Oracle Certification

Oracle has retired the Oracle Internet Application Developer Rel. 6i Certified Professional (OCP) certification track and its related exams.

Those working with Oracle PL/SQL and Forms are encouraged to earn the newer Oracle PL/SQL Developer Certified Associate (OCA), Oracle Advanced PL/SQL Developer Certified Professional (OCP), and Oracle Forms Developer Certified Professional (OCP) certifications.

On April 30, 2009, Oracle retired the following four exams:

• 1Z0-001 – Introduction to Oracle: SQL and PL/SQL
• 1Z0-101 – Develop PL/SQL Program Units
• 1Z0-131 – Build Internet Applications I
• 1Z0-132 – Build Internet Applications II

Exams 1Z0-001 and 1Z0-101 were also part of several Oracle certification tracks that are not being retired. Those who passed these exams prior to April 30, 2009 were awarded credit towards the non-retired certification tracks.

ALTERNATES FOR EXAM 1Z0-001
Exam 1Z0-001 was only one of four SQL-related exam options; the remaining exam options currently available are:

• 1Z0-007 – Introduction to Oracle9i SQL
• 1Z0-047 – Oracle Database SQL Expert
• 1Z0-051 – Oracle Database 11g: SQL Fundamentals I

CERTIFICATION VALIDITY
Please note that for those holding the Internet Application Developer Rel. 6i OCP certification that the credential remains valid indefinitely. This retirement therefore has no effect on those currently holding the certification or who completed the certification requirements before April 30.

QUICK LINKS

• Register For Exams: Prometric Testing
• Certification Tracks
  • Oracle Internet Application Developer Rel. 6i Certified Professional (OCP)
  • Oracle PL/SQL Developer Certified Associate (OCA)
  • Oracle Advanced PL/SQL Developer Certified Professional (OCP)
  • Oracle Forms Developer Certified Professional (OCP)
  • Oracle9i Database Administrator Certified Associate (OCA)
• Certification Exams
  • 1Z0-007 – Introduction to Oracle9i SQL
  • 1Z0-047 – Oracle Database SQL Expert
  • 1Z0-051 – Oracle Database 11g: SQL Fundamentals I
• Learn More: Oracle Certification Retirements

The Managing Oracle9i on Linux special accreditation and its related exam will be retired effective August 31, 2009. The exam, Managing Oracle9i on Linux (1Z0-036), may be taken up to this date, after which time it will no longer be available through Prometric or any other avenue.

Those working with Linux should consider the newer Oracle Database 10g: Managing Oracle on Linux Certified Expert (OCE) certification.

CREDENTIAL VALIDITY
Please note that for those holding the Managing Oracle9i on Linux special accreditation that the credential remains valid indefinitely. This retirement therefore has no effect on those currently holding the certification or who complete the certification requirements before August 31. 2009.

QUICK LINKS

• Register For Exams: Prometric Testing
• Retiring Special Accreditation: Managing Oracle9i on Linux
• Recommended: Oracle Database 10g: Managing Oracle on Linux Certified Expert (OCE)
• Exam: Managing Oracle9i on Linux (1Z0-036)
• Learn More: Oracle Certification Retirements

Oracle University has released two new Siebel 8.1.x training courses, resulting in a total of four possible training paths available for the Siebel 8 Consultant Oracle Certified Expert (OCE) certification.

In addition to the existing Siebel 8.0 training options, candidates may now choose from the following two new Siebel 8.1.x training paths:

• A single 15-day Siebel 8.1.x Core Consultant Course (to be released), or
• A combination of three 5-day Siebel 8.1.x courses (Tools, Business Automation, and Installation & System Administration)

Any one of the below training paths will now meet the requirements for Siebel 8 Consultant Certification:

click to enlarge (new window)

Because the Siebel 8.0 Consultant certification exam is supported by both the Siebel 8.0 and Siebel 8.1 training tracks; any of these training paths above are appropriate for preparing for the Siebel 8 Consultant certification exam (1Z0-202). Candidates however are encouraged to choose and then remain upon a single path to ensure the smoothest and quickest exam preparation.

For an overview and more detailed information on Siebel 8 certification, please visit the Siebel 8 Consultant Certified Expert track page.

QUICK LINKS

• Register For Exams: Prometric Testing
• Certification Track: Siebel 8 Consultant Certified Expert (OCE)
• Certification Exam: Siebel 8 Consultant (1Z0-202)
• Certification Training:
  • Siebel 8.1.x Tools
  • Siebel 8.1.x Business Automation
  • Siebel 8.1.x Installation and System Administration
  • Siebel 8.0 Essentials
  • Siebel 8.0 Implementation Case Study
  • Siebel 8.0 Core Consultant Course

The May 2009 edition of the Oracle Certification E-Magazine is now online.

Get the latest certification track updates, program news, and details on new Oracle certifications, upgrades, and beta testing.

