Extreme now has proctored exams

[Mike28]

Wow, for years I have been taking Extreme Certifications for every product line. When people ask what Certs I have, I tell them, and answer the follow up question "Who is Extreme Networks!" Never have they been monitored, until now...Thanks Extreme you have finally reached CISCO level. I don't know what else to say, very disappointed.

Here is from the Technical Training Data Sheet:

"Extreme Networks technical training exams are considered high- stakes exams and are independently proctored by ProctorU, with one attempt of the related exam included within the standard course fee (this is regardless of whether the student has completed instructor-led training or self-paced eLearning).Further exam attempts can be purchased if required at an additional cost of $395. All exams can be registered for and administered within the Extreme Networks Learning Portal using an individual’s existing portal log-in. Students have

1 hour to complete the exam. An exam will be considered Passed with a score of 75% or above."

PS your not a high-stakes Cert!!! The last few acquisitions you have become less and less Extreme, I see all the quality Engineers leaving, and your customer loyalty waning. I guess it is all about the money. This is how you stay in 3rd place!

Signed,
Less likely to lead Purple!

[Frank_Baasner]

Extreme Networks communication as per today (5.9.2018):
In 2017 Extreme Networks introduced Virtual On Line Proctoring for technical exams as part of the Extreme Certified Specialist (ECS) certification process.

As our training volume has significantly increased over the last 6 months we have been listening to customer feedback and reviewing our processes.

Based on this review we have decided to end Virtual On Line Proctoring for ECS exams.

A successful exam will still be required to achieve certification but it will be un-proctored and on line.

This will come into effect from 8th September 2018. Proctored exam bookings will continue to be accepted up to 7th September, and from 8th September all ECS exams will available on line in the Extreme Networks Learning portal.



As we further develop our training portfolio we may introduce in person proctoring for selected advanced exams.

[Tomasz]

Hello Rohan,

Just to get sure, does the deadline apply to the classes or to the exams?
Exams will not be proctored for the classes that have started/ended after 8th September? Or will those not be proctored when taken after 7th September, regardless the class date?

Kind regards,
Tomasz

[LeoP1]

Hi Rohan,

I think this is a correct decision, based on everything we discussed in this thread and other meetings we had in the past.

Proctoring for selected advanced exams makes sense to me, as in the ECA Certification Exams, just like I passed a few years ago, in the Enterasys-age, where the candidate need to show high expertise and deep knowledge of the portfolio, but being allowed to use only the product guides and manuals, including the EMC Help pages, because in this case it's virtually impossible to remember every command sintax and other details needed to fully deploy the required LAB.

I'm glad to know that Extreme hears our considerations and take actions to make things better.

We are on the same boat, and we all should work together to reach our common destination, but this is only achiaveable if we all paddle together in the same direction, in sync.

Best regards,

-Leo

[Tomasz]

Hello there,

I also get a lot of complaints about the system - but I believe things can be worked out. Nothing is fixed forever here, the learning portal and the partner program evolves constantly...
I can understand the ebook DRM approach (despite if somebody tries, there is a workaround for that), I get the single exam attempt (in some vendors normally you pay for a class and for an exam separately), but the online proctoring is often a matter of security concern in companies. Two solutions seem to be feasible:
1. Reverting from ProctorU, as we would assume that an engineer also handicaps himself with User Guide and CLI Reference at customer site, unless he has months of experience - the class itself is not the same, it's just to get the common sense of the features, capabilities and configuration guidelines.
2. Moving to on-site proctoring like Pearson VUE.
I know that ProctorU idea was taken with one of the acquisitions, but I heard already, that this vendor's students were taking the class and often they didn't proceed with the exam (security concerns).

I believe this will be eventually solved in a good direction.

Regards,
Tomasz

[Ronald_Dvorak]

btw - being rude on here is not cool.

Not sure what you are talking about....