New member, need help! easiest cert in this list?

morrow

Hello,
New member here that needs help!! My job is suddenly requiring me to get another cert within 2 months (deadline!). I work in IT (application/windows/citrix mainly) but I am not a very good test taker. I want to know what the easiest/cheapest one is. Also can I take any of these online? That would make it easier. Any will work it's just a job requirement at this point that I need to get done ASAP. I can only study for it outside of work and I have to pay for it out of pocket, thus I want the cheapest/easiest one. Easier is more important as I have limited time outside of work for this. Here is the list thanks for the help
(sorry long list)
1Z0-047 Oracle Database SQL Expert
A+(CE)
ACA
ACDT
ACE
ACHDS
ACP
ACSA
ACTC
Adobe ColdFusion MX 7 Developer
Adobe Photoshop CS4 ACE
Apple Certified Support Professional 10.6
ArcSight Certified Integrator/Administrator
Aruba Certified Mobility Associate (ACMA)
BCCPA (Blue Coat Certified Proxy Administrator)
BCCPP (Blue Coat Certified Proxy Professional)
BCNE Brocade Certified Network Engineer
BCNP Brocade Certified Network Professional
BCP-410
BCWAA (Blue Coat WAN Acceleration Administrator)
BCWAA (Blue Coat WAN Acceleration Administrator)
BCWAP (Blue Coat WAN Acceleration Professional)
BlackBerry Certified System Administrator (BBCSA)
BMC Atrium CMDB BMC-CONTROL-M
BMC Performance Manager
BMC Remedy AR System
Brocade Accredited Internetworking Specialist
CCA
CCAI
CCDA
CCENT
CCIP
CCNA Security
CCNA Voice
CCNA Wireless
CCSP
CCVP
Centaur and Trickler for Network Traffic Analysis
Certified Wireless Technology Specialist (CWTS)
Checkpoint Certified Security Administrator (CCSA)
CHFI (Certified Hacking Forensics Investigator)
Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE)
Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)
Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP)
Cisco Express Foundation Field Specialist
Cisco Firewall Specialist
Cisco IOS Security Specialist
Cisco IPS Specialist
Cisco Security Solutions and Design Specialist
Citrix Certified Enterprise Administrator (CCEA)
CIW Administrator - Security Professional
CIW Administrator - Server Administrator
CIW Administrator - v5 Foundations
CIW Administrator - Intern- Nwtworking Professional
CIW Designer-v5-e-Commerce Designer
CIW Designer-v5 Foundation
CIW Designer-v5 Site Designer
CIW-Associate
CIW-Master Administrator
CIW Master Designer
CIW Master Web Site Manager
CIW Professional
CIW Security Analyst
CNA
CNDA
CNE
Configuration Management II (CMII)
Core Technologies in Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007
CSSLP
CTT+
CWAP
CWNA
CWNE
CWNP
CWNT
CWSP
DCSE Dell Certified Systems Expert Foundation 2008 Desktop
DCSE Dell Certified Systems Expert Foundation 2008 Portables
DCSE Dell Foundation 2005 Desktops
Developers Guide to Windows Sharepoint Services 3.0
EC-Council Certified Security Analyst (ESCA)
EMC Storage Technology Certified Engineer
FNCNE (Foundry)
GCRUX (DIAC Certified UNIX Security Administrator
GIAC Reverse Engineering Malware
HDI Certified Help Desk Manager
HDI Customer Service Representative (HPI- CSR)
HDI Desktop Support Technician
HDI Support Center Analyst (HDI-SCA)
HP-UX CSA
IBM CSA - Lotus Notes and Domino 7
iPERMS Web-based Training Authorized Official
ISFCE 9international Society if Forensic Computer Examiners)
ITIL Foundation
Juniper Networks Certified Internal Associate
Linux+
MCA
MCAD
MCAP
MCAS (Microsoft Certified Application Specialist)
MCDBA
MCDST
MCITP
MCITP Customer Support Technician
MCITP Database Administrator 2008
MCITP Database Developer 2008
MCITP Enterprise Administrator
MCITP Enterprise Desktop Administrator 7
MCITP Enterprise Messaging Administrator
MCITP Enterprise Support Technician
MCITP Server Administrator
MCITP Systems Administrator
MCLC
MCP
MCPD
MCSA
MCSA Security
MCSD
MCSE
MCSE Security
MCT
MCTS
MCTS SharePoint Server 2007 Application Developer
MCTS SharePoint Server 2007 Configuration
MCTS Windows 7 Configuration
MCTS Windows Vista Configuration
MCTS Microsoft SQL Server 2005-Implementation and Maintenance
MCTS Windows Server 2008 Active Directory (config)
MCTS Windows Server 2008 Applications Infrastructure (config)
MCTS Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure (config)
Microsoft Operations Framework (MOF) 4.0 Foundation Certification
MOS
MSBC
OCA
OCM
OCP
Offensive Security Certified Expert
Offensive Security Certified Professional
Offensive Security Wireless Professional
Oracle Database Administrator Certified Associate
Oracle Database Administrator Certified Professional
PacketShaper Certified Expert Program
PacketShaper Certified Specialist
pSeries AIX System Administration
pSeries AIX System Support
Remedy Skilled Professional (RSP)
RHCE
RHCT
SCBCD
SCDJWS
SCEA
SCJA Sun Server Java Associate
SCJD
SCJP
SCMAD
SCNA
SCSA
SCSAS
SCSECA
SCWCD
Snort Certified Professional (SnortCP)
SolarWinds SCP Certification
Sourcefire Certified Expert (SFCE)
SourceFire Certified Professional (SFCP)
Spectrum Certified Engineer (SCE)
Sun Certified Engineer for Sun One Directory Server
Sun Certified Java Associate (SSJA)
Sun Certified Programmer for the Java platform Standard Edition
Sun Certified Solaris Associate (SCSAS) Solaris 10 OS
Sun Certified Specialist for NetBeans IDE
Sun Security Administrator for Solaris 9 OE
Veritas Certified Professional VCS/NBU
Veritas Certified Specialist VCX/NBU
Veritas Cluster Server/NetBackup VCS/NBU
VmWare Certified Professional (VCP)
Web Applications Development with Microsoft .Net Framework 4
Wireshark Certified Network Analyst

