3/26/2002 -- You're studying for your certification exam, and you want practice questions. LOTS of practice questions. And you want 'em cheap too -- well, free actually. And you probably don't want "braindump" questions either; otherwise, you'd just go directly to the sites that offer those and skip right over us.
So what can we here at CertCities do to help? We've got our pop quizzes, which feature six to 10 questions from top-notch test-prep vendors like Transcender and MeasureUp. However, we've come to realize that it's not enough -- an editor can only read so many e-mails like "This sucks! Gimme More!" and "Why are there only six questions, you losers!" (plus many others that I can't reprint here) before she gets a clue.
As a result, we present to you, dear reader, the following list of braindump-free practice exams available for free on the Web. We've sorted what we found first by certification (so you can jump directly to the certs you're most interested in), followed by source.
What do we mean by source? In general, there are two types of sites that provide free questions:
We've also found some certification vendors themselves (e.g., IBM, HP) who offer their own practice questions to let candidates know what to expect on their exams -- links for those we found are below as well.
You're probably starting to get the idea here -- start with 10 questions from our Pop Quiz section, then add 20 from another site and 40 from yet another, and you're well on your way to building a library of practice questions, all for no charge and free from braindump guilt.
Before you dig in, you might be curious as to the time and effort that goes into creating these exams, especially for the independent Webmasters like Jason Sprague. Sprague runs MCMCSE.com, a site known for its practice exams. He filled us in on what the process is like: "Typically, I write a study guide for the exam first based on the exam objectives. I then formulate about half of the questions right out of the study guide that has been written. Some of the questions are inspired by the various texts that I review. Once the question is formulated, I use an arsenal of tech sites (including Microsoft's) for research to make sure that the answer is correct. Finally, about 25 percent of the questions come from whatever it is that I am working on that day. For example, if I am working on an unattended installation of Windows 2000, I will write questions that come up while I am doing it," he explained."It is a very time consuming process...I would estimate that it typically takes about 40 hours to create and verify a 50 question exam."
Recognize too that many of the commercial vendors invest heavily in creating the full version of their products, providing the sample questions in hopes that if you like the product, you'll buy the full version and help them re-coup that investment. For both types of sites, showing your appreciation for these offerings is always welcomed.
Now, to what you've all been waiting for, a list of links to no-cost, braindump-free practice questions on the Web. Enjoy!
Practice Questions for Adobe Certification Exams
|
Free Demos from Test-Prep Vendors |
Boson.com |
New! 12-question downloadable demo for Adobe InDesign 1.5 exam. |
BEA |
Free Vendor Questions |
Bea.com |
New! Free sample test for BEA WebLogic Server 6.0 Developer exam. Must be registered as a "Star Partner" to access. |
Free Demos from Test-Prep Vendors |
WhizLabs |
New! 30-question demo for BEA WebLogic 6.0 Developer exam. Minimal registration required. |
Borland |
Free Demos from Test-Prep Vendors |
Boson.com |
New! 12-question downloadable demos for Delphi 5 and 6 exams. |
Check Point |
Free Demos from Test-Prep Vendors |
Boson.com |
12-question downloadable demos for a variety of Check Point exams. |
Online-exams.com |
New! 10-question free demo for CCSA 4.x Security Admin exam. According to site, questions provided by several test-prep vendors. |
Simulationexams.com |
New! Offers 10-question online demo for CCSA. |
Cisco |
Free Questions from Independent Sites |
CertTutor.net |
New! Offers 50 questions for CCNA exam. Registration required. |
CertYourself.com |
Up to 50 questions for the following Cisco certifications: CCNA, CCDA, CCNP. Questions are written by the site's Webmaster, a European-based IT trainer. |
CongoNetworking.com |
New! Offers three 12-question CCNA-related practice quizzes: Access Lists, Subnetting, and TCP/IP and Novell, as well as three CCNP-related quizzes: CSVPN / 3000 Concentrator, Routing / BGP and Switching / Spanning Tree. |
GoCertify.com |
Offers a free 20-question quiz for the CCNA exam as well as CCIE Multicast written and CCIE Routing & Switching Lab (New!). Questions provided by various test prep vendors. |
MCMCSE.com |
