Cheaters turn to Web to game certification system Don't judge a developer by his or her certifications. Cheaters are coordinated, and the answers to exams are easily located on the Web. Websites, including certcollection.org, examcollection.com and (until recently) sadikhov.com, host forums where members share advice, experience, and even actual word-for-word Microsoft certification test questions known in the cheating community as "MS brain dumps." Would-be cheaters discuss tactics to avoid being caught by Microsoft and share safe havens for exchanging brain dumps. Some acts are even more brazen. An individual has posted what appear to be questions captured by a camera during an actual certification testing session on the file sharing website 4shared.com. 4shared did not respond to a request for comment, but it has a team dedicated to fighting abuse of its terms of use. Microsoft's certification exams are copyrighted, and anyone that disseminates information about exams is violating their Non-Disclosure Agreement with Microsoft. When asked why he used brain dumps, a Microsoft Certified Professional who prefers to remain anonymous replied, "Because I don't want to fail and pay another US$125 and reschedule. I scored 100% on 70-640 [a Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist test]. Everyone gets 100% on that test. The brain dump has 100% of the questions, and any idiot can memorize answers." 70-640 is a good example of how pervasive cheating is because Microsoft hasn't changed any of the questions, and all the questions are on the brain dumps, he added. Microsoft acknowledged the activities, saying that it has a team focused on preventing and addressing exam fraud, piracy, and any other illegal exam and certification activities, according to Peggy Crowley, anti-piracy program manager at Microsoft Learning. The company works with trusted exam partners, to ensure exam security and the validity of certifications, Crowley noted. "Microsoft exam providers must adhere to specific security policies and are subject to ongoing inspections in order to acquire and maintain their status as a Microsoft certification exam delivery provider," she said. "Microsoft partners and customers look to Microsoft to deliver superior quality exams and certifications. Therefore, we realize the importance of protecting Microsoft Certified Professionals’ investment in achieving their professional certification." Source: SDTimes 33359
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