<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:x="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:excel" xmlns:p="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:powerpoint" xmlns:a="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:access" xmlns:dt="uuid:C2F41010-65B3-11d1-A29F-00AA00C14882" xmlns:s="uuid:BDC6E3F0-6DA3-11d1-A2A3-00AA00C14882" xmlns:rs="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:rowset" xmlns:z="#RowsetSchema" xmlns:b="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:publisher" xmlns:ss="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:spreadsheet" xmlns:c="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:component:spreadsheet" xmlns:odc="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:odc" xmlns:oa="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:activation" xmlns:html="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40" xmlns:q="http://schemas.xmlsoap.org/soap/envelope/" xmlns:rtc="http://microsoft.com/officenet/conferencing" xmlns:D="DAV:" xmlns:Repl="http://schemas.microsoft.com/repl/" xmlns:mt="http://schemas.microsoft.com/sharepoint/soap/meetings/" xmlns:x2="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/excel/2003/xml" xmlns:ppda="http://www.passport.com/NameSpace.xsd" xmlns:ois="http://schemas.microsoft.com/sharepoint/soap/ois/" xmlns:dir="http://schemas.microsoft.com/sharepoint/soap/directory/" xmlns:ds="http://www.w3.org/2000/09/xmldsig#" xmlns:dsp="http://schemas.microsoft.com/sharepoint/dsp" xmlns:udc="http://schemas.microsoft.com/data/udc" xmlns:xsd="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema" xmlns:sub="http://schemas.microsoft.com/sharepoint/soap/2002/1/alerts/" xmlns:ec="http://www.w3.org/2001/04/xmlenc#" xmlns:sp="http://schemas.microsoft.com/sharepoint/" xmlns:sps="http://schemas.microsoft.com/sharepoint/soap/" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xmlns:udcs="http://schemas.microsoft.com/data/udc/soap" xmlns:udcxf="http://schemas.microsoft.com/data/udc/xmlfile" xmlns:udcp2p="http://schemas.microsoft.com/data/udc/parttopart" xmlns:wf="http://schemas.microsoft.com/sharepoint/soap/workflow/" xmlns:dsss="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2006/digsig-setup" xmlns:dssi="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2006/digsig" xmlns:mdssi="http://schemas.openxmlformats.org/package/2006/digital-signature" xmlns:mver="http://schemas.openxmlformats.org/markup-compatibility/2006" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns:mrels="http://schemas.openxmlformats.org/package/2006/relationships" xmlns:spwp="http://microsoft.com/sharepoint/webpartpages" xmlns:ex12t="http://schemas.microsoft.com/exchange/services/2006/types" xmlns:ex12m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/exchange/services/2006/messages" xmlns:pptsl="http://schemas.microsoft.com/sharepoint/soap/SlideLibrary/" xmlns:spsl="http://microsoft.com/webservices/SharePointPortalServer/PublishedLinksService" xmlns:Z="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:" xmlns:st="" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"><head><meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=us-ascii"><meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 12 (filtered medium)"><style><!--
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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>There has been a lot of talk about Esri’s new technical certifications on various boards and blogs. For many in the GIS industry this may be their first exposure to taking a certification exam so they are unsure of what to expect or how rigorous the exam will be. As a result many are not sure what they need to do to prepare.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>During the course of my career I have taken and passed several certification exams which includes Esri’s Desktop Associate exam as well as several Microsoft Certifications, Esri Authorized Instructor exams, a CompTIA Certification, and the Certified Floodplain Manager exam. So hopefully I can offer a little insight into what you can expect and some suggestions on how to prepare.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>One thing all certification exams have in common is they are designed to test your overall familiarity with the application you are being tested on. This means they will get into the weeds about specific functions, tools, toolbars, and workflows with the software. This has been true of the Microsoft Certification exams and the Esri exams I have taken. So you need to make sure you know at least the most commonly used software menus, toolbars, and tools. In the case of ArcGIS Desktop, this might include things like how do you autohide the catalog window or dock the search window or knowing what toolbar the find tool is located on and so on. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>You also need to make sure you are familiar with the recommended workflows for the specific software be it ArcGIS Desktop or Server or SDE. When answering workflow questions make sure to keep in mind that the answers will be limited to the software and vendor you are being tested on. So if you use some third party add-on such as Xtools to perform some task, you will need to make sure you how to do that with plain ArcGIS or one of the Esri Extensions. One of the best ways to make sure you are familiar with the recommended workflows, is to go back through books from any of the Esri courses you may have taken over the years especially the exercises. The exercises will generally follow the workflows and methods Esri recommends users follow. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Another thing that is common to every certification exam I have taken are questions that test your knowledge of the vendor or industries’ lingo or terms. You need to make sure when you see terms like Feature Class, Feature Data Set, Layer, Topology, Geodatabase Topology and so on what they mean in the Esri world. Esri’s online GIS dictionary is a great resource to help with this (<a href="http://resources.arcgis.com/glossary">http://resources.arcgis.com/glossary</a>). Reviewing any training materials you have from past classes is also a good idea. Using these to make a study sheet or flash cards is a good idea. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I have found that most ArcGIS Users tend to specialize in specific areas, be it parcel mapping, transportation analysis, data collection or so on. This means they are experts at using the tools they use on a regular basis but often forget or are unaware of the other capabilities of ArcGIS software. This will make passing one of the certification exams difficult because they are not profession specific. They will test you on the entire software package and what it can do only limited by the level of the exam you are taking, associate or professional. Make sure you take the time to look at tools and functions outside your specific area of expertise. A good exam of this is projections and coordinate systems. Many ArcGIS Users use the same data day after day. It is all in the same coordinate system so they do not have to worry about it. However one of the powerful functions of ArcGIS is to project data from one coordinate system to another. There is a good possibility that you will encounter some questions about how to project data in ArcGIS as well some of the components that define a coordinate system such as datum or ellipsoid. Again going back through old training materials is a good way to review. Taking a review or exam prep class is also helpful. Esri has recently started offering review classes for all the new Certification Exams (<a href="http://training.esri.com/gateway/index.cfm?fa=search.results&searchterm=certification">http://training.esri.com/gateway/index.cfm?fa=search.results&searchterm=certification</a>). Keck & Wood also offers a review and exam prep class for the ArcGIS Desktop Associate Exam via their online classroom (<a href="http://www.keckwood.com/Page.aspx?id=186655#schedule">http://www.keckwood.com/Page.aspx?id=186655#schedule</a>).<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>A few other tips for preparing for an exam:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>1.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span><![endif]>Make sure to get a good night’s rest before the exam. Don’t over cram<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>2.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span><![endif]>Take practice exams. This can be from an online service or use the sample questions on the Esri website and the exam specific skills measured as a guide to make your own.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>3.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span><![endif]>Answer the questions you know for sure first. Then come back and hit the ones you are unsure of. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>4.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span><![endif]>Don’t force yourself to go higher than you are ready for. Don’t feel you have to take the professional level exam even if you have been using the software for a long time. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>5.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span><![endif]>Remember theses exams are based on ArcGIS 10. So if you have not been using version 10, do not take the exam. I can almost promise you will not pass. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I hope this helps. If anyone has any questions about the new Esri Technical Certification Exams please feel free to contact me. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'>Tripp Corbin, MCP, CFM, GISP<br>Vice President, GIS/IT<br><i>Esri Certified ArcGIS Desktop Trainer</i><br><i>Esri ArcGIS Desktop 10 Certified Associate</i><br><i>CompTIA Certified Technical Trainer</i><br><b><a href="http://www.keckwood.com/"><span style='font-size:18.0pt;color:blue'>Keck & Wood, Inc.</span></a></b><br>(678) 417-4013<br>(678) 417-4055 fax<br><br><br></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>