Mac OS X Server Certification
Hello every one!!! Currently I am attending a local college for my MCSE Cert and I was wondering if I succesfully get certified in MCSE I would like to purchase some training books on OS X Server. Currently we use a set of books from Microsoft and I was wondering if Apple does the same thing??!?? I have looked high and low but I have not been able to find any thing. if any one could help me out please let me know... I have found on Apple's site <a href="http://train.apple.com/jaguar.html"; target="_blank">http://train.apple.com/jaguar.html</a>; but I'm not interested in taking classes I will read the content myself and than go and take the tests, so if any one knows any thing please post. Thanks!!! <img src="confused.gif" border="0">
Comments
The ACSA certification is tougher, and not having that one, I don't know what's required. I suppose that it's possible to self-study for that one, too, but I would imagine it'd be harder.
The best thing you can do is download the sample questions/list of test concepts from the Training site. They really do tell you what you need to know.
I am interested in the ACSA!
Good luck on the ACSA thing! I'm thinking I might eventually go for that, but ACTC will suffice for now.
And only $450 total cost? Really? Just 150 each?
What about study material costs? Are ALL the documents downloadable PDFs? And FREE too?
I alsways thought the ACSA would cost a couple thousand dollars to get. Maybe I was thinking of the training/class costs, huh? Or did Apple change the routine (again)?
Do you think that there will be OS X study guides available from various IT publishers (similar to how Borders or Barnes and Noble has an entire WALL of MCSE study guides from many publishers)?
If I fail a test, is it another 150 to take it again?
How often can the same test be taken?
How long does each test take?
Where did you go for the testing?
Do you think it will help your resume? Or did you get the cert for personnal reason?
I am really suprised how many people here at AI DONT have these certs. In the PC world. everyone has a cert!
[ 09-01-2002: Message edited by: BrianMacOS ]</p>
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I am really suprised how many people here at AI DONT have these certs. In the PC world. everyone has a cert!</strong><hr></blockquote>
Many of us are poer users as Brian mentioned. Some programmers, developers, etc. In the PC world everyone SHOULD get certificats seeing the general level of 1d10t questions you get from them <img src="graemlins/oyvey.gif" border="0" alt="[No]" />
<strong>3 tests total now? Did they combine some?
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I think they combined two into one. I don't have the information in front of me, but it's all explained in excruciating detail at train.apple.com. They also introduced the concept of tracks -- where one of the tests you take is based on an elective -- i.e., a specialty. It can be Quicktime Streaming, WebObjects, or something else (I forget the third one).
[quote]<strong>
And only $450 total cost? Really? Just 150 each?
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Uhhh . . . yeah? (I wasn't aware this was so unusual, having not taken other certification exams before.)
[quote]<strong>
What about study material costs? Are ALL the documents downloadable PDFs? And FREE too?
<hr></blockquote></strong>
The test study guides are, yes. They don't suffice in and of themselves, but they're great if you want to know WHAT you need to know for the exams. Then you can do the necessary research (books, etc. -- generally NOT free stuff) to find out what you need. For harder certs, like ACSA, taking a class may be a good idea. You don't have to take Apple's official classes; there are plenty of third-party classes that are a lot less expensive.
[quote]<strong>
I alsways thought the ACSA would cost a couple thousand dollars to get. Maybe I was thinking of the training/class costs, huh?
<hr></blockquote></strong>
That's probably the case. It's not immediately apparent from Apple's site that you don't have to take the courses -- and they probably designed it that way. But you don't have to, not at all. But it certainly wouldn't hurt.
[quote]<strong>
Do you think that there will be OS X study guides available from various IT publishers (similar to how Borders or Barnes and Noble has an entire WALL of MCSE study guides from many publishers)?
<hr></blockquote></strong>
You would think there would be. I'm kind of disappointed in the publishers for failing to snap up this opportunity. There was a study guide for the first of the two ACTC exams (which also happens to be the first of the ACSA exams, too), but that publisher is out of business. You can still find the book on Amazon, being sold used.
