>Ed,
>
>While majority agrees that the content of the BrainBench exam is nothing compared to true, official and authorized MCP exam, I think what Walter wanted to emphasize here is not its "CONTENT" but the CONCEPT of a "Free" and "Convenient" way of getting a test. I am not saying that I agree with him though because it's near to impossible considering that MS is purely business centered and not charity organization.
>
>If the level of BrainBench standard was below par compare to yours and MS, then let it be. And if you really CARE, go and correct and suggest for the betterment of VFP as a whole, that's the bottom line.
>

MS paid to develop content for the certification exams; if BrainBench wants to invest in a similar infrastructure, I'm certain that they could develop similar content. I see no evidence that they're interested in this type of investment. They certainly have 0 clue as to what suitable content is, or that there is an inherent inability of a relatively short, poorly structured, multiple choice test to distinguish relative qualification of candidates. IOW, the crap they put out indicates that they do not understand the testing process. Since I do have some clue about meaningful certification, they've hurt their chances of my taking them seriously, because they clearly do not understand what the test process achieves. They hurt their credibility with poor assertions.

Whether there is a free exam or not doesn't make a bit of difference to me; I believe that the cost of certification exams is reasonable and fair, that the requirements for careful control of administration of the exam is necessary, AS IS THE CASE WITH ALL STANDARDIZED CERTIFICATION EXAMS. It doesn't matter to me whether or not BrainBench puts out a meaningful exam, because (1) they have no clue what constitutes a meaningful exam, (2) can't afford the cost of maintaining and administering the exam under controlled conditions, and (3) wouldn't be capable of adequately administering the certification.

Jess, I am not an altruist. I have 0 sympathy for you and Walter. If you want to get certified, go take the MS certification exams like all the rest of us poor slobs. They are qualified to administer the program, develop and validate the content, and have a strong mechanism for controlled administration. I do not feel an obligation to you to make sure there's a free certification exam. I guess that makes me an evil creature. Capitalist swine.

And damned proud of it.

>>Do I need to point out that BrainBench is not a qualified certification authority?
>
>BrainBench gives certification according to their standards. BrainBench is not claiming that they are an authorized one.
>

They have no standards - they can't even tell you what your expected base of knowledge should be to take the exam. They are on a par with the non-accredited colleges that'll sell you a degree for a small sum of money. I don't need the value of real certification degraded by such.

Sorry but reality sucks at times...