Choose up to 50 randomized questions for CCNA and CCIE, plus numerous CCNP quizzes. |
NetworkDesigner.net |
New! Offers questions for CCNA, CCNP and CCDA exams. Note that although this site has braindump-related advertising on it, site Webmasters Dave Erin and Hope Luper assure us that they create all their questions in-house. |
StudyNotes.net |
New! Although not specific to Cisco, this site has quizzes on technology topics tested on CCNA, including IRQs, OSI and Protocols, Cabling, and more. Questions developed by site's Webmaster Rob Walker. |
Win2000trainer.com |
30 practice questions for CCNA exam. Questions written by the site's Webmaster. |
Free Demos from Test-Prep Vendors |
BeachFront Direct |
New! 100+ question demo for CCNA exam, and 200+ question demo for CCNP. Registration required. |
Boson.com |
12-question downloadable demos for a variety of Cisco exams, including those for CCNA (German and English, 507), CCNP, CCDA, CCDP, CCIP, CCIE written, and Telephony and Support Specialties. |
CCPrep.com |
10-question demos for many Cisco certifications exams. Click here for list. |
CCStudy.com |
New! Offers free CCNA questions in test-engine download demo. |
Examsonline.com |
New! 15-question demos for many CCNP exams. To access, must first register with site. Then click on Free Online Exams link which will appear on left-hand menu, and scroll down to see list. |
MeasureUp |
10-question online demos for numerous Cisco exams. To access, scroll down to the list of exams, click on name of exam, then click on blue "demo" link. Registration required. |
Online-exams.com |
New! 10-question free demo for numerous Cisco exams. According to site, questions provided by several test-prep vendors. |
Self Test Software |
Downloadable demo for CCNA 2.0 exam. To access, must first register with site. Then, return to My Account page (if not already taken there), click on Demo Downloads link (on right), then click Cisco. |
Simulationexams.com |
New! Offers 10-question online demos for CCNA and CCNP topics. To access, click here and scroll down until you see the "Sample Questions" heading on left. |
TechSkills |
Demos of up to 70 questions for CCNA and several CCNP exams. Scroll down for list. |
Transcender |
Demos of up to 10 questions for 640-503 to 640-507. |
WhizLabs |
New! 30-question demo for CCNA exam. Minimal registration required. |
Citrix |
Free Questions from Independent Sites |
SkillDrill.com |
New! 45-question quiz for Citrix MetaFrame 1.8 exam. Must be registered with Brainbuzz/Cramsession to access. |
Free Demos from Test-Prep Vendors |
BeachFront Direct |
New! 100+ question demos for MetaFrame 1.8 . Registration required. |
Boson.com |
12-question downloadable demos for a variety of Citrix exams. |
Online-exams.com |
New! 10-question free demos for three Citrix exams. According to site, questions provided by several test-prep vendors. |
Compaq |
Free Demos from Test-Prep Vendors |
Boson.com |
12-question downloadable demos for a variety of Compaq exams. |
CompTIA Certs (A+, Network+, etc.) |
Free Questions from Independent Sites |
CertYourself.com |
Quizzes for A+, Net+, i-Net+. Questions are written by the site's Webmaster, a European-based IT trainer. |
Cram4exams.com |
New! Offers random 10-question quizzes for a variety of CCNP, CCNA, CCIE and CCDA Cisco exams. Note that although the site does have braindump advertising on it, the site's Webmaster assured us that his questions are written by certified trainers and the questions are "100 percent braindump free." |
GoCertify.com |
New! 25-question quiz for A+. |
LearnThat.com |
New! Free practice quizzes for A+ and Network+ (scroll down to A+ and Network+ tutorials). |
MCMCSE.com |
Up to 40 randomized questions for A+, Net+ and I-Net+. Written by the site's Webmaster Jason Sprauge. |
NetworkDesigner.net |
New! 50+ questions for the A+ and Network+ exams. Note that although this site has braindump advertising on it, site Webmasters Dave Erin and Hope Luper assure us that they write all their questions themselves and belong in this article. |
StudyNotes.net |
New! Numerous 20+-question quizzes for A+ and Network+ exams, as well as related technologies (IRQs, OSI and Protocols, Cabling, etc.) Questions developed by site's Webmaster Rob Walker. |
Free Demos from Test-Prep Vendors |
BeachFront Direct |
New! 100+ question demos for A+, Network+. Registration required. |
Boson.com |
12-question downloadable demos for the following CompTIA exams: A+, Server+, I-Net+, CTT+, Linux+. |
CBTVision.com |
Offers free demos of A+ and Network+ testing engines. |
CertificationCorner.com |
12 to 20 free questions offered in downloads of test engines for A+, Network+, I-Net+, Server+, Linux+, e-Biz+. |
Examsonline.com |
