Online Proctored Exams (OnVUE) Checklist

If you like to view the video version of this blog post, you can click on the video.

[8-Jan-2021: Blog created after passing the exam "TOGAF Business Architect Level 1" from "The Open Group"].

[3-Apr-2021: Blog updated after passing the exam "DPBoK foundation certification" from "The Open Group"].

[19-Nov-2021: Blog updated after passing the exam "ArchiMate certification" from "The Open Group"].

I passed my first Online Proctored Exams (OnVUE) exam for TOGAF Business Architect Level 1 certificate on 6-Jan-2021. In this post I'm trying to share a checklist for test-takers. I think the experience is the same regardless of the exam.

I will try to maintain this blog post if I found more tips in the future, as content is important.

Before Exam

1. Make sure to use a personal laptop with administrative rights not a work laptop as be revoked based on your company policy.
2. Use a Windows laptop, if you have Mac please check in the references section for steps to follow to make it work without issues.
   
3. The following software are allowed to run during the exam:
• Norton Anti-virus.
4. The following software should be disabled/stopped before the exam:
• Microsoft PowerToys.
• Autodesk Desktop App Service: AdAppMgrSvc.exe
5. Locate your laptop on the same location that you will be testing from.
6. Perform system test (The URL with amended /onvue):

• The Open Group: https://home.pearsonvue.com/theopengroup/onvue
• AWS: https://home.pearsonvue.com/aws/onvue

Exam night

1. Prepare your room/testing space.
• No notes.
• No pencils.
• No posters.
• No TVs, or monitors.
• My room was having mirrors and it was not an issue.
  
• Clean desk (Laptop + Mouse only).
• The room has enough light, and you may use a desk lamp. You need to make sure enough light so your picture is clear during the whole exam as usually, a computer webcam needs sufficient light to provide a good photo.
• The room has a lock inside.
• Prepare a "Don't disturb" sign to be hanged on your door from outside as a reminder to your family.
2. Prepare your ID: Passport, driving license, ... If you will use a passport, prepare a dark surface that will be used as background for it. If you get an email that you need to use your ID with your signature, just use your passport it is widely accepted (I have confirmed that with support prior to the exam).
   
3. Charge your mobile (You will need it in the beginning & if they wanted to contact you during the exam).

Exam day

1. Prepare yourself:
• Fully clothed.
  
• No hat.
• No hood.
• No watch.
2. Final room preparation:
• Close Window for no sound if possible.
• Hang the "Don't disturb" sign outside.
• Lock the door.
3. Start before 30 mins of the exam. From the dashboard, select your exam, and click "Checkin".
4. Very important: Take a note with exam access code on your computer, you might need it later to file any technical case.
5. Enter your mobile number.
6. Test your system (Microphone, Internet speed, Webcam).
7. Use your mobile to access the web browser for m.proctorcam.com?l=en-US
8. Follow the steps to take picture of:
• You.
• Identification (Passport with dark background).
• Workspace (Front, Back, Left, Right).
9. Place mobiles, headphones and watches out of reach.
10. The above process consumed around 15 mins, then wait for the proctor facing the webcam.
    
11. In one of the exams, I was asked before the exam start to lift & rotate the laptop, and use the webcam to show the desk content I was using in the exam.

During Exam

1. Food, drinks, smoking and gum are prohibited.
   
2. You must stay within your webcam view all the time.
3. You cannot move your webcam once your testing session has started.
   
4. You cannot use scratch paper, take physical notes, or talk.
   
5. You cannot get up and walk around.
6. You cannot leave your testing environment for any reason.
7. No one can enter your testing environment.
8. You can use the scratchpad provided within onVUE software (It was slow, but recent versions (After Apr-2021) are near real-time and you can use them).

References

• PearsonVue OnVue webpage
• Comprehensive Youtube video with screenshots: EXAM DAY: Process of using onVUE App (Pearsonvue Online Exam Application) at Home or Office
• Another Youtube video some more tips: Pearson VUE online exam review (August 2020) - What you NEED to know!
• Some issues Youtube video with Mac computer: MCSA Online Proctored Exam - Procedure And My Experience
• Recent video for onVue on Mac computer: Mac tips for success with PearsonVue testing software
  

TOGAF 9 certification preparation advices & exam tips

I have passed TOGAF 9 level 1 foundation, and level 2 certification on Mar-2013 and would like to share the experience with everyone. The following is the recommended steps from my perspective to prepare and pass the exam:

1- Watch tutorial video
You need to know what is Enterprise Architect? What is TOGAF? Overview of the framework so you can decide if you will benefit from this certification. A good introduction is offered here.

