ACA updated for 10.10...wither ACTC?

[donmontalvo]

Good news...ACA 10.10 exams are out. :)

http://training.apple.com/certification/osxyosemite

Fingers crossed they're working on ACTC. :(

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[mattbomarc1]

I'm just hoping they keep the online ACTC recertification exams. So much more convenient than going to a training center.

[donmontalvo]

@mattbomarc1 my understanding is ACA certs are available online, but ACSP/ACTC certs/recerts require proctored testing?

[mattbomarc1]

Not the recert exams. They have been online at Pearson Vue for the last few years.

[donmontalvo]

@mattbomarc1 we checked with PearsonVUE and Apple, both say ACSP/ACTC requires proctored testing.

Are you sure you don't mean ACA? Take a close look at the image above. :)

[mattbomarc1]

Nope, this was the ACTC for 10.9. It's a private exam for those who already have the ACTC 10.8. I don't do any of those $60 Associate ones.

[calumhunter]

still gotta do it at a testing centre no?
I've done the actc recert exams since 10.2 all the way through to the last one which was for 10.9
always had to go to a prometric/pearson place and sit in the little room to do the exam on their machine.

[donmontalvo]

Apple, PearsonVUE and several training centers I reached out to (East and West coast) all confirmed ACSP/ACTC exams are proctored.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/proctor

[davidacland]

We've got the certification courses and exams in the UK for Support & Server essentials 10.10 (Amsys AATC). I'm assuming it's the same in the states.

Apple have been quite a bit quicker at releasing updated courses and exams in the last few years which is good.

I dont think the course covers fixing the 50% boot crash though ;)

[donmontalvo]

@davidacland just curious, are the UK tests proctored as well?

[davidacland]

@donmontalvo Yep the ACTC ones are. Not sure about the other ones, ACMT can be taken online without a proctor.

[RobertHammen]

ACTC 10.10 is likely coming. The paper Server Essentials book isn't out yet and I think the 201 exam was just made available to the public in the last week.

ACTC recert exams in the States have been self-proctored. Taking it for the first time, you need to be in a proctored environment.

<disclaimer: like @davidacland I work for an AATC and am an Apple Certified Trainer>

[donmontalvo]

Ahh, that might be where the confusion is coming from, ACSP/ACTC first cert require proctoring and re-cert doesn't.

I'll reach out to PearsonVUE and Apple again, maybe I didn't ask the right question.

[hbatelaan]

According to the Exam Prep guide:

The recertification exam is a computer-based test offered at Apple Authorized Training Centers (AATCs) or from any computer with Internet access.

But can't find it anywhere online though...

[donmontalvo · Accepted solution]

Good news...ACTC 10.10 exams are out. :)

http://training.apple.com/certification/osxyosemite

external image link

The link at the end of the Yosemite 201 Course PDF points to the 10.9 version of the book, here is the correct link:

http://www.peachpit.com/store/apple-pro-training-series-os-x-server-essentials-10-9780134033501

[hbatelaan]

But can you take the exam online?

[donmontalvo]

@hbatelaan according to Apple and the AATCs in our area, and as displayed in the images above, ACSP/ACTC cert/recert require a proctor. I'f be happy if I'm proven wrong. :)

[qsodji]

Last info I heard from Apple in regards to 10.9 was also "proctored at a location".

[RobertHammen]

New exam = proctored
Recertification exam = on your own

[donmontalvo]

@RobertHammen my apologies you did state that earlier in the thread. I haven't taken ACTC yet, so I don't have first hand knowledge. But given you are or work for an AACT, you've got the inside scoop. I wish Apple would make it clearer though (see posted images; I added red square for emphasis on where Apple's info may be incorrect). @hbatelaan sorry if my last post was misleading.

[tron_jones]

Just to clarify the 10.10 ACTC recertification is available online. Why Apple doesn't have a link to the test on the certification page is beyond me. I had to go to www.pearsonvue.com/apple/ and log in to my Pearson account and search for the 10.10 recertification exam.