New! 15-question demos for A+, Network+, I-Net+. To access, must first register with site. Then click on Free Online Exams link which will appear on left-hand menu, and scroll down to see list. |
MeasureUp |
10-question online demos for A+, Network+, and I-Net+, as well as e-Biz+, Project+, Linux+ and Server+ (New!). To access, scroll down to the list of exams, click on name of exam, then click on blue "demo" link. Registration required |
Online-exams.com |
New! 10-question free demos for A+ and I-Net+ exams. According to site, questions provided by several test-prep vendors. |
Self Test Software |
Downloadable demo for A+ and I-Net+ exams. To access, must first register with site. Then, return to My Account page (if not already taken there), click on Demo Downloads link (on right), then click CompTIA. |
Simulationexams.com |
New! Offers 10-question online demos for A+, Network+, Server+ and I-Net+. To access, click here and scroll down until you see the "Sample Questions" heading on left. |
TechSkills |
Demos of up to 70 questions for the following CompTIA exams: A+ Hardware , A+ OS, Network+, I-Net+. |
Transcender |
Demos of up to 10 questions for A+ Core, A+ OS (both 2001 objectives) Network+, Server+, Linux+ (New!) and I-Net+. |
Computer Associates |
Free Demos from Test-Prep Vendors |
Boson.com |
New! 12-question downloadable demos for three Unicenter exams. |
Hewlett-Packard |
Free Vendor Questions |
HP.com |
HP offers free 50-question practice exams for some of its certifications, including HP-UX and OpenView. Click here for list. Registration required. |
Free Demos from Test-Prep Vendors |
Boson.com |
12-question downloadable demo for HP-UX System Administration Certification Exam (3H0-002). |
IBM/Lotus |
Free Vendor Questions |
IBM.com |
IBM offers free 10-question sample tests for all its certification exams. To view the list, click here. (Under Topic pull-down, choose "sample test.") |
Free Questions from Independent Sites |
LearnThat.com |
New! Free CLS quiz for Maintaining a Domino Infrastructure. |
SkillDrill.com |
New! 45-question quiz for two Lotus exams. Must be registered with Brainbuzz/Cramsession to access. |
Free Demos from Test-Prep Vendors |
Boson.com |
12-question downloadable demos for IBM AIX v4.3 System Support Certified Specialist and IBM XML and Related Technologies exams, as well as several Lotus exams (New!). |
Self Test Software |
New! Downloadable demo with Lotus Notes 5-related questions. To access, must first register with site. Then, return to My Account page (if not already taken there), click on Demo Downloads link (on right), then click on Lotus. |
WhizLabs |
New! 30-question demos for Websphere and XML. Minimal registration required. |
(ISC)2 CISSP |
Free Questions from Independent Sites |
CCCure.org |
New! Extensive online CISSP quiz which can be broken down into domains. Questions created by site contributors. |
Free Demos from Test-Prep Vendors |
Boson.com |
12-question downloadable demo for the CISSP and SSCP (New!) exams. |
Juniper Networks |
Free Demos from Test-Prep Vendors |
Boson.com |
12-question downloadable demo for the JCNIS exam. |
Linux Professional Institute |
Free Demos from Test-Prep Vendors |
Online-exams.com |
New! 10-question free demos for LPI 101 and 102 exams. According to site, questions provided by several test-prep vendors. |
Macromedia |
Free Vendor Questions |
Macromedia.com |
New! Offers sample questions for Cold Fusion Developer and Dreamweaver Developer exams (PDF Format). |
Free Questions from Independent Sites |
CFCertification.com |
New! Offers practice exam for Cold Fusion certification. |
Free Demos from Test-Prep Vendors |
CentraSoft.com |
New! 61-question downloadable demo of its Cold Fusion Certification Buster. |
Microsoft (MCSD, MCSA, MCSE, MCDBA, MOUS, ETC.) |
Free Questions from Independent Sites |
CertTutor.net |
(Formerly MCSELive.com.) Offers 40+ questions for the following exams: 70-210, 70-215, 70-216, 70-217, 70-270(New!). Registration required. |
CertYourself.com |
Up to 45 questions for the following Win2K exams: 70-210, 70-215, 70-216, 70-217, 70-219. 70-224,70-225, 70-270 (New!). Plus some MOUS XP/2000 (New!) exams. Questions are written by the site's Webmaster, a European-based IT trainer. |
Cram4exams.com |
New! Random 10-question quizzes for 70-210, 70-215, 70-216, and 70-217 exams,. Note that although the site does have braindump advertising on it, the site's Webmaster assured us that his questions are written by certified trainers and the questions are "100 percent braindump free." |
GoCertify.com |
Free 20-question quiz and a practice case study for the MCSD 70-100 exam. |
MCMCSE.com |
Choose up to 40 randomized questions for each of the the following exams: 70-210, 70-215, 70-216, 70-217, 70-220, 70-227. Written by site Webmaster Jason Sprauge. |
