CTP+ Frequently Asked Questions
- What is a convergence technologies professional?
- Is CTP+ associated with CompTIA?
- What is a vendor-neutral exam?
- What is high-stakes, proctored certification?
- Who is in charge of the CTP+ exam?
- Who benefits from CTP+ certification?
- Who is taking the CTP+ exam?
- I am already CTP+-certified. Do I need to take the new exam to remain certified?
- Where can I get training and study materials for the CTP+ exam?
- Where can I find details about the CTP+ exam?
- Who is qualified to take and pass the exam?
- Who should consider in-class CTP+ training?
- Why make the exam so difficult?
-
What is a convergence technologies professional?
Convergence technologies refer to the merging disciplines of telephony and data networking to create support for new data types and services over networks. Convergence technologies professionals demonstrate practical and conceptual knowledge in voice communication and data networking, as well as the convergence of voice and data on the same network. Competency in these areas enables professionals to support services such as Voice over IP (VoIP) telephony, real-time presentation, conferencing, communication, and other services that combine voice and data, among offices in a single building or across the world.
-
Is CTP+ associated with CompTIA?
Yes. CTP was originally developed by Certification Partners and the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) to enhance the convergence technologies business environment by promoting the use of skills and knowledge standards in the industry and the workplace. Since then, Certification Partners has teamed with CompTIA to present the CTP+ certification program. Certification Partners and CompTIA now co-own and co-manage the CTP+ program.
-
The CTP+ exam is touted as a "vendor-neutral" exam. What does that mean?
A vendor-neutral exam tests industry-common skills and job-role knowledge, rather than proprietary product and software familiarity. The many companies and industry experts that developed the CTP+ exam requirements selected objectives important to all convergence technologies. Official CTP+ courseware is based on the same vendor-neutral objectives as the exam, although it sometimes uses proprietary products to provide students with hands-on skill-building exercises. The exam does not test knowledge of any vendor-specific products or software.
-
CTP+ is a high-stakes, proctored certification exam. What does that mean?
The CTP+ certification exam is administered in a secure environment on a "closed book" basis. A proctor validates a candidate's identity and prevents access to any books, notes, tutors or other resources during the examination period. Candidates who attempt to violate the secure testing environment or help others to do so face serious consequences.
-
Who is in charge of the CTP+ exam?
The CTP exam was originally developed by Certification Partners (Prosoft Learning) and the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA), which teamed with industry leaders such as Avaya, Inter-Tel, Toshiba, Cisco, First Telecommunications, IBM, Mitel and Siemens to create the CTP program. The CTP+ program is now co-owned and managed by Certification Partners and CompTIA, two companies specializing in developing and managing industry-based certifications. Certification Partners publishes and distributes Official CTP+ Courseware worldwide though various approved distributors.
-
Who benefits from the CTP+ certification?
Equipment manufacturers, channel partners and end-users all benefit from CTP+ certification. The CTP+ certification provides suppliers (such as equipment manufacturers) with standardized criteria to screen capable channel partners. It provides criteria for hiring and/or advancement within the organization, serves as an international standard for vendor-neutral convergence technologies training, enables ROI savings for product-specific training, and focuses company resources on product-specific training.
The CTP+ certification allows channel partners (such as interconnects, VARs, integrators, distributors, resellers, communication agents, service providers, solutions providers and sales agents) to differentiate themselves in the marketplace, and distinguish themselves to customers and suppliers in their ability to support convergence solutions. CTP+ reduces training and certification redundancies, provides standardized criteria for hiring and/or advancement, and increases customer satisfaction and retention.For end-users (individuals, employees and career-changers), the CTP+ certification validates convergence technologies knowledge and skills to employers, provides a baseline measurement of skills, allows portability of skills within the industry, and provides criteria for advancement.
-
Who is taking the CTP+ certification exam?
People who want to be CTP+-certified include field technicians, voice and telephony technicians, networking administrators, system engineers, engineering technicians, technical writers, help-desk technicians, customer service representatives, sales engineers, technical sales and marketing professionals, career-changers, cross-trainers, data professionals who need telephony skills, telephony professionals who need data skills, and other individuals interested in pursuing or advancing a convergence technologies career.
-
I am already CTP-certified. Do I need to take the CTP+ exam to remain certified?
Individuals who hold the CTP certification are not required to take updated exams to retain their status. However, taking a revised CTP+ exam helps professionals prove that they have remained current in their field.
-
Where can I get training and study materials for the CTP+ exam?
Certification Partners publishes and distributes Official CTP+ Courseware worldwide though various approved distributors. Available courseware includes instructor-led courseware, practice exams and interactive online assessments.
-
I am preparing to take the CTP+ exam. Where can I find details about the exam and the skills that will be tested?
Details about the high-stakes CTP+ certification exam are available on the CTP+ Exam Page.
-
Who is qualified to take and pass the exam?
The CTP+ exam was carefully designed by industry experts. Individuals who pass this exam have gained significant experience in data, telephony and convergence networking. Those with significant experience in these three knowledge areas stand a good chance of passing the exam. However, even these individuals often require in-class training and have usually spent significant time studying the material by themselves.
-
Who should consider in-class CTP+ training?
You should take CTP+ training if you have fundamental experience in data, telephony, and convergence technologies. This training course is not designed to teach remedial knowledge of these topics. If you do not know basic concept such as IP address classes, TCP/IP fundamentals, or have never heard of SIP, H.323, and Megaco, you should consider first taking CCNT training.
-
Why make the exam so difficult?
CTP+ is endorsed by manufacturers and service providers because it provides a reasonable measure of foundational expertise in the convergence industry. Ensuring that business partners and employees have a base level of experience saves our partners time and money. Any exam that is less rigorous would be of little value to those who endorse the program.
© Certification Partners 2010