Hello everyone this is just a open post to get opinions on the V3 Foundation - Expert Exams.
I have passed one intermediate exam and plan to take my next one this Friday. I am going towards Expert (part of my Masters Thesis).
I am looking for others who have experienced the exams or maybe have questions to talk about it.
Please do not post questions from the exams or answers (these posts will be removed).
Thanks
Peleg-
ITIL, ITSM, IT Security focused blog.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Sunday, January 30, 2011
How to study for ITIL Intermediate
OK I know I have only passed one of the four exams and I am planning to take my next exam this coming Friday. But I am a huge analytical guy and I have been evaluating my studying technique to see where I can improve. Here are my conclusions which may help others out.
Please note for me I read all the course material for the exam provided by "Art of Service", read the ITIL book (in this case Service Transition) and did the 30 hours of online learning. I have also read some other ITIL books before this. So the bellow technique assumes you have read and REALLY understand the material.
1) The scenario is on paper so use this to your advantage (I will go into more detail later). The answers will only appear on the computer screen. Thus go visit your testing center BEFORE you take the exam. Is it a comfortable environment? Do not be afraid to literally run your fingers across the text on the computer screen if this helps you focus on key concepts.
2) With number one established here is my new technique which has been VERY effective on practice exams.
a) Take the sheet with the answer choices and prop it up at 90 degrees. This is to simulate the computer screen where you will be seeing the answers. You can also display the answers on the computer but I found this works better for me and provides better post analysis.
b) Read the scenario very slowly and carefully. Now using a pen (not a pencil) underline the relevant FACTS ONLY! Then squiggle, scratch out whatever works for you the remaining portions. Why you may be asking, this forces you to focus on the important data. For example I have yet to have a question where the industry matters: food, medical etc. So remove this extra data. When you read the questions you will probably need to re-visit the scenario, because you have removed the unnecessary data you have saved yourself valuable time and allowed yourself the opportunity to get the data you need faster and more efficiently which is critical to pass these exams.
c) What you should be left with is a sheet with lots of text scratched out and some text underlined.
d) Now think about the data you have and what types of questions may be relevant to the DATA.
e) Read the question sheet (but DO NOT WRITE ON IT OR MOVE IT) remember you are trying to simulate the computer screen. Now you can display the questions on a real computer screen I just found this worked better for me.
f) Look at the answers: Now here is the key, using your studying of ITIL which answer seems to best ADDRESS the pertinent data? Again I am saying "DATA" because this is so critical here. Look for dates, times and number of processes, functions etc. These most likely will be key to selecting the correct answer.
g) Mark your scenario sheet with your choice. I write A-D and then circle the one I think is the 5 point answer and then I select on the screen and move to the next question.
3) This is the MOST CRITICAL THING! When you think you are done. Click the REVIEW button FIRST.
On my first exam it said I did not answer one of the questions. Because I marked my scenario sheet with the answers I thought was correct I was able to go to the question by clicking on it and choosing the answer again.
Remember there are only 8 questions so if you do not answer 1 questions this can cost you the exam. SO ALWAYS REVIEW BEFORE SUBMITTING TO ENSURE YOU ANSWERED ALL THE QUESTIONS! Once you submit there is no going back.
Now comes the fun part waiting, you will get an e-mail in a few days with your results.
You can check on my web page for more details. www.pelegit.com (choose ITIL tab)
From my experience the questions that best addresses the data in the most ITIL appropriate way is the 5 point answer. Now please note this is an ITIL exam not a work experience exam so one needs to separate ones experience from the answers and just think: "What does ITIL Service (blank) say to do?"
Well this concludes my study technique. I hope this helps others with the intermediate exam. Now this has worked for me very well in the simulated test environment.
For me personally the thing that really threw my off on the real exam was that the questions were not on paper. I did pass luckily but it was touch and go at times.
So in conclusion, relax, stay focused and don't forget to review that you answered ALL the questions.
Good Luck!
