Student Experiences at Western Governors University (WGU)

This thread is intended for students to write about their experiences at Western Governors University.

Please keep it civil, and do not spend your time bashing the school, and its policies. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but if you have a problem you need to take it up with your professor or mentor. Please no Flaming on this thread.

You can ask for help with a referral (used to avoid paying the application fee) on the following thread: http://www.techexams.net/forums/jobs-degrees/55634-wgu-refer-friend-thread-those-seeking-referral.html

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Comments

sheckler

How long is the waiting period to retake a cert test if you don't pass? Is it different between ciw/ms/comptia? Do you have to request a new voucher from wgu?

RoadwarriorsLive

jmasterj206 wrote: »

How long did you end up studying for it Road? I only ask because I am trying to schedule my next semester. Congrats as well.

Got through Lab Sim in about a week. Some of the stuff was review When I got done with Labsim they said I spent 30 hours in there studying. I spent another week just going over questions and firming up stuff I was a little fuzzy on and practicing the command line stuff. There is alot more of it than I ever saw before in windows. Seems like almost every tool has some command line stuff with it. IE8 too. Test is pretty broad and more install tools then there used to be.

Biggest help was to install VMware (which we get for free) a Win 7 install. I have my own subscription to tech net so I also installed Server 2008 R2 but really didnt use that much. Just remeber how to do Branche Cacheing and offline files.

I dont imagine a big install base yet but if you believe everything you read in the MS stuff 2008 R2 and Win 7 make a nice pair. If your working with small shops/business a Small Business 2011 for server and a few Win 7 clients will be pretty slick.

I am starting to sound like a Win7 commercial. Hope I get better looking when I talk about it too.

RoadwarriorsLive

sheckler wrote: »

How long is the waiting period to retake a cert test if you don't pass? Is it different between ciw/ms/comptia? Do you have to request a new voucher from wgu?

My mentor was out of the office yesterday and I was pissed about the test. After looking up the stuff I missed in the book I was kicking myself for changing answers. I swear I changed 10 questions from the right answer to the wrong one.

I took advantage of the student discount from MS and paid $60 out of my pocket for the retest. So I am not sure how long it takes them to reissue. I did send them a note after I failed and they said just to send in the fail sheet and they would send me a voucher for the retake.

You all must think I am crazy but it was the first cert test I failed and it really threw me. Wanted to get back on the horse ASAP. I am TRYING to slow down a little now. Not too woirried about the CIW Database test but already getting nervous about Cisco.

lenell86

what is WGU's policy on MS/Cisco exams? I know the give you a voucher free for the first exam, but do they offer retake vouchers at no cost also?

I'm trying to decide if I should buy the microsoft 2nd shot deal right now thats good for 5 exam packs for 400 bucks that includes free retakes.

RoadwarriorsLive

lenell86 wrote: »

what is WGU's policy on MS/Cisco exams? I know the give you a voucher free for the first exam, but do they offer retake vouchers at no cost also?

I'm trying to decide if I should buy the microsoft 2nd shot deal right now thats good for 5 exam packs for 400 bucks that includes free retakes.

1st retake for a cert is on them if you have to do more it's on you but they will give you the voucher at thier discounted rate. Unless your planning on taking different tests I would hold off.

I think the discounted rate is either $60 or $70 per retake so you would need quite a few fails to get your money back. Plus if your smart and prepare better than I did you should be able to pass the first time.

snokerpoker

I took the SSC1 objective assessment last night. I missed the cut score by 2%. I should have studied more

I am a bit annoyed at myself for not studying more for this test. I have been busy with 70-680 and work that this exam fell a lilttle off my radar....... I wish the SSC1 exam was worth more than just 1 CU. But the more I think about it, the CU's don't really matter when you think about the big picture. It is still a course that has to be completed in order to obtain the degree. It doesn't matter if it is worth 35 CU'S or 1. For some reason though, I feel like I am more motivated if a course is worth more CU's as I subtract that number from the entire amount. I hope I can take the exam again soon!

lenell86

RoadwarriorsLive wrote: »

1st retake for a cert is on them if you have to do more it's on you but they will give you the voucher at thier discounted rate. Unless your planning on taking different tests I would hold off.

I think the discounted rate is either $60 or $70 per retake so you would need quite a few fails to get your money back. Plus if your smart and prepare better than I did you should be able to pass the first time.

Oh ok, I actually bought the 3voucher pack from MS last week since I got confirmation they will not pay for vouchers for MCSE exams that I want to take to finish off my MCSE. I was going to get the 5 pack since I want to upgrade to MCITPEA but since I'm already enrolling next month at WGU, I only got the 3 pack since I am only missing the 293,294,298 exams.

Jagged

snokerpoker wrote: »

I hope I can take the exam again soon!

14 days between WGU exam attempts. You can schedule the second try now but they won't give you a time within the 14-day window.

snokerpoker

Jagged wrote: »

14 days between WGU exam attempts. You can schedule the second try now but they won't give you a time within the 14-day window.