MCPMag.com |
New! Variety of questions for Microsoft-related exams on the Pop Quiz page. Updated monthly. Questions written by magazine's contributors. |
NetworkDesigner.Net |
New! Questions for the following exams: 70-210, 70-215, 70-216, 70-217. Note that although this site has braindump-related advertising on it, site Webmasters Dave Erin and Hope Luper assure us that they create all their questions themselves. |
SkillDrill.com |
New! 45-question quizzes for several Microsoft MCSE exams. And while not MOUS-exam specific, also offers quizzes testing know-how of several Microsoft Office 2000 applications. Must be registered with Brainbuzz/Cramsession to access. |
Win2000trainer.com |
Up to 50 practice questions for a variety of Windows exams, including some for XP (scroll down to view list). Questions written by the site's Webmaster, an MCT. |
Free Demos from Test-Prep Vendors |
BeachFront Direct |
New! 100+ question demo for 70-210. Registration required. |
Boson.com |
12-question downloadable demos for a variety Microsoft exams for the following certs: MCSE, MCSA (New!), MCDBA. |
CBTVision.com |
Downloadable demo featuring questions for four core MCSE exams. |
CertificationCorner.com |
New! 100+ free questions for 70-210 and 70-215. |
CustomGuide.com |
Online practice questions for the following MOUS exams:Access, Excel and Word (2002(New!), 2000 and 97) |
Examsonline.com |
New! 15-question demos for many Win2K exams. To access, must first register with site. Then click on Free Online Exams link which will appear on left-hand menu, and scroll down to see list. Can choose only one demo. |
MeasureUp |
10-question online demos for most MCSE, MCSA (New!), MCSD, MCDBA exams, plus some MOUS 2000 (New!) exams (scroll to bottom of page for MOUS). To access, scroll down to the list of exams, click on name of exam, then click on blue "demo" link. Registration required |
Online-exams.com |
New! 10-question demos for several Microsoft exams, most older. Also includes some MOUS 97 demos. According to site, questions provided by several test-prep vendors. |
Self Test Software |
Downloadable demo featuring questions for the following exams: 70-210, 70-215, 70-216 and 70-217, as well as for three MOUS exams (two 97, one 2000). To access, must first register with site. Then, return to My Account page (if not already taken there), click on Demo Downloads link (on right), then click on Microsoft or MOUS. |
Simulationexams.com |
New! Offers 10-question online demo for 70-210. To access, click here and scroll down until you see the "Sample Questions" heading on left. |
TechSkills |
Demos of up to 50 questions for the following Win2K exams: 70-210, 70-215, 70-216, 70-217, 70-219, 70-220, 70-221. |
TheBestTests.com |
Demos of up to 16 questions for a variety of Microsoft exams. To access the demos, you have to register with the site, then click on the "Customer Center" button, then scroll down and click "Add Demo." Click the boxes for the demos you wish to access, then click "Add." |
Transcender |
Demos of up to 10 questions for most all of the Win2K exams. Scroll down to view list. |
WhizLabs |
New! 30-question demos for the following Microsoft exams: 70-210, 70-215, 70-217, 70-219, 70-224. Minimal registration required. |
Nokia |
Free Demos from Test-Prep Vendors |
Boson.com |
New! 12-question downloadable demo for Nokia Security Admin exam. |
Nortel |
Free Demos from Test-Prep Vendors |
Boson.com |
12-question downloadable demos for three Nortel exams. |
Novell Exams |
Free Questions from Independent Sites |
Cram4exams.com |
New! Random 10-question quizzes for three Novell 5.1 exams. Note that although the site does have braindump advertising on it, the site's Webmaster assured us that his questions are written by certified trainers and the questions are "100 percent braindump free." |
Free Demos from Test-Prep Vendors |
Boson.com |
12-question downloadable demos for a variety of Novell exams. |
Exam Essentials |
Free online quizzes for numerous Novell exams (scroll down to view list). |
MeasureUp |
10-question online demo for three Novell exams. To access, scroll down to the list of exams, click on name of exam, then click on blue "demo" link. Registration required |
Online-exams.com |
New!10-question free demos for several Novell exams, most older. According to site, questions provided by several test-prep vendors. |
Self Test Software |
Downloadable demo for NetWare 5.1 Administration (50-653) exam. To access, must first register with site. Then, return to My Account page (if not already taken there), click on Demo Downloads link (on right), then click Novell. |
Transcender |
New! Demos of up to 10 questions for many Novell 5.1 exams. Scroll down for list. |
Oracle |
