royong
19-04-2006, 16:43
Disclaimer ::
This has been ported from my old 74r.Com web site.
Information and viewpoints may be dated.
The Red Hat Certified Engineer certification has been touted as one of the most comprehensive certifications where the student is examined not only on his theoretical knowledge but is also tested on his practical skills in areas of installation and troubleshooting. Here's my personal take on the certification examinations.
==================
Certification Exam Overview
==================
The certification exam is broken into 3 sections as follows :-
(a) Troubleshooting - 2.5 hours
(b) Multiple Choice Questions - 1 hour
(c) Server Install and Network Services Configuration - 2.5 hours
In order to pass the Red Hat Certified Engineer exam on Red Hat Linux 9 you must meet the following requirements:
(a) an average score of 80 or higher across all three sections, equally weighted
(b) no section score lower than 50 points
(c) 70 percent or more on the RHCT-level skills and 70 percent or more on the RHCE-level skills in the Server Install and Network Services Configuration Section.
This last requirement is new, and enables RHCEs to demonstrate that they possess both RHCT-level and RHCE-level skills, as well as enabling a person who only has RHCT level skills to earn RHCT if they pass the required competencies.
=============
(a) Troubleshooting
=============
This section kicks off the RHCE certification exams. In this section, you are seated against your workstation and are presented with 2 Phases containing multiple objectives to be fulfilled.
Phase 1 :: Compulsory :: 4 objectives that need to be achieved before you are allowed to continue. You are required to troubleshoot / rectify / configure your workstation to meet these 4 objectives. Once completed, you are to attract the attention of the examiner whom will be on hand to verify that all 4 objectives have been met before proceeding further.
Phase 1 :: Non-Compulsory :: 2 additional non-compulsory objectives. Once again, you are expected to complete these objectives before attracting the attention of the examiner whom will be on hand to verify that the objectives have been met before proceeding further to Phase 2.
Phase 2 :: Non-Compulsory :: A new installation will take space and this should take about 5 minutes. Once in place, you are left on your own to fulfill the final requirements of this phase. Once again, you are to attract the attention of the examiner whom will be on hand to verify that the objectives have been met before completing the Troubleshooting exam.
My time for this section : 1.75 hours
In my opinion, all objectives in this phase are fairly comprehensive in dealing with day-to-day troubleshooting scenarios. A seasoned Linux administrator should not have any difficulties in this phase. The time provided is sufficient and should not be any cause for concern.
===================
(b) Multiple Choice Questions
===================
This section requires one to answer 50 Multiple Choice Questions. A single page of 50 questions in which you are to select answers to all 50 questions before pressing the submit button. Once the submit button has been depressed, the system exits and you can no longer make any changes. You will be notified of your result on this section within 5 working days.
My time for this section : 0.4 hours
This is the only section where your theoretical knowledge is required. However please take note that there isn't any penalty for wrong answers so, please provide answers for all 50 questions - give if they are only guesses!
==========
(c) Installation
==========
This last section presents the biggest challenge for many. You are required to install a Red Hat Linux system from scratch and configure it to fulfill all the requirements and objectives listed out in the question paper. This section is divided into 2 portions namely, RHCT credits and RHCE credits. You are required to obtain 70% and above for each of these sections in order to fulfill the requirement of an RHCE. You will be notified of your result on this section within 5 working days.
My time for this section : 2.50 hours
This is the most challenging portion of the exams. By the time this exam begins, you have been drained by the requirements of the last 2 exams and with lunch in your bellies, you have to fight against sleepiness to fulfill all the necessary requirements. So, my first advice - take a light lunch - no sense getting all sleepy in the exam hall. Time is of utmost consideration here. Manage your time well and try and complete the requirements and objectives with the quickest and easiest method. Please bear in mind that you only need 70% and above for both the RHCT and RHCE credits to get your certification so play it smart. Don't get too carried away with the RHCT portion and neglect the RHCE. Last piece of advice :: Your system will be rebooted before evaluation so please ensure that everything you do will remain after a reboot.
============
(d) After the exam
============
Breath a sigh of relieve after the exams. You deserve it. Now begins the long 5 day waiting period for your exam results. You will feel mentally exhausted so go ahead and rest.
============
(e) My results
============
I didn't have to wait long for my results. The next morning, my RHCE exam results were already in my INBOX and I was elated to learn that I had passed. The following are some details of how I did.
:: Overall Average : 91.13%
http://www.royong.com/old-royong/images/red_hat_cert_eng_logo-clr_small.jpg
(http://www.royong.com/old-royong/rhce/ROY_ONG_BAN_GUAN.pdf)
Having completed the RHCE certification exam, I would consider the exam very demanding especially during the Server Install and Network Services Configuration section, which I must admit is the toughest. This section requires one to complete each objective in the shortest possible time. Bearing in mind that the Red Hat installation is done from scratch, valuable time is wasted, waiting for the installation to complete before you can begin configuration. However, the satisfaction of knowing that you are up to scratch with your Linux skills is certainly worth the effort. But don't be fooled, this exam is not for the faint-hearted. The exam is costly at S$950.00 per exam registration that does not include any guidance nor course material. So, for all you RHCE wannabes out there, practice hard and practice well, I'm very sure you will make the grade!
