Recently in Certification Category

InformIT just posted an interview with me from the last Cisco Live! event (why'd they rename it from Cisco Networkers anyway? I liked that better) about the CCNA Voice certification. Here's the links, if you're interested; I'm keeping them here for my own reference. It's not every day you get to meet someone like Jeff Doyle!

CCNA Voice Interview, Part 1

CCNA Voice Interview, Part 2

***Disclaimer - these interviews were recorded before the CCNA Voice was announced by Cisco. Up until that point, they informed me that the only pre-req. for the CCNA Voice would be a CCENT certification (which still makes more sense in my mind) rather than the CCNA. I mention that somewhere in these interviews...***

Cisco apparently has refaced the look of all the certification logos for use on resumes, business cards, etc... for certified individuals. I'm anxious to see them, but completely forgot my logon information (you need your CSCO number...) for the Cisco Certification website. Here's the scoop direct from Cisco:

-Thumbprint scanning
-Digital signatures
-Test forensics

The first two are obvious ways to prevent impostors from taking certification exams for you. However, this is nowhere NEAR as big of a problem as brain dumps / illegal "practice exams". This is the aim of the test forensics...but what does THAT mean? How can a certification exam tell if you're cheating?

Last month, Network World magazine posted a great article on the subject...and I quote:

The metrics (test forensics) reveal statistics such as how long it took the student to answer each test item, which answers were changed during the test, and how much time the student needed to complete the test. These metrics are compared with a historical baseline value, and too much variation raises a red flag. Before the student even walks out the door of the test center, the test results can be called into question, triggering further investigation.

Interesting...of course, I'm sure all the thoughts immediately go to the "false positive" world of real canidates being flagged incorrectly...but I would think these candidates would have nothing to fear anyway (they could handle an oral interview, or whatever follow-up there was)...What do you think?

PS - Vue said that 2008 would be a huge year for implementing these new security measures, but I have yet to thumbprint-scan or digitally sign for any exams...has anyone seen these new security measures???

Juniper is evil...at least, that's what my Cisco-brainwashed mind thought until I spoke with someone who really knew how to work with Juniper routers. After about an hour, I was amazed at some of the software features (their software is called JUNOS) they have implemented. It seems as though Juniper can do most everything Cisco can, but with a more efficient interface to work with. Ever since then, I've been looking for a way to get into the Juniper world...Google Ads to the rescue :o)

Just this morning, a Google Ad at the top of my own site caught my eye. It was an ad FROM Juniper saying that Cisco people can get Juniper certified for free. After clicking the add, I found out that it's true! Here's the process:

1. Go to the Juniper Cisco certification page: http://www.juniper.net/training/fasttrack

2. Get access to their free E-Learning courses

3. Pass a pre-qualification exam and get a FREE voucher for Sylvan Prometric to take the exam

4. Pass the Sylvan exam and get Juniper certified

I've got to say, this is one of the coolest policies I've ever seen a company implement.

Interesting new information from Cisco on their updated certification security. Certification exam takers will now be required to take a digital photograph and give a digital signature at VUE exam centers:

Cisco and Pearson VUE Improve Security Innovations in Global Test Delivery

...
Cisco is now requiring that all VUE test centers delivering Cisco certification exams collect digital photos and digital signatures during the admissions process, in addition to the current identification requirements. This new layer of identity authentication will help to ensure candidate identity and result in increased assurance that individuals are presenting accurate certification records in the marketplace. The new authentication technology will be implemented in phases around the globe over the next year.

I'm curious if this will really help in securing the exam information itself. It seems to me that the main problem is not people taking tests for each other, but rather, practice test organizations (I will refrain from mentioning which ones) releasing actual copies of the questions on the exam.

Alright test-takers...The November 6th date is approaching quickly and the old INTRO/ICND exam path is due to expire. I've been working on three new books for Exam Cram for the new CCENT/CCNA certification path and have taken the new ICND1, ICND2, and CCNA exams. While I hate "brain dumps" of tests (I think it completely devalues the certification and the intelligence of the person taking the exam), I do like having general study guidelines before walking into an exam blindly. So, for those of you preparing to attack these new exams, here's what I have found...

One of my students passed on this website to me: http://www.getcertify4less.com/cisco.asp. Apparently you can get Cisco VUE exam vouchers at a fraction of the price provided you are scheduling your exam soon. He said he used it and it worked great for him - I haven't had the chance yet. Seems pretty awesome - exams at half price - Not bad!