Still, that only covers one test. You kind of have to improvise for the others. But I can tell you that particular book is excellent.
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If I fail a test, is it another 150 to take it again?
<hr></blockquote></strong>
Yep.
[quote]<strong>
How often can the same test be taken?
<hr></blockquote></strong>
I've never read anything about there being any limit. Hell, Prometric will gladly take as many $150 payments from you as you're willing to give them.
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How long does each test take?
<hr></blockquote></strong>
They give you 90 minutes for 80 multiple-choice questions. I completed both my ACTC exams in about 30-35 minutes each. I wonder if that cute receptionist (who I swear was *staring* at me!) was impressed. But that's another thread.
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Where did you go for the testing?
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The tests are offered at any Prometric testing center, and those places are all over the country, in all kinds of villages, burgs, and hamlets.
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Do you think it will help your resume? Or did you get the cert for personnal reason?
<hr></blockquote></strong>
At some point in the future, it might help my resume, but right now, the ACTC and ACSA certs are too new. Most people haven't heard of them -- certainly not the morons that populate your average HR department. If you work at a place where your bosses know what an ACTC/ACSA certification is, be thankful you work among the clueful.
I got the ACTC because I'm a member of the Apple Consultants Network. Anyone can get into that by paying $495 a year, but if you have an ACTC, you become a "Premier Member" and get certain perks. (By the way, need Mac consulting? My site's at <a href="http://www.thePublicInternet.net.)" target="_blank">http://www.thePublicInternet.net.)</a>
[quote]<strong>
I am really suprised how many people here at AI DONT have these certs. In the PC world. everyone has a cert!</strong><hr></blockquote>
Well, that's because M$ is such an effective marketer. Also, Apple didn't have these certs until a few months ago.
ACTC and ACSA come with some fringe benefits.
The Apple Consultants Network has these following step up benefits if you join($500)the ACN.
If you join the ACN with an Apple Cert you are known as a Premier member. This entitles you to
- Business Referrals from Apple Channel.
BrianMacOS-The Use of the Apple Consultants Logo.
You get FREE OSX Server and Client.
You get Discounted FCP, DVDSP,Webobjects,and Apple Remote Desktop.
And last you get to serve on an Advisory Council...whatever that means.
I too went to class for MCSE Cert. I haven't started taking my tests so if you find any good study guides let me know. Personally I know my attitude isn't the best..I just want to knock'em out and move on to adding a Cisco path and possibly Solaris.
The problem is Seattle's Tech market is DEAD. I know I will have to scrape and fight for a decent gig once i'm Certified so I've already got plans to charge ahead.
The ACN network is nice. With XServer, the LDAP improvements in 10.2 Server and other Networking strengths I can definitely see a market for a Apple Consultant that holds an MCSE and ACSA.
Getting a free 10.2 Server and discounts on Apple's best software is nice as well. I can think of 4 large companies in the Seattle area that have heterogeneous networks based on sizable Mac Depts(usually graphic unless we're talking Biotech) and PC clients. This area is lucrative because the typical MCSE only shill will walk in and propose moving EVERYTHING to PC and will usually fail when all the X's and O's come out(most graphic depts that I see will NOT switch platforms ..they know better).
I've got plenty of work to do.
oh yeah here's the pdf for the ACN if you haven't checked it out already
<a href="http://consultants.apple.com/join/pdf/acnprogram0702.pdf"; target="_blank">http://consultants.apple.com/join/pdf/acnprogram0702.pdf</a>;
Also keep in mind from what I've heard from Consultants. Generally there are NFR titles that come with the Mailbox mailins. I've heard of NFR versions of Office, Filemaker and other top notch apps being included. Put it this way your $500 entry fee will be recouped in Apple and 3rd party apps within the year
[ 09-05-2002: Message edited by: hmurchison ]</p>