This information is for students enrolled in NOVA Workforce FastForward Information Technology (IT) programs that prepare students to pass the corresponding certification exam. 
 
IT Industry Certification Credentials are issued by a certification body such as a trade, industry, or professional association. Earning an IT Industry Certification Credential verifies that you have achieved mastery and competency in specific knowledge, skills, and abilities accepted as IT industry standards. AWS, Cisco, and CompTIA are examples of IT trade professional associations. Certifications expire and must be renewed.
NOVA recognizes the demand for IT industry-recognized certification credentials by employers has greatly increased over the past decade. As a result, select NOVA Workforce IT classes include a certification exam voucher with the course tuition.
Voucher will be emailed beginning the week following the class end date only to students that have a passing grade (S) posted to their student records. The dates vary by class.

Important Tips for Success

Click on the links below for details about your exam.

AWS Cloud Practitioner
  • Earning the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner credential validates cloud fluency and foundational AWS knowledge.
AWS Certified Solutions Architect
  • The focus of this certification is on the design of cost and performance-optimized solutions, demonstrating a strong understanding of the AWS Well-Architected Framework.
CompTIA A+
  • Earning the A+ certification credential validates competency in mobile devices, networking technology, hardware, virtualization, cloud computing, operating systems, security, software, and operational procedures.
  • Examples of jobs that use A+ are help desk and field service technician.
CompTIA Network+
  • Earning the Network+ certification credential validates the technical skills needed to securely establish, maintain, and troubleshoot the essential networks on any platform.
  • Examples of jobs that use Network+ are network engineer, system administrator, and telecommunications technician.
CompTIA Security+
  • Earning the Security+ certification credential validates the baseline skills necessary to perform core security functions and pursue an IT security career.
  • Examples of jobs that use Security+ are security administrator, security engineer/analyst, and IT project manager.
CompTIA Data+
  • Earning the CompTIA Data+ certification credential validates that the successful candidate has the knowledge and skills required to transform business requirements in support of data-driven decisions through mining and manipulating data, applying basic statistical methods, and analyzing complex datasets while adhering to governance and quality standards throughout the entire data life cycle.
  • Examples of jobs that use Data+ are Operations Analyst, Marketing Analyst, Business Intelligence Analyst, Data Architect, Data Analyst.
Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
  • A Certified Ethical Hacker is a skilled professional who understands and knows how to look for weaknesses and vulnerabilities in target systems and uses the same knowledge and tools as a malicious hacker, but in a lawful and legitimate manner to assess the security posture of a target system(s). The CEH credential certifies individuals in the specific network security discipline of Ethical Hacking from a vendor-neutral perspective.
  • Examples of jobs that use CEH are Security Analyst, Computer Forensics Analyst, Penetration Tester, Malware Analyst.

 
Begin preparing for your exam while you are learning and be sure to understand the objectives included in the certification exams. Commit to studying outside of scheduled class hours. Practice time management to create focused study time.

Test-Taking Skills: Develop and use critical thinking test-taking skills to select the BEST answer(s).

Video Recommendations - Effective Study Method:
CertMaster Practice Login for CompTIA Exams or CertMaster Learn Login for CompTIA Data+

Students enrolled in a FastForward CompTIA class were issued access codes for CompTIA CertMaster Practice or CertMaster Learn. These are online knowledge assessment and certification exam practice and preparation companion tools. Plan to use these tools as often as possible while you learn and study to earn your certification.

Scheduling Your Appointment with Pearson VUE

Pearson Vue manages test delivery for CompTIA, AWS, and CEH (for test center delivery) IT certification exams.
  • Students must contact Pearson Vue directly upon receipt of the test voucher to schedule an appointment. Do not wait to schedule your appointment!
  • Students may choose to complete an exam at a Pearson Vue test center or at home using remote test proctoring with Pearson OnVue.
  • Call Pearson Vue Customer Service at 877-551-7587 for questions about scheduling your appointment.
  • Students must follow ALL testing policies set by Pearson Vue and the test sponsor for test center delivery and at-home remote test delivery while completing their exam.
  • Failure to follow policies may result in your testing session being canceled by the proctor or invalidated by Pearson Vue in cooperation with the test sponsor, and your voucher will be forfeited.
Pearson OnVUE-At-Home Test Delivery:
  • At-home remote test delivery has unique rules and requirements you must follow.
  • Read the Pearson OnVue Testing Guide (PDF) for detailed information.
  • Students must be able to meet Technical Requirements for at-home remote test proctoring appointments.
  • Click the link for your test sponsor below to schedule your appointment.
  • Your appointment is officially scheduled only after you receive an email directly from Pearson VUE confirming your appointment.
For CompTIA Exams
  1. Create Your CompTIA Account
  2. Log in and Schedule a CompTIA exam
For AWS Exams
  1. Create Your AWS Account
  2. Log in and Schedule an AWS exam

Score Reporting

ALL students must UPLOAD a PDF copy of their score report whether they have passed or did not pass their exam no later than 48 hours after the last test date for each exam.

