As with any certification, preparation is key. Where does one even begin? The RHSCA 7 certification is an excellent choice for Linux professionals and a great launch pad to advanced certifications. The RHSCA 7 certification can be acquired by successfully passing the Red Hat EX200 exam. Read on for insights into techniques I used to prepare for and successfully pass the exam.
Perform Initial Research
As with any exam, some initial research will place you into a much better position for success. The best place to start is usually on the providing vendor’s website. Start here to begin your initial investigation for the EX200 exam on the Red Hat training website. Here you will find a description of the exam, available testing options, and list of items to base your training strategy on.
For example, the EX200 exam is described as a performance-based exam, meaning test-takers must perform to a given set of tasks. Testing options listed include individual exams, classroom exams, and even onsite testing at employee locations. This and other information is available on the training website.
The internet provides a multitude of additional resources. A word of caution though: Not everything you read or see on the internet is true. Be very cautious of what content you utilize in your preparations.
My advice is to view videos and other types of content that lend to learning the testable items found on the Red Hat training website. This strategy will also assist you in honing your overall skill sets. Do not search and rely on exact exam content. Exams usually have test banks of rotating questions that change periodically. Attempting to memorize questions and answers can therefore reduce your chances of success.
Play by the Rules
Test takers must agree to Red Hat’s testing policy prior to accessing any exam. Keep this in mind when asking friends and coworkers who have taken the exam for advice. Remember you will be the one sitting in the exam seat, not them. Do not take the chance of disqualifying yourself or your associates by indulging in questionable and unethical behavior. My advice is to ask for help on topics you lack confidence in and validation on topics that you may be already confident about.
Training and Education
After conducting initial research, you should have a good idea of what to expect. To assist those interested, Red Hat provides a set of recommended training courses for the EX200 exam. These include courses RH124 and RH134, Red Hat System Administration 1 and 2, respectively, to provide introduction and exploration into the exam content. Each course is one week long with a pace tailored more toward administrators with minimal experience.
For those seeking a fast track, RH199 consolidates the aforementioned courses into a one-week session. The rapid track curriculum is more appropriate for individuals with intermediate-level knowledge of Red Hat Linux due to the pace of presentation.
As an administrator with numerous years of experience, I chose the RH199 course as part of my preparation. Each course includes a downloadable course manual along with access to lab environments to practice classroom concepts and conduct scripted lab exercises.
I highly suggest the purchase of a Red Hat Learning subscription for individuals intending on taking additional courses and/or have interest in multiple certifications. This provides access to all Red Hat training material and labs for one calendar year commencing at time of purchase.
Practice Makes Perfect
This is a point that all previous test-takers will emphasize greatly. Memorization is almost as counterproductive as it is impossible for this type of exam. You must practice the test criteria to maximum proficiency to be successful on any performance-based test.
For those who do not have the ability to acquire Red Hat training, this may be a daunting task. This is due to the inability to access Red Hat provided labs which provide items such as prebuilt LDAP servers, certificates, etc. that lend greatly to the learning process.
However, for the determined test-taker, these items can be fabricated using virtual machines in your work or home computing lab. My preparation consisted of both. Upon completing the RH199 labs, I created two CentOS 7 virtual machines to continue my preparation. I dedicated an additional three weeks of practice beyond the one week of course work to ensure proficiency.
Let Us Pave the Way to Your Success
Interested in purchasing Red Hat training, but don’t know where to start? Get in touch with AEM Corporation’s award-winning Vizuri practice for a free consultation on Red Hat’s training programs, and what we can do to make your preparations complete.
And as always, happy computing from our team at AEM!
