After reading the article on the front page about the new trends in certification testing, I did a little research and wasn't very pleased with what I found. The idea of a hands-on lab as part of the certification process is good in theory since it should cut down on the number of people who pass the tests by memorization only, however they are *very* cost prohibitive! The CCIE, for example, is $200 for the test and $1000 for the lab! My company does not pay for my training or certifications so all the ones I've taken I've paid for out of my pocket. Quite frankly, my pockets aren't that deep so it looks like I'm going to have to find something else to do instead of trying for a Cisco certification.
Of course, the brunt of the article was that more and more certifications are going that route so it looks like another way for the rich to get richer and folks who get certified the old fashioned way (hours of study and hard work) to get left out in the cold.
At least I still have on-the-job experience. They can't take that away from me.
Mike Walton
A+, Network+

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On the job experience is what matters the most. Believe me I know that certifications cost and adding a hands-on lab portion to the test would increase cost.

My view is that it will "weed out" a few people, but it will not stop certification all together. People will start to rethink which certifications to pursue and a more people with one or two certifications instead of five or six.

I also believe that it will affect "big-name" cerifications (MCSE and CNE) than it would smaller "entry-level" certifications (A+, Network+).

In my opinion, Microsoft should set their program up like Novell(MasterCNE)and or Cisco where you can move up to a higher level, but it takes more to achieve it.

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As far as I know the CCIE is the only test that costs $1000. There may be others, but I am not aware of any. I can empathise with your position. However, if you have enough knowledge and experience to take and pass the CCIE test and lab, I think you should find a way to get the money and do it! With a certification like that (less than 1000 in the US) you have to look at it as an investment...not an expense. Because with the initials CCIE on your resume, you'll be able to get a job anywhere in the country making enough money to pay off your testing debt with your first paycheck and have a lot left over. All of that being said, there is no substitute for experience. Just keep getting that good experience and something better will come along. Maybe you could find an employer who will pay for you testing and training. Good luck!

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LANlord :-)
MCNE,MCSE,CCNA

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I just read your story on testing trends, especially the part about the industry's concern that test takers are "beating" the exam and the industry's plan introduce
"expensive" labs to find out who has "real knowledge" and who does not.

It seems to me that requiring extremely expensive labs at the candidates expense is as likely identify rich and the poor as the qualified and unqualified.

If a company wants experience in addition to testing, it is easy enough to check the candidates resume and verify his/her experience. No amount of lab testing can a replace a little bit common sense when hiring. And, frankly, I just hate to work for people who can't think clearly and work efficiently. ;-)

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