Certification Frequently Asked Questions

The Symantec Certification Program provides rigorous, objective assessments of Symantec technical expertise through securely proctored, computer-based, multiple-choice exams (based on real-world job tasks). The program validates the skills and technical competencies necessary for Symantec professionals to efficiently implement, administer, and maintain their data protection, high availability, and security environments utilizing Symantec solutions.

Successful completion of the program’s current requirements will result in the achievement and reward of a Symantec Certified Specialist (SCS) certificate.

Symantec End Users, Customers, Employees, and Partners (optional). Although each product varies in complexity and depth, all certification exams are created specifically for customers and cover core elements measuring technical knowledge against factors such as installation, configuration, deployment, product management & administration, and day-to-day maintenance. While certification is optional for partners and employees, certification is not a requirement of the Symantec Partner Program and does not count toward program classification.

An End User, Customer, Employee, and/or Partner who has proven technical knowledge and competency by becoming Symantec certified based on their specific area of expertise with Symantec products.

Yes, it is a global certification program for IT professionals working with Symantec solutions worldwide.

Symantec offers Symantec Certified Specialist certifications covering several different products and product versions. See more information on the currently available certifications.

Certification requirements, sample exams, exam objectives, recommended training and registration is available for each certification and corresponding exam. Please click here for more information on Available Certifications.

Symantec Certified Specialists, and their companies, will gain industry recognition, competitive differentiation, greater productivity/results, increased user community satisfaction, and a tangible measure of their education investment.

End user certification does NOT count toward Partner Program requirements. To learn more view this FAQ sheet (PDF).

See below for details to learn about the acquisition of Clearwell:

• Customers
• Partners

See below for details to learn about the legacy acquisition of PGP:

• Customers
• Partners

The exams are computer-based and delivered at Prometric testing centers. Prometric provides over 4,000 secure, standardized and geographically widespread testing centers in more than 135 countries worldwide. To find out about a test center in your area, please visit Prometric for testing schedules, locations and registration.

Exams will be available on the same schedule worldwide in English at Prometric. Translations will be determined on a country-by-country basis.

To register for a Symantec certification exam, visit the Prometric web site. After obtaining a login username and password, select the desired exam, a testing center and your preferred date and time to test. Exam fees are payable by credit card or by voucher. View the step-by-step instructions on how to register.

Exam prices vary by country and region. In the United States, the cost is $150 per exam. Find out about the cost of an exam in your country.

Exams are delivered in multiple-choice format, with each having approximately 65-80 questions. It’s common for the exams to contain exhibits/graphics. We encourage candidates to complete the Prometric tutorial before the exam to best maximize skills on how to view an exhibit alongside an item.

Allotted exam time varies by exam length. It typically takes one minute to complete each exam question.

Prometric provides you with instant results at the completion of your exam. A score report will be printed and given to you before you leave the testing center. Candidates are also able to view exam progress by logging into CertTracker.

Symantec receives candidate exam results daily via file transfers from Prometric to CertTracker Be sure you keep your personal information in your Prometric and CertTracker profile up-to-date so that you receive proper credit for exams passed and certifications earned.

Passing scores vary by exam. For more information on specific certifications in each category, please see the certification exam details within your selected product solution training path.

You, Symantec, and your company (if you designate).

No. Symantec maintains this policy to ensure security over the exam questions.

If you do not pass an exam on your first attempt, you must wait at least 3 days (72 hours) before a second attempt. If you do not pass an exam on your second attempt, then you must wait at least 2 weeks (14 days) between each additional attempt. If you need to retake an exam that you have already passed in order to fulfill a certification track requirement, you may do so after 3 months. The same cost applies whether you take an exam once or many times.

Certification requirements, sample exams, exam objectives, recommended training and registration is available for each certification and corresponding exam. For more information on specific certifications in each category, please see the certification exam details within your selected product solution training path.

Exams are developed for the current version of the Symantec product release at the time of development. Exams may be updated after significant new versions are released. New exams may not always correspond to the software release schedule.

For more information on specific certifications in each category, please see the certification exam details within your selected product solution training path.

Sample exams are available. Each sample exam consists of multiple-choice items. Some items may have a supporting exhibit which you will be directed to view before answering the item. The sample exams are not timed, however, you should attempt to complete them as quickly as you can. Certification requirements, sample exams, exam objectives, study guides, recommended training, and registration is available for each certification and corresponding exam. For more information on specific certifications in each category, please see the certification exam details within your selected product solution training path.

Symantec regularly conducts statistical analyses of certification exam results for exam maintenance purposes. In doing so, Symantec publishes a range of questions per exam to account for “unscored” questions. In order to ensure the value of the Symantec certification program, Symantec routinely updates exams with new questions on an unannounced basis. Those new questions are initially delivered as “unscored” so that Symantec can evaluate the performance in the field/on the released exam. The “unscored” questions do not count towards your passing score and additional time is already incorporated into the total exam duration to answer these questions.

