Welcome to the FSR / CO Tech Certification Program!

Read this article to understand what you will be doing and how to navigate the online certification program.

You can print this document if you wish - in the Administration block, select Print this chapter.

Your program administrator at your company has provided you with the Enrollment Key, and has asked you to use this key to take the tests first.

Step 1:

Begin by creating a user account here at the Online School.  Follow the instructions provided  .

Step 2:

Once your account is verified, login and select the Network Certification Program from the course listings on the Home Page of the Online School:

You will be at the Certification Program page.

Read Carefully:

Contrary to all certification programs, this program requires you test first.

Prior to taking any of the classes, you must take the INSA Tests associated with the level you are attempting to certify.

Usually this INSA test set is comprised of 8 tests.  You should plan to spend at least 3 hours taking the tests.  You will be provided your score immediately upon completing each of the tests.  This score will be recorded as your official initial test score.

Testing first allows both you and us to baseline your knowledge level prior to certification.  

It is possible to pass the tests without taking any classes.  If you pass the INSA Tests or part of the INSA Tests for the appropriate level, you DO NOT need to take the course associated with that test.  

Successfully passing all the INSA tests associated with Packet and Wireless competencies in each of these tracks will earn the student a Certification.  Each area has more detail on content.

For any of the INSA tests that you do not pass, you must then take the appropriate NetSci course, and once that course is completed re-take that specific test.

The INSA Tests are easily found at the bottom of the main NetSci Page:

Step 3:

Selects the Network Fundamentals INSA test. 

You will be prompted for an enrollment key.  This is the enrollment key from your company administrator.

Enter the key, and settles in to take the 8 tests.  Plan to spend several hours accomplishing this.

Step 4:

Before you start, look at the FAQ's by clicking on the FAQ's link - you will be shown the following:

Step 6 - Starting the tests

Take the tests in order, beginning with INSA 01.

In the middle of the tests, if you want to take a break, logs off the system, take the break, and then comes back and log back in.  Re-select the NetSci Certification, then select the INSA Test for Level 1, and continue taking the tests.  The system has recorded everything you had accomplished up to that point.

At the completion of each test you will be provided with a score.  

In the end, notify your program administrator you are done, and they will follow up with you once the testing scores have been received.

Taking the NetSci Courses

Each level in the NetSci Certification tracks has a set of approximately 8 courses.  These courses cover the essential learning necessary to pass that portion of the certification test.

Once you have taken the INSA tests associated with the level you are attempting to certify in, as discussed above, you may test out of certain portions of the certification.  Whichever areas of the tests you did not pass, to attain Certification at that level, you must take the associated course, and then retake a test to pass in that area.

You will likely receive confirmation from your administrator at your company which courses you need to take, and you will likely receive the necessary enrollment keys for those courses.

Once you know what courses you need to take, you will enroll in each course, one at a time.  You have 30 days to complete the course.  Plan to spend approximately 4 hours of time on each course.

The courses are in a simple layout.  Each course is arranged in sections with section numbers.  The first section will always contain the following:

• A course introduction video
• A PDF download of a Student Guide
• A Class Forum

Course Videos

The course videos have the following features:

• You can pause, start, stop, rewind any video by using the on screen controls.  
• You can enlarge the video to full screen and back with on screen controls.
• Once in a course you can review and replay each of the videos as many times as you need.
• You can only watch the videos from the course, you cannot download them and watch them outside the course.

Student Guides

The Student Guides are all downloadable.  We recommend you save them to your system so you can edit and take notes on them.  If you do not know how to do this, we have provided a short tutorial.  Click on the Resources tab at the top of the screen, and select "How to take notes on our PDF's".

Class Forums

The class forums are a great place to share and exchange.  It is also a place to ask questions and read what questions have been asked by others.

Other Sections

After the common contents of Section 1, each course will differ slightly.  The sections which follow usually contain videos/lessons, with lab exercises.  Some have multiple lessons and/or multiple labs. 

Make sure you complete all videos and lab exercises.  Review exercises, and rewatch videos as needed.

Last Section

The last section of each course will have a conclusion video summarizing the key learning points followed by a test.

The test can only be taken once, and your score is your final score for that course.  This score will replace your INSA score and if you pass, count toward your certification.  You must pass all tests for all courses in each level to attain certification.

OK - ready??  Click Here to go back to the program!