Booking and Taking the Network+ Certification ExamUnfortunately, testing is not free. You'll be charged $207 for each test you take, whether you pass or fail. In the United States and Canada, tests are administered by Sylvan Prometric or VUE testing services. To book a test with Prometric or locate a Prometric testing center near you, refer to the website at www.2test.com or call directly at 1-800-776-4276. To access the VUE contact information and book an exam, refer to the website at www.vue.com or call directly at 1-877-551-7587. When booking an exam, you will need to identify the following information:
What to Expect from the ExamFor those who have not taken a certification test, the process can be a little unnerving. For those who have taken numerous tests, it is not much better. Mastering the inner mental game often can be as much of the battle as knowing the material itself. Knowing what to expect before heading in can make the process a little more comfortable. Certification tests are administered on a computer system at a Prometric or VUE authorized testing center. The format of the exams is straightforward: Each question has several possible answers to choose from. In fact, the questions in this book provide a very good example of the types of questions you can expect on the actual exam. If you are comfortable with them, the test should hold few surprises. Many of the questions vary in terms of length; some of them are longer scenario questions, whereas others are short and right to the point. Read the questions carefully; the longer questions often have a key point in them that will lead you to the correct answer. Most of the questions on the Network+ exam require you to choose a single correct answer, but a few will require multiple answers. When there are multiple correct answers, a message at the bottom of the screen prompts you to "choose all that apply." Be sure to read the messages. A Few Exam Day DetailsIt is recommended to get to the examination room at least 15 minutes early, although a few minutes earlier certainly would not hurt. This is good strategy used to prepare yourself and to allow the test administrator time to answer any questions you might have before the test begins. Many people suggest that you review the most critical information about the test you're taking just before the test. (Exam Cram books provide a referencethe Cram Sheet, located inside the front of this bookthat lists the essential information from the book in distilled form.) Arriving a few minutes early will give you some time to compose yourself and to mentally review this critical information. You will be asked to provide two forms of ID, with one of those being photo ID. Both of the identifications you choose should have a signature. You also might need to sign in when you arrive and sign out when you leave. Be warned: The rules are very clear about what you can and cannot take into the examination room. Books, laptops, note sheets, and so on, are not allowed in the examination room with you. The test administrator will hold these items, to be returned after you complete the exam. You might receive either a wipe board or a pen and a single piece of paper for making notes during the exam. The test administrator will ensure that no paper is removed from the examination room. After the TestWhether you want it or not, as soon as you finish your test, your score is displayed on the computer screen. In addition to the results appearing on the computer screen, a hard copy of the report is printed for you. Like the onscreen report, the hard copy displays the results of your exam and provides a summary of how you did on each section of the exam and on each technology. If you were unsuccessful, this summary can help you determine the areas that you need to brush up on. When you pass the Network+ exam, you will have earned the Network+ certification and your certificate will be mailed to you within a few weeks. Should you not receive your certificate and information packet within five weeks of passing your exam, please contact CompTIA at fulfillment@comptia.org or call 1-630-268-1818 and ask for the fulfillment department. Last Minute Exam TipsStudying for a certification exam really is no different from studying for any other exam, but a few hints and tips can give you the edge come exam day:
Remember, at the end of the day, the primary object is not just to pass the examit is to understand the material. After you understand the material, passing the exam should be simple. Knowledge is a pyramid; to build upward, you need a solid foundation. This book and the Network+ certification are designed to ensure that you have that solid foundation. Good luck! |