Query about Architect Exam (recertification)

[koshyk]

folks,
For the final Architect Exam, can you please confirm

1. If the Architect Exam is multiple choice? (or any other format?)
2. Any books/materials to look for sample questions?

thanks in advance

[kundeng]

I did pass the architect exam today but my experience was not very good. Here are a few things that you need to know:

1. MAC OS Mojave is not working with the test system (as of 09/07/2019), and thus you need to find a windows PC. I was fortunate to have a spare windows laptop otherwise I would have to reschedule it.

2. The exam software jumps in and out of its existence without any prompt on windows, which is scary. All windows will suddenly close and then reopen etc. So be patient.

3. The test result is not shown on your screen, when you click "existing the survey". So you don't know whether you really have finished the test or not. I waited for about 5 minutes to get an email that informs me how to check the result.

4. The proctor never showed up when the exam begins, and then in the middle of the exam, he opened up chat window to tell me that my head is not completely in the video recording.

All in all, none of these should affect your performance, if you have studied for the exams. But I would say the test experience does need improving.

[kschmidt_splunk]

Regarding the Mac OS Mojave issues... recently, it was unfortunately discovered that the Pearson VUE exam delivery platform was not working correctly with Mac OS Mojave for those seeking online proctoring. Pearson VUE has since deployed a settings update and there should be no issues moving forward when using Mac OS Mojave.

For additional help via Pearson VUE: https://home.pearsonvue.com/splunk/contact
As always, additional issues/queries can be sent to certification@splunk.com

[rafamss]

@koskyk, I did the architect re-certification at the last Saturday and here is what I did to achieve this:

1. I studied hard for almost two weeks (lectures);
2. Developed a simulated exam with exactly 90 questions (using the official training materials I had);
3. I did the simulated exam in a clean and quite place with the same rules of the official exam - 90 minutes to 90 questions;

This steps helped me to achieve the re-certification - I didn't do nothing beside this but I'm currently work like an Architect and Admin and it's help as well.

The exam have questions about use of commands, scenarios, types of clustering, components, basically what is described in the Blueprint document: https://www.splunk.com/pdfs/training/Splunk-Test-Blueprint-Architect-v.1.1.pdf

[suryaaruna]

Hello Koshyk,

hope you are done with your Architect Exam. i am preparing for my recertification. Can you please guide me on this.

[koshyk]

Just to post my experience of recert exam
1. I have done via proctor and was quite a great experience and was smooth. You need to get an ID via logging with your userid via the form: https://www.splunk.com/en_us/training/pearson-vue-registration-form.html
2. Register and book a date. It costs $125 + taxes per exam
3. I've prepared based on the blueprint and revised through the documentation.
4. The questions were quite generic in nature and NOT version specific or something. I felt the questions were more dependent on experience and knowledge rather than something you need to remember
5. The weightage shown in the blueprint is quite important.
6. Day before the exam I logged into PearsonVue and did the pre-req test. I have done from Macbook and it installs as a dmg with controls on camera and mic.
7. The proctored exam went smooth than I expected. They will ask for a CLEAN room, meaning nothing in desks (no pens/papers) except your driving license or passport. Prefer to wear short sleeve shirt as they asked me to roll my arms. Any wallpaper paintings they asked me to show laptop camera closeby. Had a 360scan using my laptop camera. (login in 15-20mins before your exam start to do all these)
8. Exam lasted for 90mins and you have option to flag questions and re-answer them later. But the time is quite sufficient for the questions.

[jpalacian]

Hi koshyk,
I've just asked for the same to ansif, but where did you find enough information, docs, pdfs to prepare your exam?

Thanks in advance!

[ansif]

From your answer I understood that ,we need to refer the blueprint syllabus and its weightage (number of questions in each topics) and refer splunk docs for each topics. Hope this alone helps me to pass the exam(no need to refer slides of the courses).
I have few more questions:

Do I need to memorize all conf files properties and possible values?
Any scenario or usecase questions?like for a given environment how splunk architecture etc.
I am planning from pearson center,may I know number of questions and pass threshold?Is number of questions flexible or fixed for all?
Does we get any printed sheet of our performance on each topics?

Regards,

Ansif

[jpalacian]

Hi ansif
did you pass the exam?
where did you find enough docs and info to prepare your exam?

[koshyk]

As mentioned, no need to memorize conf file. the choices are more answerable within the questions itself. So a question about replication factor etc., the values/configs will be given within the question itself.

Also regarding the questions flexible/fixed, i'm guessing it is fixed at 90 questions. But that might be upto Splunk's discretion. We DON"T get performance of each topic. just pass or fail

[ansif]

Thanks for your quick response really appreciated. So after pass,you get all underlying certificates upgraded and in the portal right?

[koshyk]

that is correct. if you take architect cert, all your other certs will also be uplifted

[ansif]

@koshyk : Have you completed the re-certification? Please let me know your experience and materials you referred.

[lwass]

@ansif do you have an email I can reach you on?

[ansif]

@lwass : May I know what it is regarding?

[lwass]

@ansif I am studying for this exam as well. Was thinking we could share notes or something.

[ansif]

@lwass Good,When you are planning for the exam? I dont have any materials other than splunk docs.

As per Koshyks suggestion,I am looking on Blueprint and Splunk docs.

You can find me in Linkedin. 'Ansif Rahman'

[koshyk]

@ansif, shared my experience as a post below. please let me know if you find it helpful

[ansif]

Thanks @koshyk appreciated.

[mayurr98]

Hi

I recently gave the exam,
1) yes it is multiple choice
2) this official blueprint clearly explains what do you need to study and from where to study for the exam:
https://www.splunk.com/pdfs/training/Splunk-Test-Blueprint-Architect-v.1.1.pdf

let me know if this helps!

[koshyk]

thanks mate. upvoted