Today, AWS
announced an expansion of its online-proctored exams. All AWS Certification exams will now be offered with online proctoring via
Pearson VUE. AWS notes that wait time for online-proctored appointments may be longer than usual due to high demand.
AWS is also automatically extending certification expiration dates in many cases and extending retirement dates for the AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate and AWS Certified Big Data – Specialty. With most testing centers around the world closed, many cloud gurus preparing for certification exams were left wondering when and how they might be able to sit exams.
Previously, there was only one AWS exam offered online — the entry-level
AWS Cloud Practitioner exam. Online exams are offered at regular intervals and proctored (test-taking speak for “monitored”) via your webcam to ensure everything is on the up and up. The requirements are pretty basic:
- A modern-ish computer with webcam, microphone, and speakers or headphones
- A quiet, private location with no one else in the room
- A decent internet connection without any hardcore security measures in place
Azure: Getting certified while WFH If you're looking to get Azure certified (and there are
plenty of reasons why you might) you're in luck. Microsoft has long
allowed people to take "any role-based or fundamentals exam online in the comfort of your home or office while being monitored by a proctor via webcam and microphone." The requirements are in line with those for AWS, and Microsoft offers a quick
system test to ensure your device, setup, and network are up to snuff for the remote exam.
GCP: Is there a proctor in the house? (Updated April 24, 2020) Better late than never,
Google Cloud has joined the remote test-taking party, offering up two of its most popular cert exams online — and saying other exams are on their way. For now, the
Associate Cloud Engineer and
Professional Cloud Architect certification tests are being be offered online. These exams are currently only offered in English. In addition, GCP certifications expiring between February 13 and May 30 are being granted a grace period to re-certify until June 30. Previously, GCP support said that online proctoring was not available as an alternative quite yet — nothing that "employees who proctor the exams remotely have to go into an office to do their jobs. Unfortunately, having online proctors work from home is a transformation of the online proctoring vendor's operation that would also need to be enabled." GCP support added that people feeling pressure to get certified due to an expiring voucher discount or certification expiration date, should reach out to the GCP's
support team with details to find a suitable solution. GCP exams are administered by
Kryterion. The current list of their testing center closures is available
here.
AWS: More from today's announcement The full announcement from the AWS Certification FAQ page update is below:
In response to recent temporary testing center closures, AWS Certification is offering additional support to candidates who need more time to reschedule exams, recertify, and use vouchers.
• You can now take all AWS Certification exams with online proctoring. Due to expected high demand, the wait time for online-proctored appointments may be longer than usual. To learn more about online proctoring—how to start, how it works, requirements, etc.—visit the Pearson VUE site.
• We are automatically extending certification expiration dates in cases where you may need additional time to recertify. Updated expiration dates will soon be available in your AWS Certification account. Certification extensions also extend availability of your AWS Certification benefits.
• We are extending retirement dates for AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate (SAA-C01) and AWS Certified Big Data - Specialty (BDS-C00). Our Coming Soon page has additional information about these exams.
• We are automatically extending voucher expiration dates in cases where you may need additional time to use them. Updated expiration dates for vouchers purchased from Xvoucher will soon be available in your Xvoucher account. Information on how to access your account or contact Xvoucher is on our voucher page.
• For assistance with scheduled or cancelled exam appointments, contact the relevant test delivery provider: PSI or Pearson VUE.
If you have additional questions, you can contact us. We will update this page to confirm when updated expiration dates are available in your accounts.
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