I did and they scheduled it. I take it again in two weeks. Hope I pass this time.

Excellent1

RoadwarriorsLive wrote: »

Resat this moring and passed easy. Must have had brainlock or something yesterday. Maybe it's just me and Microsoft. I always hated their tests and still do. On to Databases.

Nice work, man. Congratulations.

Excellent1

"Simply refreshing".

Going to add that to my top 10 Taskstream grader comments.

cleanwithit

Hello, everybody

Looks like I'll be starting Feb. 1st- If I pass this entrance exam. How bad is it? Math is not my strong suit, so kinda nervous for that.

I'll be doing the B.S in Networks Admin. I already have A+, Net +, Security +, and CCENT; Along with an A.S degree. So, hopefully some of my credits will transfer. How long does it take to review transcripts?

I have been wanting to start this school for a year, so I'm excited to get started. I love how I can set my own pace, and not have to juggle multiple subjects at one time.

themagicone

Well I'm back from vacation and back into school. I'm jumping right into LET1 today... I'll report back on how far I get. 49 min's in and about 50% done with paper 1.

demonfurbie

I'm doing let1 as well

But I'm having issues finding info with out the book

jmasterj206

For any of those that have taken any of the CCNA classes through WGU do they give you access to simulators? I only have to take the CCENT and I think simulators would suffice.

petedude

jmasterj206 wrote: »

For any of those that have taken any of the CCNA classes through WGU do they give you access to simulators? I only have to take the CCENT and I think simulators would suffice.

Haven't taken WGU's courses, but I can tell you from personal experience that a good simulator should be more than enough. The CCENT is almost Network+ on steroids-- it spends so much time on networking foundations that you really don't really see too much Cisco-specific action, IMHO.

themagicone

Done with paper 2... waiting on taskstream now to grade them.

eansdad

themagicone wrote: »

Done with paper 2... waiting on taskstream now to grade them.

You are a machine...lol

uhtrinity

eansdad wrote: »

You are a machine...lol

Wish I had that kind of enthusiasm. From what I've seen so far I can accelerate this program by a lot if I choose too. Most of the 2 credit grad courses (non-IT) are of the paper - paper - presentation format.

Excellent1

themagicone wrote: »

Done with paper 2... waiting on taskstream now to grade them.

Nice work. LET1 is pretty quick to get through with the short papers. I finished it in 48 hours, and would have been done faster if I'd had the book. I had to look up several items for the tasks that were directly related to specific information from the book.

As I noted earlier in the thread though, for those taking this without the book, the website referenced in the CoS for this course allows you to download powerpoint files that summarize major points of each chapter. Provided you have sufficient background, this may be enough to get you through the material. It worked for me and I'm no genius.

RoadwarriorsLive

jmasterj206 wrote: »

For any of those that have taken any of the CCNA classes through WGU do they give you access to simulators? I only have to take the CCENT and I think simulators would suffice.

They give you Pearson Simulator for the CCNA course and also access to the lab sim. Not sure what we get for the rest since lab sim doesnt have a course for security.

RoadwarriorsLive

cleanwithit wrote: »

Hello, everybody Looks like I'll be starting Feb. 1st- If I pass this entrance exam. How bad is it? Math is not my strong suit, so kinda nervous for that.

I'll be doing the B.S in Networks Admin. I already have A+, Net +, Security +, and CCENT; Along with an A.S degree. So, hopefully some of my credits will transfer. How long does it take to review transcripts?

I have been wanting to start this school for a year, so I'm excited to get started. I love how I can set my own pace, and not have to juggle multiple subjects at one time.

Welcome to the group and congrats on getting started. The entrance exam isnt too hard and I would not sweat it too much. Hardest part for me was remebering some of the math since I have been out of school for so long.

Just take your time and you will do fine.

jmasterj206

RoadwarriorsLive wrote: »

They give you Pearson Simulator for the CCNA course and also access to the lab sim. Not sure what we get for the rest since lab sim doesnt have a course for security.

That is what I needed to know. I just didn't want waste money on equipment or Boson. Being that the Cisco classes have switched to 2 classes instead of 1 they aren't able to get me the COS or materials ahead of time. Thanks!

themagicone

Well I'm almost done with LET1. Took 3 days, but I could of done it quicker if I wasn't sooo damn sick at the moment. Really isn't that bad, but I will say having the book helps A LOT. The task outline follows the book perfectly, just start reading the chapter and answer the questions. I got 3.5/4 on my first paper but still waiting on the others to be graded.

Now back to 70-680 as soon as I finish the paper today. Then, site designer and finally tackle the programing classes. 10 classes to go!!!!

erpadmin

themagicone wrote: »

Well I'm almost done with LET1. Took 3 days, but I could of done it quicker if I wasn't sooo damn sick at the moment. Really isn't that bad, but I will say having the book helps A LOT. The task outline follows the book perfectly, just start reading the chapter and answer the questions. I got 3.5/4 on my first paper but still waiting on the others to be graded.