Please note for me I read all the course material for the exam provided by "Art of Service", read the ITIL book (in this case Service Transition) and did the 30 hours of online learning. I have also read some other ITIL books before this. So the bellow technique assumes you have read and REALLY understand the material.
1) The scenario is on paper so use this to your advantage (I will go into more detail later). The answers will only appear on the computer screen. Thus go visit your testing center BEFORE you take the exam. Is it a comfortable environment? Do not be afraid to literally run your fingers across the text on the computer screen if this helps you focus on key concepts.
2) With number one established here is my new technique which has been VERY effective on practice exams.
a) Take the sheet with the answer choices and prop it up at 90 degrees. This is to simulate the computer screen where you will be seeing the answers. You can also display the answers on the computer but I found this works better for me and provides better post analysis.
b) Read the scenario very slowly and carefully. Now using a pen (not a pencil) underline the relevant FACTS ONLY! Then squiggle, scratch out whatever works for you the remaining portions. Why you may be asking, this forces you to focus on the important data. For example I have yet to have a question where the industry matters: food, medical etc. So remove this extra data. When you read the questions you will probably need to re-visit the scenario, because you have removed the unnecessary data you have saved yourself valuable time and allowed yourself the opportunity to get the data you need faster and more efficiently which is critical to pass these exams.
c) What you should be left with is a sheet with lots of text scratched out and some text underlined.
d) Now think about the data you have and what types of questions may be relevant to the DATA.
e) Read the question sheet (but DO NOT WRITE ON IT OR MOVE IT) remember you are trying to simulate the computer screen. Now you can display the questions on a real computer screen I just found this worked better for me.
f) Look at the answers: Now here is the key, using your studying of ITIL which answer seems to best ADDRESS the pertinent data? Again I am saying "DATA" because this is so critical here. Look for dates, times and number of processes, functions etc. These most likely will be key to selecting the correct answer.
g) Mark your scenario sheet with your choice. I write A-D and then circle the one I think is the 5 point answer and then I select on the screen and move to the next question.
3) This is the MOST CRITICAL THING! When you think you are done. Click the REVIEW button FIRST.
On my first exam it said I did not answer one of the questions. Because I marked my scenario sheet with the answers I thought was correct I was able to go to the question by clicking on it and choosing the answer again.
Remember there are only 8 questions so if you do not answer 1 questions this can cost you the exam. SO ALWAYS REVIEW BEFORE SUBMITTING TO ENSURE YOU ANSWERED ALL THE QUESTIONS! Once you submit there is no going back.
Now comes the fun part waiting, you will get an e-mail in a few days with your results.
You can check on my web page for more details. www.pelegit.com (choose ITIL tab)
From my experience the questions that best addresses the data in the most ITIL appropriate way is the 5 point answer. Now please note this is an ITIL exam not a work experience exam so one needs to separate ones experience from the answers and just think: "What does ITIL Service (blank) say to do?"
Well this concludes my study technique. I hope this helps others with the intermediate exam. Now this has worked for me very well in the simulated test environment.
For me personally the thing that really threw my off on the real exam was that the questions were not on paper. I did pass luckily but it was touch and go at times.
So in conclusion, relax, stay focused and don't forget to review that you answered ALL the questions.
Good Luck!
Friday, January 28, 2011
ITIL V2 vs V3 (my opinion)
I was reading toady some peoples complaints about ITIL V3 certification schema and how ITIL V2 is still valid even though the "fast track" to V3 options are shutting down. So they are saying I do not need to go through all this to get my ITIL V3. They think it is all just about making money. They even site going to a ITIL Boot camp which can cost upwards of $7,000.00.
Now I am not a anti-boot camp person. I went to a CISSP boot camp for 1 week. But before I went I also read two (2) entire books and spent one (1) month studying. I went to the camp as a sort of extra measure to ensure I passed the test. But I also wanted to make sure I really understood the material and not just passed the exam (which I did on the first try).
Now I am going for my V3 and have passed 2 of the 6 required exams. I am going to be taking my third exam soon so I am biased in this matter. I am not going to a boot camp but rather am using: "The Art of Service" online course for my ITIL Expert.
