Once described by Cisco as an "isolated problem" the network giant has made its biggest move yet to 
stamp out exam cheating. Beginning Aug. 1, candidates will receive preliminary score reports imprinted with their photos and unique authentication codes, among other measures.
According to a Cisco news release "exam results and other testing data will be continuously analyzed by forensic software to detect aberrant testing behavior and to flag suspect exams for further investigation."
The paper scores will be preliminary pending the results of forensic analysis, until official exam scores are posted to the Web within 72 hours of exam completion. Candiates can then use the authentication codes on their score reports to access the Pearson VUE Web site for score and photo verification, Cisco says.
Late last year, Cisco began requiring all exam takers to provide digital photos and digital signatures during the admission process at Pearson VUE. However, some observers didn't believe that went far enough to deter the so-called "hired-gunmen" who take exams for other people.
Cisco says the latest measures are in addition to others that include simulation-based testing, dynamically generated questions and emulations.
Clearly cheating is a bigger problem for Cisco than it previously would admit to and it should be applauded for taking these measures to safeguard the integrity of the certification for the honest IT worker who has worked his or her butt off to pass the exams. But do you think the latest measures cover all the loopholes?
For more about Cisco and its move to combat cheating, follow Jon Brodkin's IT Careers and Training newsletter.
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Is this really the biggest problem?
Honestly, is this really the biggest problem? Someone else taking the exam for you?
The real problem is brain dumping. That's how a lot of people pass the exams. How is my picture on the score report going to stop that?
Mike
True
I would have to agree that people who use braindumps represent the largest base of exam cheaters. It's way easier and cheaper to use a brain dump than to find and hire someone else to take a test for you. The odds of getting caught are way less. Also, it's easier for people to justify in their own twisted logic.
But evidently hired gunmen are a problem, and this is a good way to help cut down on it. They need to wage the battle on all fronts, not just the major one (brain dumping).
Cisco not wanting to address the real problems
I take it Cisco did not read my blog and listened to some high paid consultant, as always they are way off the ball. Have they ever heard of looking at a drivers license? What if they fake that to get into the test, wow that just defeated this new picture on the test thing. Do they think people are going to give each piece of paper to employers? Cisco will need to post pictures on the testing center so that when people check certification they see this persons pictures on the downloaded certification check from Cisco. That is the way it should be done, remember you heard it from me first.
Actually, that is exactly
Actually, that is exactly what Cisco is doing according to their presentation at Networkers. Employers will be able to request identification of people via a web page or by requesting a copy of the passing score sheet.
Those that are complaining about brain dumps probably didn't realize what a forensic test is for... yep, for people passing with brain dumps! Next time, try to read the article before bitching about it.
bitching huh?
Well since I did not go to networkers it was a good guess then huh? Maybe you need to put your name on your post next time.
Also the story said "candidates will receive preliminary score reports imprinted with their photos ". It said nothing about employers able to see it on a report. So I did read the story.
I think Larry is right
From what I have read, Larry is on the ball, the post below must be from one of those brain dump guys.
I agree with Larry he is right.
Re: Is this really the biggest problem?
Michael, I see nowhere in the article that it say gunmen are "the biggest problem", but you have to admit that it is a problem which needs to be addressed. YOUR picture on YOUR score report addresses that because the pictures are taken by the test centers, not documentation provided by the individual. Furthermore, nowhere does it say that brain dumping isn't a problem. In fact, it is clearly stated that "exam results and other testing data will be continuously analyzed by forensic software to detect aberrant testing behavior and to flag suspect exams for further investigation." Aberrant testing behavior...that encompasses all forms of cheating, braindumping included.
Best Regards,
Just curious, how's Braindumping cheating?
I'm going to be taking my test soon, and several people suggested that the first thing I do is to dump everything that I can remember onto a sheet of paper and then go from there. This is knowledge that I already know, just maybe somethings that are harder for me to do off the top of my head like subnetting, in the time allowed. I"m not going to put down configurations, terminology or commands, those I should know with hands-on labs and actual real life work. If "BD" is considered cheating by some, will this practice be discontinued at testing centers?
Re: Just curious, how's Braindumping cheating?
Good question Edgar, I'm sure alot of people have asked that same question at some point in their career. Here is a page that should answer that for you: http://www.certguard.com/braindumps.asp.
Best Regards,
The term braindump that
The term braindump that other people in this blog are talking about is actual exam questions that were gathered from various cheaters who took the exam and memorized the exact questions. These questions would be gathered and posted on some braindump sites and be sold. Your definition of braindumping, if I understand it correctly, would be fully legitimate since you're dumping all the factual stuff onto the erasable board that you are given at the time of taking the test. A lot of people do that and it is actually an encouraged method of test taking.
Regards,
Chris.
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