I agree whole-heartedly, but I really don't want to have to wade through a
bunch of "paper certs suck" postings on this newsgroup again!!
----- Original Message -----
From: JC
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Monday, June 18, 2001 7:28 PM
Subject: Passing Exams without a lab!! Read this its a thought [7:9006]
Hello,
I just couldn't resist stating this on the groupstudy, please respond
with your feelings on this matter. I started studying for my CCNA back in
October of last year. I was lazy so I took my time and passed the test in
December of last year. I got lazy for a while and then I began studying for
my CCNP in April. at the end of May I took my certification tests, my goal
was to take:
1) CCNP Foundation Exam 2.0
2) CCNP CIT 2.0 Exam
3) CCDA Exam
4) CCDP Exam
Within a two week time frame I passed all of these exams. What is my
point, I'm dissapointed that I was able to pass all of these exams in two
weeks. The state of certification today stinks in my opinion. They offer
you multiple choice exams, why? So many people are getting certified in
this and certified in that, that after awhile our certs will be of no value.
The only reason the CCIE is the almighty is because you have to take a lab
to pass it. Why don't they require everyone to take a lab test for all
levels of tests. It does not have to be a full blown equipment lab but why
can't the tests be virtual in nature. Setup a virtual lab test sorta like
the Sybex CCNA simulator setup, and make people enter some crucial commands
by memory or fill in the blank. Specify the connector that should be
attached to this interface, configure the CSU, etc... etc... See, the
problem is, I've studied for multiple choice tests all of my life, In
college you took the same multiple choice tests, however every once in a
while you had to be creative and pass an essay exam which truly tested your
ability to know the process and know the facts. I realize it is easier to
write a multiple choice exam and make money, but from our perspective it
cheats us. The problem is that I studied my ass off to pass the tests, but
a lot of the information you study for a multiple choice test leaves your
head instantaneously. If all Certification tests reguardless of level
included a lab portion it would test our ability to be creative with a
design on a design exam, or test our troubleshooting knowledge on a
troubleshooting exam, not merely remember a fact.
I owe a lot to certifications because they have helped my career along,
but in the same vein I still can't survive without my degree. The
credibility of exams these days is diminishing along with the economy. As
long as it is a "dog eat- dog world" as we have always known it to be, we
are all in trouble. The only people that stand to make money off of us by
writing multiple choice exams are the vendors of the equipment and those who
train us. W are getting ripped off here guys and there will never be an end
to the price increases on exams and labs if we don't work to improve the
quality of the exams that are given. If everyone can pass these exams
without ever touching any equipment then these certifications mean nothing.
My heart tells me that the CCIE is the most coveted by all because it
challenges your true ability to function in a real world scenario, and not
everyone has it because their is a lab portion which truly tests our skills
not just our memorization ability. Have you ever worked with the guy who
knows everything, yet you study for all those certifications and you still
feel completely inferior around him. Sure your title says "CC this and MC
that," but while your studying, the know it all veteran with no
certifications is basically running the business by keeping the network
running, keeping management happy, keeping customers happy, and most of all
contributing to the profitability of the company.
This is not meant to be a cut on any of us networkers, and I'm not
saying I'm any different then the rest. However, my goal on certifications
has changed dramatically. If there is not a lab component I'm not
interested. We have to fight for the value of our studies, if not then we
will all be searching for a new line of work.
Thanks,
JC
Message Posted at:
http://www.groupstudy.com/form/read.php?f=7&i=9008&t=9008
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