becoming an ACE in Illustrator

[jan]

Hi All,

I work as graphic designer for a textile company based in Prague, Czech Republic and I’ve been using Illustrator for about four years (self-taught). For a while now I’ve been pondering the idea of getting an ACE in Illustrator CS, I looked up all the info on the adobe site but it doesn’t provide simple directions, so I figured the best place to ask is the wonderful Illustratortechniques forum (of which I’m a paying subscriber thanks to my employer).

So here goes:
Is there a way I can take the test online? (I seem to remember people getting their certification this way in the past, maybe I’m wrong)

If not online what certification procedure would you recommend (remember I’m based in Prague)?

Any info on prerequisite study materials would be very helpful.

Any sort of advice as to becoming ACE in Illustrator

Thank you
Ps. Sending out positive karma to any replies

[Scott Weichert]

Hi Jan,

I'm really not certain about Prague. In the US, there is no online testing for initial certification. It must be done at a testing center. Recertification (for upgrades) can be done online. You'll have to do some research on testing centers close to you -- probably by calling Adobe and going through the rounds trying to find someone who has ACE information for Prague (often the phone support knows little or nothing about ACE stuff). To be honest, I don't even know if certification is offered outside North America.

Good luck, I hope you can find some.

As for testing aides, I think Exam Aids (http://www.examaids.com/progs_ai.html) are helpful. If you're familiar with all the tools and what they do, the Exam Aid will help you get used the style of questioning, which is really the hardest part. The questions aren't necessarily worded in a manner that's easily comprehended.

If you aren't familiar with all the tools, or just want a refresher in some of them, the Classroom in a Book is a great tool to just review those areas of AI you may not be overly familiar with.

The test was fairly easy when I took it. Just be certain to read every question thoroughly before answering. Some questions take reading 3 or 4 times before it's clear what they are asking. Oddest worded test I've ever taken.

[jan]

Hey Scott,

Thanks for the promp reply, I tried the link you provided but it seems to be broken any chance you could repost that for me (I'm desperate for anything that can help it's pain in the ass just getting english study materials in the Czech Republic)

once again thanks

[davecross]

Jan
There are testing centers around the world.
Go to http://www.adobe.com/support/certification/ace_certify.html and you'll find a link to the 2 testing companies where you can search worldwide.

Good luck!
Dave

[TORCH511]

Is there really a benefit to getting your ACE?

An old employer had me get it (and paid for it) for Photoshop, this was when v7 had just come out. Other than him being able to say that he had an ACE on staff, it never did anything for me.

My company is in the process of being sold, I think once it is and capital $$$ becomes available again I will push my boss for it just for the fun of it.

I do not remember much of the photoshop test other than a.) I did not study and still passed with flying colors and b.) they asked the simplest questions in the most amazingly difficult manner. READ THE QUESTIONS. (I was kind hoping they had changed that but apparently not so)

And, if you really want to take a test that has messed up questions, go take any baseball Umpire certification test. The rules are written bad enough, the tests are written even worse.

[jan]

great replies,

I did some research and found out that I can get certified in Prague by a 3rd party company that is somehow connected with Adobe (we'll see how that transpires)

still looking for any helpful info

thx

[FreeTransform]

Fixed link. (http://www.examaids.com/progs_ai.html)

[Scott Weichert]

Thanks Cheryl. I fixed the link above as well.

Good luck Jan!

Torch, I'm not certain there is a whole lot of benefit if you are working for someone else (other than their bragging rights as you posted). As a freelancer, it does give you a little added security for clients. Just a special something that lets them know you may actually know the stuff you say you know :)

[micke]

Now that CS3 is out, when will the test for CS2 be ended? I don't have CS3 yet and may not until the end of the summer.

Scott, I was going to ask you how to get the Exam Aids, but realized you have a link.

Thanks for getting this discussion going again. Torch, your question "Is there really a benefit to getting your ACE?" interested me. About 5 weeks ago I had a 1 to 1 meeting with the Dept Chair (who is also a senior computer graphics teacher) and mentioned that I was thinking about taking the ACE test. She just gave me a funny look and asked, "Why." Kinda turned me off to the idea, but I'm still interested in doing it. I think for a teacher it might be good. Not that the current chair will be impressed:rolleyes:

micke

[TORCH511]

When will the CS2 test end? Probably not for a while since I saw the CS test still being offered.

Never when applying for a job have I ever been asked about ACE, though I do add it down the bottom under skills/certifications. Nor when I was in a hiring position at my last job, did I ever look for it (BTW, any resume that had Internet Explorer listed as a 'skill' went immediately in the trash).

Even though there is proabably zero benefit to me taking the test, I most likely will in a few months when the sale goes through, if only to get out of here for the day. I am a cheap employee, I ask for little in the way of software/hardware/training so they can afford to do this just for fun.

I will be doing the companies new logo and new website as contract work anyway once it does so we will throw it in under those terms.