IC3 GS5 Key Applications Training, Test Prep, and Assessments Released!

I am excited to announce the release of our IC3 GS5 Key Applications course. The first in a series of three courses, this video-based training course covers all of the exam objectives and practice assessments, projects, and labs that will prepare you for the certification exam.

Key Applications author Wyett Ihler recently blogged in greater detail about some of the benefits and features of this course. Click here to learn more and find some great exam tips.

Over the next couple of months keep an eye out for Computer Fundamentals and Living Online.

Our hope is that through our courseware we may provide learners with the guidance, preparation, and skills they need to succeed. For more information and to learn about additional LearnKey products visit our website

MTA Career Path Overview

The Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) certification track is a great way for those looking to enter the IT career field to gain knowledge and a Microsoft certification, which will always enhance a resume when looking to obtain a position.

The MTA certifications are in the first rung on the ladder of Microsoft certifications. Once a person has some tangible experience in an IT discipline, the next certification to get is a Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate certification (MCSA). From there, the next level of expertise and prestige in Microsoft certifications is that of a Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE).

So what does this pyramid of certifications look like? Here is an example track for one trying to become a Windows Server administrator, taken directly from Microsoft’s web site:

We currently have five MTA courses in our library and plan on releasing a sixth course by the end of the year.

Exam 98-361: Software Development Fundamentals

Exam 98-364: Database Fundamentals

Exam 98-365: Windows Server Administration Fundamentals

Exam 98-366: Networking Fundamentals

Exam 98-367: Security Fundamentals

If you think a career in the IT field is for you and the MTA certifications are your path, give us a call or visit our website and we will get your started.

New A+ Certification (220-901 & 220-902) courses on the Horizon!

Hello, it’s me again, your humble senior instructor. From time to time, I will be sharing with you all what we are working on, so that you will know what training and assessment courses to look forward to over the next couple of months.

My team and I have just started work on the next series of A+ certification exam courses, otherwise known as the 900 series (exams 220-901 and 220-902 for those of you totally into exam numbers). This course is due to be released this winter and, without revealing too much (after all, you need to have something to look forward to, right?), here is what our plans are for the next edition of A+:

This will be a very interactive and engaging learning experience consisting of video-based instruction, a comprehensive project workbook, and test prep material that will sharpen your skills for the two A+ exams.
This course will also prepare you for the typical job an A+ certified person has – that of an entry-level IT technician.
This course will enhance your knowledge of computer hardware, mobile devices, networking, troubleshooting, and working with operating systems.

This course is going to continue to use the training methods we incorporated in our recently released Network+ course, that of outcome-based learning. Learning is always more fun and engaging when you have finished outcomes you can use to tie back to real-life situations and, of course, passing certification tests.

So, stay tuned as we work to bring you a truly engaging A+ learning experience that you will want to give, well, an A+ grade!

Network+ 2015 Training, Test Prep, and Assessments Released Today!

I am excited to announce the release of our newest CompTIA Network+ N10-006 course. This 10-hour video-based training course covers all of the N10-006 objectives and boasts practice assessments, projects, and labs that will prepare you to take the certification exam.

Recently Jason Manibog, the author of this course blogged in more detail about the features of Network+ and provided some great exam tips. Click Here to read his blog.

Network+ is the second CompTIA test prep course we have released this year, joining Security+, which was released earlier this year, and A+ early next year.

Windows Server 2003 End of Life: Time to Move Up!

The Windows Server 2003 end-of-life countdown has begun. Are you or your company still using Windows Server 2003? If so, I am here to give you a serious warning: Microsoft is ending support for Windows Server 2003 on July 31, 2015.

