Patent ID: 7331791
Filing Date: 2008-02-19
Classification: G09B

Abstract:
1. A computer implemented method for evaluating a user's information technology skills by having the user complete an information technology examination including information technology exercises using one or more virtual machines, the method comprising the steps of: associating information technology (IT) exercises with one or more of a plurality of virtual machines; for each of the IT exercises, pre-configuring each of the one or more of the plurality of virtual machines with at least a set of virtual machine files, wherein the set of virtual machine files determines a virtual machine state and an operating system; for a selected IT exercise, launching the one or more of the plurality of virtual machines associated with the IT exercise in the virtual machine state and operating system, using the set of virtual machine files; displaying to the user, information that is associated with the IT exercise, wherein the information describes tasks that the user is instructed to complete for the IT exercise, and monitoring the tasks performed by the user on the set of virtual machine files of the one or more of the plurality of virtual machines, wherein the performed tasks place the one or more of the plurality of virtual machines into a new state; and comparing the new state with an expected new state for the IT exercise to evaluate how well the user performed the IT exercise.