But from what I was reading I found a interesting hypocritical concept being displayed. ITIL is all abut business alignment and in some regards changing an organizations service structure. Technology is moving forward this is an undeniable fact. Yet, these people are complaining about changing themselves. They seem to be saying I can do ITIL but I am not willing to change myself and grow myself. So in other words do as I say and not as I do. Does this sound like a good attitude?
ITIL V3 is the inevitable evolution of ITIL to adapt and add the changes in industry and the lessons learned from ITIL V2. The people who are complaining seem to be the ones who do not really understand this field. IT is all about change and adaptation. IT is one of the most dynamic and evolving fields one can get into. This was one of the things that drew me into it. I love the challenges and problem solving issues.
ITIL V3 certification is hard; no argument there but then so is being good at IT. One is constantly challenged to become a better IT person. One is always reading and learning new things. So in my opinion to all those who would complain about IITL V3 certification or the complexity of the exams, maybe you need to find another profession?
IT is all about change and continued learning, if you are not up to the challenge well then leave.
In some regards I am seeing so many people complain about this and that; well stop complaining pick yourself up and face the challenges before you. I for one can say from experience that you will be a better person for it in the end.
We need to complain less and face the challenges before us. We grow by overcoming challenges not walking away or ignoring them.
Now I am not a anti-boot camp person. I went to a CISSP boot camp for 1 week. But before I went I also read two (2) entire books and spent one (1) month studying. I went to the camp as a sort of extra measure to ensure I passed the test. But I also wanted to make sure I really understood the material and not just passed the exam (which I did on the first try).
Now I am going for my V3 and have passed 2 of the 6 required exams. I am going to be taking my third exam soon so I am biased in this matter. I am not going to a boot camp but rather am using: "The Art of Service" online course for my ITIL Expert.
But from what I was reading I found a interesting hypocritical concept being displayed. ITIL is all abut business alignment and in some regards changing an organizations service structure. Technology is moving forward this is an undeniable fact. Yet, these people are complaining about changing themselves. They seem to be saying I can do ITIL but I am not willing to change myself and grow myself. So in other words do as I say and not as I do. Does this sound like a good attitude?
ITIL V3 is the inevitable evolution of ITIL to adapt and add the changes in industry and the lessons learned from ITIL V2. The people who are complaining seem to be the ones who do not really understand this field. IT is all about change and adaptation. IT is one of the most dynamic and evolving fields one can get into. This was one of the things that drew me into it. I love the challenges and problem solving issues.
ITIL V3 certification is hard; no argument there but then so is being good at IT. One is constantly challenged to become a better IT person. One is always reading and learning new things. So in my opinion to all those who would complain about IITL V3 certification or the complexity of the exams, maybe you need to find another profession?
IT is all about change and continued learning, if you are not up to the challenge well then leave.
In some regards I am seeing so many people complain about this and that; well stop complaining pick yourself up and face the challenges before you. I for one can say from experience that you will be a better person for it in the end.
We need to complain less and face the challenges before us. We grow by overcoming challenges not walking away or ignoring them.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Hear no risk, see no risk...
I was reading the editorial written by Peter Bradley in DCVelocity about how in a recent survey only 7% said they knew that their suppliers had business continuity plans in place while a full 24% had not even made an effort in this regard. While at the same time 72% said they had experienced supplier caused disruptions but still business continuity on the supplier side was not top on their list of concerns.
This made me wonder in ITIL supplier alignment to your business is critical and business continuity is one of the areas which one should be ensuring that your supplier has and is tested. So then one must ask why would a business not ensure or not care if their suppliers have good if not existent in the first place business continuity in place?
Are companies diversifying suppliers?, Lowering delivery expectations?, or simply not dealing with the issue until it comes to the forefront like the article's title states?
This made me wonder in ITIL supplier alignment to your business is critical and business continuity is one of the areas which one should be ensuring that your supplier has and is tested. So then one must ask why would a business not ensure or not care if their suppliers have good if not existent in the first place business continuity in place?
