Introduction

The choice to begin pursuing an expert-level certification is often made lightly. After experiencing the training, study and testing process of the associate-level and the professional-level certifications, it is understandable to expect that the expert level is more of the same; more advanced, but essentially a logical progression. This is a fair conclusion and is more accurate than it sounds, but it's important to consider that the 'more advanced' aspect goes beyond the topics. The process itself is more involved... and that changes everything.

It's not news to anyone that the expert-level certifications, have two components to them; the written test and the lab exam. The first of these is standard fare for anyone who has pursued certification, though somewhat more intense. It is the successful negotiation of the second that defines an expert in terms of certification, but that's just an acknowledgement. What truly defines an expert in terms of his or her essential attributes is less the successful negotiation of the lab exam and more the process by which that success was achieved.

Crucible

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