Don’t Be Scared to Test at Home This Halloween!
Does the thought of taking your test at home send shivers up your spine? Are you scared that you will fail because you won’t be ready? Does the idea of having someone watch you make you feel like you’re in a bad 1980s video sung by Rockwell and Michael Jackson?
It’s OK to get a little nervous before plunging into the unfamiliar. This may be not only your first time taking a CompTIA exam, but also your first time testing from home! Luckily, you’re not alone in having those feelings as this is a new process for most of us.
Not a proctor, just the world’s creepiest shoulder surfer.
I Ain’t Afraid of No Ghosts
We’ll help you overcome your fears by helping you prepare. Fortunately, many others before you have already done it successfully. After all, CompTIA allowed testing from home on April 15. Other vendors like Certiport and Cisco, among others, have done the same.
By the way, if you want to check out those other certifications or get some more last-minute practice, then check out our materials here:
Total Seminars on Certifications
- TotalVideo video-based training courses
- TotalSims performance-based question prep
- TotalTester practice tests
Ready to test?
Click here to get CompTIA Discount Exam Vouchers
Test at Your Favorite Haunt
With a strong Internet connection, a computer that meets the requirements, the right ID materials, and no prohibited materials or distractions in the room, then you can test safely from home. Also, make sure that you plugged your computer into a reliable power source and aren’t relying on the battery.
Good news! You don’t even have to test at home; you can test from work, or also a public library! You can’t take the test from a tablet or mobile phone at this time.
What happens when you keep putting off scheduling the test.
Bad Things Come in Threes … Unless You Prepare!
First, you should check if your computer would work under exam conditions. Take the official system test to see how well it would perform on the day of the test:
Assuming that you pass, then your next biggest concern will involve having a high bandwidth because you will use streaming video and audio for the entire two hour test. You should try a speed test.
Ideally a wired connection works best. If you have only a wireless connection, then ensure that others in your area turned off their connections temporarily. Better yet, have them leave during test time. Yes, Big Brother is watching you, so give him a gift card for a coffee, send him trick or treating somewhere, or give him a book to read.
Now that you know you have the proper equipment, you need to get familiar with the test format. Unfortunately, because you cannot use notes on paper or electronic devices to remember things, draw diagrams, summon spells, or perform calculations, you’ll use a sheet on the screen for your notes. We really, REALLY recommend that you practice using this feature before so that you don’t waste precious time learning how it works during the test itself:
https://home.pearsonvue.com/onvue/whiteboard
My proctor quit after I tested for some reason.
Now, if you do these three things, you’re pretty much ready to test at home by this point. But you should also know what to do for the test itself.
Don’t Ghost Your Test at Home!
Just as with any standard test center, you should arrive 30 minutes early. The check in process takes 15 minutes. If you’re scheduled at 1 PM, then get online and be ready by 12:30 PM.
Screams and tears won’t make you any less late. Arrive early to avoid upsets! No exceptions!
The proctor will explain the dos and don’ts. You will provide an ID copy, just like at a testing center, but good idea to bring two in case one doesn’t count.
The proctor will validate your ID with the Web camera and explain the rules. This means that you will need to make sure that your camera, microphone, and speakers work.
Just Because You’re Paranoid Doesn’t Mean They’re Not Watching You
The camera must be positioned so that the proctor can see you, the screen, and keyboard. Software will record your test screen even if you somehow block the Web camera with your hand, so you can’t “accidentally” block the screen. Trust us, we thought about it and they beat us to it already.
You cannot wear any phones, headphones, headsets, electronic devices, pagers (if you’re in a 1980s costume I guess), watches, wallets, purses, hats, head coverings, bags, coats, books, notepads, pocket protectors, or anything else not approved. Clothes are optional but we highly recommend them.
Wait, so we’re supposed to be afraid of her for not wearing a mask? Clown world indeed. Go, 2020!
I Can See Your House From Here…
The proctor will also make you pick up the Web camera and do a 360 view of the entire room. Therefore, you must remove all electronic devices, audio devices, notes, cards, books, scrawls on the wall/ceiling, floor, and any people who could possibly give hints, tips or cheats.
