both exam preparation and practical technology skills, ensuring that the examinee shall be ready for the performance based testing Microsoft has introduced in their certification programs. Experience instructors have been arranged who posses many years of experience of working wit Microsoft operating system and technologies both in the field and in the classroom.
Original article: Passing Your MCSE Exams On The Road To Microsoft Certification
MCSE exam is held to improve the expertise in designing and implementing Windows Server 2003 and other issues related to it. In order to take an MCSE exam one needs to go through a fourteen-day MCSE training boot camp that helps in successfully becoming an MCSE. They use custom developed curriculum that is designed to provide both exam preparation and practical technology skills, ensuring that the examinee shall be ready for the performance based testing Microsoft has introduced in their certification programs. Experience instructors have been arranged who posses many years of experience of working wit Microsoft operating system and technologies both in the field and in the classroom.
Original article: Passing Your MCSE Exams On The Road To Microsoft Certification
Monday, February 13, 2006
CompTIA A+ Exams Undergoing Update
The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) confirmed this morning that it is currently revising its A+ certification exams and hinted that the update may be significant.
In a statement released today, Neill Hopkins, vice president of skills development for CompTIA, said in part, "We are currently working with the industry on an update of our CompTIA A+ certification to meet the needs of the modern day IT technician. The most exciting development as a result of all of the research conducted...is the fact that the technician of the immediate future will have broad-based skills beyond the basic technical fundamentals, and CompTIA aims to include these options in the new A+."
Original article: CompTIA A+ Exams Undergoing Update
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
Linux the focus of new Australian Masters degree
Charles Sturt University (CSU) has partnered with Linux vendor Novell to offer a two-year postgraduate Masters degree which includes formal Linux certification.
Novell said in a statement the course would be the only postgraduate-level qualification which would include the achievement of Novell Certified Linux Engineer (Novell CLE) status as a key requirement.
The degree will formally be a stream of CSU's Master of Networking and System Administration, which currently allows students to choose streams from Microsoft and Cisco as well as pathways not specific to a vendor.
Students in the other vendors' streams complete popular certifications such as the Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) or Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP).
The Masters degree in general is made up of primarily technical subjects, with applicants needing an undergraduate degree and at least two years experience in the IT industry, but students will also need to demonstrate other skills: all streams list a "Topics in IT Ethics" subject.
In Novell's statement, Excom's managing director Paul Koukounaras said there was a strong local demand for Linux certification.
Novell said it would offer scholarships to help launch the new degree, which will be first offered in CSU's Trimester 2 -- starting in mid-2006.
Novell said in a statement the course would be the only postgraduate-level qualification which would include the achievement of Novell Certified Linux Engineer (Novell CLE) status as a key requirement.
"Students will study for their Masters degree via a mixture of distance education coupled with hands-on practical training courses with Novell's leading IT training provider Excom Education," Novell added.
The degree will formally be a stream of CSU's Master of Networking and System Administration, which currently allows students to choose streams from Microsoft and Cisco as well as pathways not specific to a vendor.
Students in the other vendors' streams complete popular certifications such as the Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) or Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP).
The Masters degree in general is made up of primarily technical subjects, with applicants needing an undergraduate degree and at least two years experience in the IT industry, but students will also need to demonstrate other skills: all streams list a "Topics in IT Ethics" subject.
In Novell's statement, Excom's managing director Paul Koukounaras said there was a strong local demand for Linux certification.
"In the past 12 months, we have experienced unprecedented demand for Novell's Suse Linux training courses and certifications, from both Linux and traditional Novell IT professional," he said.
Novell said it would offer scholarships to help launch the new degree, which will be first offered in CSU's Trimester 2 -- starting in mid-2006.
Friday, January 20, 2006
CCNA: Cisco Switching Modes Tutorial
To pass the CCNA exam and earn that coveted certification, you've got to know Cisco switches inside and out.
Among the many important details you've got to know are the three methods that Cisco switches use to forward frames, and the differences between the three.
The first switching method is Store-and-Forward. The name is the recipe, because that's just what the switch does - it stores the entire frame before beginning to forward it. This method allows for the greatest amount of error checking, since the Frame Check Sequence (FCS) can be run before the frame is forwarded. As always, there is a tradeoff, since this error checking process makes this the slowest of the three frame forwarding methods.
The quickest method is Cut-Through, where only the destination MAC address of the frame is examined before the forwarding process begins. This means that the part of the frame is actually being forwarded as it is still being received! The tradeoff here is that the FCS does not run, so there is absolutely no error checking with Cut-Through switching.
The middle ground between these two extremes is Fragment-Free, so named since fragmented frames will not be forwarded. The switch examines only the first 64 bytes of the frame for errors, since that is the part of the frame that will be damaged in case of a collision. There is error checking, but it is not as thorough as Store-and-Forward.
Keeping these three switching schemes straight is vital to your CCNA exam efforts, and it will help you in working with Cisco switches in the real world as well. Keep studying!
Among the many important details you've got to know are the three methods that Cisco switches use to forward frames, and the differences between the three.
The first switching method is Store-and-Forward. The name is the recipe, because that's just what the switch does - it stores the entire frame before beginning to forward it. This method allows for the greatest amount of error checking, since the Frame Check Sequence (FCS) can be run before the frame is forwarded. As always, there is a tradeoff, since this error checking process makes this the slowest of the three frame forwarding methods.
The quickest method is Cut-Through, where only the destination MAC address of the frame is examined before the forwarding process begins. This means that the part of the frame is actually being forwarded as it is still being received! The tradeoff here is that the FCS does not run, so there is absolutely no error checking with Cut-Through switching.
The middle ground between these two extremes is Fragment-Free, so named since fragmented frames will not be forwarded. The switch examines only the first 64 bytes of the frame for errors, since that is the part of the frame that will be damaged in case of a collision. There is error checking, but it is not as thorough as Store-and-Forward.
Keeping these three switching schemes straight is vital to your CCNA exam efforts, and it will help you in working with Cisco switches in the real world as well. Keep studying!
Thursday, January 19, 2006
Why Should I Train For A Microsoft Certification?
Microsoft certification is a vast combination of rich and varied jobs and responsibilities.Why Should I Train For A Microsoft Certification?
To successfully perform the critical IT function we should earn a specific credential providing objective validity of the ability. One of the most effective ways to reach a long-term career goal, which is even embraced by industry professionals worldwide, is Microsoft certification.
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
642-551 Exam Review
Cisco’s newest version of this exam for aspiring CCSPs requires a foundation of security knowledge with some hands-on experience.
A Cisco Certified Security Professional (CCSP) requires knowledge and hands-on experience with many Cisco network security technologies. Unlike most of the other exams required for CCSP certification, which are focused more on particular areas of security, the SND exam covers these from a high-level identification, implementation and configuration point-of-view. I’ll address some of the main areas to study for this new exam by mapping to the official exam objectives.
Securing Cisco Network Devices (642-551)
A Cisco Certified Security Professional (CCSP) requires knowledge and hands-on experience with many Cisco network security technologies. Unlike most of the other exams required for CCSP certification, which are focused more on particular areas of security, the SND exam covers these from a high-level identification, implementation and configuration point-of-view. I’ll address some of the main areas to study for this new exam by mapping to the official exam objectives.
Securing Cisco Network Devices (642-551)
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