Update notification for CertMaster Labs and CompTIA Labs

[Liz Wannemacher]

Hello CIN Members,

During a routine review, we identified the necessity to adjust lab duration times to eliminate the risk of fraud, and better meet the needs of our users. CompTIA takes modifications to our courseware and labs seriously, and we are always working to optimize the user experience while upholding the integrity of our learning content. Limiting the time for lab completion does reflect what students experience within the exam environment. Please note: students still retain the ability to relaunch labs as many times as they wish.

After analyzing the average time users needed to complete each lab, along with our experience of labs most likely to generate questions (i.e., Applied Labs), limits to lab durations were made ensuring 95 percent of users had the same amount of time allocated for completion.

For example:

• If a lab was originally designated to take 30 minutes to complete and the average completion rate was 40 minutes, we raised the duration to 60 minutes.
• Each lab allows a 50% extension rate, so here the extension would be 30 minutes.
• Added together, this would equate to a total access period of 90 minutes.

Once the user reaches the lab duration + extension time it will cancel, and no score will be recorded so plan accordingly. This change will provide a timed experience that helps students prepare for the timed certification exam.

Labs are designed to be completed:

• 15-30 minutes for Assisted Labs
• 30-45 minutes for Applied Labs

CompTIA will continue to monitor the average duration of labs and adjust as needed.

Our Customer Service and Success Teams are always standing by, ready to address any instructor or student concerns. If you have additional questions, please contact https://help.comptia.org/.

Please reach out to us if you have questions.

Best,
Liz

 

[Jarrel]

Most of my students use the extension time, particularly for the labs for the latter chapters in Security+, Linux+ and Server+.

The labs in early chapters are okay.

 

[Innocent V. Mulula]

Hello CIN Members,

During a routine review, we identified the necessity to adjust lab duration times to eliminate the risk of fraud, and better meet the needs of our users. CompTIA takes modifications to our courseware and labs seriously, and we are always working to optimize the user experience while upholding the integrity of our learning content. Limiting the time for lab completion does reflect what students experience within the exam environment. Please note: students still retain the ability to relaunch labs as many times as they wish.

After analyzing the average time users needed to complete each lab, along with our experience of labs most likely to generate questions (i.e., Applied Labs), limits to lab durations were made ensuring 95 percent of users had the same amount of time allocated for completion.

For example:

• If a lab was originally designated to take 30 minutes to complete and the average completion rate was 40 minutes, we raised the duration to 60 minutes.
• Each lab allows a 50% extension rate, so here the extension would be 30 minutes.
• Added together, this would equate to a total access period of 90 minutes.

Once the user reaches the lab duration + extension time it will cancel, and no score will be recorded so plan accordingly. This change will provide a timed experience that helps students prepare for the timed certification exam.

Labs are designed to be completed:

• 15-30 minutes for Assisted Labs
• 30-45 minutes for Applied Labs

CompTIA will continue to monitor the average duration of labs and adjust as needed.

Our Customer Service and Success Teams are always standing by, ready to address any instructor or student concerns. If you have additional questions, please contact https://help.comptia.org/.

Please reach out to us if you have questions.

Best,
Liz

Thanks @Liz Wannemacher

 

[Patrick Asamago]

Hello CIN Members,

During a routine review, we identified the necessity to adjust lab duration times to eliminate the risk of fraud, and better meet the needs of our users. CompTIA takes modifications to our courseware and labs seriously, and we are always working to optimize the user experience while upholding the integrity of our learning content. Limiting the time for lab completion does reflect what students experience within the exam environment. Please note: students still retain the ability to relaunch labs as many times as they wish.

After analyzing the average time users needed to complete each lab, along with our experience of labs most likely to generate questions (i.e., Applied Labs), limits to lab durations were made ensuring 95 percent of users had the same amount of time allocated for completion.

For example:

• If a lab was originally designated to take 30 minutes to complete and the average completion rate was 40 minutes, we raised the duration to 60 minutes.
• Each lab allows a 50% extension rate, so here the extension would be 30 minutes.
• Added together, this would equate to a total access period of 90 minutes.

Once the user reaches the lab duration + extension time it will cancel, and no score will be recorded so plan accordingly. This change will provide a timed experience that helps students prepare for the timed certification exam.