Apple PearsonVue

[ImAMacGuy]

how difficult are these certs? what type of stuff do you need to know? I went through the MCP/MCSE stuff back in 2000 and that seemed like they wanted to M$ way to do things and struggled a bit with it.

[jhbush]

@tron_jones from what I was told by Apple you still have to sit this exam at a AATC. The available online exams only shows Management Basics and Integration Basics. I'm not sure why they decided to change things other than to generate more money for AATC and to make things more difficult.

[davidacland]

@jwojda from my experiences they can be a challenge. Thy devle into lots of areas most people don't touch, particularly on server. I've had people with years of experience in my classes that have struggled or even failed because they are only used to looking after the bit of the server they use.

Similar on the clients. You need to have a good memory for standard apple file paths and locations. For those that spend their time supporting Adobe / Microsoft etc, they might find it difficult.

I think the main difficulty is they aren't very "real world" so having experience of real world issues won't necessarily help you.

If the plan is to self study, I would definitely get hold of the books and go through the ReviseIT exam questions (iOS app, shameless Amsys plug there, sorry).

That's my view anyway :)

[jhbush]

@jwojda +1 for what @davidacland mentioned. The books help and contain most of the gotcha question answers on the exam.

[tron_jones]

@jhbush1973

Glad I saw that before I purchased it, So I can purchase the exam online but only get a voucher to take to a proctor?

@RobertHammen is this correct?

[RobertHammen]

@tron_jones Yep.

If you haven't purchased/reviewed the 101 and 201 books, you will likely struggle with the exam.
I'll also mention, since @davidacland didn't, that his employer, Amsys, makes an awesome exam simulation iOS app called Revise IT. The questions are similar to, but not the same as, what you will see on the exam. The format is 100% the same as the exam. If you can cruise through the chapters and the practice tests, you'll probably do fine. If you have issues, you may struggle.

There is also an exam preparation guide on training.apple.com, which includes "know these concepts" along with some practice questions. Take the time to review this. This will help gauge if you are ready.

As with all certification exams, read the question, review the answers presented, then re-read the question. It's very easy to mis-interpret what they are asking and provide the wrong answer. If you don't know, or are guessing, mark the question, then proceed. Review all of your marked questions at the end of the exam. You typically have 120 minutes for 80 questions, which should allow plenty of time to go back through and review those you are uncertain about.

This is just my advice, having taken dozens of these exams since the 10.4 days, and taught a bunch of 101 and 201 classes and bootcamps. Others may have some great ideas/tips/advice here...

[dan-snelson]

To the best of my knowledge, there still isn't a non-proctored flavor of the 10.10 re-cert.

Pearson reports: "The 9L0-528 is going to be scheduled at a testing center."

(Blow-by-blow chat with Pearson below.)