Now back to 70-680 as soon as I finish the paper today. Then, site designer and finally tackle the programing classes. 10 classes to go!!!!

I just received the rubric for LET1 from my mentor. Haven't looked at it yet, but if it's the same rubric in my Taskstream that my Mentor gave me, I will be done in a day when I enroll on 2/1. I have made a reminder to myself to make sure my mentor calls me on 2/1 so I can enroll in the following classes:

LET1, ORC1, MGC1, QLT1, QLC1.

I am confident that those five courses will be done by 2/28...all of them.

Then March will have AKV1,INT1,AIV1 and then proceed through the MS exams that way.....

If things really are done the way I'm hoping....I might actually be done by 3rd term. Then the real fun begins....

themagicone

With your background you'll have no problem getting those done. You like writing more than I do so I don't see you having a problem getting done with LET1 in a day. MGC/ORC with your background should just be schedule and take the tests. Math isn't too bad, any question on that just let me know. Good luck.

sheckler

I just squeaked by AKV1 with a 39 out of 50 (38 is passing). I got a pretty weird group of questions, some stuff I hadn't heard of and not much actual code.

Certs still left: Network+, Security+, Project+, 70-680, MCITP:SA

WGU classes left: LET1, ORC1, MGC1, portfolio, tech writing, capstone

Hoping to get done by the end of Sept. I'm worried about the MS certs though, those seem like a problem.

Excellent1

LET1 in a day is easily doable, especially if you have the book. Without it, at least for me, you'll be slowed down googling for various bits of information to put together to make sure you can hit all the points in the rubric.

As for AKV1, a word of caution: this exam changes for everyone on 3/1/2011. The LR's change on 2/1/2011. I had been asking about BOV1 in place of AKV1, and I received confirmation from the course mentor and a program manager over the mentors that this change is taking place. Essentially, they are retiring the AKV1 exam as of 3/1. The reason I mention this is that if you already have your learning resources, then go in to take your exam on 3/1, you will not be seeing the same material you've been studying. When I tactfully mentioned to the program manager at WGU that the material was "somewhat dated" (the book was written in 2003), his response was, "let's face it, it's VERY dated". They've been working on updating the LR's and the exam for some time. If you've already referred for the LR's, contact your mentor after 2/1 for the new ones. I verified with them that I would be eligible for the new LR's even though I received the old ones previously. Just a heads up for anyone getting ready to take this.

Here is a copy/pasted portion of my email with Adrian Genesir, the web programming IT course mentor:

"BOV1 will be included on every program starting on 2/1/2011. Any program started before that includes AKV1.

The JavaScript exam is changing on 2/1/2011, regardless of the course code. All students that refer for BOV1 or AKV1 after 1/31/2011 will get the new JavaScript exam.

The revaluation of the course from 3 to 4 CUs is coincidental with the exam change. The courses are equivalent though.
If you take AKV1 this term, and decide to upgrade your program next term you will get a “requirement met” in your record for BOV1 (and a value of 4 CUs.)
If you decide to wait, you can upgrade your program next term to include BOV1 instead and get a “pass” instead of “requirement met” but they affect you the same way."

Notice that he says 2/1, but the program manager I spoke with yesterday said that date had been pushed back to 3/1 for the new exam rollout. Whether you take AKV1 or BOV1, you get the same new exam on 3/1. Again, just a heads up for anyone that might be using the old LR's as they move into the new exam.

Excellent1

erpadmin wrote: »

If things really are done the way I'm hoping....I might actually be done by 3rd term. Then the real fun begins....

Good luck with it, man. I'm sure you'll do great. My next term starts 3/1 and I will have 11 courses to complete in order to finish up (52 CU's). I plan on finishing in this term, but that will be up to my ability to sit MS exams and pass. Time will tell.

Jagged

Excellent1 wrote: »

As for AKV1, a word of caution: this exam changes for everyone on 3/1/2011. ... Essentially, they are retiring the AKV1 exam as of 3/1. ...

The JavaScript exam is changing on 2/1/2011, regardless of the course code. All students that refer for BOV1 or AKV1 after 1/31/2011 will get the new JavaScript exam.

Okay, is this an error in the course listings where the exam is being brought in-house but still listed as CIW? I see:

Web Programming (BOV1)
Proctored at an authorized Prometric Testing Center, computer-based CIW JavaScript
Specialist Exam

I see no update listed on the CIW site for 1D0-435 upcoming. There are five exams scheduled for retirement in June but none are used by WGU. No mention of 1D0-535 which would be the next version of the JavaScript exam.

Interesting note: CIW is dumping the Professional certification and all Master certifications. Looks like Grand Master is sticking around for the CIW junkies.