CompTIA, Microsoft, and Cisco have made it possible for learners to take the majority of their certification exams online in response to the COVID-19 epidemic. Pearson VUE has partnered with all three vendors to provide online proctoring of exams. This allows learners to take exams from the comfort of their own homes.
Pearson VUE has closed its testing centres in the United States and Canada for the near future to prevent the spread COVID-19. This is why the push to offer more online testing options to learners. Pearson VUE delivers certification exams for many IT certification vendors.
Here are some ways you can take certification exams from CompTIA, Microsoft, and Cisco online.
Cisco Online Testing
Cisco, the latest certification provider, has made it possible to offer online testing through Pearson VUE. Exam-takers have the option to schedule exams at any time, 24 hours a day, seven days a semaine. Except for:
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Candidates must meet these requirements to be able pass the Cisco certification exams online.
Have access to a quiet, private location
Use a reliable device with a webcam
A strong connection is essential
Have you downloaded OnVUE software?
Get government-issued identification
Online testing requires that candidates pass a system test. Here is a link to test your system.
Hear Knox Hutchinson, SPOTO trainer, discuss Cisco’s move to online testing and what that means for test-takers.
Jeremy Cioara, a fellow trainer, also shares his tips and advice for passing Cisco’s new CCNA exam at-home in this clip.
Quick refresher: Cisco has extended expiration dates for active certifications by six month as of March 16. A Cisco certification that was due to expire March 30, 2020 will now expire on September 30, 2020.
Cisco also extended the expiration date for active, unused and unexpired exam vouchers to six months starting March 16. Exam vouchers purchased within the next three months will expire 18 month after their purchase date.
Here’s more information on taking Cisco certification exams online: their FAQ page.
CompTIA Online Testing
CompTIA offers vendor-neutral IT certifications and online testing via Pearson VUE. The only CompTIA certification exams that cannot be taken online as of April 15, 2020 are the CTT+TK0-201 exam and those available through CompTIA’s Anywhere Proctored program.
CompTIA uses Pearson VUE as well so test takers must have the following:
Have access to a quiet, private location
Use a reliable device with a webcam
A strong connection is essential
Have you downloaded OnVUE software?
Get government-issued identification
CompTIA certification exam candidates must also pass a system test to be eligible to take part in online testing. Here is a link to test your system.
CompTIA offers the following tips for taking a CompTIA certification exam online:
You should take your exam on the same computer that you took your system test. Do not use a different computer for your exam.
Before you start your exam, close all other applications. All other applications must be closed except OnVUE. Your exam could be disrupted if you do not close all applications except OnVUE.
CompTIA extended all its certification vouchers that were due to expire between March 17, 2020 and April 30, 2020 through June 30, 2020.
Microsoft Online Testing
Microsoft offers online testing for all its role-based and foundational certificates (also known technical certs).
