How quick is the certification for A+, MCSE, etc.?

[BrunoPuntzJones]

Are these like the CPA exam where you take them and have to wait weeks, or months for the results? Or do you get the scores immediately?

I don't have any certs because I've never needed them. But a prospective employer really wants some abbreviations, apparently doesn't want to just go on faith that I know what I'm talking about :brokenheart:

I can't find the answers online quickly. Is this something I can just walk into a testing center and take, then walk out with a sheet showing I passed? Or will it take a while to get results back?

 

[vi edit]

A+/Network+ was immediate for me. Click the last question and it takes you to a survey screen and then says wait a few seconds and spits out your score and sends it to a printer at the facility.

A week later you have your little certifcate.

 

[aircooled]

I got my scores immediately after the test.

 

[pontifex]

When I took my MS cert tests I got my score (or later they changed to pass or fail only) immediately.

 

[GoatMonkey]

I haven't done MS certs yet, but the Sun certs give you results immediately when you complete the test.

 

[altonb1]

I'm pretty sure that most test results are provided immediately these days. However, I would not expect to walk in and pass every test based on your real-world experience. I do not have any Microsoft certs because i was always to cheap to spend the money on the test or too lazy to bother taking it. in any case, from all of the practice tests I have taken using real test questions, I found that Microsoft likes to word their questions very specifically--so even though you may know your way around a network, if you are not familiar with Microsoft's PRECISE terminology for something, you may be left scratching your head.

Good luck!

 

[ryan256]

I got the results for both of mine immediately. For one it even told me on the screen that I'd passed at the end of the test.

 

[BrunoPuntzJones]

Originally posted by: altonb1
I'm pretty sure that most test results are provided immediately these days. However, I would not expect to walk in and pass every test based on your real-world experience. I do not have any Microsoft certs because i was always to cheap to spend the money on the test or too lazy to bother taking it. in any case, from all of the practice tests I have taken using real test questions, I found that Microsoft likes to word their questions very specifically--so even though you may know your way around a network, if you are not familiar with Microsoft's PRECISE terminology for something, you may be left scratching your head.

Good luck!

I wondered about that. I figure some may be shit like how to get to network properties. Super simple to do if you are using the PC, but from memory...

I took some of the practice tests and did real well on those, and figure if I miss triple what I missed on those I'll still pass.

I assume I can just take them again as long as they get their money? Like I don't have to wait 6 months to take it again?

 

[hiromizu]

While working full time 50hrs+, it took me about a year to get my MCSE and never failed an exam.

 

[JDMnAR1]

Unless you take the exams in beta, the results are in your hands when you leave the testing center, at least in the case of CompTIA and Microsoft exams.

The retake policy for Microsoft exams is below:

If you do not pass an exam the first time you take it, you may retake it at any time. If you do not achieve a passing score the second time, you must wait at least 14 days to retake the exam a third time. A 14-day waiting period will be imposed for all subsequent exam retakes. If you have passed an exam, you cannot take it again. Beta exams may be taken only once.

I believe that CompTIA's is similar.

 

[rise]

is this a good site for studying up for certs? just quickly flipping thru it seems a bit dated (the a anyway) but their forums seem current.