What does ending support really mean? Will the program cease to work? Will it go “poof” like a thief in the night? No. Windows Server 2003 will still boot up and operate like it always has. But, ending support means no more updates, no more fixes, and, most importantly, no more vulnerability patches to help stave off potential security attacks such as viruses and worms. That is the most important reason for moving up and out of Windows Server 2003, and soon. We at LearnKey have several 2012 R2 courses to help you with this transition. And, just as an added bonus, each course is mapped to a Microsoft exam. If you are a server administrator, you may as well update your certifications along with updating software. Or, maybe now is the time to get certified and take the next step forward in your career.

Our current Windows Server 2012 R2 course lineup consists of (with exams in parentheses for each):

Windows Server 2012 Installation and Configuration (70-410)

Windows Server 2012 Administrator (70-411)

Windows Server 2012 Configuring Advanced Services (70-412)

Windows Server 2012 Server Infrastructure Design and Implementation (70-413)

Windows Server 2012 Advanced Server Infrastructure Implementation (70-414)

Windows Server 2012 MCSA Skills Updates (70-417)

The first three courses (70-410, 411, and 412) map to the Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate certification (MCSA) for Windows Server R2. With courses the next two courses (70-413, 414) mapping to the Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE) certification for Windows Server 2012 R2. The last course (70-417) helps you update a current MCSA certification.

If you are still using Windows Server 2003, avoid getting caught with no support and no safety net. To help you plan and implement your upgrade to Windows Server 2012, we would like to offer you a 30% discount on the online purchase of your Windows Server 2012 courses. Use coupon code: LK30BS at checkout.

*Only Single User License courseware qualify for discount.

Windows Server 2012: Designing and Implementing a Server Infrastructure 70-413

A few months back LearnKey released their 70-413 exam preparation course. Officially named Windows Server 2012 Server Infrastructure Design and Implementation, this video tutorial and training will prepare students for exam 70-413.

Authored by LearnKey expert Jason Manibog, students will be learn the skills required to implement, and maintain a Windows server and become competent in designing, deploying, and maintaining Windows Server 2012 infrastructure services. This new course is just one in a series of LearnKey’s Windows Server 2012 courseware.

Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP) – Coming This Fall

I am excited to share with you today some information about our CASP exam preparation course. This course covers the objectives for the CAS-002 exam and will prepare you to successfully earn this CompTIA Certification.

This CASP certification course is perfect for those who are Security+ certified and are looking for the next step up in the world of a certified security expert. According to LearnKey expert Tom Carpenter, who is the expert for this course as well as our Security+ (SY0-401) course, this CASP training and assessment course is for those who are well-experienced in IT and in hands-on, practical security experience. Specifically, this certification targets those who have 10 or more years of IT experience and 5 or more years of hands-on, practical security experience.

So what makes this CASP certification so prestigious? For starters, CASP is approved by the U.S. Department of Defense to meet Information Assurance (IA) technical and management certification requirements. Furthermore, many top corporations, including Dell and HP, make this a staple for their advanced security personnel.

With the heightened awareness regarding overall information security and cyber-security, the demand for a cyber-security professional is high. In fact, according to careerinfonet.org, the job of Information Security Analyst is the second-fastest growing occupation for those with a college degree.

Exam CAS-002 itself covers five major domains: Enterprise Security; Risk Management and Incident Responses; Research and Analysis; Integration of Computing, Communications and Business Disciplines; and Technical Integration of Enterprise Components. For this 80-question exam, you will want thorough knowledge and experience in all five areas.

In the course, Carpenter points out that though the test objectives do not specifically mention knowing how to administer operating systems both from a Graphical User Interface (GUI) and via a command line, you will want to make sure you have that knowledge for this test.

So, if security is your interest and you have a combination of experience and certifications, this course is the next step in your security career. For more information on other LearnKey courseware check out our product listing on our website.

IC3 GS5 Key Applications – Coming Soon

LearnKey will soon be releasing their new IC3 GS5 Key Applications training and assessment later this summer, in advance of the anticipated release of the new Certiport IC3 GS5 certification exam later this year.

