Classroom vs Virtual Training for certifications.

[George]

How did you study for your certification(s). Did you attend a classroom based training course or did you do it online. Did you use a physical studyguide book or PC based application not online?

What are your recommendations for study aids and why do you think it's better than others.

[trapehzoid]

particular field you are inquiring about? reason I ask.. some topics labs and hands-on are more significant then in other areas.

[George]

I'm focusing on videoconferencing related certs. CVE, TCT, etc.

[trapehzoid]

Hrm.. I was going to go take the CVE exam just for kicks.. but for $250 a pop!

That is more then my Cisco tests costs!

The problem for studying for a VTC test is lack of consolidated GOOD information. There is plenty of material on telecom, IP, codecs, etc.. but there are truely little or no resources out there that deliver the required depth, or lack of depth for each topic in a consolidated format. There is truely very little 'formal' reading available for this industry. Every book I've seen on the topic has pretty much been a joke. You can find great books on individual topics, like TCP/IP, H.323, TDM, carrier interfaces, etc.. but most people don't know how much or how little they need to know of each area.

Because of that, I think your best bet if you are looking to pass some individual test, is find the study material for that class and just do it yourself. There is no topic within VTC itself I think you'd need hands on training just to pass a class. The more serious certifications in networking I would say otherwise, but within VTC itself.. the testing levels are so basic.

[Toney]

I just recently took a couple of Tandberg tests. I didn't attend any of their classes, I figured that since I've been working with Tandberg technology for about 3 years that I didn't need to go. I've always believed in hands-on training. I found the same for the Cisco certs like CCNA/DA (which I'm going for). I went on one of those one week boot camps and found that even though they taught quite a bit, I learned far more when I returned to work.

[George]

Yeah I was looking at the Polycom CVE core curriculum corses they offer at their site. You sign up and it's a classroom environment but the key phrase that caught my eye was that it would be a lecture setting with no hands on training at all. I immediately pictured long boring classes with some person up there reading directly from Polycom manuals and me sitting there thinking "..... if I just had that manual I wouldn't need to be here".

[vtjoe]

I just recently took a couple of Tandberg tests. I didn't attend any of their classes, I figured that since I've been working with Tandberg technology for about 3 years that I didn't need to go.
Did you pass? I also have my "Tandberg Technical Certification" -and in the US (unless they changed things in the last year) you can't get the certification without going to the class. The test is very easy compared to the CCNA (I've taken them both). The class is very hands on - when I was there every two students had one 2500 or 6000.

[vtjoe]

Because of that, I think your best bet if you are looking to pass some individual test, is find the study material for that class and just do it yourself. There is no topic within VTC itself I think you'd need hands on training just to pass a class.
Hey trapehzoid, did you get your CVE? If so, what material did you study?
I was looking at taking the CVE class, but I don't have money for the class - $2,250. That makes the test look like a bargain.

The CVE guide posted on vtctalk.com seems to have some odd questions in the middle. For example... META tags for html and e-commerce questions. It makes me question how reliable that document is. Especially with the refernces to Comptia in many questions that don't seem VTC related.

Does any body have recent training material for the CVE and can compare it to the CVE posted.

Also, how many questions are there about frame relay and ATM on the CVE... and how in depth? I have dealt mostly with ISDN and IP.

[trapehzoid]

Hey trapehzoid, did you get your CVE? If so, what material did you study?
I was looking at taking the CVE class, but I don't have money for the class - $2,250. That makes the test look like a bargain.

The CVE guide posted on vtctalk.com seems to have some odd questions in the middle. For example... META tags for html and e-commerce questions. It makes me question how reliable that document is. Especially with the refernces to Comptia in many questions that don't seem VTC related.

Does any body have recent training material for the CVE and can compare it to the CVE posted.

Here's some info from PLCM's website

http://www.polycom.com/resource_center/1,,pw-948,FF.html

Also, how many questions are there about frame relay and ATM on the CVE... and how in depth? I have dealt mostly with ISDN and IP.

I was poking around on the Polycom website and Prometric's (who administers the test). I haven't taken the test.. I was going to for fun until I saw the price.

Nothing in the study outline scared me except for some old useless topics like X.25. I know what it is, but not how to implement it, or its low level signaling.

[edspag2000]

CVE classes r a bit of money but they're well worth it in the end. thats my opinion.