Certification - September 2008 - (Page 8)

VIRTUAL VILLAGE Exam Prep: Choose Wisely DEANNA hARTLEY Exam prep materials have been hotly debated on the CertMag forums lately, as test-takers scramble to get their hands on the most useful materials. But as the number of user questions rose, so did the gentle advice and stern warnings from the community’s senior members. The third time proved to be a charm for junior member azmimran, who passed the CCDA (Cisco Certified Design Associate) with a score of 980 out of 1000 and offered advice to future test-takers. “Cisco was really way out there [with the] questions,” azmimran said. “You can’t know the Summary Report, Implementation Steps, Draft Design Document and Network Design Documents well enough — the test seemed to center around these. The Analysis portion is difficult because you have to set your actual experience on the shelf and drink a few shot glasses of Cisco Kool-Aid to give them the answers they want.” Network Associate) and MCSE (Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer) exams and wondered if the Web site Certmagic.com is legitimate. “I have a long learning [road] ahead and will really like some practice questions,” kailevalie said. “If anyone has any idea about Certmagic exams, let me know.” Senior member wagnerk immediately responded to the user’s query and warned against such sites, stating that people who use these sites ought to realize that the future of their IT careers could be in jeopardy. “According to CertGuard, Certmagic.com is a brain dump site,” wagnerk said. “If, or when, you’re caught using brain dump [sites], you can be decertified and banned from taking any more exams. Brain dumps devalue the certification programs [through] cheating.” Wagnerk then offered some valuable test prep advice. “If you really want to learn something, do it the proper way,” wagnerk said. “Use proper books, use CBTs [computer-based training], go to class, and use proper and legitimate practice exams from vendors like PrepLogic, Boson, Transcender, MeasureUp, etc. Help keep the certification programs valuable and not just another piece of paper.” Another Web site recommended by wagnerk is CertGuard. “[It is] an independent organization — working with a lot of the major certification vendors — that helps safeguard the certification process,” he said. If, or when, you’re caught using brain dump [sites], you can be decertified and banned from taking any more exams. —wagnerk Azmimran attributed much of his success to HotCerts. com. “CCDA exam questions [on Hotcerts.com] are right on the money and highly recommended; I couldn’t have passed without [it].” However, after user workzrowan also sang the Web site’s praises, stating that it helped him pass a Security+ exam, senior member wagnerk raised a red flag and questioned the Web site’s validity. “The site in mention is a well-known brain dump site,” wagnerk said. “You could be decertified and banned from taking any more exams. If you didn’t know before, I hope you take note and use legit material next time.” Wagnerk cited a legitimate resource for the Security+ exam: the Sybex book. It seems that brain dump Web sites are gaining popularity as prep materials for a number of test-takers. Another CertMag forum member, kailevalie, is in the process of preparing for the CCNA (Cisco Certified General Discussion There was a revival in discussion under the “SNIA Cert” thread in the General Discussion forum. Meetme sanju initially posted a message regarding plans to obtain a SAN (Storage Area Networks) Certification. “Could anyone please advise me on SNIA (Storage Networking Industry Association) certification and the study guide that I can refer to?” meetme sanju asked. Senior member Wayne Anderson responded. “I assume first that you are referring to the Storage Networking Certification Program,” Wayne Anderson said. “Which level of storage certification are you intending to pursue? There is the SNIA Certified professional, the certified Systems Engineer, the certified Architect, as well as the expert-level certification. Though he wasn’t able to provide targeted insights into specific certifications, Wayne Anderson offered some general advice on all the SNIA certifications. 8 CERTIFICATION MAGAZINE September 2008 http://www.certmag.com/forums/ http://Certmagic.com http://www.certguard.com/ http://Hotcerts.com http://www.sybex.com/WileyCDA/

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Certification - September 2008 Editor's Letter Contents Data Stream Virtual Village Tech Careers Dear Techie Troubleshooting Academic Connection What We Like Look Ahead So You Want to Be an IT Major The Title Is Information Officer… Chief Information Officer Interface Network Administration: Working From the Ground Up Inside Certification Ad Index Endtag

Certification - September 2008

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