Symantec also regularly updates exam questions where the actual number of questions per exam may vary from time to time as these unannounced updates occur.

Symantec end users, both internally and in the field, are studied to define the job performance requirements. The results determine the minimum level of competence required for the defined job performance and is tested in the exams. Symantec follows industry standards for “high stakes” exam development.

Although it is intuitive to think that an appropriate passing score for an examination should be 70 or 75 percent correct based on personal experiences taking classroom tests, these arbitrary values may not reflect the performance level expected of the “minimally qualified candidate” given the difficulty of the test. For example, if the examination is very easy, a passing score of 70 may be too low. However, if the examination is very difficult, this same value may be too high.

Establishing passing scores requires the application of systematic procedures that consider the defined performance level definition of the “minimally qualified candidate” and the difficulty of the examination. Before the final passing scores are established, they are evaluated to ensure that the available validity evidence supports their use for the intended purpose of distinguishing the “minimally qualified candidates” from those who are not yet qualified. This systematic method is used to establish and maintain the fairness, validity and reliability of exams.

In order to ensure the value of the Symantec certification program, Symantec routinely updates exams with new questions. In these cases the passing percentage could change per exam from time to time as these unannounced updates occur.

In most cases, to become a Symantec Certified Specialist, only one exam is required. (The exception is for the Altiris Client Management Suite 7 exam, the prerequisite is the Symantec Management Platform 7 (formerly Altiris Notification Server 7) exam. Certification requirements, sample exams, exam objectives, study guides, recommended training, and registration is available for each certification and corresponding exam. For more information on specific certifications in each category, please see the certification exam details within your selected product solution training path.

On March 10th, 2009, Symantec Education Services switched from paper certificates to electronic certificates for Symantec Certification credentials. Once you have accepted our online certification agreement, your certificate will be e-mailed to you within 2 or 3 days. It is sent to the e-mail address provided by the candidate when registering for the exam at Prometric. You can verify and update your preferred e-mail address or accept the online candidate agreement in CertTracker.

The welcome e-mail for Symantec exams contains an official certificate and access to a Symantec Certified Specialist logo for placement on personal business cards.

Symantec Certified Professional (SCP) Certifications are valid for 24 months from the date achieved. Symantec recommends updating your SCP Certification(s) with the latest product versions as soon as they become available.

Symantec Certified Specialist (SCS) Certifications have no expiration date. The no-expiration policy means that the value of legacy Symantec SCS Certifications will be based on how relevant the certification’s competencies are to the IT marketplace. This means that Symantec SCS Certifications, regardless of the associated product versions, will continue to hold their value in the marketplace as long as there is a demand from the industry. When certification verification is required, Symantec will identify product version, thus distinguishing between those who have upgraded certifications and those who haven’t. Symantec highly recommends recertification to remain current with Symantec technology and trends.

Candidates are responsible for updating their personal information in the tracking system to ensure receipt of official correspondence. Update your profile in CertTracker or e-mail customer_certifications@symantec.com.

Check your status with Prometric. Enter the registration number and validation number as listed on your score report, log in to CertTracker, or send an e-mail inquiry to customer_certifications@symantec.com.

You can verify your credentials to any email address by logging in to CertTracker and selecting the “Publish Credentials” option. Although we provide electronic certificates and the ability for a successful candidate to print a copy of that certificate, we stress that the only true verification of certification credentials comes from a certified individual securely publishing their credential directly to the interested party (i.e., manager, recruiter) through this method.

To provide proof of passing the CCSK exam, log in to your account in CertTracker and select “Complete a Form” from the right hand menu. Click on the “Certification of Cloud Security Knowledge (CCSK) Verification” form. Fill out the form with the code, date and email address from your CCSK certificate and click “submit”. Your certificate will be validated with the CSA by a CertTracker Administrator and your form will be approved. Please contact customer_certifications@symantec.com for assistance.

Product training courses are available through Symantec Education.

Plase visit the Symantec Education web site to find course description, registration, scheduling and pricing information.

Symantec strongly recommends specific courses to develop individuals to successfully do their job. These courses are not required and are available for those who do not meet the minimum level of competence as tested by the exam. Be cautioned that attendance in a training course does not guarantee passage of a certification exam. Symantec recommends a minimum of 6 months experience using Symantec product(s) before attempting an exam. Certification requirements, sample exams, exam objectives, study guides, recommended training, product documentation, and registration is available for each Certification and corresponding exam. For more information on specific certifications in each category, please see the certification exam details within your selected product solution training path.

Symantec Education offers a number of self-paced courses. Students can take advantage of fully searchable audio and video enhanced courses through our On-Demand Instructor Led Training offerings or they can access individual web-based training modules through our subscription-based eLibrary. Symantec also recommends studying course materials, sample exams, exam objectives, and product documentation. For more information on specific certifications in each category, please see the certification exam details within your selected product solution training path.

For additional comments or questions, please e-mail customer_certifications@symantec.com.