F5 BIG-IP LTM Specialist Certification Preparation (Exams 301a and 301b)
This prep targets the two exams leading to the F5 Certified Technology Specialist, BIG-IP LTM title: 301a (architect, set up and deploy) and 301b (maintain and troubleshoot). We start from the skills F5 lists for each exam, tie them to lab scenarios and practice the kind of situational analysis the questions call for. It is aimed at engineers who already know LTM and want a structured revision plan. Each session mixes focused refreshers, hands-on work in a BIG-IP lab and discussed practice questions, so you learn not only what to configure but why one option fits a given situation better than another. The format and length are adapted to your starting level after a short assessment.
Choose an LTM deployment model that fits an application's requirements
Design scalable, highly available configurations
Select load balancing, persistence and SNAT usage to suit the context
Build application-specific monitors
Keep a production system healthy: statistics, backups, upgrades
Troubleshoot methodically with captures, logs and object status
Program
301a — Designing the deployment
Turning application requirements into LTM configuration
Topologies, high availability and scaling
301a — Setting up and deploying
Virtual servers, pools, profiles and persistence
Application monitors and SNATs
iRules and local traffic policies in a deployment
301b — Maintaining
Reading statistics and object status
Backups, upgrades and HA synchronization
301b — Troubleshooting
tcpdump captures and flow analysis
Logs, QKView and diagnosing persistence or SNAT issues
Case studies and practice questions
Prerequisites
Command of the Configuring BIG-IP LTM content or equivalent production experience
Solid TCP/IP, HTTP and SSL/TLS knowledge
Holding, or working toward, the F5-CA, BIG-IP certification
Target audience
Network and application engineers running BIG-IP LTM
F5-CA holders moving up to specialist level
Candidates planning to go on to the F5-CSE expert titles
Teams that want several engineers certified on a shared schedule
The exam
The F5-CTS, BIG-IP LTM title is earned with two exams. 301a (Architect, Setup, and Deploy) comes first and unlocks 301b (Maintain and Troubleshoot). Each lasts 90 minutes, costs US$180, is taken in English at a proctored Pearson VUE center and requires a score of 245. F5 sells a practice test through Certiverse. After a failed attempt, growing waiting periods apply, starting at 15 days. The LTM title is itself required for expert exams 401 and 402, and F5 certifications are valid for two years.
Preparation tips
Download each exam blueprint and rate yourself objective by objective
For 301b, break your lab on purpose and then fix it
Take F5's practice test to get used to the question style
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Can I take 301b before 301a?
No, F5 lists 301a as a prerequisite for 301b.
How much does the LTM Specialist certification cost?
US$180 per exam, so US$360 for both, excluding any retakes and the optional practice test.
Is the 301 exam about network security?
No. 301 covers BIG-IP LTM (local traffic). Application security is exam 303, and security expertise is exam 401.
Should I take Configuring BIG-IP LTM first?
It is the course F5 recommends for these exams. Without solid hands-on LTM experience, we suggest starting there and following up with this prep a few weeks later.
What language are the exams in?
English. Our prep can run in French or English, live online, in Casablanca or on-site at your organization.