Repo Man

ITIL Foundations is very easy. I've heard others say CIW is as well but the ITIL exam is something you can at least put on a resume

MentholMoose

morrow wrote: »

Hello,
New member here that needs help!! My job is suddenly requiring me to get another cert within 2 months (deadline!). I work in IT (application/windows/citrix mainly) but I am not a very good test taker. I want to know what the easiest/cheapest one is.

It's hard to say which ones are easier because it depends on your knowledge. If you are familiar with Microsoft Hyper-V, exam 70-652 is extremely easy, and if you know SCVMM, 70-403 is fairly easy. If you have only basic familiarity but can spend some time learning, download Windows Server 2008 R2 Evaluation and System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2008 R2 Evaluation and buy Mastering Microsoft Virtualization. This book covers both of those exams (it also covers 70-659, 70-669, and 70-693, so skip the sections that don't cover Hyper-V and SCVMM).

Price-wise, MS exams are not really cheap (currently $125/exam), but check eBay and search Google for vouchers (for example, I took 70-403 using a voucher I bought on eBay for $15). If you are a student, you can take the exams for about $60, and you even can get a free voucher at Dreamspark.

What "Citrix" stuff do you work with? Citrix exams are fairly easy to pass since they have a relatively low passing requirement (usually about 62%). Unfortunately they are not cheap and I rarely see vouchers or discounts for them.

Pishof

Repo Man wrote: »

ITIL Foundations is very easy. I've heard others say CIW is as well but the ITIL exam is something you can at least put on a resume

CIW-Associate is the easiest on that list I'd assume. Chances are you would just need to refresh on html for a couple hours and pass the test easy. The cutoff is somewhere around 52% or so I think.

SteveO86

What technology do you work with on a daily basis? GO with that one.

JDMurray

Which of those certs is easiest is very subjective; it depends on what you already know.

ChooseLife

morrow wrote: »

My job is suddenly requiring me to get another cert within 2 months
...
I can only study for it outside of work and I have to pay for it out of pocket

You know, I have a problem with this. If the employer makes it a requirement, at the very minimum, they must pay for the exams.

alan2308

Well, you can start by knocking all the Cisco exams except for the CCENT and CCNA off of your list since they all require at least a valid CCNA.

All except for the CCIE, but that's not happening in 2 months anyway.

gramacorp

Repo Man wrote: »

ITIL Foundations is very easy. I've heard others say CIW is as well but the ITIL exam is something you can at least put on a resume

Agreed, go with ITIL Foundations or CIW Foundations.

lunchbox67

I'm sorry but to put up a list like that and ask such a questions is insulting.

Do a little research and get your list down to 4 - 5 then we can talk.

Priston

I'm just going to ignore the list and think of a few certs that are easy and/or line up with what you said you have experience with. Then I'll check and see if there on your list...