This has been ported from my old 74r.Com web site.
Information and viewpoints may be dated.
The Red Hat Certified Engineer certification has been touted as one of the most comprehensive certifications where the student is examined not only on his theoretical knowledge but is also tested on his practical skills in areas of installation and troubleshooting. Here's my personal take on the certification examinations.
==================
Certification Exam Overview
==================
The certification exam is broken into 3 sections as follows :-
(a) Troubleshooting - 2.5 hours
(b) Multiple Choice Questions - 1 hour
(c) Server Install and Network Services Configuration - 2.5 hours
In order to pass the Red Hat Certified Engineer exam on Red Hat Linux 9 you must meet the following requirements:
(a) an average score of 80 or higher across all three sections, equally weighted
(b) no section score lower than 50 points
(c) 70 percent or more on the RHCT-level skills and 70 percent or more on the RHCE-level skills in the Server Install and Network Services Configuration Section.
This last requirement is new, and enables RHCEs to demonstrate that they possess both RHCT-level and RHCE-level skills, as well as enabling a person who only has RHCT level skills to earn RHCT if they pass the required competencies.
=============
(a) Troubleshooting
=============
This section kicks off the RHCE certification exams. In this section, you are seated against your workstation and are presented with 2 Phases containing multiple objectives to be fulfilled.
Phase 1 :: Compulsory :: 4 objectives that need to be achieved before you are allowed to continue. You are required to troubleshoot / rectify / configure your workstation to meet these 4 objectives. Once completed, you are to attract the attention of the examiner whom will be on hand to verify that all 4 objectives have been met before proceeding further.
Phase 1 :: Non-Compulsory :: 2 additional non-compulsory objectives. Once again, you are expected to complete these objectives before attracting the attention of the examiner whom will be on hand to verify that the objectives have been met before proceeding further to Phase 2.
Phase 2 :: Non-Compulsory :: A new installation will take space and this should take about 5 minutes. Once in place, you are left on your own to fulfill the final requirements of this phase. Once again, you are to attract the attention of the examiner whom will be on hand to verify that the objectives have been met before completing the Troubleshooting exam.
My time for this section : 1.75 hours
In my opinion, all objectives in this phase are fairly comprehensive in dealing with day-to-day troubleshooting scenarios. A seasoned Linux administrator should not have any difficulties in this phase. The time provided is sufficient and should not be any cause for concern.
===================
(b) Multiple Choice Questions
===================
This section requires one to answer 50 Multiple Choice Questions. A single page of 50 questions in which you are to select answers to all 50 questions before pressing the submit button. Once the submit button has been depressed, the system exits and you can no longer make any changes. You will be notified of your result on this section within 5 working days.
My time for this section : 0.4 hours
This is the only section where your theoretical knowledge is required. However please take note that there isn't any penalty for wrong answers so, please provide answers for all 50 questions - give if they are only guesses!
==========
(c) Installation
==========
This last section presents the biggest challenge for many. You are required to install a Red Hat Linux system from scratch and configure it to fulfill all the requirements and objectives listed out in the question paper. This section is divided into 2 portions namely, RHCT credits and RHCE credits. You are required to obtain 70% and above for each of these sections in order to fulfill the requirement of an RHCE. You will be notified of your result on this section within 5 working days.
My time for this section : 2.50 hours
This is the most challenging portion of the exams. By the time this exam begins, you have been drained by the requirements of the last 2 exams and with lunch in your bellies, you have to fight against sleepiness to fulfill all the necessary requirements. So, my first advice - take a light lunch - no sense getting all sleepy in the exam hall. Time is of utmost consideration here. Manage your time well and try and complete the requirements and objectives with the quickest and easiest method. Please bear in mind that you only need 70% and above for both the RHCT and RHCE credits to get your certification so play it smart. Don't get too carried away with the RHCT portion and neglect the RHCE. Last piece of advice :: Your system will be rebooted before evaluation so please ensure that everything you do will remain after a reboot.
============
(d) After the exam
============
Breath a sigh of relieve after the exams. You deserve it. Now begins the long 5 day waiting period for your exam results. You will feel mentally exhausted so go ahead and rest.
============
(e) My results
============
I didn't have to wait long for my results. The next morning, my RHCE exam results were already in my INBOX and I was elated to learn that I had passed. The following are some details of how I did.
:: Overall Average : 91.13%
http://www.royong.com/old-royong/images/red_hat_cert_eng_logo-clr_small.jpg
(http://www.royong.com/old-royong/rhce/ROY_ONG_BAN_GUAN.pdf)
Having completed the RHCE certification exam, I would consider the exam very demanding especially during the Server Install and Network Services Configuration section, which I must admit is the toughest. This section requires one to complete each objective in the shortest possible time. Bearing in mind that the Red Hat installation is done from scratch, valuable time is wasted, waiting for the installation to complete before you can begin configuration. However, the satisfaction of knowing that you are up to scratch with your Linux skills is certainly worth the effort. But don't be fooled, this exam is not for the faint-hearted. The exam is costly at S$950.00 per exam registration that does not include any guidance nor course material. So, for all you RHCE wannabes out there, practice hard and practice well, I'm very sure you will make the grade!