Are companies diversifying suppliers?, Lowering delivery expectations?, or simply not dealing with the issue until it comes to the forefront like the article's title states?
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Service Transition
Just finished reading Service Transition;
One area I wanted to write about which is brought up numerous times but I have seen from my experience is not followed is the most simple. I am referring to communications. By this I have seen and have been privy to all to often being overly concerned with the "technical" aspects of a transition and have not taking into consideration the vested users "emotional" ties to the existing service.
For many of us IT professionals we can take a detached almost mechanical view of the technology. To us it is a simple tool and has no emotional or even sentimental value to it. However ITIL is all about IT Service alignment with business. To this end users are a core area of the business. My point is that we can all benefit from pausing and ensuring that we consider all aspects of the transition including the users perspective.
To many users the things we call a "service" is actually tied in with that users corporate image of themselves. This may be in the manner in which they interact with a DB or the manner in which they access files. By abruptly changing this one is actually doing damage over good. Thus it is critical to explain "why" the change is being considered and if at all possible involve them or their department in the transition design processes.
We should all remember the goal is to improve things not implement some new service. If the new service will improve things then great. But lets all remember to communicate this to ALL stakeholders in a respectful and considerate manner. Take the time to understand their concerns and fears, then explain things in a respectful and equal manner (do not talk down to them). Think team work and team building.
So my point it talk to people and talk to them as if they are your friend, brother, sister, mother, father etc. Just try to relate to their situation and you will see that the transition will go MUCH smoother and the organization will be better for it in the end.
Remember ITIL is basically all about all about team work at its core.
One area I wanted to write about which is brought up numerous times but I have seen from my experience is not followed is the most simple. I am referring to communications. By this I have seen and have been privy to all to often being overly concerned with the "technical" aspects of a transition and have not taking into consideration the vested users "emotional" ties to the existing service.
For many of us IT professionals we can take a detached almost mechanical view of the technology. To us it is a simple tool and has no emotional or even sentimental value to it. However ITIL is all about IT Service alignment with business. To this end users are a core area of the business. My point is that we can all benefit from pausing and ensuring that we consider all aspects of the transition including the users perspective.
To many users the things we call a "service" is actually tied in with that users corporate image of themselves. This may be in the manner in which they interact with a DB or the manner in which they access files. By abruptly changing this one is actually doing damage over good. Thus it is critical to explain "why" the change is being considered and if at all possible involve them or their department in the transition design processes.
We should all remember the goal is to improve things not implement some new service. If the new service will improve things then great. But lets all remember to communicate this to ALL stakeholders in a respectful and considerate manner. Take the time to understand their concerns and fears, then explain things in a respectful and equal manner (do not talk down to them). Think team work and team building.
So my point it talk to people and talk to them as if they are your friend, brother, sister, mother, father etc. Just try to relate to their situation and you will see that the transition will go MUCH smoother and the organization will be better for it in the end.
Remember ITIL is basically all about all about team work at its core.
Friday, January 21, 2011
McITIL
I need to study for my next intermediate exam but instead I am sitting here coughing at work and feeling slightly less then miserable, but this is not the point of the brief posting. I was reading "ITIL V3 criticism"...l literally used this as my search criteria on Google.
The one interesting grip I am seeing is: ITIL V3 does not really give you the "how to".
Now I have read a few books about ITIL (around 5), am reading Service Transition (cover to cover) and already read Service Operation (yep the whole book). And yes I agree it does not really give you a step by step guide to how. I have also implemented some aspects of ITIL throughout my IT career (not all of ITIL yet) However this is with good reason; ITIL is a FRAMEWORK and not a how to guide.
Every organization will be unique and have it's own nuances which can not be put in a book. ITIL also is not a "fast" approach but rather should be viewed as a methodical, analytical and planned approach to ITSM.
Now I do agree with what others are saying ITIL and COBIT do go well together, thus why my thesis entails both of them. I just find it interesting that so many people are looking for the "magic fix" to all their organizational ITSM issues.
In my years of consulting I have seen the same problem time and time again with companies buying some all in one solution thinking it will fix everything and they never stopped to ask "will this integrate with our existing infrastructure?"