CCA
Citrix Certified Enterprise Administrator (CCEA)
CIW-Associate

N2IT

DCSE Dell Foundation 2005 Desktops

This one is hot right now. If you get this you'll be making 6 figures.

joneno

the list is really insulting.

cyberguypr

The easiest ones are CCIE and VCP. It's true. I read it online somewhere. And the only reason why employers pull this crap (rushing the test without providing $$$) is because employees allow it. I don't know your situation but I wish you could do something about it.

morrow

The easiest ones are CCIE and VCP. It's true. I read it online somewhere. And the only reason why employers pull this crap (rushing the test without providing $$$) is because employees allow it. I don't know your situation but I wish you could do something about it.

You know, I have a problem with this. If the employer makes it a requirement, at the very minimum, they must pay for the exams.

I understand exactly what you are saying, but unfortunately government contractors flat-out don't care. The government (the branch I contract for) has basically slapped that cert requirement on us and the contracting companies don't have it in their budget to pay for it. So bottom line is do it/pay for it on your own time, or find a new job. It's so wrong I agree but there's nothing I can do about it other than quit in protest...which I really don't want to do as I enjoy the job (other than this...)

For those of you offended at the list, I apologize. I made this post in semi-desperation as i'm looking for direction on what to do.

For those who made a few suggestions to me, thanks a ton!!! I am looking into this right away.

DCSE Dell Foundation 2005 Desktops

This one is hot right now. If you get this you'll be making 6 figures.

Hahaha I assume you're joking about this. But in regards to the foundation 2005 Desktops, I found out last night I think I got that back in 2006 or 2005 but I don't have a cert number or anything to show for it. I'm almost positive I got it. Are the DCSE tests ones that you can take open book online? That's what I did. Any idea where/how I can find/verify my info on which dell test I took?

Qord

Did you copy/paste, or actually type all those out by hand?

The government (the branch I contract for) has basically slapped that cert requirement on us and the contracting companies don't have it in their budget to pay for it. So bottom line is do it/pay for it on your own time, or find a new job.

I'd find a new job. That's not right.

JDMurray

Qord wrote: »

Did you copy/paste, or actually type all those out by hand?

My guess is they were copied from a drop-down list on a Web page of a test center or an online survey.

creamy_stew

A+ and CCA should be easy for you. The CCA might require you to attend an official course, though, so make sure to look into that. It's also very hard to get decent study material for the CCA other the the official courseware.

morrow

My guess is they were copied from a drop-down list on a Web page of a test center or an online survey.

No I didn't do that. This is the official list my company gave us. I copy/pasted it out of the doc it was sent in.
"Get 1 of these by July 31st"

I'd find a new job. That's not right.

It's not right I agree, it's a bad situation and i'm sure we've all encountered bad situations before. The Government slapped this requirement on all employees in the large branch I work for, contractors included. Contractors don't have the money in their budget, so it's do it or go. Government employees get it paid for, including study time/materials.

Again, it's a bad situation, i'm just trying to get through this.

earweed

Best of luck coping wth the bad situation you're in. In my opinion the easiest exam on that list would have to be the CIW-Associate. Other than that you should look at something related to what you have the most experience in.

JDMurray

morrow wrote: »

"Get 1 of these by July 31st"

That makes no sense at all. What contractual requirement is being fulfilled by having people get a random IT certification? What's the government directive?

morrow

JDMurray wrote: »

That makes no sense at all. What contractual requirement is being fulfilled by having people get a random IT certification? What's the government directive?

That's how the government works...lots of stuff that doesn't make sense.

Can we not send PM (private messages) to people on this website? I have a few people i'd like to PM but I can't figure out how to.

MentholMoose

There's probably a minimum post count you need to send PMs. If you have any questions just post them in the thread.

lunchbox67

creamy_stew wrote: »

A+ and CCA should be easy for you. The CCA might require you to attend an official course, though, so make sure to look into that. It's also very hard to get decent study material for the CCA other the the official courseware.

No need for an official course.

You can pass the CCA, if you know Citrix, by using this site.
citrixxperience.com

ibcritn

JDMurray wrote: »

That makes no sense at all. What contractual requirement is being fulfilled by having people get a random IT certification? What's the government directive?

