1/29/2013 -- As of Jan. 9, CompTIA has added "performance-based" questions to the Security+ question pool. None of the objectives for the exam have changed and the test number (SY0-301) remains the same, as well. The only change is that instead of asking a multiple-choice questions requiring the test candidate to guess from among four possibilities, a performance-based question requires using a simulation engine to carry out a particular task. The majority of the questions within the pool remain multiple-choice and the actual number of performance-based questions seeded in is not known.

CompTIA first started using this type of question with the CASP (CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner) and has added it to the A+ exams and others within the past year. Those already certified need not retest since the version did not change. Those planning on taking CompTIA exams in the future, though, should expect to eventually see some questions utilizing a simulation engine in every exam.

Microsoft Technology Associate Now Open to Non-Academics
Originally created for the academic market, the Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) certification is now available outside of that realm as well, with exams administered through Prometric testing centers. This certification is geared toward those who are new to IT and centered around three technology tracks:  IT Infrastructure, Database, and Development.

More information can be found here.

LPI Revises LPIC-2 and LPIC-3
The Linux Professional Institute (LPI) has announced changes to both the level 2 (LPIC-2) and level 3 (LPIC-3) certifications that are scheduled to appear in the exams on Oct. 1, 2013 (beta exams beginning in May). According to details given, level 2 will now focus on administration and level 3 will stick to specializations. The list of specific changes includes the following:

• Capacity Planning and OpenLDAP server essentials will move from the LPI-301 exam to the LPIC-2 exams.
• Other technologies covered in the LPI-301 and LPI-302 exams will move to a single exam: LPI-300/Mixed Environments.
• The new LPI-300 exam will also include technologies such as Samba4 and Kerberos.
• Any exam at the LPIC-3 level (LPI-300/Mixed Environments, LPI-303/Security and LPI-304/High Availability-Virtualization) will be considered sufficient to earn the LPIC-3 certification.

A roadmap and list of the changes can be found here.