Labs are designed to be completed:

• 15-30 minutes for Assisted Labs
• 30-45 minutes for Applied Labs

CompTIA will continue to monitor the average duration of labs and adjust as needed.

Our Customer Service and Success Teams are always standing by, ready to address any instructor or student concerns. If you have additional questions, please contact https://help.comptia.org/.

Please reach out to us if you have questions.

Best,
Liz

Thank you Liz

 

[NATUNA]

Hello CIN Members,

During a routine review, we identified the necessity to adjust lab duration times to eliminate the risk of fraud, and better meet the needs of our users. CompTIA takes modifications to our courseware and labs seriously, and we are always working to optimize the user experience while upholding the integrity of our learning content. Limiting the time for lab completion does reflect what students experience within the exam environment. Please note: students still retain the ability to relaunch labs as many times as they wish.

After analyzing the average time users needed to complete each lab, along with our experience of labs most likely to generate questions (i.e., Applied Labs), limits to lab durations were made ensuring 95 percent of users had the same amount of time allocated for completion.

For example:

• If a lab was originally designated to take 30 minutes to complete and the average completion rate was 40 minutes, we raised the duration to 60 minutes.
• Each lab allows a 50% extension rate, so here the extension would be 30 minutes.
• Added together, this would equate to a total access period of 90 minutes.

Once the user reaches the lab duration + extension time it will cancel, and no score will be recorded so plan accordingly. This change will provide a timed experience that helps students prepare for the timed certification exam.

Labs are designed to be completed:

• 15-30 minutes for Assisted Labs
• 30-45 minutes for Applied Labs

CompTIA will continue to monitor the average duration of labs and adjust as needed.

Our Customer Service and Success Teams are always standing by, ready to address any instructor or student concerns. If you have additional questions, please contact https://help.comptia.org/.

Please reach out to us if you have questions.

Best,
Liz

Hi Liz,
Could Instructor monitor the average time for each student?

 

[Fanuel]

Hello CIN Members,

During a routine review, we identified the necessity to adjust lab duration times to eliminate the risk of fraud, and better meet the needs of our users. CompTIA takes modifications to our courseware and labs seriously, and we are always working to optimize the user experience while upholding the integrity of our learning content. Limiting the time for lab completion does reflect what students experience within the exam environment. Please note: students still retain the ability to relaunch labs as many times as they wish.

After analyzing the average time users needed to complete each lab, along with our experience of labs most likely to generate questions (i.e., Applied Labs), limits to lab durations were made ensuring 95 percent of users had the same amount of time allocated for completion.

For example:

• If a lab was originally designated to take 30 minutes to complete and the average completion rate was 40 minutes, we raised the duration to 60 minutes.
• Each lab allows a 50% extension rate, so here the extension would be 30 minutes.
• Added together, this would equate to a total access period of 90 minutes.

Once the user reaches the lab duration + extension time it will cancel, and no score will be recorded so plan accordingly. This change will provide a timed experience that helps students prepare for the timed certification exam.

Labs are designed to be completed:

• 15-30 minutes for Assisted Labs
• 30-45 minutes for Applied Labs

CompTIA will continue to monitor the average duration of labs and adjust as needed.

Our Customer Service and Success Teams are always standing by, ready to address any instructor or student concerns. If you have additional questions, please contact https://help.comptia.org/.

Please reach out to us if you have questions.

Best,
Liz

Well noted

 

[Edna Chimpeni]

Hello CIN Members,

During a routine review, we identified the necessity to adjust lab duration times to eliminate the risk of fraud, and better meet the needs of our users. CompTIA takes modifications to our courseware and labs seriously, and we are always working to optimize the user experience while upholding the integrity of our learning content. Limiting the time for lab completion does reflect what students experience within the exam environment. Please note: students still retain the ability to relaunch labs as many times as they wish.

After analyzing the average time users needed to complete each lab, along with our experience of labs most likely to generate questions (i.e., Applied Labs), limits to lab durations were made ensuring 95 percent of users had the same amount of time allocated for completion.

For example:

• If a lab was originally designated to take 30 minutes to complete and the average completion rate was 40 minutes, we raised the duration to 60 minutes.
• Each lab allows a 50% extension rate, so here the extension would be 30 minutes.
• Added together, this would equate to a total access period of 90 minutes.

