What do you think of the new MCE Exam? Any test tips for those taking it at Summit?

[Robb_Barrett]

It's a mixture of both.  A Marketo Certified Expert is someone who not only knows Marketo but knows the Marketing Automation landscape. While the majority of the questions are within the walls of Marketo usage, there are questions that will test your overall knowledge of the job.

[Robb_Barrett · Accepted solution]

The new exam was geared towards creating a minimum level of competency for what would be considered a Marketo Certified Expert. The questions are fairly written (no "gotchas") by Marketo experts and Champions, scrutinized by Experts and Champions, and then weighted to make sure that the test would be achievable by someone who fellow experts would consider having mastered Marketo.

The test does not include questions around optional add-ons (i.e.: RCE, RTP, Calendar), nor does it include questions specific to other products such as SFDC or Dynamics.  It assumes that you know your way around an instance of "Vanilla" Marketo.

As mentioned in the announcement, the test assumes about 800-1000 hours of actual Marketo usage. Gone are the questions like "What does the button say" that rely on a photographic memory, the questions now show that you know broad level knowledge of Marketo along with intricate processes and how things work.

Every question asked is backed up by the official documentation. Just about every answer can be found in the Product Docs.

I'm happy to say that the review team really thought through these questions, really taking out the "gotcha's" and considering the level of stress that a test taking environment causes. The questions are clear, thorough, and the answers are easily identifiable to someone who should be considered an expert.

[Anonymous]

So glad to hear about the buttons! There were a few questions on the old test that would be obvious if I was sitting in front of my instance, but I wouldn't know the name of the buttons or areas by memory.

[Anonymous]

I was one of the last people to take the old exam (literally on February 26!), so I won't take the new test for a year. I'm interested in the specialization exams. Is there specific training for them?

It's too bad they're getting rid of the practice test. That was a good way to prepare and have an idea of what they were going to ask.

[Michelle_Miles3]

Yes, they have prep courses out for the specialization exams, for a fee. They're located here: Preparation 

[Anonymous]

That's great...the price is a little steep, though! And since there's no practice test, there's no way to gauge how well I'd do without the training class.

[Dan_Stevens_]

There are complimentary ($375 starting in August) prep courses, but unfortunately, they're all full: Training Catalog.  I wonder if they'll open up additional ones prior to Summit?

[Grégoire_Miche2]

HI Dan

1. These training hours are not convenient at all for European customers.
2. Have they checked that non english natives are at ease wit the questions? In the previous exam, some nuances between possible answers or in the way the questions were asked were a problem for us. I do not know of any European who has been a beta tester...

-Greg

[Dan_Stevens_]

Valid points, Greg.

[SydneyMulligan]

Hey Greg! I was on the calls to design the new test and it seemed like Marketo did make an effort to get some beta testers whose native language was not English. I hope you have a good experience with the new test and I am looking forward to hearing your feedback!