It sounds like DoDD 8570 because you need both a base cert (say Sec+ for IAT II) and a Computer Environment Certification...typically your IAM wants it to be with technology that you work with everyday (at least thats what they are aiming for)

2 months is PLENTY of time to study for a certification. In your shoes I would pick one that interests me and I work with.

morrow

ibcritn wrote: »

It sounds like DoDD 8570 because you need both a base cert (say Sec+ for IAT II) and a Computer Environment Certification...typically your IAM wants it to be with technology that you work with everyday (at least thats what they are aiming for)

You hit the nail on the head. Sounds like you work for the DoD too!
The Computer Environment cert in my department/branch is anything on the DoD list, hence my copy/paste (the actual list is a little longer but only listed in a drop-down box, this copy/pasted one is close enough).

JDMurray

ibcritn wrote: »

It sounds like DoDD 8570 because you need both a base cert (say Sec+ for IAT II) and a Computer Environment Certification...

But most of the certs on that list aren't specified in DoD 8570.01.

Chipsch

This is due to a CE (computing environment) requirement that was placed in a regulation years ago. It was never enforced and now the powers that be are enforcing it. It started back in December of 2010 when a directive came down from a command to start stripping admin rights from people that don't fulfill that requirement. Waivers were put in and it was decided 6 months would be given to meet those requirements. I work at a Network Enterprise Center on an Army installation so I am very familiar with these crazy requirements that are last minute. We have people here that are required to get MCITP:EA certified plus the two other Windows 7 certs within 6 months. I was fortunate to skip this because my certification requirements are fulfilled with my job role. The best part is they are mandating that certain people in certain higher up places obtain the CCIE in that time frame supposedly also. *cough* yeah right. If I have time to track down that regulation (DA) I can get it to you. The certification requirements is also supposed to be determined by a first line supervisor since they know what you do on a daily basis.

morrow

JDMurray wrote: »

But most of the certs on that list aren't specified in DoD 8570.01.

That's because there's 2 different certs needed. The ones listed in your link are various ones that qualify for the IAT level portion of 8570. I got IAT level 2

The list I linked was some (most) of the ones accepted for the computer environment cert portion.

As the other guy said it depends on your company/contractor which one of the computer environment certs they will accept. In my case it is all on the list because we just want to 'get compliant'.

This is due to a CE (computing environment) requirement that was placed in a regulation years ago. It was never enforced and now the powers that be are enforcing it. It started back in December of 2010 when a directive came down from a command to start stripping admin rights from people that don't fulfill that requirement. Waivers were put in and it was decided 6 months would be given to meet those requirements. I work at a Network Enterprise Center on an Army installation so I am very familiar with these crazy requirements that are last minute. We have people here that are required to get MCITP:EA certified plus the two other Windows 7 certs within 6 months. I was fortunate to skip this because my certification requirements are fulfilled with my job role. The best part is they are mandating that certain people in certain higher up places obtain the CCIE in that time frame supposedly also. *cough* yeah right. If I have time to track down that regulation (DA) I can get it to you. The certification requirements is also supposed to be determined by a first line supervisor since they know what you do on a daily basis.

Dead-on. Just as he said the CE portion was put in place YEARS ago and is only recently enforced.

colemic

From 8570 itself:

C3.2.4.8.3. In addition to the baseline IA certification requirement for their level, IATs with privileged access must obtain appropriate Computing Environment (CE) certifications for the operating system(s) and/or security related tools/devices they support as required by their employing organization. If supporting multiple tools and devices, an IAT should obtain CE certifications for all the tools and devices they are supporting. At a minimum the IAT should obtain a certification for the tool or device he or she spends the most time supporting. For example, if an IAT is spending most of his or her time supporting security functions on a CISCO router, the IAT should obtain a CE certification for that equipment. This requirement ensures they can effectively apply IA requirements to their hardware and software systems.

There is another obscure army directive somewhere that requires it (just confirming what someone already stated), it has been ignored until now because there hasn't been any real direction to my knowledge on what counts and what doesn't, and more importantly, there isn't any provision in 8570 for enforcing it. (Until Jan of this year, when certain army people got a bug in their heiny and started threatening to strip admin rights from people.) I thought that they had backed down off of it though, but I guess not.

Priston

morrow wrote: »

I work in IT (application/windows/citrix mainly)

colemic wrote: »

From 8570 itself:

C3.2.4.8.3. In addition to the baseline IA certification requirement for their level, IATs with privileged access must obtain appropriate Computing Environment (CE) certifications for the operating system(s) and/or security related tools/devices they support as required by their employing organization. If supporting multiple tools and devices, an IAT should obtain CE certifications for all the tools and devices they are supporting. At a minimum the IAT should obtain a certification for the tool or device he or she spends the most time supporting.

I don't think you should just get any random easy cert, I think you should get a cert for the technologies you work with.