2- Get a quick look to TOGAF 9.1 specs
The specification is shared online here, please have a look at the content; no need to get into deep details in this stage. 

3- Attend TOGAF course
TOGAF doesn't necessitate that you get a course to attend the exam, but I think you will benefit from the course very much for the following reasons:
    a- Course takes 5 days, you will find the first two days, you just need to switch your mind to think the TOGAF way, even if you have previous architecture experience. Having someone answering your question will be of great help.
    b- Course offers TOGAF slides, exam material, template that you will really benefit from.
    c- You will benefit from instructor if he has past experience in implementing TOGAF.
    d- Most people attending such course have considerable long experience in IT in general, seeking excellence in their work, you will really enjoy the talk and you will benefit from expanding your professional network as well.
TOGAF has accredited course calendar listed here. I prefer if you select 5 days course for level 1 & 2 as course is already long and 4 days won't be sufficient.

4- Stick to a study schedule
I have prepared a study schedule using Microsoft Project 2010 shared here (For Microsoft Project 2007 shared here). It has specific study calendar “TOGAF Study Calendar” of 4hrs/day, 5 days/week. I encourage using it and modifying the project calendar to suite your availability. This link provides a detailed explanation of how to change the calendar in Microsoft Project 2010. I think 2 weeks after the course will be enough to take level 1 exam.

5- Solving exam questions
You need to solve exam questions before showing for the exam. If you attended a course, usually you will get exam material for your preparation. Others are available as below:
•    The Open Arch.
•    Technology trend analysis practice test.
•    TOGAF free quiz.
•    TOGAF 9 class.
The above are just samples, you can search and find lots more.

6- Exam level 1 foundation advices

a- ESL: You can have extended time for the exam by selecting English as Second Language (ESL).

b- After tutorial and before starting the exam: Draw ADM, as you will get questions asking you with phase letter.

c- Method of elimination is best used for exam, for tough questions, pick any answer from what you think are probably correct before marking the question for review; i.e. never leave a question without an answer.

d- Level 1 is not covering all topics, it is highlighted in study schedule with yellow color, and also indicated as (Level 1).


7- Exam level 2 certified advices (Specs open book)

a- ESL: You can have extended time for the exam by selecting English as Second Language (ESL).

b- A MUST topics for exam (ADM processes & guidelines & techniques - Transition planning techniques - Architecture Capability Framework - Iteration to ADM - Example set of architecture principals specs section 23.6 - Architectural artifacts ch 35).

c- I recommend reading the scenario twice to determine (State of EA office, Management direction, stakeholders concerns, current phase you are dealing with).

d- When you know the phase you are in, you can check the process guidelines, approach, or steps to guide your answer.

e- In answering questions that you should address concerns, or select best architecture artifacts for stakeholders, I recommend using below table as follows:
    i- While reading the statement of the question, write the concerns from multiple stakeholders in the columns.
    ii- Write multiple options in rows.
    iii- For each option, check if it satisfies the concern raised or not and add a mark X or √.
    iv- Select choice that best suites the question & have √ on all columns.

	Concern / stakeholder 1	Concern / stakeholder 2	Concern / stakeholder 3	Concern / stakeholder 4
Option A	X	√	X	√
Option B	√	√	√	√
Option C	X	√	√	√
Option D	X	X	X	X

I hope this will help someone there.

PMP Preparation advices & exam tips

Last updated 15-Mar-2019

I have passed PMP 4th exam on Dec-2012 and would like to share the experience with everyone. The following is the recommended steps from my prospective to prepare and pass the exam:

1- Download PMP handbook pdf
This is a free download from PMI, the link might change for the book; anyway you should find it in PMP certification main page. This book is a MUST read. Always check for newer version as this document changes frequently.

