Hi Tujec,

Many years ago, I did pass the LPIC-1 required exams and got certified… More recently, I wanted to eventually achieve the LPIC-2 Linux Engineer certification…

LPIC-1#

So restarting that LPI journey, I first needed to tackle the LPIC-1 certification again (the LPI certs are valid for 5 years), this one is somewhat straight forward if you’re administering Linux daily. You’ll find the LPIC-1 certification overview here: https://www.lpi.org/our-certifications/lpic-1-overview/

There are plenty of free resources online (which I won’t detail here) and below are a few paid resources that I’ve used/assessed as being the best for my 2025 re-certification attempt at LPIC-1:

Udemy available curricula (you’d find plenty, I went for those – from Don Pezet@ACI Learning – a great teacher on the subject in my own opinion)

https://www.udemy.com/course/lpic-1-linux-administrator-101-500/
https://www.udemy.com/course/lpic-1-linux-administrator-102-500/

These are downloadable versions from Don Pezet@ACI Learning (same as the Udemy above although downloadable):

https://www.packtpub.com/en-ch/product/lpic-1-linux-administrator-101-500-9781835885406
https://www.packtpub.com/en-ch/product/lpic-1-linux-administrator-102-500-9781801078047

I did buy as well that exam simulation package, which was very good to assess my knowledge and weak areas:

https://www.udemy.com/course/lpic1-linux-certification-101-and-102-practice-exams/

LPIC-2#

Once I’ve cleared my LPIC-1 re-certification, I could move on my initial goal of getting the LPIC-2 Linux Engineer certification. You’ll find the LPIC-2 certification overview here: https://www.lpi.org/our-certifications/lpic-2-overview/

A summary of what I’ve found out there as being the best resources for me (subjective of course):

Free contents:#

https://lpic2book.github.io/src/
https://lpic2book.github.io/src/pdf/lpic2book.pdf

https://github.com/marcossilvestrini/learning-lpic-2-201-450
https://github.com/marcossilvestrini/learning-lpic-2-202-450

https://borosan.gitbook.io/lpic2-exam-guide

Udemy curricula aimed for LPIC-2 (again by the great Don Pezet@ACI Learning):
https://www.udemy.com/course/lpic-2-linux-engineer-201-450/
https://www.udemy.com/course/lpic-2-linux-engineer-202-450/

These below are the exact same contents as the Udemy curricula linked above, although served as straight downloads (I prefer that):
https://www.packtpub.com/en-ch/product/lpic-2-linux-engineer-201-450-9781835467503
https://www.packtpub.com/en-ch/product/lpic-2-linux-engineer-202-450-9781835889046

I cannot recall the exact deal reason but I could grab the Packt Publishing trainings (LPIC-1 & LPIC-2) for a real bargain, 4.99 each instead of 187.99… That’s a deal!! Hence, check from time to time on the Packt Publishing web site for offers, they host sometimes some very interesting deals.

In terms of exam preparations, I went for that bundle at Edusum:
https://www.edusum.com/lpi/201-450-linux-engineer-201
https://www.edusum.com/lpi/202-450-linux-engineer-202

These were pretty good and above my expectations to be honest – despite their website looking a bit odd/old..

Finally, there is a dedicated book around the LPIC-2 certification, which is kinda showing its age (it’s from 2016) although it’s been a very welcome reference and I’d still recommend it: LPIC-2: Linux Professional Institute Certification Study Guide: Exam 201 and Exam 202, 2nd Edition

LPIC-2 studies planning and timing#

Overall I tackled both the required LPIC-1 & LPIC-2 exams within 4 months, I’ve studied whenever I could and organized myself with all the videos contents available on an internal website (so wherever I’ve been I could study if time permitted). I’ve also gathered all the github contents listed above and re-created all these docs using the MKDocs format and hosted all of them on the same internal website. That’s been handy.

I didn’t actually setup any study labs as such, I’m literally surrounded by Linux/BSD’s etc which are all available within my daily playground. Hence if I’d wanted to test/verify anything I’ve had everything at hands already. Still, I’d encourage students with less daily Linux expositions to actually yes; setup their own study labs.

LPIC-2 exams#

Onto the LPIC-2 exams themselves, I thought that the 201-450 was a little harder than the 202-450 exam. Overall, there is a lot of materials covered within both these exams and having all of the required knowledge in mind at all times is typically close to impossible. I.E: I’ve had a hard time on the Topic 211: E-Mail Services objectives, email not being something I’m dealing with on a daily basis but very seldomly…

Overall, I’m very happy with my journey and I’ve learned a lot of new things. I also believe these exams to be simply fair; either you know the answer or you don’t. I would add here that the questions I’ve been exposed to within my 201/202 exams attempts were straight forward and I never had the impression that the question in itself was trying to trick me – Mind you, I’ve seated other exams where this feeling was ongoing from the 1st to the last question, using triple negations and the likes – I hate such behaviors and aside of testing your grammatical knowledge, it’s close to useless and just helps at shedding somewhat of a weird/bad taste around the given certification, I’ve been very glad that this isn’t the case with LPI exams.

I did took these exams using OnVue from PearsonVue, my overall experience was nice. Excepted that well, ironically, you need a Windows box. Also, with one version (seems to change super often) of the OnVue software you need to run, I couldn’t clear the Network tests prior to taking the exam. If that happens, create a new user on your Windows system (did an admin one) and re-test with a “clean” profile.. That worked (after way too much time spent troubleshooting that).

Finally, I would hope for a 3rd edition of the LPIC-2: Linux Professional Institute Certification Study Guide: Exam 201 and Exam 202, 2nd Edition book, as I think this would be very welcome indeed.

Have fun if you onboarded the LPIC-1/LPIC-2 journey, it’s been cool and rewarding for me.
Cheers,
Obuno