Success on Citrix XenDesktop 5 Administration Exam

The exam went well this morning.  It took approximately 50 minutes to complete the 52 questions.  The study guide I mentioned in my previous blog posting provided useful information and I encourage anyone planing to take the exam to utilize it as a primary tool.  I managed to obtain a score of 86% on the exam, which was a comfortable pass based upon the passing score of 63%.  The scoring report is provided below:

The scoring sheet references five (5) subject areas.  Those areas, along with the scores I received (both in terms of percentage and my estimate of the number of questions I missed in each area) can be viewed in the table provided below.

Needless to say I’m relieved at having completed the certification.  My next focus relative to certification will be devoted to CompTIA’s Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP) certification.

XenDesktop, a Week’s Studying Effort

Even though I’m “off for the summer,” given a challenging work schedule for this week with a variety of meetings that eliminated my ability to put in as much study time as I would have liked, I am committed to taking the XenDesktop certification tomorrow at 9:00a.m.  My principle study tool has been the coursebook for the Citrix XenDesktop course I took late last month.  Additionally I’ve found some useful content on the Internet including what I believe is a helpful study guide, available for download HERE.

With a little luck, coupled with the understanding of XenDesktop that I’ve gained over the past few weeks, hopefully I’ll walk out of the PearsonVue testing center tomorrow with a renewed CCA certification under my belt.

Steve

Citrix XenDesktop Certification: Broadening Virtualization Choices

One of the benefits of being a faculty member at an accredited college, is the opportunities provided to faculty by industry for faculty development.  A few months ago, after completing my VMware VCP 5 certification, I learned that the Mid-Pacific Information and Communications Technologies Center was hosting a “Faculty Development Week” from June 25th-29th at Ohlone College in Fremont, California.  The workshop that caught my eye was the one titled Citrix Desktop Virtualization, and appeared to mirror the five (5) day XenDesktop Administration (CXD-202-1) instructor led class.  Even though I was planning this summer to focus on VMware View certification by completing their VCP5-DT certification exam, a detour made sense given the fact that XenDesktop and VMware View are competing products and having the knowledge of both virtual desktop solutions makes sense.

Because of a scheduling conflict, I was unable to attend the first day of instruction.  Fortunately my knowledge of VMware’s vSphere line of products, coupled with some preliminary studying I’d done in reading the VMware View courseware proved an acceptable substitute for what was covered in the first day.  Class went about as well as those five (5) day course can go for students who walk into class with a background in virtualization products.

The course was given in conjunction with the rolling out of an “Academic Program” by Citrix.  As a promotional effort, Citrix is providing accredited academic institutions that sign up for the program with a host of free resources, that includes training and certification.  Yesterday I received my voucher for the Citrix XenDesktop 5 Basic Administration exam (1Y0-A19).  Plan is to spend this next week studying for the exam (thankfully I have this summer off), and take the exam on “Friday the 13th.”  I’ll keep you informed as to how it goes.