My point is that people need to stop looking for the "easy" fix and look for the "correct" fix. If you fix it correctly the first time it will continue to work for years to come.
However it seems that first we need to remove our addiction to McDonald's of IT and return to growing our own crops per say (I know a terrible analogy but what do you expect.) :)
The one interesting grip I am seeing is: ITIL V3 does not really give you the "how to".
Now I have read a few books about ITIL (around 5), am reading Service Transition (cover to cover) and already read Service Operation (yep the whole book). And yes I agree it does not really give you a step by step guide to how. I have also implemented some aspects of ITIL throughout my IT career (not all of ITIL yet) However this is with good reason; ITIL is a FRAMEWORK and not a how to guide.
Every organization will be unique and have it's own nuances which can not be put in a book. ITIL also is not a "fast" approach but rather should be viewed as a methodical, analytical and planned approach to ITSM.
Now I do agree with what others are saying ITIL and COBIT do go well together, thus why my thesis entails both of them. I just find it interesting that so many people are looking for the "magic fix" to all their organizational ITSM issues.
In my years of consulting I have seen the same problem time and time again with companies buying some all in one solution thinking it will fix everything and they never stopped to ask "will this integrate with our existing infrastructure?"
My point is that people need to stop looking for the "easy" fix and look for the "correct" fix. If you fix it correctly the first time it will continue to work for years to come.
However it seems that first we need to remove our addiction to McDonald's of IT and return to growing our own crops per say (I know a terrible analogy but what do you expect.) :)
Thoughts on ITIL
Bronchitis is a real B**ch. Thus the early morning post; (It's 1:00 AM CST)
I was reading a comment on some board which I can not recall where now but the gist of them was two main concepts which I have been mulling over for some time now. The first was that IITL concepts were fairly common sense and second was that ITIL was full of jargon and is too complicated.
Relating to the first comment I was thinking, well yes many of the concepts in ITIL are common sense. So why do we even need ITIL? Now I know the answer but was working on a simple yet appropriate analogy. Then I came up with one and since I cannot sleep (see first line). I thought I would sit here and post it.
OK so ITIL is mainly common sense this is the point of the first comment. So going with this idea, lets take it a small step further. If I tell you a car tire is round can you build me one? or even simpler; if I tell you a wheel is round can you make me one?
The answer is probably not. You will need to know what the wheel or tire is for. But even then can you make one? The answer is no you can not. Why? because of the details, the components that make that wheel or tire suitable for the purpose it is designed to achieve. One would need to know and understand the details.
ITIL is the same idea the difference is in the details, the details are what allow one to implement the framework as a benefit to ones organization. So yes the basic concepts are simple, you can even boil all of ITIL down to saying have good open communications between departments. But will this help you?; maybe a little. The key is in the details and being able to have a masterful grasp of said details. Just knowing a wheel and tire and are round does not mean you can make the best wheel or tire.
The second comment was that ITIL is full of jargon and is complicated. OK this one is real simple to address. ITIL is about optimizing your entire IT department. Yes this is complicated and if you are serious about improving your IT department then it will take some time, energy, analysis and studying. My advice is that if you think ITIL is complicated you are correct, so whats' your point? Nothing worth achieving comes easy.
Does ITIL work? yes
Is ITIL the best solution for your organization? Maybe (why are you asking would be my first question?)
Can your organization benefit from implementing ITIL? Probably
In conclusion ITIL is not for every organization out there and it is by far not the only option. However, is ITIL industry proven (yes), does it have industry wide accepted practices (yes), do many successful organizations utilize ITIL (yes). So maybe you need to be asking yourself why you have not looked into ITIL before?
I was reading a comment on some board which I can not recall where now but the gist of them was two main concepts which I have been mulling over for some time now. The first was that IITL concepts were fairly common sense and second was that ITIL was full of jargon and is too complicated.
