Computer Certification: Keeping (Net certification) Your Cool On Exam Day

September 29th, 2008

Tip! While working for a software vendor who had decided to initiate a certification program, I was chosen to become one a few engineers who were selected to provide support for certified customers. When told what we would be doing differently for these customers, the management said the approach would be to treat these companies like they knew a little more than a regular customer, and skip a few of the normal preliminary questions when initiating the process of opening a support issue.

When you wake up on exam day, one of two things is going to happen. Well, yes, you’re going to pass or fail. But what I’m thinking of comes before that, and has a lot to do with how you perform on exam day.

You’re either going to have a tremendous feeling of anticipation or the dreaded feeling of being nervous about it. Anticipation is a great thing to feel on exam day. You’re driving to the exam center, excited about the exam. You’re much like a football player, slapping another player on the helmet or the shoulder pads before the game starts. (Warning: Don’t try this on the exam proctor.) You know there’s a challenge ahead, but you’re looking forward to it. In your mind, you’re already victorious; you’re at the testing center only to make it official.

Conversely, there’s nothing worse than being nervous or feeling unprepared before the exam. I’ve driven up to an exam center and seen exam candidates doing some last-minute cramming in their car. Sadly for them, if there’s something you were unprepared for at 8 AM on exam day, you’re still going to be unprepared when you go into the test center, no matter what you read in the car at the last minute. You don’t see football players studying their playbook on the sideline before the game starts.

Tip! If you are considering computer training, take in mind that several companies require A+ Certification when hiring new personal, and many of them will consider that you stand out from the competition having a former A+ training. However, you do not need to become an IT technician to apply for these certifications.

It’s all about preparation. I regularly tell my students and customers that you don’t pass a Cisco exam (or any other vendor exam) the day you take it. You pass when you turn the TV off for weeks before the exam to study; you pass when you spend time and money to attend a class or buy a book or training video; you pass when you give up a weekend to get some hands-on experience. That’s when you pass. The exam score you get is simply feedback on your exam preparation.

There’s a great saying “Prior Preparation Prevents Poor Performance”. That describes to a “T” what your strategy to pass the exam must include. Put the time in well before exam day and you’ll reap the rewards on the big day. If you’re just planting the seeds of knowledge in your car the morning of the exam, don’t expect much of a harvest.

Tip! MCSE certification involves seven levels of testing, with intense course modules in operating systems, design and other electives on implementation. The exams are broken into four exams in operating systems, design and two others chosen by the candidate.

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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