Q1: What is CNE?

A1: CNE stands for Certified Novell Engineer. It was started by Novell in early 90's as a measurement of the technical knowlege of a person responsible for supporting Novell Netware. There is a higher level certification called MCNE (Master Certified Novell Engineer), which requires you to pass several additional exams after already certified as CNE. CNA (Certified Novell Administrator) is a "subset" of CNE. You only need to pass 1 exam to be certified as CNA.

Q2: What is MCSE?

A2: Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer. It was a certification designed by Microsoft to parallel Novell's CNE. Related certification includes MCPS (Microsoft Certified Product Specialist) which only requires one exam to be passed.

Q3: How do I become a CNE, MCSE?

A3: You have to pass the specified exams the certification requires. For CNE, you have to pass 7 computer based exams. These are mostly multiple choice exams. For MCSE, there are 6 exams.

Q4: What are the differences between CNA, CNE, MCNE, MCPS, MCSE?

A4: For CNA, you only have to pass 1 exam: Novell 3.1x Admin or Novell 4.1 Admin. For CNE, there are CNE-3 (for Netware 3.x), CNE-4 (for Netware 4.x), CNE-U (for Unixware), CNE-GW (for Novell Groupwise products). For MCNE, you have to pass 4 or 5 addtional exams, depending on whether you are existing CNE-3 or CNE-4. For MCPS you have to pass 1 exam. For MCSE, there are 6 exams, one of them (the Network Essentials exam) will be waived if you are already a CNE.

Q5: What exams are involved in pursuing CNE and MCSE?

A5: For CNE-3 and CNE-4, there are 6 compulsory exams:

Additionally you have to pass 1 elective exam, usually one of Printing with Netware, Novell TCP/IP Transport. (There are many other elective exams you can choose from)

For MCSE, there are 2 streams: NT 3.51 and NT 4.0. They both require you to pass 4 compulsory exams and 2 additional elective exams, as follows:

The Networking Essentials exam will be waived if you are already a CNE.

You have to choose 2 elective exams from the following (The list is constantly updated by MS to provide more choices to candidates):

MS SNA Server, Implementing and Supporting MS SMS Server 1.0, MS SQL Server 4.2 (various exams), MS SQL Server 6.0 (various exams), MS Mail 3.2 for PC Networks - Enterprise, Internetworking MS TCP/IP on NT 3.51.

Q6: How does the exams look like?

A6: The exams are all conducted through computers. When you arrive at the exam center, you will be asked to show your ID card and register. Then you will be led to a room with several PCs. There can be several candidates taking exams at the same time, though they are usually different exams (e.g. one candidate taking NT Server test, another taking Netware 4.1 Advanced Admin). The room is equipped with a CCTV so that the administrator of the exam center can see if any candidate is cheating.

Most questions are multiple choices. Some are "select all the correct choices from a list". A few questions are "fill in the blank". For CNE exams, there are some questions which requires you to perform the correct administration task by interacting with a NWADMIN-like simulator (e.g. create a user id with certain properties). The Service and Support CNE exam requires you to actually use the provided Novell Support Encyclopedia and Microhouse Support CDROMs to find out the answers.

Q7: Which papers are the most difficult in CNE, MCSE?

A7: Most people believe that for CNE, the Service and Support exam is difficult, as it tests whether you know how to use the Novell Support Encyclopedia and the Microhouse support CDROMs. So you should be familiar with how to use such tools before taking this exam. For MCSE, the Implementing and Supporting NT Server exam is quite difficult, as it essentially tests your knowlege of the NT NOS in 1 exam, as opposed to several exams as in CNE-3 or 4.

Q8: What are the passing marks of the exams?

A8: Every exam has its predefined passing mark. It usually varies from 60% to 80%.

Q9: How many questions are there in each exams?

A9: It depends. Those CNE exams which are "adaptive" (i.e. it adjusts the difficulty and total no. of questions to ask depending on your performance) usually consists of 15 to 25 questions. Some exams, such as Printing with Netware, consists of more than 80 questions. Each MCSE exam usually contain around 50 to 60 questions.

The confirmation fax sent to you after you've registered for the exam will state the duration of the exam, e.g. 1hr, 2.25hr. You can therefore have a rough idea on how many questions will be asked.

Q10: How do I prepare for the exams?

A10: If you have access to the software products, you should get as much hands-on experience with it as possible, especially for MCSE, which asks many practical questions. You should also be familiar with all product manuals. Sometimes the exams ask you about the options and syntax of commands. Both Novell and Microsoft have free sample questions available for download at their web sites. You should try to get it and experience what the actual exams look like.

Q11:How long is normally needed to pass all the required exams?

A11: Both CNE and MCSE requires you to pass all the exams within 1 year starting from the date of your first exam. In real life people usually takes a several months to complete all exams for one certification.

Q12: How do I enroll for the courses and examinations?

A12: It is not a mandatory requirement to take Novell or Microsoft classroom courses before taking the exams. You can self-study the product manuals or other study materials available in bookstores. You can also take courses organized by various training centers. It all depends on your preference.

For enrolling the examinations, you have to phone or FAX to any of more than 800 Authorized PrometricTesting Centers(APTCs) arround the world.The Sylvan Prometric Education Center which is in Australia. They have several toll-free numbers so you don't have to pay IDD charge. You need to tell them where and when do you want to take the exam.For the location of an APTC near you, call (800) 755-EXAM(755-3926). Outside the United states and Canada, contact your local Sylvan Prometric Registeration Center.

Q13: How much does the course and examinations cost?

A13: For CNE and CNA exams, each exam cost U.S. $.85/= For MCP and MCSE tests, it is U.S. $. 100/=. For the course fees, it varies depending on the organizers. So if you want to take courses, check several organizers and compare their prices.

Q14: Does all people receive the same questions during the exams?

A14: No. After you register for the exam through Sylvan Prometric, their computer will randomly select a list of questions and transfer it to the computer in that particular test center before your actual exam date. Some sources said there are hundreds of questions the computer can pick from for each test. Therefore, no two candidates will receive the same set of questions, though some may overlap.

Q15: Which one shall I pursue: CNE or MCSE?

A15: It depends on what platform is used in your existing or future job. Novell Netware is more popular, but NT is catching up very fast. So now a days some people believe one should try to gain both certifications. In my opinion, try pursuing CNE first and then MCSE.

Q.16: What are the other popular certifications available?

A16: The most popular (in terms of people who have been certified) ones are from Novell and Microsoft. Other organizations have organized their own, including Lotus, Compaq, Cisco, SCO, Apple, IBM, Oracle, CNX Consortium, NPA.

The following is a list of the more popular ones:

Q.17: What benefits do I get if I am certified?

A.17: First of all, you will get industry recognition. You may find it easier to change job and get higher pay as more and more employers are now specifying CNE or MCSE as essential requirements.

In my opinion, besides the above benefits, one will also be much more familiar with the product features after passing all those exams as he/she must have spent a lot of time studying and trying out the features. Therefore he/she will be able to provide better support in his job.

Q18: What's the difference between authorized and non-authorized centers?

A18: Authorized training centers includes Microsoft ATEC (Authorized Technical Education Center), Novell NAEC (Novell Authofized Education Center). Being authorized means they meet the requirements of Microsoft and Novell, including the requirment that courses are taught by MCT (Microsoft Certified Trainer) or CNI (Certified Novell Instructor). Moreover, "official" training course materials of Microsoft and Novell will be used in these centers.