Relating to the first comment I was thinking, well yes many of the concepts in ITIL are common sense. So why do we even need ITIL? Now I know the answer but was working on a simple yet appropriate analogy. Then I came up with one and since I cannot sleep (see first line). I thought I would sit here and post it.
OK so ITIL is mainly common sense this is the point of the first comment. So going with this idea, lets take it a small step further. If I tell you a car tire is round can you build me one? or even simpler; if I tell you a wheel is round can you make me one?
The answer is probably not. You will need to know what the wheel or tire is for. But even then can you make one? The answer is no you can not. Why? because of the details, the components that make that wheel or tire suitable for the purpose it is designed to achieve. One would need to know and understand the details.
ITIL is the same idea the difference is in the details, the details are what allow one to implement the framework as a benefit to ones organization. So yes the basic concepts are simple, you can even boil all of ITIL down to saying have good open communications between departments. But will this help you?; maybe a little. The key is in the details and being able to have a masterful grasp of said details. Just knowing a wheel and tire and are round does not mean you can make the best wheel or tire.
The second comment was that ITIL is full of jargon and is complicated. OK this one is real simple to address. ITIL is about optimizing your entire IT department. Yes this is complicated and if you are serious about improving your IT department then it will take some time, energy, analysis and studying. My advice is that if you think ITIL is complicated you are correct, so whats' your point? Nothing worth achieving comes easy.
Does ITIL work? yes
Is ITIL the best solution for your organization? Maybe (why are you asking would be my first question?)
Can your organization benefit from implementing ITIL? Probably
In conclusion ITIL is not for every organization out there and it is by far not the only option. However, is ITIL industry proven (yes), does it have industry wide accepted practices (yes), do many successful organizations utilize ITIL (yes). So maybe you need to be asking yourself why you have not looked into ITIL before?
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Service Transition Typo
Found a typo in the Service Transition Book this morning.
Page 56 left column bottom paragraph;
"...change schedule (CS) and projected service outage (PSO). The SC contains details of all the changes... because of the currently planned SC in addition to planned downtimes from other causes..."
SC should be CS
Page 56 left column bottom paragraph;
"...change schedule (CS) and projected service outage (PSO). The SC contains details of all the changes... because of the currently planned SC in addition to planned downtimes from other causes..."
SC should be CS
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
On my linkedIN page under Box/Files I posed a lot of ITIL files (http://www.linkedin.com/in/pelegit) I have. These are files I have accumulated over time, some are good and some not really worth more then a skim read. I am not sure about the applications under exams never used them. I am still uploading at the time of this post. Should be done within 20 minutes or so.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Intermediate Exam Part 1
I have only passed one intermediate exam so I do not want to post about advice on the exams until I complete the remaining exams but I did want to just make a few quick notes about study and registration.
You will need to log in 24 or 30 hours minimum of accredited study to take each exam. I used:
ttp://www.theartofservice.org/ or http://theartofservice.com/
The Art of Service is very good in my opinion and the total cost to reach Expert is not bad, it is not cheap but for what you get they are very good.
For the registration I used: CSME: https://www.csme.us
The cost is $275 (USD) per exam and no there is no discount if you going all the way to Expert (I asked).
Bellow are instruction they sent me to purchase a voucher to take each exam. You buy one voucher when you are ready to take the exam (make sure to choose the correct exam).
Vouchers for ITIL V3 Intermediate and Manager exams can be purchased from the CSME Store at www.csme.us.
1. Visit www.csme.us
2. Select the "Store" link
3. Once in the store, search for SKU "201300" under "Product Search" on the left side of the screen press enter
4. Complete the "ITIL Intermediate Exam Voucher" order form
5. Add to the cart and check out.
The fee is $275.00 and can be paid by credit card in the CSME store.
Once CSME receives confirmation of your purchase, a coordinator will contact you to schedule your appointment.
Phone Number: (248) 937-1846 (Press 0 or 23 and talk to the support representative)
You will need a scan of your:
1) Foundation Exam (Passing)
2) Completion of certified course for the exam you are taking.
Please go to www.csmeaes.com and create your account with us, when your account has been created please email me three dates and times along
with your postal code and I will register you for your exam.
