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Question of the week
Follow up to last week's CertAdvisor
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Share your cert-experience
How CertAdvisor answers questions


Question of the week

Q1) What kind of entry-level job am I looking at after getting A+ and Network+ certifications? I'm considering going for CCNA. Is this a good route to take or should I consider something else before CCNA. (From Pegone) 

ANS) A job at help desk -- resolving network or application or hardware issues – is a typical entry-level position for A+ and Network+ certification holders. 

Many feel working at a help desk is too low an entry point. But in my opinion it is in your best interest to take advantage of every opportunity to learn how companies work within a networking environment.

Certification is a great tool for opening up job opportunities or advancing to higher pay and responsibilities. However, certification carries weight only if backed by experience. Working at a help desk definitely provides a key to acquire crucial work experience. 

…There are many paths an individual can take. If Cisco interests you, that is definitely a good choice as there is a strong demand for Cisco products. Further, it is logical and usual for a candidate to progress from A+ to Network+ to Cisco certifications. 

Taking this path will show that you have intelligently planned your career and, usually in the perception of employers, that is a great quality to spot in an employee. You are certainly on the right track. 

Follow up to last week’s Cert Advisor

Q2) My Company has offered to pay for my CNA program.  We work with NetWare 3. Which certification track would you recommend? (From Ryan Vellotti)

ANS) As you work with NetWare 3, you have a reason to prepare for the NetWare 3 track of CNA. But please note that this track, along with Groupwise 4 track, is scheduled for retirement on December 31, 2001. If you are preparing for this track you should register by June 15, 2001 and take the test by July 31, 2001.  Ideally you should certify in the latest version of the product.

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Q3) I hear you have to renew your Cisco certification every three years. When do the current Cisco certifications expire? (From John Chisholm)

ANS) Rather than the current Cisco certifications expiring, it would be correct to say that all Cisco certifications are valid for a limited time period only.

Certifications at the Associate and Professional level (CCNA, CCDA, CCNP, CCDP) are valid for three years. CCIE and Specializations are valid for two years.

Renewal requires certification holders to register for and pass appropriate Cisco re-certification exams.

CCNA and CCDA re-certification exams are simply the current version of the appropriate certification exam(s). Advancing to the next level or re-certifying at the Professional level automatically renews all related Associate level certifications.

CCNP and CCDP have separate re-certification exams tailored to each. Questions are drawn from the multiple exams currently in use for each certification.

CCIE re-certification requires passing a re-certification exam as well as attending specific sessions at Net workers conferences.

Specializations re-certification exams are simply the current version of the certification appropriate exam(s).

Certifications expire on the anniversary of the date they were awarded. Certification holders can check their current status through Cisco Career Certifications Tracking System at www.cisco.com/go/certifications.

Q4) I hold an MCP Certificate in NT 4 Workstation.  Now that NT 4 is no longer available for testing, am I still MCP Certified and if so, for how long?  (From Maree) 

ANS) All NT exams have retired as of February 28, 2001.  Your MCP status will continue until the end of this year. To maintain your MCP status you should pass an exam from any of the current Microsoft certification tracks. For more details please refer to:
http://www.microsoft.com/trainingandservices/default.asp?PageID=mcp&PageCall=requirements&SubSite=cert/mcp&AnnMenu=mcp

Share your cert-experience

This week our member “jessy_reeve” comments on how tough the Microsoft Windows 2000 Accelerated Exam for MCPs Certified on Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 (70-240) is:

" ”I just failed 70-240. For three months I studied all the recommended study guides and used all the available exam preps, besides extensively working with the product. But I still could not make it. The exam is a nightmare or may be I was unlucky to get its toughest version. It covers too may things and in fact, it is like taking four exams rather than one.  There were lot more "choose all that apply" questions than I expected.  Many questions built an overly complicated situation through multiple exhibits and I spent a lot of time making notes on them before attempting an answer. Soon I was racing against time to finish the test and committed many avoidable errors.

I want to warn all other candidates that this exam is really tough, and do not rush to it. Take your own sweet time and prepare exhaustively before taking on it. “

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