You can’t have notes, books, papers, pens, pencils, monitors or computers (or at least they must be turned off and unplugged), whiteboards, blackboards, Ouija boards, bloody messages scrawled on the wall, etc.
Are you moving it or did the mouse run out of battery and stop syncing again?
You won’t pass if you fail this preview of the room. The camera also will help the proctor to see if you’re checking your pockets, looking at the floor, or glancing around during the test looking at things that can help you during the test. Basically, you must look at the screen only.
Sure it’s disturbing, but at least they can’t accuse you of cheating on the test!
Don’t Rely on Phantom Power
You will also need to enable your microphone. That system test that you did earlier should check the microphone component. CompTIA doesn’t want someone to record the questions with hidden microphone, therefore you cannot talk to yourself during the test. Besides, it’s kind of weird. Psychic communication with spirits is technically not prohibited, but since they’d probably only know old versions of the test anyway any ghosts in the machine won’t help you very much.
We prefer the term living impaired, thank you.
CompTIA Will Soon Mean for Computer TestIng At Home (The H is Silent)
That’s pretty much it! You can now take the test and with our help you’ll know all the content so that you can pass the exams with ease. Once you’re done, the test will ask demographic and basic questions – just like they do at the test site examinations – and THEN it will give you your results. You will get a hard copy in the mail and you can get a digital copy on the spot.
We hope that you have a safe and Happy Halloween and that you succeed on your exams! Now go study, register, and test, then let us know how it goes!
Uh, you go first. I’ll be right behind you.
What is the Best Preparation for an ic3 Certification Exam?
[Posted 5 September 2013 by Kathy Yale]
The Internet and Computing Core Certification exam, also known as the ic3, is widely known in the information technology field as one of the most important exams for IT professionals to take. This is an exam that can be challenging for many IT professionals, but it also is a fundamentals-based program. The ic3 certification is often viewed as a stepping stone for other certifications, and because of this, it is highly popular for most IT professionals to take regardless of how far they aspire to take their career. Preparing for this challenging exam is critical for those who want to pass their exam on the first attempt. Understanding the different preparations options available is key to success with the ic3 exam.
A Closer Look at the Exam
As a first step, individuals who have a desire to pass the ic3 exam should take a closer look at the exam itself. This is an exam that features different sections that cover computing fundamentals, key applications and living online. Each exam has 45 questions, and students are allowed up to 45 minutes to complete each exam. They must achieve a passing score on all three of the exams in order to earn the certification. It is important to note that the exam materials are updated from year to year in order to ensure that those who hold the certification are up-to-date with current trends and knowledge in the industry.
What Total Seminars Offers
Total Seminars is widely considered to be one of the best resources for IT professionals to use when preparing for the ic3 exam. The company has over two decades of proven experience in the field, and it is known for providing high-quality testing materials. For the ic3 exam, it offers several different training options and study aids. For example, students can invest in training books, practice test software programs, lab manuals and more. Students will have the ability to purchase all of the materials in a package, or they can create their own package by selecting the individual options they would benefit from. Each student may have a different learning preference, and Total Seminars provides students with the ability to customize their learning experience.
Why Get the Certification
The ic3 certification is just one of several that Total Seminars offers testing materials and study aids for, and IT professionals can take time to learn more about each of the certifications that are covered by Total Seminars. The ic3 certification is often required by many companies today, and others view it as a preferred credential. The certification can be maintained for life, and it demonstrates the knowledge of and proficiency in certain key areas. These include office applications, electronic communications, operating systems and other basic topics. Some employers will not consider candidates if they do not have this certification, and others will give preferred status to candidates with the certification.
IT professionals who are interested in taking their career to the next level and who want to show potential employers their proficiency in certain fundamental areas should consider taking the ic3 test. Through Total Seminars, IT professionals can find all of the study materials they need to prepare for their certification exam. In addition, they can also find study materials for other popular certifications.
How Will an Ic3 Certification Advance My Career?