In this edition:

• Customer Feedback Helps Shape The Oracle Certification Program
• How Do We Select Which Certifications to Build?
• Oracle Certification Salary Survey Update
  
• Oracle University EMEA Hosts New “Business Brain Training Seminar”
• Beta Testing Opportunity Continues for Two Database Certification Exams (1Z1-053, 1Z1-054)
• Beta Testing Begins for New “Program with PL/SQL” Certification Exam (1Z1-144)
• Oracle Retires Oracle Internet Application Developer Rel. 6i OCP Track
• Oracle Soon To Retire “Managing Oracle9i on Linux” Special Accreditation
• Beta Testing Opportunity Continues for “E-Business Suite R12: System Administration” Exam (1Z1-206)
• Two New Training Paths Released for Siebel 8 Certification Candidates

QUICK LINKS:

• Oracle Certification E-Magazine: May 2009 Edition
• Oracle Certification E-Magazine: Archives
• Oracle Certification E-Magazine: Subscribe
  

Beta testing has just begun for the new “Oracle Database 11g: Program with PL/SQL” (1Z1-144) certification beta exam. This test is offered as an alternative option to taking existing exam 1Z0-147 (Program with PL/SQL) for both the Oracle PL/SQL Developer Certified Associate (OCA) and Oracle Advanced PL/SQL Developer Certified Professional (OCP) certification tracks.

Candidates are encouraged to register for the beta exam while it is still available at the special beta price of $50 USD. Beta exams are an excellent way to directly provide your input into the final version of the certification exam as well as be one of the very first certified in the track. Furthermore – passing the beta counts for full final exam credit.

For more information and exam details - including exam objectives, test details, training options, and registration information - please visit the “Oracle Database 11g: Program with PL/SQL” certification exam (1Z1-144) exam page.

QUICK LINKS:

• Register For Exam:
  • Prometric Testing
• Certification Exam:
  • Oracle Database 11g: Program with PL/SQL (1Z1-144)
• Certification Tracks:
  • Oracle PL/SQL Developer Certified Associate (OCA)
  • Oracle Advanced PL/SQL Developer Certified Professional (OCP)
• Learn More:
  • Oracle Certification Beta Exams
    

Staying on the right path while preparing for your certification

We receive a lot of questions related to legitimate vs. illegitimate forms of studying. Because we’ve gotten so many questions lately I thought that I would comment on this topic.

First, here is an overview of a suggested method of study and a few details along with it:

• Review the certification requirements on the Oracle Certification website
• For each exam, review the exam objectives on the Oracle Certification website
• Perform a gap analysis of your knowledge/experience/skills versus the exam objectives (for each exam).
• Create a study plan the that will help you close the gaps that you identified.

Utilize study methods that work for you. We suggest that these might include:

• Practice – use the real product in a non-production environment
• Training – take an Oracle University course or attend an OU seminar
• Read – Oracle Press and many other publishers have exam and/or topic-related books available
• Flash Cards – If you create flash cards with key points on them, you will learn both while you create them and while you review them
• Practice Exams – look for legitimately available practice exams or sample questions

Things you should not use to study as they violate your certification candidate agreement:

• Asking a friend who has taken the test to tell you what is on it
• Accessing practice exam sites that claim to have real test questions
• Take the test just “find out what’s on it’
• Accessing user group “brain dump” sites
• Discussing real exam questions in forums

Quite honestly - when someone follows the legitimate process to practice, study and become certified they benefit much more than someone who sidesteps the process by cheating (using illegitimate methods). Someone who cheats not only cheats others but also themselves.

I’m interested in comments you might have.

Paul Sorensen,
Director, Oracle Certification

QUICK LINKS

• Share your comments: Oracle Certification Blog
• Oracle Press
• Oracle University
• Oracle Certification web site
• Oracle Certification Practice Exams

Extended beta period continues until June 30, 2009 for the Oracle E-Business Suite (EBS) R12: System Administration exam (1Z1-206). Exam 1Z1-206 is the only exam required to earn the Oracle E-Business Suite R12 System Administrator Certified Expert (OCE) certification.

This new EBS R12 certification tests candidates in their ability to effectively manage the Oracle R12 Applications environment and architecture and measures competency for the foundational skills required to highlight the key parameters necessary to analyze system activity and performance.

Candidates are encouraged to register for and take the beta exam while it is still available at the special beta price of $50 USD. Beta exams are an excellent way to directly provide your input into the final version of the certification exam as well as be one of the very first certified in the track. Furthermore – passing the beta counts for full final exam credit.

Register now online at Prometric. Please note that this beta exam will not be extended further beyond June 30. For more on this new Oracle certification track or about Oracle certification beta exams, visit the quick links below.

QUICK LINKS

• Register For Exam: Prometric Testing
• Certification Track: Oracle E-Business Suite R12 System Administrator Certified Expert (OCE)
• Certification Exam: Oracle E-Business Suite R12: System Administration (1Z1-206)
• Learn More: Oracle Certification Beta Exams