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The Future Of Computer Certification Exams |
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The format and difficulty of computer certification exams
is constantly changing. When I took my first certification
exam (Novell NetWare 3.1x CNA, January 1997), there was no
such thing as a simulator question, and my practical skills
really were not tested. The exams then were much heavier on
memorization.
One factor that helped make up for that was that the Novell
exams were adaptive. If you missed a question on a particular
topic, you would continue to be asked questions about that
topic until you got it right. You couldn't afford to be weak
in any topic, because the exam would most likely find that
out and keep hitting you with questions on that topic until
you failed.
Adding to the stress, after a certain number of questions
your exam could end at any time. You had no idea how many
questions you would get, just that you would get at least
15. Every time you hit the "next" button after question
15, you didn't know if you'd get another question or if the
exam would suddenly end and give you a pass or fail response.
Times have changed. Cisco has led the way in introducing
simulator questions to their exams, where the candidate is
presented with a simulation of a router or network and asked
to perform tasks that someone who is ready to earn that certification
should be able to perform. This is a much better test of competency
than the exams were eight years ago.
What will be the next "big jump" in computer certification
exams? To earn the world's most difficult technical certification,
the CCIE, the candidate must first pass a rigorous 100-question
qualification exam, and must then pass a practical lab exam.
The candidate is presented with an exacting set of network
requirements and must build that network on a pod of Cisco
routers and switches in less than eight hours.
This is just personal opinion and not "insider information",
but I believe the day will come when the CCNA, CCNP, and other
Cisco certifications will require some kind of hands-on practical
lab to earn the certification. What better way to test competency
than to have to perform tasks on real Cisco equipment? There
would be more overhead for Cisco with this kind of testing,
since lab equipment and lab proctors would be needed, but
the already-prized CCNA and CCNP would become that much more
valuable in the workplace if employers knew that to earn that
certification, the job candidate had to pass a hands-on exam.
This would benefit the candidates as well, since it would
do an even better job in protecting their investment in time
and money. This could also be the next step in ferretting
out candidates who try to get past the CCNA and CCNP exams
via braindumps. As I always tell my students and customers,
when you're standing in front of that router or switch, there
is no multiple choice ... you either know it or you don't!
About the Author:
Chris Bryant, CCIE #12933, is the owner of The Bryant Advantage,
home of free CCNA and CCNP tutorials, The Ultimate CCNA Study
Package, and Ultimate CCNP Study Packages. For a FREE copy
of his latest e-books, “How To Pass The CCNA” and
“How To Pass The CCNP”, visit the website and download
your free copies. You can also get FREE CCNA and CCNP exam
questions every day! Pass the CCNA exam with The Bryant Advantage!
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Relevant Resources |
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Need Cisco Hardware for your Cert? |
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| Call 813.852.6400 now for more information to find the best router or switch to best help you with your certification exam. Having "real" hands-on experience is extremely beneficial not just for testing, but also ensures you are actually familiar with the device you are working on.
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