Greetings: I was able to take the ACTC 10.9 Recertification Exam from my office. Is the same true of "9L0-528: ACTC 10.10 Recertification Exam" ? Please wait for a site operator to respond. Thank you for contacting Pearson VUE Live Chat. My name is 'Jackie'. Please allow me a moment as I look into your inquiry. Jackie: I would be happy to look into that for you. Dan: Thanks. Jackie: Unfortunately, Pearson VUE is not able to determine if exams offered by AppleCare are the same or which exams would be. Please refer to the Apple website to speak with a representative. Dan: This isn't an AppleCare exam. Jackie: This would also apply to Apple IT and Pro Apps. Jackie: We are unable to determine which exams would be required for re certification. Dan: I know which exam is required; I don't know if I have to take the exam at a testing center or if I can take the test in my office. Dan: So, can I cancel my purchase if I don't start the exam? Jackie: The cancellation policy would be different. I am not showing you are currently scheduled for an exam. I would recommend verifying the exam you would need to take before purchasing. Dan: I know I need to take "9L0-528: ACTC 10.10 Recertification Exam" Dan: What I don't know if that if I can take it in my office or if I have to go to a testing center. Jackie: For exam 9L0-528, there are two options to schedule. You have the option of taking this online or at a testing center. Dan: Excellent. Jackie: Is there anything else I can assist you with today? Dan: I didn't see the scheduling options; can you hold while I try to purchase the exam? Jackie: I am able to stand by for 2 minutes. Dan: Thanks Jackie: You're welcome. Dan: Well, I've been able to proceed to the "Enter Payment" step; does that mean that I can schedule this exam online? Jackie: That is correct! Dan: Nice. Jackie: Is there anything else I can assist you with today? Dan: To confirm, if I had to take this at a testing center, I wouldn't have been able to proceed this far? Jackie: We would collect payment at the time of scheduling. Even if it were at one of our testing centers. You would have been able to proceeded the same way with scheduling. Dan: Oh … so how do I know for certain that this exam can be scheduled online? Jackie: Did you have the option to select a testing center? Jackie: The entire code of the exam is 9L0-524NP. The NP stands for Non Proctored. Dan: Ah … Dan: "9L0-524NP: ACTC 10.9 Recertification Exam" is the one I've already passed Dan: "9L0-528: ACTC 10.10 Recertification Exam" is the one I need to take Jackie: Sorry, the 9L0-528 is going to be scheduled at a testing center. Dan: When I enter "9L0-528NP" I receive the following error: "The Private Access Code is not valid. Please review the code to be sure you have typed it correctly." Jackie: The exam 9L0-528NP, is going to be taken online. Jackie: If you are not able to find the "Private Access Code" please follow the link to website where they can find it: http://training.apple.com/certification/onlinecert Jackie: Unfortunately, this is not provided by Pearson VUE. Dan: Apple's site directs me to you Jackie: You would need a proctored code which is given by Apple. Pearson VUE does not have a list of these codes. Dan: So, I guess my new question is: "What's the private test code for 9L0-528: ACTC 10.10 Recertification Exam" ? Jackie: Please refer to the website I have provided above. Jackie: http://training.apple.com/certification/onlinecert Dan: That site refers me to your site. Jackie: Unfortunately, you will need to contact an Apple representative as Pearson VUE does not have access to the Private Access Codes. Jackie: Do you have any other questions for me, other than the online testing? Dan: OK. Thanks. Jackie: You're welcome. Is there anything else I can help you with? Dan: One last try … you have no way of providing me the "9L0-524NP: ACTC 10.9 Recertification Exam" equivalent of "9L0-528: ACTC 10.10 Recertification Exam" ? Dan: I'm happy to hold. Jackie: That is correct. We can not advise you of which recertification exam you would need to take. It is Apple issuing the certification, not Pearson VUE. Jackie: Is there anything else in the meantime? Dan: Don't think so. Thanks. Jackie: You're welcome. Jackie: Thank you for contacting Pearson VUE Live Chat. Once you close the chat window, please use the Exit Survey to rate the assistance you just received. This is done to help us improve our service to you. If you have any further questions or inquiries, please contact us again. Have a great day! Thank you for contacting Pearson VUE and have a great day.

[donmontalvo]

I've reached out to PearsonVUE support and Apple Certification folks, both have reiterated that ACSP/ACTC recerts are proctored as stated here:

http://training.apple.com/certification/osxyosemite

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[ClassicII]

Lame.

They really had a great system going.

Now only ACN members get the code.

[macspectrum]

"Now only ACN members get the code." looks that way

apple tells me to delete my domain = macspectrum.com and they will 'consider' my application for ACN membership afterwards

i have had 'macspectrum' for over 25 years....

[BenL]

I just heard this morning that the ACTC will no longer be offered. Anyone else hear that same thing?

[mattbomarc1]

For anyone that has been following this thread, I discovered this evening that the ACTC 10.10 Re-cert exam is still available online.I just logged into my Pearson VUE account and found it. Their support also confirmed it was available online.

[bradtchapman]

@BenL This page seems to back up what you heard...

http://www.amsys.co.uk/2016/01/os-x-el-capitan-certified-courses-arrived/