BSDA
BSD AssociateThe BSDA certification is an entry-level certification on BSD Unix systems administration.
BSDP
BSD ProfessionalSME Policy
SME PolicyAlso available in PT-BR.
Get Certified!
Here is the information you need to prepare for the upcoming BSDA examination. If you just can not wait: register right away for a BSDCG ID. Then read on...Intended Audience
The BSDA certification is designed to be an entry-level certification on BSD Unix systems administration. Testing candidates with a general Unix background, but less than six months of work experience as a BSD systems administrator (or who wish to obtain employment as a BSD systems administrator) will benefit most from this certification. Human resource departments should consider the successful BSDA certified applicant to be knowledgeable in the daily maintenance of existing BSD systems under the direction and supervision of a more senior administrator.The successful BSDA candidate is able to complete common administrative and troubleshooting tasks and has a good understanding of general BSD Unix and networking principles. In addition, the successful candidate demonstrates basic skills with these BSD operating systems: Dragonfly BSD, FreeBSD, NetBSD and OpenBSD. This does not mean that the candidate needs to learn the complete details of four operating systems. It does mean that the candidate is aware of the basic utilities common to these operating systems, and where specified in the exam objectives, of features unique to some of the BSD operating systems.
The completion of the BSDA certification is not a requirement for the BSDP (BSD Professional) examination. If you feel that you already have the skills needed as a senior administrator, you should instead consider taking the BSDP examination once it is available.
Exam Details
| Domain | Weighting |
|---|---|
| Installing & Upgrading the OS and Software | 13% |
| Securing the Operating System | 11% |
| Files, Filesystems, and Disks | 15% |
| Users and Accounts Management | 16% |
| Basic System Administration | 12% |
| Network Administration | 15% |
| Basic Unix Skills | 17% |
Detailed exam objectives are contained in the BSDA Certification Requirements document which is available in English, Mexican Spanish, and Russian. A Command Reference mapping each of the BSDA commands to the four operating systems covered by the BSDA is also available as a separate download.
The BSDA exam is paper-based and the question format is multiple choice or true and false. The range of psychometrically scaled scores is 200 to 700, and a scaled score of 500 or more is needed to pass the exam. The exam cost is $75 USD.
Software is being developed to offer the BSDA exam at any location with an Internet connection and a trusted proctor. Until that software is available, the exam will be paper-based and offered at IT events across the globe. Past and upcoming events can be viewed at the Events page. If you are aware of an event in your geographic area which is not listed, Contact Us with the details and we will try to arrange an exam room with the conference organizers.
Study Resources
Official study guides, issued by the BSDCG, are being created and should be available in early 2009. Those with existing BSD skills can help contribute to the development of the BSDA exam by purchasing the DVD which contains the latest stable releases of the 4 BSDs, the exam objectives and command reference, as well as the Handbooks, Guides, and FAQs from the BSD projects.
Additional (free) resources can be found here:
Registration
One last thing before you can take the exam: register! Get a registration ID and then you can join us at any location where exams are organized. You will need to enter this ID on your exam form when taking the exam, so make sure you have it with you.
