What’s new in Oracle Certification – Fall 2009

November 6, 2009 at 1:20 pm | In Oracle | Leave a Comment
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In a world where everybody claims to have the skill sets for a particular job, how do you distinguish yourself? By getting yourself certified. Oracle has rolled out the Oracle 11g Database Certified Associate credential.  You can get this certification by passing two exams. The first exam can be any one of the following three:

  • Introduction to Oracle9i SQL (1z0-007) This test has 52 questions and a duration of 120 minutes. You need to get at least 71% of the questions correct to achieve a passing score. The Exam price for this test is $95 instead of the normal $125. You can take this exam online instead of traveling to a testing center to take the test. However, this test covers the older Oracle9i version. This test will expire before other tests that you take to achieve any certification. In my opinion, you should test on the latest version.
  • Oracle Database SQL Expert (1z0-047). This test has 70 questions and a duration of 120 minutes. You need to get at least 66% of the questions correct to achieve a passing score. This test costs $125 and you must take this test at a Pearson Vue testing center.
  • Oracle Database 11g: SQL Fundamentals I (1z0-051) This test has 70 questions and a duration of 120 minutes. You need to get at least 60% of the questions correct to achieve a passing score. The cost of this test is $95 instead of $125. You can take this exam online instead of traveling to a testing center to take the test. I would suggest taking this test because it covers the latest version, Oracle Database 11g. The test can be taken at your convenience since you can take the test online. You do not have to take time off from work to travel to a test center. You can also save some money because the test is $95 instead of $125.

The second exam needed for certification is the Oracle Database 11g: Administration I (1z0-052). This test has 70 questions and has a duration of 120 minutes. You need to get at least 66% of the questions correct to achieve a passing score. The test costs $125 and you must take the test at a Pearson Vue testing center.

None of the above tests are easy. The best way to pass any of the above exams is to know what is on the exam. You can go to the Oracle Web site to find recommended training and prep materials and exam topics. You should go through each of the Exam Topics for each exam. Once you have mastered each exam topic, you should take a practice exam to find where you are deficient. I highly recommend Transcender’s Oracle certification practice tests.

You can also move up to the Oracle 11g Database Administrator Certified Professional once you have achieved your Associate credential. You must take an instructor-led Oracle approved training course either online or at a training center.  You can take any of the following classes to qualify:

  • Oracle Database 11g: Introduction to SQL
  • Oracle Database 11g: Introduction to SQL Ed 1 LVC
  • Oracle Database 11g: SQL Fundamentals I
  • Oracle Database 11g: SQL Fundamentals l Ed 1 LVC
  • Oracle Database 11g: SQL and PL/SQL Fundamentals
  • Oracle Database 11g: SQL and PL/SQL Fundamentals Ed 1 LVC
  • Oracle Database 11g: Develop PL/SQL Program Units
  • Oracle Database 11g: Administration Workshop I
  • Oracle Database 11g: Administration Workshop I Ed 1.1 LVC
  • Oracle Database 11g: Administration Workshop II
  • Oracle Database 11g: Data Warehousing Fundamentals

Then you must pass the Oracle 11g Database: Administration II Exam (1a0-053).

If you are one of those over-achievers, you can strive for the Oracle 11g Database Administrator Certified Master credential. This is not for the weak. You have to complete a two advanced  hands-on classes from the following list:

  • Oracle Database 11g: Performance Tuning
  • Oracle Database 11g: RAC Administration
  • Oracle Database 11g: Data Guard Administration
  • Oracle Database 11g: Implement Streams
  • Oracle Database 11g: Security
  • Oracle Database 11g: Administer a Data Warehouse
  • Oracle Database 11g: OLAP Essentials
  • Oracle Database 11g: SQL Tuning Workshop
  • Oracle Database 11g: Program with PL/SQL
  • Oracle Database 11g: Program with PL/SQL Ed 1 LVC
  • Oracle Database 11g: Advanced PL/SQL
  • Oracle Spatial 11g: Essentials
  • Oracle Database 11g: New Features for Administrators
  • Oracle Database 11g: New Features for 9i DBAs

These classes can be taken online or at a training center.   You must also pass a grueling examination that takes two days. Two days, I tells ya!  This examination is not offered through Pearson Vue but at Oracle’s testing center in Chicago. Oh yeah, the cost of this exam is $2000. Hotel, airfare and the cost of psychological care that you may need after taking the test is not included.

Happy certifying,

–George Monsalvatge

 

 

Open invitation to Oracle users: Lunch and Learn with me on the 19th

June 16, 2009 at 2:43 pm | In Oracle | Leave a Comment
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Oracle is hosting a free Lunch and Learn Webinar on June 19th at 1:00 PM CST to discuss the benefits of certification.  I’m sold on the benefits, but I’m tuning in to hear about the planned DBA certification offerings. I’m a certified Oracle DBA, so I definitely need to know what’s coming down the pike.

The agenda also includes information on their exam development. Sounds like interesting stuff to me. Registration is limited to 200, so I’d recommend you sign up now. (I chose the chicken salad box lunch for the event.  Wonder if it will arrive on time?)

–Jennifer Wagner

Sale on retiring Oracle 6i exams, plus Oracle beta exam extensions

April 15, 2009 at 10:18 am | In Certification Paths, Oracle | Leave a Comment
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If you’ve been planning to get your Oracle Internet Application Developer Rel. 6i Certified Professional (OCP) certification, act now to grab a practice test and schedule your exam with Prometric. From now until April 30, you can save up to 40% off the following Oracle cert prep products from Transcender (an authorized Oracle practice exam provider):

Oracle Products

Regular Price

Sale Price

Cert-1Z0-001

$119.00

$71.40

Cert-1Z0-101

$119.00

$71.40

Cert-1Z0-131

$119.00

$71.40

Cert-1Z0-132

$119.00

$71.40

Pak-OCP6IREV

$422.00

$295.40

Remember, 1Z0-101 is also a qualifying exam for Oracle9i DBA OCA and Application Developer R.9i OCA, so if you are working toward those certifications and planned to take that test within the next few weeks, you can also benefit from this sale – but you’ll have to act fast! You must take the qualifying exams before April 30, 2009.

