Novell CLA Certification

The Novell Certified Linux Administrator (CLA) certification is designed for entry level Linux System Administrators to prove their knowledge of the daily administration of a SUSE Linux Enterprise Server network. It is the first certification on the Novell Linux Certification track and is a prerequisite to the more advanced CLE certification.




Exam details and overview

Although not required, Novell recommends that individuals complete both the three day SUSE Enterprise Fundamentals and the five day SUSE Linux Administration courses for the version of the SUSE Linux Operating System they are interested in, e.g. for candidates wishing to be SUSE 11 certified, then the candidate would complete the SUSE 11 Fundamentals course. These courses can be taken in a classroom setting or by self study.

To gain the Novell CLA credential, a candidate must pass just one exam:

• 050-710 CLA Novell Certified Linux Administrator (SUSE 10), or,
• 050-720 CLA Novell Certified Linux Administrator 11 (SUSE 11)

Both versions of the exam are a traditional form-based exam consisting of 69 questions. Candidates are given 90 minutes to complete the CLA exam and must get a total of 512 points to pass the exam. Form-based tests provide every candidate with the same set of questions and are graded on the number of questions they answer correctly. These types of tests will typically demonstrate what knowledge the candidate has, but not their practical abilities. Exam objectives include:

• how to access and use the man pages
• how to create and view files
• how to use piping and redirection
• how to manage users and groups accounts through YaST and from the command line
• etc.

The complete list of test objectives can be found on the Novell website


Cost

The cost for the CLA exam is US$125 however prices can change and will undoubtedly vary depending on the country where you take the exam. From time to time, Novell offer discounts on the price of the exam so it pays to contact them before paying for your exam to see if they have any current or 'coming soon' offers. Novell exams are administered through Pearson VUE testing centers which have locations worldwide.

For many Novell exams there are discount exam vouchers available that not only reduce the cost of the exam but also include free training material. These discount vouchers can be bought through independant third-party suppliers.


Retake Policy

There is no waiting period required before taking the CLA exam a second time if the candidate fails the first exam. If the candidate fails the second exam, they must wait a period of 30 days before their third and any subsequent attempts to pass the same exam. If a candidate passes an exam they must wait a minimum of twelve months before retaking the same exam.


Continuing Certification Registration

Novell certifications have no date of expiration, however the applicant signs an agreement before taking the CLA exam which states that they will take any Continuing Certification Registration (CCR) exams that are periodically required by Novell. Once the candidate has received their CLA certification, it is their responsibility to keep up-to-date with what CCRs are required. If the candidate does not complete the CCRs, their CLA certification may be revoked and the candidate may no longer claim to be Novell certified.