Free Retake of Cisco Exams
Posted by Aragoen Celtdra on January 28th, 2009
Caveat lector: Some information I share herein are findings from my own research and are not found in any documented sources where it can be confirmed or supported. Often times my findings had conflicting results and however you choose to act based on the information I provide should be taken with extreme care. In other words, I don’t know what the hell I’m talking about and if you find out that I was wrong and you still chose to take what I said as reputable fact, then you clearly overestimated my intelligence.
So I spoke with 3 different Pearson/Vue people and the verdict is in: 2-1 in favor of “yes”, you can take advantage of the Come Back 2009 promotion (very similar to the secondchance promotion from a while back) even if you are not re-certifying:
Here’s the official announcement from Pearson/Vue website:
“Come Back 2009” Promotion
Here’s how to redeem your Cisco “Come Back 2009” Exam:
Register for an exam at full price. If you fail the exam, you may schedule a free retake of the same exam by entering the promotion code: COMEBACK2009 at the time of registration.
Offer only valid for Career Certifications and Specialization Exams (not valid on online exams or the CCDE Practical Exam – 352-011). NOTE: All exams needed for a certification must be taken to gain back your certification.
Now earlier I had conflicting answers from Pearson about whether or not a testee examinee can take advantage of the promotion even though it is their first time taking the test (for it says in the announcement: All exams needed for a certification must be taken to gain back your certification). The first person I spoke with this morning said, no, you can’t. It is only for those who have their certs lapse or in danger of lapsing. But he wasn’t really sure of the details so he told me to call Cisco and gave me the number. I then called Cisco only to hear that she (the “supposedly” Cisco person I spoke with) has never heard of such a promotion and the only promotion they have is for Cisco employees. She then told me that it is a Pearson Vue promotion and that I should ask them.
So, not wanting to be left in the dark, I called Pearson again (about an hour later) and spoke with another. This person says that, “Cisco ‘prefers’ that only those who have let their certs lapse should use the promotion”. But, anyone should be able to use it regardless of their standing. So now I have two conflicting versions.
I thought I’d wait again a few more hours and call - for a tie-breaker. This time, the nice gal confirmed that I “should” be able to use it too.
“Should” be? Why not “definitely” be?
Whatever!
I guess the only way to find out is if you fail a test and try it. Just don’t shoot the messenger if it doesn’t work. I’m just telling you what I heard from the people the “supposedly” work at Pearson Vue.
As for me, I dont really care if I fail or pass – well obviously I care that I pass. But the truth is, I’m more concerened about the fees. If I can re-take any exam, then failing the test is not much of a big deal for me. Failing will just show me where I need to improve. I read somewhere that success is when all failures have been exhausted. So secretly, I’m hoping to fail. Just kidding.
But I’m glad this one is back. Now I’m ready to fail a test just to try out the promotion. Just kidding again.
Somehow, there still a lingering feeling of uncertainty. Do you?
January 28th, 2009 at 7:41 pm
Vue has no records of your certifications and what tests you may or may not need, so I don’ t know how this would be enforced. Only Cisco and their certification partner have this info, and somehow I doubt that Cisco knows of the promos/method of payment.
January 29th, 2009 at 8:44 am
[...] Free Retakes On Cisco Exams Filed under: Cisco, Cisco Certification — cciepursuit @ 7:00 am Tags: CCIE, CCIE Written Exam, Certification, Cisco, Cisco Certification, Pearson VUE, VUE UPDATE: Well……you might be able to use this promotion to take an exam that is not part of regaining an expired recertification. See details here: http://routemyworld.com/2009/01/28/free-retake-of-cisco-exams/ [...]
January 29th, 2009 at 5:01 pm
The promotion code worked for me. Thanks!!!
January 29th, 2009 at 7:55 pm
Thanks for confirming, Brent! That puts more ease on my mind when I take my exam.
@JasonS: I actually asked the rep how Pearson/Vue would know about the certs and she spoke with her supervisor (supposedly) and came back to say that they know it through Cisco. I didn’t dig much further and took her word for it.
