FAQs for MEF-Carrier Ethernet Certified Professional Course

From the list below choose one of our FAQs topics, then select an FAQ to read. If you have a question which is not in this section, please contact us at +65 6398 3150.

Q. Who is MEF?

A. The MEF, as the defining body for Carrier Ethernet, is a global industry alliance comprising more than 150 organizations including telecommunications service providers, cable MSOs (Multiple Service Operator), network equipment/software manufacturers, semiconductors vendors and testing organizations.

Q. What is the mission of MEF?

A. The MEF’s mission is to accelerate the worldwide adoption of Carrier-class Ethernet networks and services. The MEF develops Carrier Ethernet technical specifications and implementation agreements to promote interoperability and deployment of Carrier Ethernet worldwide.

Q. What is MEF Certification program?

A. The MEF certification program is the telecommunication industry’s reference for Carrier Ethernet excellence. The threefold MEF program certifies equipment, services and professionals: equipment that service providers rely on to build fully compliant high performance Carrier Ethernet services; services that earn buyers’ trust by conforming to MEF standards of quality and performance; professionals with the proven knowledge and skills to support the explosive growth of Carrier Ethernet across the world’s markets.

Q. How do I become an MEF Certified Professional?

A. Individuals gain MEF professional certification by passing the MEF Carrier Ethernet Certified Professional (MEF-CECP) exam.

Q. Who are the target audience for this certification?

A. The target audience for MEF professional certification includes employees of Carrier Ethernet equipment vendors, service providers, business enterprises, and governments. The target professionals include product managers, technical marketing managers, pre-sales engineers, system engineers, product planners, network consultants, sales persons, system architects, design engineers, network operations engineers, system architects and application consultants using Carrier Ethernet for their work.

Q. What benefit I can get from this certification?

A. For the individual
Carrier Ethernet certification distinguishes individuals as having the foundation of basic Carrier Ethernet expertise. It tests and validates an individual's knowledge of Carrier Ethernet technology, standards and applications. One will get industry recognition of Carrier Ethernet knowledge, opportunities for career advancement and confidence of one's employer.

For the employer
It simplifies the choice of candidates and helps to define standard training requirements.

For the industry
It enables growth via better trained sales, marketing, product management and technical professionals.

Q. Is there any kind of funding available like CITREP, WDA to help me get MEF CECP Certified?

A. The MEF-CECP at the current moment does not fall under any specific training grant scheme offered by the government.

Q. How do I qualify for MEF-CECP certification?

A. To qualify for MEF-CECP certification, you must sit for a MEF-CECP exam covering topics that include MEF Definitions, access technologies, MEF Certification, target applications, circuit emulation over Ethernet, SOAM (Service Operations Administration & Maintenance) and comparisons with other network services.

Q. What is an MEF-CECP exam?

A. The MEF-CECP exam comprises a test with 80 multiple choice questions covering Carrier Ethernet technology, specifications, services and applications. The test questions were developed by MEF-designated Subject Matter Experts (MEF SMEs) together with professionals who specialize in test development and measurements. The MEF SMEs are highly experienced in the MEF and Carrier Ethernet technology, applications and specifications.

A list of complete exam objectives can be found here ---> http://metroethernetforum.org/page_loader.php?p_id=1683

Please refer to this site for the latest MEF Exam Objectives Matrix which provides easy access to documents used to create the questions on the MEF-CECP exams.

Q. How do I prepare for MEF-CECP Certification?

A. The best source materials are MEF specifications, White Papers and presentations available on the MEF public web site. Also, there will be MEF Accredited Training Providers (ATPs) like Telefocal Asia that offers courses that have been audited by the MEF which will enable course students to take the MEF-CECP exam with a reasonable chance of success.

Q. How long does the MEF-CECP exam take?

A. The MEF-CECP exam itself lasts 2 hours. Please allow up to 30 minutes for setting up the proctoring and the exam login process.

Q. How much does the MEF-CECP exam cost?

A. It costs USD350 to take the exam. This includes the cost of proctoring (individuals only), the exam itself and the certificate awarded to those passing the MEF-CECP exam. This fee is paid on registration at the Ethernet Academy website for individual exam booking.

Q. How much does it cost to retake the MEF-CECP exam?

A. You can retake the MEF-CECP exam a second time at a cost of USD50. All subsequent attempts are USD50.

Q. Where can I take the exam?

A. The exam can be taken online from the home or office – regulated by web based proctoring technology to ensure the security and integrity of the examination. You can also take the exam through an approved test center like Telefocal Asia.

Details of the certification process including registration are available on the MEF website http://metroethernetforum.org/page_loader.php?p_id=1381.

Q. How do I register for the MEF-CECP exam?

A. You can register for the exam at the Ethernet Academy website (www.ethernetacademy.net/index.php/MEF-CECP-Exam.html). Please allow up to 48 hours to complete the registration.

For Individuals:

You will be prompted to select whether this is registration for yourself or a group. Select "for myself"
Next you will be taken to the "Terms and Conditions" page
Next you will need to select from one of the following methods to take the exam
1. Online Examination
2. Test Center/Training Provider (like Telefocal Asia)
3. an MEF venue
Enter the payment information
Once payment is verified, an email confirmation with the details to schedule the location, date and time of the exam.

For Companies, Corporations and Organizations:

You will be prompted to select whether this is registration for yourself or a group. Select the necessary option.
Enter business contact details.
Select number of exams to purchase. Specify whether first exam or subsequent attempt.
Enter the candidates' names, email addresses and phone numbers.
When submit, you will have the option to pay via credit card or via cheque
An email confirmation of the transaction will be sent and you will be contacted to confirm the candidate registration.

Q. How do I take the MEF-CECP exam?

A. The MEF-CECP test questions are displayed and answered via any computer capable of running an Internet Browser (Internet Explorer version 7 or higher, or Firefox 3). However, the exam must be proctored (i.e. Identification of the examinee and supervision of the exam) in an MEF-approved proctoring environment.

Q. How soon will I get to know if I have passed or failed the MEF-CECP exam?

A. Please allow 4-5 business days after your exam to process the exam results and the MEF will notify you by email of your results. The MEF will then mail you a MEF-CECP certificate if you have passed the exam.

Q. What happens if I need to postpone the exam date after registration and payment of the MEF-CECP exam fees?

A. The MEF will allow you to reschedule the test date for up to 90 days from the initial registration date.

Q. In what languages can I take the MEF-CECP exam?

A. Currently the MEF-CECP exam is offered only in English.

Q. What is the passing score for the MEF-CECP exam?

A. The passing score is determined by the MEF's test development partner based on psychometric analytical techniques recognized by the industry for this type of exam.

Q. If I get a PASS, what will happen?

A. Successful candidates will be automatically listed on the on-line Directory of MEF Certified Professionals posted on the widely visited http://www.ethernetacademy.net/index.php/MEF-Certified-Professionals.html website. Certification is awarded to individuals that successfully pass MEF administered tests developed by distinguished leaders and experts in the Carrier Ethernet industry.

Q. How often can I take/retake the MEF-CECP exam?

A. If a certification exam is not completed successfully on the first attempt, there is a 2-week waiting requirement before taking the test a second time. However, on subsequent attempts, candidates will not be permitted to take the same test more than twice in any given 60-day period.

Q. What are the technical per-requisites for the student?

A. A. We have not defined any technical pre-requisites for students. We assume that students will have experience in selling, marketing or implementing Carrier Ethernet services or technologies.