Brain Dump - in Certification Exams

In Certification Exams

The phrase "brain dump" refers to confidential information relating to examinations which is obtained by examinees who memorize, then "dump" (record) the information after the examination. Brain dumps are also referenced to collections of exam items that have been stolen from high-stakes certification exams. Brain dumps are most commonly found amongst IT certification exams mainly because the exams are expensive and difficult to pass, and the questions rarely change. These type of brain dumps are actual exam questions and answers that users will memorize prior to taking (or sitting for) an exam...

Brain dumps of this sort often constitute cheating because the information acquired was generally taken from material that was meant to remain secure, or information copyrighted or registered as trade secrets. Many of the larger corporations, such as Microsoft, have recently begun fighting back against the companies that mass-produce brain dumps. Some of the companies producing these brain dumps are up front about the nature of their products while others do not indicate that their test exams are actual exam questions. Because of this, IT certification test takers have to be wary of which exam preparation materials they use.