2- Attend PMP course
When you read PMP Handbook, it is a must to have “35 contact hours of formal education”, there are mainly two ways for this:
    a- Attend formal course for PMP in your area, but usually it costs you too much, unless it is included within your company training schedule.
    b- Distance learning by purchasing an online course, and at the end you get your certificate by passing an exam.

I have searched the Internet for quite some time and found the cheapest and really good deal The PMP Exam Simulator. It is around 100 USD (Currently, 139 USD as of Mar-2019), and has great value; lots of people will recommend it to you, other courses I found online was above 250 USD. You can easily watch the video on your computer or other portable devices.

3- Purchase good preparation PMP
Reading a preparation book is very important to clearly understand the idea of PMP and its related tasks, PMBOK is considered tenser and towards exam objectives, I find myself try to understand or seeking more declaration about a subject in preparation book if I can’t understand from PMBOK.

You will find most PMP holders refer to two books for certification:
1.    Head First PMP 2nd edition.
2.    PMP Exam Prep, 6th Edition: Rita's Course in a Book for Passing the PMP Exam.

You will find lots of comparison between two books, I prefer that your read those comparisons before purchasing, but most of them mention that Rita is more directed to exam and teaches you as classic text book, while Head first uses its great way for teaching, but it sometimes miss some minor information.
At the end I picked Head first, and I purchased e-book copy for 50% discount from Oreilly using a coupon, so, I suggest before purchasing from whatever website always try to get a coupon from Internet.

4- Becoming PMI.org member
When you read PMP Handbook, fees section, you will find fees differ if you are PMI member or not. All people will tell you better become a member as you will receive discounts on exams, re-examination and renewals plus some more extra stuff. Please create a new account in PMI before applying for individual membership that will cost you 129 USD.

5- Download PMBOK Guide 4th edition
As per your PMI subscription you are eligible to download free electronic water marked copy of PMBOK guide 4th edition (A guide to the project management body of knowledge), it is found in this link. There are other good documents in the same link, but not mandatory for PMP exam.

6- Stick to a study schedule
One of the biggest mistakes that you will do is that you get the certification in relax mode, this may take months or even years. My advice will be making a schedule for the preparation till the day of the exam including solving exams. I have prepared a study schedule using Microsoft Project 2010 shared here (For Microsoft Project 2007 shared here). It has specific study calendar “PMP Study Calendar” of 4hrs/day, 5 days/week. I encourage using it and modifying the project calendar to suite your availability. This link provides a detailed explanation of how to change the calendar in Microsoft Project 2010. You will find that most PMP holder mention that you can have the certification in 3-4 months which matches the project schedule mentioned before.

7- Solving exam questions
You need to solve lots of exam questions before showing for the exam. Following is list of available free:
•    PMP Exam Self-Assessment Test (75 questions).
•    About.com Tech certification (20 questions).
•    BestSampleQuestions.com PMP Sample (160 questions).
•    Test prep review (15 questions).
The above are just samples, you can search and find lots more.

8- Real Exam advices

a- Language aid: If English is not your mother tongue language, apply for free language aid in the exam, this sometimes help in some types of questions.

b- Exam time is limited, you need to be fast: You have 4 hours to answer 200 questions, i.e. you have only 72 secs per question (1st hr --> you should have reached 50 questions, 2nd hr --> 100 questions, 3rd hr --> 150 questions) you should check these milestone in the exam in-order to keep moving as fast as you can.

c- Exam duration is 15 mins tutorial, 4 hours exam, 15 mins survey. The first 15 mins you will have complete tutorial on how to mark and review exam, and use of calculator before you finish this tutorial (As exam will start after this) take the remaining time for writing down all equations you know in a clear paper the testing center have provided you. This is really helpful as you might get distracted from long time in exam and will consume time trying to remember them.

d- Method of elimination is best used for exam, for tough questions, pick any answer from what you think are probably correct before marking the question for review; i.e. never leave a question without an answer.

c- Sometimes for long questions, it is better to start reading the last part sentence to know what it require, before reading a whole paragraph as it is giving stoo much unneeded information.

d- When a question is asking what you will use for a process, it is asking you to pick up input, tool, technique that’s part of the process.

e- Take your time answering “Which is not” question. I think the best way to eliminate confusion is to remove the word “NOT” in the phrase and write down your answers then convert it x --> √ & vise versa. This worked for me very well.

I hope this will help someone there.