FAQ

A: We have thought long and hard over this very question and debated the pros and cons of a BSD certification. We have concluded that there is an important niche that is not being addressed: the ability for employers and employee candidates to gauge proficiency on the BSD platform. We also believe that a certification process can begin to address the lack of paid support for BSD systems, allowing BSD to integrate more fully into the marketplace.

Q03: What certifications will be available?

A: The first certification offering, the BSDA (BSD Associate), tests basic BSD system administration skills. This exam has been available since February 2008. The BSDP (BSD Professional) certification will test more advanced BSD system administration skills. The BSDP is currently a work in progress.

Q04: What are the certification tests like?

A: The BSD Certification Group is committed to developing testing methodologies which test real world skills and provide more than just a "paper certification". The BSDA Task Survey Analysis allowed employers and the BSD community to provide input on which skills and at which levels they gauged as important to be assessed by the BSDA certification. The BSD Certification Group works with SMEs (Subject Matter Experts) and psychometricians to ensure that both the questions themselves and the testing method are a fair and unbiased assessment of the testing candidate's ability.

Q05: Is certification available in my country and language?

A: The BSDCG organizes exams at conferences and events. See Upcoming Certifications for more info. Contact us if you want to organize exams at your event. In addition to conferences, the BSDCG is creating a network of affiliate testing centers across the globe. Our goal is to provide a globally recognized certification in languages other than English. Of course, in order to achieve this, we need translators. If you would like to see BSD Certification in your native language, see the Sponsors page for details on becoming a translator.

Q06: I'm up to the challenge of becoming BSD certified. How do I prepare?

A: Detailed exam objectives for the BSDA have been published and are available as part of the BSDA Certification Requirements document. This document includes a study chart which is kept up-to-date and available as a separate download.

Once the BSDP Certification Requirements document is created, it will be published and available for download.

The BSD Certification Group also encourages testing candidates to create a networking lab comprised of BSD operating systems. As you learn and practice administration skills, maintain a written log which details your installations, configurations and troubleshooting sessions. Your notes will prove an invaluable study aid and will help you to gauge your current skill level against the exam objectives.

Q07: How much does the BSDA exam cost?

A: Due to the high cost and limitations of using existing commercial testing solutions, an alternative software testing platform is being developed. Until the security and reliability of that platform has been approved, a paper-based version of the BSDA is available at conferences. Once the software testing phase is complete, the BSDA should be available at any securely proctored location.

The price for the paper-based version of the exam is $75 USD. The BSDCG has worked hard to keep the exam globally affordable. Those who wish to pay more are invited to make a donation which will be used to offset the costs of maintaining and developing exams. If you are unable to afford the full cost of the exam, please use the contact form to explain your circumstances and the BSDCG will see if a sponsor is available to assist with the exam cost.

Q08: Where can I take the exam?

A: Please refer to the Events page to see when and where exams are available. Registration is a 3-step process which begins with obtaining a BSDCG ID.

Q09: What is the minimum score to pass the exam?

A: Scoring of the exam is based on a psychometrically scaled score between 200 and 700. A scaled score of 500 or more is needed to pass the exam. You do not lose points for answering a question incorrectly. However, the scoring algorithm that is used does note how your answers to each question compare to the answers provided by all other exam takers.

Q10: Is the test multiple choice or single choice?

A: At this time, all of the questions are either multiple choice or true and false.

Q11: Can the exam only be taken at events?

A: Even though the majority of exams are organized at conferences, you can arrange for a proctor to come to your organization to supervise exams at the location of your choice. For more information about requirements, contact us.

Q12: Why is the test paper-based?

A: We plan on having a free platform to enable computer-based tests. But it takes time and manpower to create and test such a platform. If you want to cooperate in the development, contact us.

Q13: How long does it take to get the results?

A: As long as we have paper-based tests, it will take 4-6 weeks before you get back the results, as shipping the exams takes a while and our psychometrician makes batches of exams to score, one per month. The exam results are emailed; if you don't receive an email within 6 weeks please contact register@. Instant results will not happen until we have our own software solution. We need people who have the time to help make that solution a reality.

Q14: As a conference organizer, how do I get the BSD certification to my event?

A: Conference organizers need to confirm the date and times that a quiet room is available to take the exam. The room needs desks/tables and comfortable chairs where exam candidates are not seated too closely together. The room needs to be quiet so there aren't any distractions during the exam.

We provide the proctor who brings the exams (paper-based) and pencils to the exam room. Once we have a proctor confirmed and know the times the exam room is available, we add the details to our registration site and announce the conference. We typically provide the conference organizers a copy of the announcement which they can include in their own advertisements.

Q15: How many questions are there on an exam?

A: The exam is psychometrically scored for 100 questions. Exam candidates may have more than 100 questions on their exam. This is for two reasons: i) multiple answer questions are weighted as one question - you have to get all answers right to get the question right; and ii) there may be questions that are not yet weighted, for analysis purposes.

Q16: How often are questions and exam objectives re-evaluated?

A: Review and update of the exam objectives will take place after our Subject Matter Experts have analysed the psychometrician's annual report in early 2009.

Q17: Can my future employer check that I really passed the exam?

A: Candidates who passed the exam will receive their certificate with official seal, a welcome letter and their BSDCG ID and certificate expiry date with the BSDCG logo on a business card. If that should not be enough, confirmation can be requested by sending an E-mail to chair at bsdcertification dot org.

Q18: Will my certification expire?

A: Certifications are valid for a period of 5 years. Your certificate and BSDCG ID card will indicate the beginning and expiry dates of your certification.