Unfortunately, the NDA we agree to doesn't allow us to talk about the specific contents of the test. But here are a few matters that are public knowledge that might help you:

• There's nothing on recompiling the kernel, solving kernel panics or dealing with driver issues.
• The entire test is hands-on...meaning no multiple-choice questions, no essays. You need to be able to configure the system related to the topics set in the RHCE prep guide.
• If you go for an RHCE cert for RHEL 6, you have a 2.5-hour RHCSA section in the morning and a two-hour RHCE section in the afternoon.
• If you pass the RHCSA but not the RHCE, you get an RHSA. But if you just pass the RHCE section, you don't get any cert. (But if you come back and pass the RHCSA later, you get the full RHCE cert, without having to pass the RHEL 6 RHCSA again.)

Again, the RHCE and RHCSA prep guides cover the possible topics. Because the exam can change from week-to-week, it's possible that topics that aren't in the test one week could still be on it another week. In other words, the prep guides are still the best way to find out what might be on the exams.

-- Chris Negus
Red Hat GSS Customer Portal
RHCE, RHCX, RHCI, RHCVA

Phil, that's a really good point. Not only RHCE, but all of the RHCA-level certifications (clustering, virtualization, performance tuning, etc.) have prep guides available. They can help you self-study or make you realize that you really do need training in certain areas.

Because the non-disclosure agreements are so threatening ("tell about what's on the exam and you could lose your certification") many people shy away from the discussion altogether. But as long as we keep the focus on the prep guides and the technology they describe, not exam questions, there's a lot we can say. And I'm glad to do it (to the point where someone from certification yells at me ;-) ).

Here are links to prep guides to some of our other certifications:

• EX333 Red Hat Enterprise Security: Network Services Expertise Exam Prep Guide (https://www.redhat.com/certification/ex333/prep_guide/) 
• EX401 Red Hat Enterprise Deployment and Systems Management Expertise Exam (https://www.redhat.com/certification/ex401/prep_guide/)
• EX423 Red Hat Enterprise Directory Services and Authentication Expertise Exam (https://www.redhat.com/certification/ex423/prep_guide/)
• EX318 Red Hat Enterprise Virtualization Exam (https://www.redhat.com/courses/ex318_red_hat_enterprise_virtualization_exam/study_guide/)
• EX436 Red Hat Enterprise Clustering and Storage Management Expertise Exam (https://www.redhat.com/certification/ex436/prep_guide/)
• EX442 Red Hat Enterprise System Monitoring and Performance Tuning Expertise Exam (https://www.redhat.com/certification/ex442/prep_guide/)

To be designated a Red Hat Certified Architect (RHCA), you need to pass EX333, EX401, EX436, EX442 and also either EX318 or EX423.

-- Chris Negus
Red Hat GSS Customer Portal
RHCE, RHCX, RHCI, RHCVA

Good points Lina. In the Admin II class, you'll go much deeper into the command line than in Admin I. One of the good things about taking the training is that you can really focus on learning. I've often heard students say that they tried learning Linux on their own at work, but are constantly being diverted to work issues.

Taking the full three weeks (Admin I, II, and III) will get you everything you need to take the RHCE exam. Remember that the RHCE exam is a hands-on exam. I think the best way to prepare, if you are taking the classes, is to make sure that you can do all the hands-on labs in the class. If you can do all those (eventually not looking at the solutions), you have a good shot at passing the RHCE.