I'm scheduled to do the LPI 101 exam in just under 2 weeks. I was wondering if anyone had any tips to offer.
I am proficient with linux but I find some of the questions regarding long commands which are heavily piped or very detail specific confusing to answer.

For example knowning the difference between kernel 2.2 and kernel 2.4 and up, how much swap memory is allowed. I mean these types of questions I would've still looked it up and not really memorize.

Thanks

Hi! Given you are close to taking the first exam, some of this information is a little late. Also, these tips might seem obvious, but you asked, so...

At the beginning of my LPIC-1 certification quest, I got several books, including Cybex's, Exam Cram, and O'Reilly (LPI Certification), and took advantage of taking every practice test in all three books and the exam applications that came with ExamCram and Cybex.

I had first purchased some training materials from Linux Certified, but found those materials better for practical Linux admin training rather than great preparation for the LPI exams. Also, the Linux Certified material was very expensive.

Nothing takes the place of working on a test system that you can trash. It is one thing to read and annother to type in the commands and watch things work.

It might be helpful to stop studying a few days before the exam. I should have stopped one full week before 102; did not; and felt a little "full" before the exam. I believe your brain needs to rest after studying at that intense a level.

My experience on both exams, more so on 102, was that some answers had to be inferred. That is I elimiated answers that made absoultely no sense and reached the final answer through elimination. This is probably no surprise to experienced test takers.

Both exams 101 and 102 I found very challenging. 102 seemed harder than 101.

If you go into the exam as detached from the outcome as possible -- very difficult given the exam price -- that may help you as well.

Good luck. I found the process challenging but rewarding.

I just wanted to say that I passed my LPIC 1 exams. I found them actually to be quite easy.

I now plan on actually doing the RHCE. Yet I was wondering if it is actually worth doing for the price.

I am trying to get in the sys admin space with some 2 yrs experience. I'm wondering if this cert. would really help get in there and improve my chances of landing a well paying job.

Congrats.

If certification does nothing else for you, it may well change how you interview. If you think certification will improve you chances of getting a job, that fact might translate well in your interview.

In my case, I already had my job, when I studied for and took the LPIC-1 exams. It was the journey to certification that was the benefit. That is acquiring the knowledge took me outside my normal day-to-day duties, about 1/3 of which are sys admin. Most is software development.

Congratulations...again
I am contemplating on taking either the LPI (Lev:1) exam or Linux+ (XK0-002). What do you recommend? If LPI (Lev:1) is more beneficial, what study material did you use to prepare? Software, books, etc...? Also, did you have access to any discounts, vouchers, etc to cover exam and/or preparation material costs?

LPI Linux Certification in a Nutshell (O'Reilly)

The first sticky thread in this forum section has an online LPI tutorial hosted on IBM's website.

Discount exams for LPI are held at Linux events all over. The Ohio Linuxfest in Columbus last month had the exams at a discount rate for instance. LPI does this all the time, so look for events in your area.

I would also be interested in other materials available.

I used the O'Reilly book you quoted, Exam Cram; the Cybex book for LPIC-1; and the O'Reilly Linux Nutshell book. I did go through the IBM tutorials, and had a test machine standing by.

I bought the Exam Cram book. It was very useful.

I'm thinking of doing the NCLE or RHCE now, but am unsure about which one to take.

What I've heard is that RH is more for North America and SUSE is more for Europe. So RH is more for me. However the cost of the RHCE test is expensive and I have to travel to a test center 300+ miles away just to take it. NCLE exam I can take in my own city.

Anyone have suggestions? (Is RHCE more reputable than NCLE?, Is it worth it to take the RHCE exam for that kind of money and time, or is NCLE just as good at a cheaper price.