Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the CVE program?

A: The CVE program is a curriculum that is designed to educate and to inform individuals on the anatomy of video conferencing; systems, standards, networks, and all concepts involved in conference room layout, including the use of acoustics and video in a company setting. After engaging in this course of study, individuals who pass the CVE examination will possess the core competencies and skills necessary to create the best conferencing solutions. This skill set empowers the CVE to deliver the best level of service to their customers.

Q: What are some of the benefits of becoming a CVE?

A: There are numerous benefits involved with attaining CVE status. These benefits can enhance the worth not only of the individual to the company, but of the company to the customer as well. The CVE credential can serve to leverage additional business, lower training costs, improve customer satisfaction, and increase the effectiveness of the customer/vendor relationship. In terms of personal gain from CVE status, there is recognized proof of professional achievement, enhanced job opportunities, and increased job confidence.

Q: Who is this program designed for?

A: The course is directed toward all professionals involved in the service and design cycle. This includes (but is not limited to) technicians, engineers, training professionals, sales staff, and others who interact with customers and video conferencing arrangements.

Q: How will we know if certification actually fixed or improved anything?

A: Polycom conducts monthly surveys through independent research firms. These surveys track topics such as overall customer satisfaction, the ability to diagnose software problems, and satisfaction with call length when calling our support center. Prior results (pre-CVE) were compared against on-going results (post-CVE) to demonstrate the positive impact of the implementation of this program and the increased knowledge level of video conferencing service professionals.

Q: How do I become certified?

A: You must pass only one test in order to become certified. The CVE core exam is broken into four areas of concentration: audio, video, networking, and standards. The length of the exam is eighty (80) minutes.

Q: What training classes, or study materials, are available to help me to prepare for the exam?

A: Polycom offers a five-day CVE Core Training Curriculum course covering all areas of the CVE core exam. This course is available for only $2,250.00, and includes a voucher for those who plan on taking the exam administered by Prometric. The course is available in Andover, Massachusetts, various US locations, Australia, and Singapore. For information on this course, please call 978-292-5335 (within the US) or call toll free 1-800-POLYCOM and select the option to be directed to the Polycom Learning Center. Selected recommended readings are highlighted in the "How to Prepare" section of the CVE Program tab on this web site. The candidate may choose to study independently and use this information as a guide.

Q: What is the basic foundation of the exam?

A: The exam focuses on testing one's aptitude in regard to the technology of video conferencing systems (audio and video standards), worldwide conferencing standards, and telecommunications networking.

Q: How was the CVE core exam developed?

A: The Certified Videoconferencing Engineer core exam was developed with the cross-functional assistance of several individuals from Polycom. These participants were specifically chosen based on their extensive knowledge of video conferencing applications, ITU standards networks, and the underlying technology. These experts aided in the creation of the test content and identified the professional knowledge to be covered by the examination. This process was guided by psychometricians at Thomson Prometric.

Q: Who administers the test?

A: Polycom does not conduct any of the testing involved in the certification process. The certification testing for the program is administered by Prometric. global leader in secure computer-based testing services for information technology in the areas of industry certification, academic assessment, and professional licensure. Prometric is part of the Thomson Corporation. The CVE Exam is available at over 4,200 Authorized Prometric Testing Centers (APTCs) worldwide. Prometric has presence in over 141 countries. Site locations and contact information can be obtained from Prometric's web site http://www.2test.com.

Q: How do I register for the exam?

A: On-line registration is available on Prometric's web site at www.2test.com. Simply select Information Technology Certifications as the area of certification and create login. In North America candidates can call 1-888-CVE-5452 (1-888-283-5452). Outside North America, candidates should use the Prometric Testing Center Locator, on the Prometric web site, to find the nearest testing center.

Q: What is the cost of the exam?

A: The CVE core exam fee is $250.00 ($US). Vouchers worth the entire cost of the exam will be given to those who have attended and successfully completed the course that is taught at one of Polycom's offices.

Q: When will I find out whether I passed or failed?

A: Your pass/fail status will be displayed on the monitor of the computer terminal immediately after completing the exam. A hard-copy exam analysis will be printed that details how well you performed in each content area, displaying the number of questions per content area and the percentage of questions you answered correctly.

Q: If I fail, or don't perform well in a specific content area, how will I know which course(s) to attend at Polycom?

A: An outline of recommended courses is listed on the bottom portion of the exam analysis that you receive immediately after completing the exam. If you pass the exam but score lower than you expected or would simply like to raise your grade, you may want to attend a course to help increase your knowledge level in that area. If you fail the exam and elect to re-take it, these course(s) will help to better prepare you.

Q: What will I receive after I pass the CVE exam?

A: After passing the exam, you will receive a personal identification card and a formal CVE Certificate of Accomplishment from Prometric. This will be delivered to the correspondence address you listed when registering to take the test. This fulfillment package will arrive thirty days after successfully completing the exam and is sent by Prometric.

Q: How long am I certified for, and does it expire?

A: Once the exam is passed, the CVE Certification is valid for two years after the date marked on the CVE ID card. After this two-year period, the certification will expire, and the individual must then retake the exam and pass it again to achieve CVE status again. This certification is not a lifetime achievement, as advances in the telecom industry yield new information and discoveries nearly every year.