[Posted 14 August 2013 by Kathy Yale]
The Internet and Computing Core Certification is referred to as the IC3 certification, and it can help individuals advance their careers. Offered by training centers around the country, it’s a competitive edge that’s important in a difficult job market. Available to students and working professionals, it lets employers know that an individual is computer literate and ready to work in an environment that relies heavily on computers.
Proof of Entry-Level Skills
In the past, employers who wanted to ensure that candidates were computer literate would ask people to come in and take various computer tests. The IC3 certification allows employers to skip this time-consuming process. The IC3 certification serves as evidence that an applicant has the entry-level skills necessary to function in both academic and work environments where computers and Internet technology are an integral part of success.
Recognized Benefits of Certification
Employers across the board recognize IC3 certifications as the global standard for digital literacy. It serves to validate an applicant’s computer skills that are required in most academic and work environments. It also serves as an excellent foundation for earning other certifications.
Three Examinations
There are three core areas to the IC3. The exam covers Computing Fundamentals, Key Applications and Living Online. The standards are updated every few years to ensure that this testing standard is keeping up with technology offerings that are constantly changing. These areas cover both computer hardware and software systems, and people will also learn about networks and the Internet.
The Computing Fundamentals section covers hardware, software and operating systems. People with IC3 certification will be trained in Word, Excel and PowerPoint to ensure proficiency in these key applications. Finally, the Living Online section covers networks, Internet, email and Internet on Society.
Prepared for the Digital World
While people expect to work with computers if they enter the field of computer science, the fact is that most professionals now work with computers. Work is increasingly being competed and transmitted electronically, and that means that accountants are trading pencils for keyboards and architects are moving from paper drafting plans to digital drafts. Anyone who is entering a field that uses computers regularly can benefit from this additional training and the certification that comes with it.
In this tough job market, employers are looking for people who are computer literate. In the past, they had to take an applicant’s word that they were skilled in Word or have them take special tests to see how well they could use Excel or PowerPoint programs. Administering the tests for computer literacy was costly, and hiring someone who did not have the necessary skills was even more costly. With the IC3 certification, employers can be confident that any applicant has the computer skills that are necessary in a digital world and office. It’s a valuable edge for candidates that can make a job search more successful. When you are ready to begin preparing for the Ic3 certification, be sure to contact Total Seminars for practice tests, study materials, and exam vouchers.
Exploring the ‘Computing Fundamentals’ Section of the IC3 Certification Exam
[Posted 11 July 2013 by Kathy Yale]
Many different companies offer knowledge- and performance-based testing of computer skills and provide certification programs in various aspects of computer technology. Certiport, an American company founded in 2000, is one of the leading providers of certification examinations designed to test competency in the operation of computers and computer systems. The IC3 certification program tests general computer knowledge and is not targeted at any brand of computer or operating system.
The designation “IC3” is an abbreviation that stands for “Internet and Computer Core Certification” and also represents the three areas covered by the certification; Computing Fundamentals, Key Applications and Living Online. Earning an IC3 certification can open the door to new employment opportunities and opportunities for advancement for an individual interested in a career in computer installation, repair and operation.
The Computing Fundamentals examination tests an individual’s knowledge of computer hardware, software, basic operations and system set-up. Here are some things that a potential test-taker needs to know before attempting the Computing Fundamentals examination and the IC3 certification process.
IC3 Certification Basics
Each separate examination that comprises the IC3 certification consists of 45 multiple choice questions. The maximum possible score on each test is 1000 points, and to successfully pass and become IC3 certified an individual must earn a score of at least 710 points per section. The three modules of the IC3 examination are offered at testing locations within the United States and around the world. The tests must be taken at one of these approved locations under the supervision of a proctor.