After April 30, you will have to substitute 1Z0-007, 1Z0-047 or 1Z0-051 for 1Z0-001. Here are the full details from Oracle on the retiring certifiaction track and exam numbers.

In other Oracle certification-related news, there’s still time to take a beta exam for “Oracle Database 11g: Administration II” (1Z1-053) and “Oracle Database 11g: Performance Tuning”  (1Z1-054). The beta period for both exams has been extended to June 30, 2009.

Oracle beta exams are offered for a deeply discounted price and count as full credit toward the appropriate certification. Best of all, a Transcender practice exam is already available for 1Z0-053 (the numbering reflects the released exam number, 1Z0-XXX):

OCP Certification: To train or not to train, that is the question…

January 23, 2009 at 3:32 pm | In Certification Paths, Oracle | 2 Comments
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I hear lots of differing opinions about the hands-on training required to obtain an OCP certification. On one side, there’s the seasoned DBA who has been using Oracle for years and has a broad understanding claiming, “I’ve been certified for years, I know my stuff, so why do I have to attend a training class if I’ve demonstrated such competence?” On the other side, there’s the DBA who has used Oracle in a specialized role and has a working knowledge of the features he/she uses every day, but has little or no experience with many of Oracle’s features and components.

My humble opinion on this issue is that the additional training requirement ensures that OCPs have a broad knowledge of Oracle features, which only increases the value of an OCP certification. I agree, it also increases the cost to obtain an OCP, and that’s a double-edged sword. But, nonetheless, it is what it is…and Oracle is not likely to drop the training requirement any time soon.

That being said, let’s table the debate and talk about the training requirement. Oracle began the additional OCP certification training requirement with Oracle 9i, and has required it ever since. So how does it work?

What Training Qualifies?

First, to obtain an OCP certification, you must attend an Oracle-approved training course. Just what qualifies as “approved”? Well, it depends on the database version on which you’re getting certified. Oracle-approved courses are specific instructor-led courses (either classroom or virtual live classes) offered by the following training providers:

  • Oracle University Training Center, Oracle Authorized Education Center or Oracle Authorized Partner
  • Oracle Academy
  • Oracle Workforce Development Program

Although there are many competent training providers out there that offer Oracle training, these approved providers use Oracle courseware and Oracle-certified instructors. Training from other providers and training that is not on the approved list (including self-study training) does not qualify. So, my advice is to double-check the approved training list before you spend your training dollars. Some of the approved training courses are classroom courses, so you’ll have to factor in the additional costs on that. Other approved courses are instructor-led live virtual classes offered online, which might be an excellent choice if geographic location of the training centers is an issue.

Which Approved Course to Take?

Continue reading OCP Certification: To train or not to train, that is the question……

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to Oracle 11g Certification

August 26, 2008 at 11:52 am | In Oracle | 10 Comments
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Oracle is steadily rolling out the certification exams for Oracle Database 11g, and the Transcender development team is steadily developing practice tests for these exams. Before you register for an exam, now’s a good time to review the Oracle 11g certification tracks and some of the track changes that might affect your strategy to obtain 11g certifications. Then, you can lay out a plan for how to accomplish your certification objectives.

First, let’s recap the most recent Oracle certification paths. For most paths there are three sequential certifications, plus one or more stand-alone specialty certifications.

Database Administrator
With Oracle 11g, Oracle has released the Oracle Certified Associate (OCA), the Oracle Certified Professional (OCP), and the Oracle Certified Master (OCM) for DBAs.

The OCA certification is the entry-level option for DBAs. To obtain the Oracle 11g DBA OCA certification, you must pass two exams. The first exam is 1Z0-052 Oracle Database 11g: Administration I, which covers the fundamental concepts of Oracle Database 11g and the primary tasks performed by almost all DBAs. The second exam must be SQL-related, but the choice is yours – it can be 1Z0-007 Introduction to Oracle9i SQL, 1Z0-051 Oracle Database 11g: SQL Fundamentals I, or 1Z0-047 Oracle Database SQL Expert.

The question I get a lot is… “What’s the best choice for the SQL exam?” Frankly, that’s sort of like asking “What kind of vehicle should I purchase?” If you’re single and love to drive fast, a two-seat convertible sports car is perfect. But if you’re a parent with three kids, I might suggest a minivan instead. It’s the same with the choice of which SQL exam to take. There’s no right or wrong choice; it’ll be completely based on your particular situation. So let’s consider some of the factors:

  • 1Z0-007 is an online exam. This might be a good choice if you have geographic limitations for available testing centers.
  • 1Z0-051 is the latest and the greatest. It covers the most recent database version.
  • 1Z0-047 is the SQL Expert exam. Although I don’t usually recommend that choice for newbies, if you are a SQL guru from way back and just diving off into DBA certification, this might be a good choice because it lets you kill two birds with one stone, so to speak. Passing this single exam earns you an Oracle Certified Expert (OCE) certification. One more exam, and you’re an OCA. This might be a cost-effective approach for you, but again, it is ONLY for those really proficient in SQL. (Keep in mind that you may see some new 11g SQL features, so don’t overlook that as you prepare.)
  • Examine your long-term certification goals to make sure that the choice you make fits into your certification plans for the future.

The next logical step for DBAs is the OCP certification. Continue reading The Hitchhiker’s Guide to Oracle 11g Certification…

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