Exam results are used:
  • To verify you used the voucher issued to you.
  • To determine eligibility for a Merit-Based RETAKE exam voucher.
  • As evidence that you earned a credential from CompTIA, AWS, or EC-Council.
  • To add your credential to your student record. This is a requirement for the FastForward/WCG agreement and serves as verification for VA Ready Scholars (if applicable).
NOTE: Students must earn passing scores for both CompTIA A+ Core 1 and A+ Core 2 exams to earn the CompTIA A+ credential.

DO NOT email a photo, screenshot, or email attachment of your score report; it will not be accepted.
Instructions for CompTIA:
  1. Log into your CompTIA account on a computer
  2. Open 'Manage Exams'
  3. Under 'My Account' click 'View Score Reports'
  4. Click 'View' to open a PDF copy of your score report
  5. Save a copy to your computer and upload
Visit the CompTIA 'After Your Exam' webpage for more information.

Instructions for AWS:
  1. Log into your AWS Certification account on a computer
  2. Select the Previous Exams tab
  3. From the Exam History table, navigate to Score Report
  4. Click the 'Download' hyperlink and save the PDF of your score report.
Visit the AWS 'After Testing' webpage for more information.

Retake Policy, Included Benefit, Eligibility Requirements

One (1) retake exam voucher is available at no cost to eligible students that do not pass their exam on the first attempt.

Included Benefit: Extra Study Time Benefit
The retake policy includes an additional 30-calendar days for eligible students to study for a retake exam. As a result, requests for extra study time to complete the initial exam will not be approved.

Students MUST Meet ALL Eligibility Requirements as Listed Below:
  1. Complete initial exam no later than LAST DAY OF TESTING SESSION FOR YOUR CLASS
  2. UPLOAD a PDF of your score report to the Score Reporting File for your exam no later than 2-calendar days after last day of testing session
  3. Score within 150 points of passing the exam
Completing the Initial Exam After the Last Day of Scheduled Testing
Students that complete their exam after the last day of testing for their class forfeit their eligibility for a retake exam voucher if they do not pass their exam on the first attempt.
Exam Name Passing Score To receive a Retake Voucher, your score must be between
A+ Core 1 675 525-674
A+ Core 2 700 550-699
Data+ 675 525-674
Linux+ 720 570-719
Network+ 720 570-719
Security+ 750 600-749
AWS Cloud Practitioner 700 550-699
AWS Solutions Architect  720 570-719

Notice: Retake voucher supply is limited; policy is subject to change without notice. Retake vouchers are not available from NOVA for CEH exams.
Students are responsible for contacting the test sponsor directly.

CompTIA offers discounted prices and payment options.
https://Academic-Store.CompTIA.org

AWS Foundational (Cloud Practitioner) Certification Exam
https://market.xvoucher.com/aws/foundational

AWS Associate (Solutions Architect) Certification Exam
https://market.xvoucher.com/aws-ec/marketplace/associate

EC-Council - CEH Retake exam requests can only be purchased by writing to feedback@eccouncil.org. You can also read more about the retake policy here.
NO SHOW
NOVA does not provide a 'retake/replacement voucher' for students with a 'NO SHOW' status for their scheduled exam appointment.
  • A 'NO SHOW' appointment status is assigned when a student misses a confirmed scheduled appointment.
  • It is the student's responsibility to cancel or reschedule an appointment at least 24-48 hours before a confirmed scheduled appointment by contacting Pearson Vue directly.
  • Call Pearson Vue Customer Service at 877-551-7587 for questions about scheduling your appointment.
Proctor Cancelled Testing Sessions
NOVA does not provide a ‘retake/'replacement voucher' for students whose testing session is stopped by an exam proctor.
  • Proctors may stop a testing session due to a violation of the Pearson Vue testing policy.
  • It is the student's responsibility to follow all testing policies set by Pearson Vue and the test sponsor.
Invalidated Test Scores
NOVA does not provide a 'retake/replacement voucher' for students whose exam results have been invalidated by Pearson Vue and the test sponsor after their testing session has ended. 
 

Questions?