You might be fortunate enough to work for a company that will cover your certification tests. If that is not the case, you will need to pay for the tests yourself. If you fail to pass your test the first attempt, you might have to pay for a second attempt.
But don’t panic. But not all vendors are out to take your hard-earned cash. Some vendors offer exam retakes for free, while others will reimburse the cost of retesting. Let’s take a look to see which vendors offer the respective exams.
Vendors Offering Free Retakes
The Python Institute and Linux Foundation offer free retakes of their systems admin and programming certification exams.
Python Institute Certified Associate (PCAP), Python Programming Programming
The PCAP certification exam tests the candidate’s ability code in Python. This certification is for junior programmers. It covers common programming techniques, including object-oriented programming concepts and Python syntax.
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Start training. The PCAP certification exam costs $295. However, there are discounts for Python Institute programming courses. Pearson VUE Authorized Test Centers administer the exams.
You need to score at least 70% in order to pass the 40 multiple-choice and single-choice questions. The sample PCAP test is free and will give you an idea of the scope of the test.
You can take the exam again if you fail, but you must wait at least 15 days. There are no restrictions on how many times you can take the exam. All you have to do is go to the Python Institute website to request a voucher for a retake.
Although there are no prerequisites for the exam, you must be proficient in Python. Although Python Institute offers training courses, we recommend that you take one or two of Ben Finkel’s Python programming classes.
Linux Foundation Certified System Administrator (LFCS)
There are many certifications offered by the Linux Foundation related to Linux and other open source technologies. You should consider becoming a Linux Foundation Certified SysAdmin (LFCS) if you are a junior administrator who works with Linux systems.
The certification validates the candidate’s proficiency in operating and managing Linux systems.
The LFCS exam consists of a two-hour performance-based exam. The exam is online and proctored using webcam, streaming audio and screen sharing. A Linux server is prepared for the test. It can be used with CentOS or Ubuntu Linux. To access your exam console, all you need is a Chrome browser or Chromium webbrowser.
The exam is $300 and you will need to score at least 65% in order to pass. You can take the exam again if you fail, but it must be taken within 12 months of your original purchase. This policy applies to exams purchased directly through The Linux Foundation. It may not apply to exams purchased through an authorized training partner. If you fail the exam again or miss the 12-month deadline, you will have to pay $300 for any subsequent retakes.
The Linux Foundation’s Certification Prep Guide can help you prepare for the exam. Also, make sure to take our Linux Foundation Certified Sysadmin Training Course.
Vendors offering Retake Promotions
Let’s now look at some vendors who don’t offer free retakes but do offer discounts or promotions for candidates who fail an exam and need to retake it again. We’ll be looking at the retake offers available from CompTIA, Microsoft, and the Linux Professional Institute.
Microsoft MCP
Microsoft’s testing partner Pearson Vue administers Microsoft MCP exams. A Microsoft certification exam voucher is currently $165 in the United States and Canada. So if yo
