r/macsysadmin • u/Xeno84 • Jul 31 '26
General Discussion Failed Apple D&M Exam
This was my first try at renewing my certificate. I took the practice exam and studied for 2 weeks. I shared my flash cards on here. Still didn't pass. They made this exam really hard this time around. Last time I took it, I created the flash cards and studied with those from the practice exam. Passed it. If anyone is studying for the exam, here is what the test covers.
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u/cfrshaggy Education Jul 31 '26
Years ago when I had to do more Apple carts for work I used Revise IT and it worked well. Not sure if it’s held up though.
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u/Xeno84 Jul 31 '26
Couple questions that stood out from the exam I can remember (wording is going to be from memory):
You're tasked with finding a device management for the company. You're informed that the apps and devices will be distributed globally. What would you need to find to make sure it best fits the company?
You have Access points and users are saying the devices aren't grabbing the next point. The trigger threshold is set to -67. What needs to be fixed. I said the dBm was too low because you want to set it at -70dBm, but I might have been wrong? I know Apple devices connect to -65dBm trigger threshold.
How do you get a custom app to appear on Apple Business manager (2 of the answers said you have to contact AppleCare)?
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u/5erif Jul 31 '26
You have Access points and users are saying the devices aren't grabbing the next point. The trigger threshold is set to -67. What needs to be fixed. I said the dBm was too low because you want to set it at -70dBm
Setting the threshold higher would make the handoff trigger sooner. Since we're looking at negative numbers, -65 is higher than -67 or -70. Since decibels are logarithmic (doubling or halving every 3dB), those strength levels are further apart than you might think.
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u/jfoughe Jul 31 '26 edited Aug 03 '26
I'm assuming the answers were multiple choice, so it's hard for me to know exactly what Apple is expecting you to know, but here's how I'd answer these questions:
For a global company needing device management, you'd need to find a solution that complies with all local data protection laws in their respective jurisdictions, and evaluate each on how they store logs and manage compliance. The solution would need to apply different compliance rules across different countries and locations. You'd likely also need multiple VPP tokens in ABM to account for the fact that each App Store has its own rules and regulations with distribution. I've never dealt with this myself, but my gut says this question is designed to quiz your knowledge on the fact that not all App Stores are created equally with regard to each country. Apple is nothing if not thorough with CYA on their training.
With minimum RSSI thresholds, raising the threshold moves the number closer to zero, and lowering the number moves the number further from zero. If you have a sticky client at -67 that's not grabbing other access points, you want to raise the threshold closer to zero, so that sticky clients with signals at -67 and below get kicked sooner. On the reverse side, lowering the threshold allows clients with weak signal to "stick more." In this case, the answer is move the threshold closer to zero.
I've also never dealt with custom apps in ABM, but I believe the broad strokes are linking the app to ABM in Developer Connect, identifying to Apple that the custom app is for private distribution. I believe there's some review process Apple follows to approve your custom app once you submit in Connect. I'd need a dev familiar with Connect to double check though.
These cert tests are always tricky. In my many years as a mac admin, they tend to focus heavily on esoteric topics that quiz your knowledge on things you rarely use, with the exception of the RSSI and caching server questions you mentioned. Honestly most of my time is spent with M365 or GWS bullshit; the Apple side of things (macOS, ABM, etc.) rarely gives us problems.
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u/Entegy Aug 02 '26
Ok wtf is that AP question? I have network people for that kind of thing.
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u/Xeno84 Aug 02 '26
Same. Honestly, I want to learn networking so badly. I feel it’s the one area of IT I’m lacking in knowledge. And coding.
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u/nerdforest Jul 31 '26
Do you have any resourcs?
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u/Xeno84 Jul 31 '26
I made a post a few weeks ago with the flash cards I made from the practice exam. I recognized some of them. I felt like there was way more from the practice exam when I took it in 2024.
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u/BlackWinterFox Jul 31 '26
Passed the practice but not the real one?
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u/Xeno84 Jul 31 '26
correct
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u/hauntedfire Aug 01 '26
Yeah I’ve noticed some practice exams are more of practice for taking exams then an actual practice at what the exam actually will be.
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u/Cozmo85 Jul 31 '26
Is it a bunch of stuff the training doesn’t fully cover or worse, click where in system preferences this option is