So, what can you expect in the new IC3 GS5 Key Fundamentals video-based training course?

The IC3 GS5 series has been split into three courses that will match the three exams that make up the IC3 GS5 certification. This will allow you to focus and prepare one exam at-a-time.
Throughout the course there are opportunities for learners to practice and reinforce the material in the course through quizzes and simulations that don’t require you to leave the training.
A project workbook to help you cement the concepts you’ll need to know and practice the skills you’ll need to demonstrate when taking the exam.

As the face of LearnKey’s IC3 series I would like to share a few tips I employed while I prepared for the IC3 exam:

Be Honest -Be honest with yourself in what you do and do not know. Remember, it’s okay to not know something – that’s why you are studying for the exam!
Take Notes – Write down the topics or ideas you encounter in the training that may be unfamiliar and then use your notes to find the information in the project workbook, glossary, and test to help you gain an understanding. Also, take the time to re-watch the sections of the training that cover the material in your notes.
Take Your Time – Rushing to prepare for an exam yields mixed results at best remember your’re not only practicing skills for use on an exam, you’re practicing skills you can use for life.
Set a Reasonable Deadline – I just told you to take your time, but there are those among us (and yes, I am sometimes one) who may just continue to take time. So, set a goal or a deadline when you plan to take the exam. This will also help you to better plan your study and training time.
Have Fun – Above all, have fun with it.

This course has a team of IC3 certified writers and designers. We have redesigned and retooled everything to improve the learning experience and make the IC3 series the best LearnKey courseware yet!

Network+ 2015 Training N10-006, Test Prep and Assessments are here!

LearnKey will be releasing their newest CompTIA Network+ N10-006 training and assessment course later this month. This 10-hour video-based training course will cover the Network+ 2015 exam CompTIA recently released.

This course is geared for all styles of learning and we have made many new enhancements to make this course better than ever. Read below to learn about some of the top features of this course:

Several pre-assessment tests and post-assessment tests to help you sharpen your skills in your test prep time for this course. There are over 600 practice questions in this course to help you get ready for the exam.
A project workbook with over 100 practice exercises consisting of hands-on labs, conceptual design exercises, and troubleshooting exercises to sharpen your test and real-life skills.
Interactive labs you can use to try simulated networking concepts and practice for possible performance-based questions on the test.
The project workbook is a major and important feature with this Network+ course and a model for future courses. There is a vast increase in the number of real-world exercises, situations, and examples. The workbook will be released simultaneously with the video and test prep portion of this course.

Our goal with this enhancement is simple: To give you many avenues of learning for the Network+ exam.

So, as your humble course author, here are my four tips for success in this course:

Pace yourself. Mix up your time with videos, taking practice questions, and doing the exercises and interactive labs. Learning is always more enjoyable when you are not in one medium for too long.
The objectives have changed about 30 percent when you compare this to the previous iteration of Network+, the Network+ 2012 course. If you have studied in the past for Network+, make sure you spend ample time on the newer topics, especially the newest wireless standards and the types of specialized networks covered (industrial and voice, just to name two).
Practice the concepts covered in this course. Far too often, people view a course, read a few cheat sheet notes, take one or two test prep exams and then think they are ready for the test. Take the time to get some practice time in. It will really sharpen your learning.
In the project workbook, make sure you study and know the topics in the “Points to remember for test (and beyond)” sections.

Have fun in your journey to become a member of the Network+ certified club!

New Course Release: Windows Server 2012 Advanced Server Infrastructure Implementation

Check out our new Windows Server 2012 Advanced Server Infrastructure Implementation course.

In LearnKey’s Windows Server 2012 Advanced Server Infrastructure Implementation course, students will learn the skills required to design, implement, and maintain a Windows Server. Join LearnKey expert Jason Manibog as he prepares students to become competent in designing, deploying, and maintaining a Windows Server 2012 infrastructure service. This course will prepare students to take exam 70-414.