Free Demos from Test-Prep Vendors |
Boson.com |
12-question downloadable demos for a variety of Oracle exams, including one 9i exam (New!). |
Examsonline.com |
New! 15-question demos for many Oracle 8i and 9i exams. To access, must first register with site. Then click on Free Online Exams link which will appear on left-hand menu, and scroll down to see list. Can choose only one demo. |
MeasureUp |
10-question online demos for four Oracle 8i DBA exams. To access, scroll down to the list of exams, click on name of exam, then click on blue "demo" link. Registration required |
Self Test Software |
New! Downloadable demo featuring sample questions for Oracle DBA and Java exams (does not say what version of Oracle).To access, must first register with site. Then, return to My Account page (if not already taken there), click on Demo Downloads link (on right), then click on Oracle. |
Transcender |
New! Demos of up to 10 questions for three Oracle 9i exams. Scroll down to access. |
WhizLabs |
New! 30-question demos for the following Oracle exams: Intro to Oracle 1Z0-001, Oracle 8i Database Admin 1Z0-123, Developer PL./SQL 1Z0-101 and Developer 2000 Build Forms IZ0-121. Minimal registration required. |
Project Management Institute |
Free Demos from Test-Prep Vendors |
Boson.com |
New! 12-question downloadable demo for PMP exam. |
Prosoft CIW |
Free Questions from Independent Sites |
MCMCSE.com |
New! Choose up to 50 randomized questions for the CIW Foundations exam. Written by site Webmaster Jason Sprauge. |
Free Demos from Test-Prep Vendors |
Boson.com |
12-question downloadable demos for a variety of CIW exams. |
CertificationCorner.com |
20-question downloadable demo for the CIW Foundations exam. |
MeasureUp |
10-question online demo for many CIW exams. To access, scroll down to the list of exams, click on name of exam, then click on blue "demo" link. Registration required |
Self Test Software |
Downloadable demos for several CIW exams. To access, must first register with site. Then, return to My Account page (if not already taken there), click on Demo Downloads link (on right), then click CIW. |
Simulationexams.com |
New! Offers 10-question online demo for CIW Foundations. |
Transcender |
New! Demos of up to 10 questions for CIW Foundations, Site Designer and E-Commerce Designer. Scroll down to access. |
Red Hat RHCE |
Free Demos from Test-Prep Vendors |
Boson.com |
12-question downloadable demo for the RHCE exam. |
Online-exams.com |
New! 10-question free demo for RHCE. According to site, questions provided by several test-prep vendors. |
WhizLabs |
New! 30-question demos for the RHCE. Minimal registration required. |
SANS |
Free Demos from Test-Prep Vendors |
Boson.com |
New! 12-question downloadable demo for SANS GIAC Security Essentials Exam (GSEC) exam. |
Sniffer Technologies |
Free Demos from Test-Prep Vendors |
Boson.com |
New! Offers 12-question downloadable demos for two Sniffer exams. |
Sun Certifications (Java and Solaris) |
Free Vendor Questions |
Sun.com |
New! Free 10-question demos of the test prep software it sells for its SCJP, SCWCD, SCSA 8 (1 and 2) and SCNA 8 exams. (Editor's Note: Also available on Self-Test's Web site here.) |
Free Questions from Independent Sites |
4tests.com |
Free 40-question practice test for the Java Programmer exam. |
Boone's Exam |
2 hour, 15 minute mock exam. Questions written by Barry Boone. |
Java Ranch |
"Rules Round-Up," a mock Java certification exam/game. Also offers mock exam for SCWCD (New!). |
JHCQ.net |
Three 60-question mock exams for Sun's Certified Java Programmer Certification (1, 2, 3). Questions written by Marcus Green. |
LevTeck.com |
New! Excellent list of mock Sun exams available on the Web (scroll down to view). So good, better to put its link here than for us to try and copy the listing in this article. |
SunGuru.com |
New! Free practice exams for Sun and Solaris-related technologies. |
Free Demos from Test-Prep Vendors |
Boson.com |
12-question download for a variety of Solaris exams, plus the SCJP (New!) exam. |
Examsonline.com |
New! 15-question demo for SCJP. To access, must first register with site. Then click on Free Online Exams link which will appear on left-hand menu, and scroll down to see list. |
LearnSolaris.com |
New! 20-question demos for several Solaris 8 topics. Registration required. To access, click on top "Demo" link. |
MeasureUp |
New! 10-question online demo for SCJP exam. To access, scroll down to the list of exams, click on name of exam, then click on blue "demo" link. Registration required |
Unixed.com |
New! Free downloadable demo featuring Solaris 7 and 8 questions. Written by Solaris consultant and certification author. |
WhizLabs |
New! 30-question demos for the SCJP and SCWCD. Minimal registration required. |