HA Practical Exam

[Bill Costigan]

Has anyone taken the 2 day HA Practical Exam?

I'm interested in what it is like and what tasks you are required to do. Also tips on preparation would be appreciated.

[Geoff Wild · Accepted solution]

I have - passed it the first time (only 3 out of 7 on the class passed it).

It is hard.

You sign a non-disclosure agreement - so I can't tell you what is on it.

Tips - Take the MC/SG 1 class, and a networking one (I took Sysadmin & Networking 3 and MC/SG 2 just before - good refresher).

Study the "Managing MC/SG" on docs.hp.com

Rgds...Geoff

[melvyn burnard]

provided you know your Serviceguard reasonably well, it should not be that hard.
As Geoff has stated, this exam is done under a NDA, so no real details are allowed to be given out, but make sure you read through the Managing Serviceguard manual, and if you have a fair amount of experience that will also help.

best of luck

[Sundar_7]

There is a study guide released by HP on the subject.

HP-UX CSE: Official Study Guide by Charles Keenan.

Not sure how good the material is, but not so expensive.

[melvyn burnard]

Ah yes, forgot that he exam swere all due to change soon.
The new CSE book should be available by now, and is aimed at being a "bible" to Admins, as well as being a study guide/aid for doing the new CSE exams.

As for the HA exam, here is the latest info:
The HA hands-on exam is dead

There will be new multiple choice exams in place soon

New CSA exam ( hpo-091) just released with 25% new questions including 11iv2.

New base level CSE exam ( hpo-092 )should be ready approximately 1st Nov.

New HA CSE specialisation exam ( hpo-093 ) ready approximately December.

New network & security specialization exam ( hpo-094 ) ready probably early 2005.

To be CSE certified, a student must pass hpo-091 + hpo-092 and then either hpo-093 or hpo-094.

grand fathering & recertification process has not been set out yet

Hope this is of interest

[Bill Costigan]

Thanks to all for the information

[Geoff Wild]

Melvyn - what is the name of the nes CSE book and where can one get it?

Thanks...Geoff

[Sundar_7]

The book is already out and available in Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0131463969/qid=1096993738/sr=2-1/ref=pd_ka_2_1/103-2003943-0900618

[aliasgar]

Hello Melvyn,

the info on new exams for CSE is not updated in the HP certification web site. Can u give the web link where i can get the info on the new CSE exams .

Thanks/regards,
Aliasgar.

[Joe Short]

The HA-Hand on exam is dead? That exam was a tough one. Candidates truly had to prove their ability, it separated those that can from the wannabes. By killing it off, HP is diluting their CSE certifications. A multiple guess exam is far too easy to pass.
This is quite insulting to those of us who have passed the hands on exam. Those of us who have passed the hands on exam have clearly demonstrated our ability to deliver the goods, not an ability to select the correct answer from a list.
I wish HP would reconsider this decision, and reinstate the hands on exam. I understand that it is difficult to keep up to date, and expensive to administer. But it proves without a doubt that the succesful candidate is capable, and knowledgable on the subject.