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When taking any exam it is important to understand the exam format prior to sitting down to take the test. This way you can be sure that you are being tested on your knowledge of the test material and not your understanding, or lack of understanding, of the test format.
The Linux Professional Institute (LPI) certification exams consist of fifty-one to seventy-three multiple choice and fill in the blank questions. The actual number of questions depends on which exam you are taking. LPI's exams are similar to computer-based exams from other vendors. If you have ever taken a Novell, Microsoft or Cisco certification test you will probably be very comfortable with the LPI exam format.
LPI exam questions can be broken down into three basic types.
Questions with fill in the blank answers
Multiple choice questions with multiple correct answers
Multiple choice questions with a single correct answer
All of the questions have a "mark for review option" that allows you to return to a question before finishing the exam. Mark for review is discussed in more detail in the next section.
Of the three types of questions, fill in the blank questions are probably the most challenging. There is no guessing, you must know the correct answer and enter it precisely. Be sure to read these questions very carefully and enter exactly what is asked for. Consider the following sample question:
System account information such as user ID and group ID is stored in which file? (give the full path)
The correct answer is /etc/passwd. An answer such as passwd is incorrect since the question clearly states that the full path should be given. This may seem like a trivial thing, but when you are under the stress of an exam situation it is tempting to rush to conclusions and not read the question fully. If you are not one-hundred percent sure that your answer is correct it is best to mark the question for review.
After dealing with fill in the blank questions you might think that multiple choice questions would be easy. None of the LPI questions is designed to be easy, but multiple choice does give you some advantage. Usually you can tackle a multiple choice question in small steps. Take a look at the following sample question:
Which of the following are valid IP addresses for use on the Internet? (choose two) _ 192.16.15.211 _ 172.18.200.16 _ 68.143.255.10 _ 125.264.1.132
If you know the answer right away that is great, but if not there is a simple procedure you can follow to increase your chances of arriving at the correct answer.
The first thing you should do is to determine the type of multiple choice question. This sample question is a multiple answer type. You can figure this out by the fact that the question says, "choose two" and that the computer will allow you to select more than one answer.
Once the type of question is determined, the second step is to rule out any obviously wrong answers. In the case of the example above the fourth answer can be ruled out immediately, because 264 is above the valid range of values for an octet. (Octets are eight bits and can only be 0 - 255.)
At this point there are still three plausible looking answers and the question states that only two are correct. As a third step, re-read the question. Do not skim, but rather read slowly and deliberately looking for any information that may offer additional clues. The key phrase in the sample question is "for use on the Internet." This should tell you that the second answer is incorrect, because 172.18.200.16 belongs to the "class B reserved" range of addresses and cannot be used on the Internet.
The only remaining answers are the first and third choices. Since the question asks for two answers these should both be checked. If you are still unsure mark the question for review.
The other type of question you will encounter on the LPI exam is multiple choice single answer. These questions have one and only one correct answer. You can narrow down the field of potential correct answers using the same three steps as described for the multiple choice multiple answer questions, just know that in the end there can be only one correct answer. And if there is any doubt do not hesitate to mark the question for review.
In the previous section it was mentioned that questions should be marked for review if you are not one-hundred percent sure of the answer. This can be very beneficial. Marking questions allows you budget your time better by not spending too long on any one question. There is also the possibility that a later question will help you recall an elusive answer. This is particularly helpful for fill in the blank answers.
Once you have finished the last question on the exam you will be given a chance to revisit any marked questions. Take a look at the exam time clock and decide how much time you can afford to spend on each marked item. Trust your instincts when reviewing questions as many times your first choice is often the best choice. If an obvious answer is still not coming to you try to narrow down the selections if it is a multiple choice question. If all else fails take a guess. Guessing always gives better odds than simply leaving the question blank.
No matter how long you have been using Linux or how much you study, you will be nervous on the day of the exam. Too much anxiety can work against you so it is important to take steps to minimize your stress level. There are several things you can do to calm yourself before the test.
Before the exam day, try some of these tips.
Study in a group if possible. Tutoring others is a great way to reinforce your own knowledge.
Use more than one study aid. This guide is only one of many ways to prepare for the LPI exams. Additional resources can be found on the LPI web site.
Consider taking the exam as part of an LPI exam lab. LPI offers exam sessions at certain Linux events at substantially discounted prices. Putting up $25 for an exam at an event is not nearly as stressful as gambling $100 at a testing center. Check the LPI web site for details on exams lab events.
Work with your body's natural clock. If you are a morning person schedule your exam early. If you are not a morning person schedule your exam in the afternoon.
Make sure you know how to get to your testing location and how long it will take you to get there.
Be sure you are properly prepared. If you feel you have not studied enough it may be possible to postpone the exam. Be sure to check with your testing center at least twenty-four hours in advance to see if this is an option.
The following tips may help you manage your stress level on the day of the exam.
Double-check the testing center rules and be sure to have proper ID with you.
Make sure you are well rested and have had something to eat and drink before the test.
If you are addicted to caffeine or nicotine be sure to get your fix before the exam.
Arrive at the testing center early. Take time to decompress by walking the halls or visiting the water cooler. Take care of any bodily functions.
Take time to adjust your chair and keyboard before clicking the exam start button.
Try to relax by taking several deep breaths in through your nose and exhaling slowly and completely through your mouth.
Visualize yourself passing the exam.