Are you planning to attempt the Nutanix Certified Master – Multicloud Infrastructure (NCM-MCI) online? These tips may help you on exam day.
These tips may also be applicable to other PSI lab-based exams.
Preparing for the exam
- Read this post “Preparing for the Nutanix Certified Master – Multicloud Infrastructure 6.5 Exam”. The post below is an extension to it, focusing on the exam itself.
- Use “Test Drive” and the “Demo” in “My Nutanix” to practice. These are good options if you don’t have a lab, although having a lab is still better.
Logistics before the exam
- Use a large screen. With a UWQHD screen (3440 x 1440), i had documentation on the left, instructions in the middle, and the working area on the right. This setup saves time and reduce mistakes.
If you have a workstation, connect to only one screen.
If you have a Windows laptop, connect to an external screen and in the display settings, use “Show only on …” and select the large screen. - Have a mirror ready if you are using a laptop. Before allowing you into the exam, you will have to show your room with the webcam including under your keyboard. When using only the laptop’s integrated webcam, this is not possible. With the mirror, it is possible, even if it still challenging to get the right angle.
- Deactivate sleep mode in power settings. The test allows two toilet break. This setting ensures the laptop will not enter in sleep mode, which may impact the secure browser.
- Disable Windows updates. I do not know if it possible to cancel an automatic update while in the test secure browser. Better to be safe than sorry.
- Stable internet connection. It may be better to take the test from an office rather than from home.
- Consider taking the exam in a test center. If there are technical issues in a test center, I assume that a refund will be possible. I don’t think there will be such a refund when trying from home because the issue could be on the candidate’s side. Check with the test center if they have large screens.
During the exam
- Read carefully instructions on how to reconnect in case of disconnection. I didn’t do this, and unsurprisingly, I had a network issue 15 minutes before the end of the exam. I managed to log back in, but i don’t really know how i was trying many things. There was just one minute before the end and I just had time to click on “complete the exam” without finishing one question.
- Use tab and enter to accept Adobe EULA. I had an issue when launching Adobe in the lab. I could not see and click on the button to validate the Eula, hidden by a “bar” from the secure browser. By using tab and enter i was able to accept it without seeing it.
- Use the advanced search in Adobe reader. Check video linked in the blog referenced in first bullet point.
- Do not use Windows key + direction keys. It doesn’t work in the remote desktop and affects the secure browser instead.
Notes
These tips were tested the 28/04/2025 with a Windows 11 laptop and an external UWQHD screen.
It is not guaranteed that they will work with future PSI lab exam, but i assume they will.
These tips are shared as part of the Nutanix Expert Challenge, with more to come on various topics.