February 22nd, 2009 at 5:20 pm
It would be extremely helpdul if someone could actually confirm that they applied this promo code for a free retake AND was not previously certified. Meaning they did not have an expired cert, but had no cert to begin with and used this code. I currently have my CCENT and would love a second shot if I choke on the ICND2.
February 28th, 2009 at 9:37 am
“It would be extremely helpdul if someone could actually confirm that they applied this promo code for a free retake AND was not previously certified”
I can confirm that it works. I failed an exam for a cert I did not already have on Wednesday. Today I used the promo code and I now have a free retake scheduled.
March 2nd, 2009 at 4:18 am
Can anyone confirm if it’s possible to use this or any other promo code for a no-show? Reason being, I missed a test because one of my kids was ill. I tried to re-schedule using comeback2009 but I was knocked back since a no-show is not strictly recorded as a fail.
March 3rd, 2009 at 7:45 am
@Michael: Sorry to hear you missed your exam. I hope your kid is doing better. However, I have a feeling that you are right about not being able to use the promotion. Just by the fact that they usually will not refund your money for missing it, I don’t think Pearson will let you use the promotion either. The best chance you have is calling them directly. Or hopefully someone can post their experience about being able to use it successfully after missing their test date. Good luck.
@Brandon: I’m sorry, too, to hear you failed the exam. Thanks for sharing your experience and confirmation. I left you an email with some questions about it.
March 17th, 2009 at 1:17 am
Hi, just want to asked how can I avail this promo. I coordinate with the Pearson Vue personnel and and she told me that I should coordinate with the Cisco and wait for their email first before I can take the examination. Please help me how I can use this code and what should I do.
Thanks,
March 18th, 2009 at 1:32 pm
@Rene: Have you already taken the test and failed it? From the people I’ve spoken with (those who have failed and rescheduled the exam), they are not able to take advantage of the promo by calling in and verbally mentioning the promo code. You have to re-schedule on the online web page and as you go through the scheduling process, there will be a page towards the end where you can enter a promo code. Just put in “comeback2009″ and it should show the total of $0 at the end of the registration.
I’m still not 100% sure it works but I HTH.
April 1st, 2009 at 4:04 pm
Aragoen,
Yesterday, I did my BSCI exam, and i got 788, the pass grade is 790, so Imagine how i felt.
Thanks very very very very much.
I was about to spend again the 150$, when a friend of my told me about the possibility of retake the exam, you saved me money and gave me a big smile bro!! thanks!!!
April 16th, 2009 at 5:55 pm
@JasonS: Umm… considering Vue is the only testing center authorized to conduct Cisco tests, it seems to me that they would know whether or not you had taken the exam before, not only because they have a partnership with Cisco, but because they keep their own records as well. Of course, that doesn’t apply to stuff like the CCIE exams, but you can’t take those at VUE anyway, so it’s not like you’d be getting a discount from them.
And yes, I did use this promotion, and it worked! I was so happy!
June 16th, 2009 at 3:00 am
to evry1,
hey guys… i’ve used this comeback2009 the 3rdtime also.. it worked for me…:)
June 16th, 2009 at 10:00 am
@JBE & Arun: Thanks for the confirmation guys!
July 2nd, 2009 at 11:40 am
yes, i used this just now.. and have used the older code in the past, earlier this year, when i didn’t pass my test. it works
September 11th, 2009 at 5:54 pm
I tried to us the COMEBACK2009 promotion and it didn’t work. I was told by a friend that the code expired on July 30th of this year. Is this true ? If so where can you find the new promotion code on line
November 17th, 2009 at 5:50 pm
i wasn’t able to use the code also. according to my reseach, the promotion code expired somewhere in july 2009. does anyone know of a new code or one that works after july? thanks
November 18th, 2009 at 9:03 am
@WYE: Yeah, the code has been expired for a while now. I’m actually waiting for another promotion as Cisco or Vue seems to have one every year. However, I’m not sure that it is a a rule that they have the similar promotion every year. The only thing you can really count on is your preparation and readiness. If the promotion is offered again then it’s just an added bonus.