Paul W. Abrahams wrote:
I'm putting this in a separate thread from the other certification posts because it doesn't exactly follow from any of them.
I wonder how realistic these certification tests (Linux, Microsoft, or whatever) are as a measure of one's ability. In the real world, versus the world of the exam room, you have access to a large collection of information resources, both in print and on-line. A good problem-solver is able to use those resources effectively - but a good memory for the details of what you can retrieve when you need it isn't particularly important. A truly realistic test would be the equivalent of a college open-book exam, where you're at a terminal where you can look up anything that would normally be available to you in a working context. Tests whose results depend heavily on rote learning don't measure what you need in the real world.
In my Networking Certifications, I finally discovered how multiple choice questions can be written that actually tests knowledge vice memorization. I think certification has some value, but not near as much as experience and a degree. -- George Toft http://www.georgetoft.com Certified NACSE Senior Network Specialist, Master of Science Information Systems Linux/Unix System Administrator Web Master Network Administrator --> Looking for the right job in Ontario, California <-- __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Talk to your friends online with Yahoo! Messenger. http://im.yahoo.com -- To unsubscribe send e-mail to suse-linux-e-unsubscribe@suse.com For additional commands send e-mail to suse-linux-e-help@suse.com Also check the FAQ at http://www.suse.com/Support/Doku/FAQ/