Material Included In the Computing Fundamentals Examination
As the name would suggest, the Computing Fundamentals examination covers all the basics of computers and computer systems. The following topics are included on the Computing Fundamentals examination:
• Names and uses of computer and peripheral components
• Computer memory and storage
• Input and output devices
• Computer performance
• Computer security
• Troubleshooting common problems
• Computer maintenance and repair
• Basic knowledge of word processing, spreadsheets, database and presentation software
• Operating and networking basics
Preparing for the Examination
The questions on the Computing Fundamentals examination are designed to test knowledge in many different areas of computing. For a student who is relatively new to computers, an in-depth study course may be necessary to successfully pass the examination. An individual who has extensive experience with computers and computer systems may only need a brief review of the material covered on the test. All potential test-takers benefit from taking a practice examination. A practice version of the test familiarizes the test-taker with the format and time constraints of the actual test. Practice tests and study materials are available on-line.
After completing a practice test, the test-taker is issued a report that includes their overall score and how they performed in different areas covered by the test. This information allows student who did not pass the practice examination to prepare more effectively to re-take it and highlights knowledge gaps for students who did successfully pass the practice test.
The IC3 Computing Fundamentals examination can be attempted multiple times, so if an individual does not pass the first time, he or she can pursue further studies and re-take the test again. In order to achieve full IC3 certification from Certiport, all three sections of the examination must be passed. The only to ensure that test-takers will pass all three sections of the exam is to fully prepare themselves by reviewing the study materials offered by Total Seminars. Total Seminars offers a variety of study materials and practice that will help individuals gain computer literacy and pass their exams.
Showcase Your Digital Literacy with an IC3 Certification
[Posted 13 June 2013 by Kathy Yale]
IC3 certification is one of the best ways to promote computer literacy. Candidates who want to prepare for IC3 certification must study for a test that assesses the individual’s knowledge. There are many test preparation materials available, but Total Seminars provides IC3 preparation and exam vouchers that are a cost-effective way to gain this valuable certification.
Why Should I Seek IC3 Certification?
IC3 stands for Internet and Computing Core Certification. This certification documents computer literacy skills and never expires. Once an individual receives IC3 certification, he or she can use that certification for the rest of their career.
IC3 assesses several aspects of computer and Internet literacy, including:
• How computers work. The test covers basic functions of computers such as CPU, RAM and other designations of memory and operations.
• How to work within the Windows operating system. IC3 certification focuses on Windows as an operation system and covers the basic functions of manipulating files and data with Windows OS.
• Basic operation of Office applications. IC3 tests an individual’s ability to use Office applications effectively at a basic level.
• Networking. IC3 tests the applicant’s knowledge of networking basics such as how networks are constructed, connectivity issues and types of network configurations.
• Electronic communication. IC3 assesses knowledge of email and other forms of electronic communication using basic programming skills.
• The Internet. The IC3 exam covers basics of how the Internet is structured, computer language used in Internet applications and basic manipulation of web site structures.
Who Accepts IC3 Certification?
All jobs with exposure to computer systems demand the skills tested by IC3. Many employers are recognizing IC3 certification as a good way to screen potential employees for job-ready skills. If a job candidate has IC3 certification, the employer already knows that he or she has a basic understanding of programming and operations of computer systems that will serve the company well.
The potential to obtain a job is not the only reason to seek IC3 certification, however. IC3 certification can be a first step to achieving higher-level computer certifications and credentials. Individuals who successfully pass MOS, CompTIA, Strata, CompTIA A+ and other certification tests often begin with IC3 certification.
Not only does passing the test give a candidate a valuable certification, it can also inspire him or her to seek higher goals in professional training and testing.
What Does the IC3 Exam Look Like?
The IC3 exam consists of three test sections. Each section contains 45 multiple choice questions. The four sections are:
• Computing Fundamentals
• Key Applications
• Living Online
Candidates have 45 minutes to complete each section. The passing scores for each section are, out of 1,000 points each:
• Computing Fundamentals, 800
• Key Applications, 750
• Living Online, 660
How Can I Prepare for IC3 Testing?
Seeking IC3 Certification can be the first step in a lucrative and satisfying computer career. Total Seminars offers preparation materials that are easy to use and fully prepare candidates for the IC3 exam. Total Seminars also includes testing vouchers so that candidates can take the IC3 test at their own convenience. Support is available for students that will help them understand the material and feel confident when they take the IC3 Certification exam.