Once the user reaches the lab duration + extension time it will cancel, and no score will be recorded so plan accordingly. This change will provide a timed experience that helps students prepare for the timed certification exam.

Labs are designed to be completed:

• 15-30 minutes for Assisted Labs
• 30-45 minutes for Applied Labs

CompTIA will continue to monitor the average duration of labs and adjust as needed.

Our Customer Service and Success Teams are always standing by, ready to address any instructor or student concerns. If you have additional questions, please contact https://help.comptia.org/.

Please reach out to us if you have questions.

Best,
Liz

Thank you Liz. This is not noted.

 

[Eduard Perez]

Thanks!

 

[Lee McWhorter]

Thanks for the update @Liz Wannemacher !

 

[Divyesh Sonani]

T

Hello CIN Members,

During a routine review, we identified the necessity to adjust lab duration times to eliminate the risk of fraud, and better meet the needs of our users. CompTIA takes modifications to our courseware and labs seriously, and we are always working to optimize the user experience while upholding the integrity of our learning content. Limiting the time for lab completion does reflect what students experience within the exam environment. Please note: students still retain the ability to relaunch labs as many times as they wish.

After analyzing the average time users needed to complete each lab, along with our experience of labs most likely to generate questions (i.e., Applied Labs), limits to lab durations were made ensuring 95 percent of users had the same amount of time allocated for completion.

For example:

• If a lab was originally designated to take 30 minutes to complete and the average completion rate was 40 minutes, we raised the duration to 60 minutes.
• Each lab allows a 50% extension rate, so here the extension would be 30 minutes.
• Added together, this would equate to a total access period of 90 minutes.

Once the user reaches the lab duration + extension time it will cancel, and no score will be recorded so plan accordingly. This change will provide a timed experience that helps students prepare for the timed certification exam.

Labs are designed to be completed:

• 15-30 minutes for Assisted Labs
• 30-45 minutes for Applied Labs

CompTIA will continue to monitor the average duration of labs and adjust as needed.

Our Customer Service and Success Teams are always standing by, ready to address any instructor or student concerns. If you have additional questions, please contact https://help.comptia.org/.

Please reach out to us if you have questions.

Best,
Liz

Thanks @Liz Wannemacher

 

[XValentine]

Hello CIN Members,

During a routine review, we identified the necessity to adjust lab duration times to eliminate the risk of fraud, and better meet the needs of our users. CompTIA takes modifications to our courseware and labs seriously, and we are always working to optimize the user experience while upholding the integrity of our learning content. Limiting the time for lab completion does reflect what students experience within the exam environment. Please note: students still retain the ability to relaunch labs as many times as they wish.

After analyzing the average time users needed to complete each lab, along with our experience of labs most likely to generate questions (i.e., Applied Labs), limits to lab durations were made ensuring 95 percent of users had the same amount of time allocated for completion.

For example:

• If a lab was originally designated to take 30 minutes to complete and the average completion rate was 40 minutes, we raised the duration to 60 minutes.
• Each lab allows a 50% extension rate, so here the extension would be 30 minutes.
• Added together, this would equate to a total access period of 90 minutes.

Once the user reaches the lab duration + extension time it will cancel, and no score will be recorded so plan accordingly. This change will provide a timed experience that helps students prepare for the timed certification exam.

Labs are designed to be completed:

• 15-30 minutes for Assisted Labs
• 30-45 minutes for Applied Labs

CompTIA will continue to monitor the average duration of labs and adjust as needed.

Our Customer Service and Success Teams are always standing by, ready to address any instructor or student concerns. If you have additional questions, please contact https://help.comptia.org/.

Please reach out to us if you have questions.

Best,
Liz

Thank @Liz Wannemacher !

 

[Raxit Ramani]

Thank @Liz Wannemacher !

Thanks for update @Liz Wannemacher

 

[Sukanya Suranauwarat]

Thanks.

 

[Jwehrle]

Hi Liz,
Could Instructor monitor the average time for each student?

Hi there, yes the Instructor can see how long it takes for a Student to complete a Lab, this will be available within the Reporting features within the Boost Dashboard. We also want to make sure to stress Best Practices and not step away from the Labs. Any other questions please let us know!