You can goto www.pelegit/Itil to see more...
You will need to log in 24 or 30 hours minimum of accredited study to take each exam. I used:
ttp://www.theartofservice.org/ or http://theartofservice.com/
The Art of Service is very good in my opinion and the total cost to reach Expert is not bad, it is not cheap but for what you get they are very good.
For the registration I used: CSME: https://www.csme.us
The cost is $275 (USD) per exam and no there is no discount if you going all the way to Expert (I asked).
Bellow are instruction they sent me to purchase a voucher to take each exam. You buy one voucher when you are ready to take the exam (make sure to choose the correct exam).
Vouchers for ITIL V3 Intermediate and Manager exams can be purchased from the CSME Store at www.csme.us.
1. Visit www.csme.us
2. Select the "Store" link
3. Once in the store, search for SKU "201300" under "Product Search" on the left side of the screen press enter
4. Complete the "ITIL Intermediate Exam Voucher" order form
5. Add to the cart and check out.
The fee is $275.00 and can be paid by credit card in the CSME store.
Once CSME receives confirmation of your purchase, a coordinator will contact you to schedule your appointment.
Phone Number: (248) 937-1846 (Press 0 or 23 and talk to the support representative)
You will need a scan of your:
1) Foundation Exam (Passing)
2) Completion of certified course for the exam you are taking.
Please go to www.csmeaes.com and create your account with us, when your account has been created please email me three dates and times along
with your postal code and I will register you for your exam.
You can goto www.pelegit/Itil to see more...
ITIL Foundation Exam
At the time of this posting I have passed the Operational, Support and Analysis (OS&A) Intermediate exam and am working on the other three exams on my way to ITIL Expert. I wanted to post about the foundations exam or at least my experiences and recommendations.
My advice may not be the best to everyone. My Masters Thesis has a major section on ITIL so for me it is more then just the ITIL Expert but also having a a very deep and through understanding of the concepts and structure of ITIL. Not everyone will need or even may not want to go so deep.
This said my studying approach is fairly simple...read. Read a lot; for foundations I read:
1) ITIL V3 Exam Prep Questions, Answers, & Explanations: 620+ ITIL Foundation Questions with Detailed Solutions
My advice may not be the best to everyone. My Masters Thesis has a major section on ITIL so for me it is more then just the ITIL Expert but also having a a very deep and through understanding of the concepts and structure of ITIL. Not everyone will need or even may not want to go so deep.
This said my studying approach is fairly simple...read. Read a lot; for foundations I read:
1) ITIL V3 Exam Prep Questions, Answers, & Explanations: 620+ ITIL Foundation Questions with Detailed Solutions
by Mr Christopher Scordo
by Tim Malone, Ivanka Menken, Gerard Blokdij
by Van Haren Publishing
This is most likely more then one needs to read to pass the Foundation Exam.
Now about the exam itself. If you have ever taken any type of IT exam (Microsoft, Cisco etc.) then this will seem about normal. A-D multiple choice, one correct answer and three wrong answers, some of the wrong answers are fairly obvious and others are not so much. My advice here is the usual read slowly and carefully. They like to flip definitions for example: Service Warranty and Service Utility (so do not jump to conclusions).
The exam is 40 questions and you need to get a 70% to pass. The computer will tell you at the end of the exam how you did and which areas you scored what level in. For me the exam was not very difficult, but I am used to taking tests so my experience may not be the same for everyone.
In conclusion, read and study the concepts there is some memorization but not a lot. The first book I cited was a huge help my use of it was to look at the answers and questions rather then actually take lots of tests. I worked on understanding the concepts behind the answers.
Over all this is not a difficult exam and you will need to pass it to move onto the intermediate exams and finally to the last exam to reach your ITIL Expert.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Welcome
Welcome all readers to my first posting. This blog will be mainly focused on ITIL, COBIT and Information Security. Most of the coming postings will be focused on my Masters Thesis which is on utilizing ITIL & COBIT to implement HIPPA and SOX in the same organization. More coming soon...
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