Originally Posted by
Pinnacle-Project
1. It's free because it is a beta. They need you to take the test so they can examine how you answered the questions, what comments you made etc. Think of this as being similar to Microsoft giving you a free copy of Windows 9 beta in return for you giving them some feedback.
2. Yes, it is easy. They previously came out with several different "Strata" tests. Not all are still around. This one remains but in the new version they are dropping the word Strata and it will simply be known at IT Fundamentals. I think of it as a watered down A+ certification. This test could be a good first step for people who want to get into IT but know nothing about it yet. It could also be a good test for managers who know nothing about IT but have IT technicians working for them. This material would teach them just enough so that technicians no longer sound like they are speaking a foreign language.
Second. Yes, it is online. Would you have taken time out of your busy day to drive over to Pearson VUE to take it? They need the results to study ASAP. Allowing people the option of taking it at home/work makes it easier and therefore they will get results sooner.
Second again. No, it would not be tough to give you a score immediately. The problem is, they have not yet decided what the pass/fail will be. Also, they may end up throwing some questions out based on feedback. Rather than giving you an immediate score and then putting a giant asterisk next to it, they are going to make you wait a month. Yes, they could have made the scoring rules more clear from the beginning but who cares? Most of the people who take this beta will be IT professionals who will pass it with great ease. Yes, we need to wait a month for out score but what we really will end up learning is not whether or not we passed but rather how close to perfect we came.