[lpi-discuss] how about LPIC-2 ?

[Bryan J. Smith]

Anselm Lingnau <anselm.lingnau at linupfront.de> wrote:
> We've recently had a bunch of people pass LPIC-2 based
> strictly on brain dumps (obtained from who knows where)

The way to combat brain dumps is to regularly update the
exams.  In this regard, LPI is doing its best, based on its
resources.  Unfortunately, brain dumps come out, and they are
a fact of life.

People who use brain dumps just cheat themselves.

> and rote swotting.

Well, I don't know what to tell you there.

> It's not what we encourage, let alone teach, in our
> classes but we can't help it if people try anyway.

Why I agree about that with regards to "rote swotting,"
"brain dumps" are just the wrong way.

The only "brain dump" I've ever looked at was one for the
Microsoft 70-218 exam on an independent MCP support site
(that most people found was going downhill)..  After looking
at one question, and how many people were picking it apart
(about 40% incorrectly), I didn't ever want to see one again.

Based on all I read on just that 1 question, I could read a
largely error-checked study guide instead.  There was just so
much commentary that was wrong, even if 60% was right, that
would lead me astray in some other question or concept. 
Definitely not worth it IMHO.

Even if the original poster gave you the correct answer, 40%
of the people commentating are there with no knowledge, and
are making incorrect analysis.  That's the problem -- it's
non-seasoned administrators on those sites sharing
information, not seasoned administrators.  Hence the issue.

> By rights these candidates should never have passed
> -- my colleague who taught the class in question told me
> that they didn't have the faintest idea of the subject
> matter -- but they did, anyhow. (They would probably have 
> had a hard time doing the Novell CLP, without a brain dump
> anyway.)

Or the RHCE for that matter.

> We used to tell our students that they need the actual
> experience etc. but it appears now that this is wishful 
> thinking on our part.

Brain Dumps -- at least the people who just look at the
answers (and don't read the concepts/discussion) -- are going
to pass people.  The sad thing about Brain Dumps is that they
often have 40% of incorrect analysis/commentary.  And that
just makes them _worse_ administrators IMHO.

> Is the LPIC certification about to join the ranks of the
> »paper-only, no actual experience required« certificates?

There's more to a certification being concerned "paper-only"
than just the availability of correct "Brain Dumps."

Microsoft was caught "red-handed" passing the first few
thousand MCSE consultants who worked for Digital.  That was a
long, long story (has to do with a Microsoft concession and
why Digital didn't sue Microsoft over stealing former
employees and enforcing their non-competes), but a few
Digital consultants will tell you stories of the computer
correcting their answers.

That's what drives the "paper" view of the MCSE.


-- 
Bryan J. Smith                | Sent from Yahoo Mail
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