ibm certi offensive: 10$ pro certi

[Axel_Janssen]

Hi slackers,

Die Controlling Abteilung von IBM hat festgestellt, dass die Gehälter von Websphere, XML, etc Experten teilweise deutlich über dem IBM Human Unit Reasonable Renumeration Standard (IHURRS) liegen ->
IHURRS
- Lebensmittel aus Discounter Supermärkten,  
- Miete zum Wiederaufladen der Arbeitskraft.
- altes Auto zur Mobilisierung der Arbeitskraft
- Kosten für Internetanschluss
-  Kosten für 1,2 Bücher in Monat, um skills der Arbeitskraft einigermassen in sync zu halten

Deshalb gibt IBM gibt ab December 1, 2003 (12:00 a.m. Eastern Time) 2000 10$ voucher aus.
Nach meiner Ansicht heisst das 18:00 Uhr. Da vor allem pakistanische und indische Kollegen mein gratis-certi Hobby teilen, empfehle ich dringend den Test 1.12. 18:00 auch wirklich zu machen.
Den voucher bekommt man, wenn man IBM pro Test 10$ spendiert und einen pre-assesment Test besteht.

Aus Erfahrung mit ähnlichen Angeboten glaube ich, die meinen 2000 voucher für jeden Test.

Der Fragenpool der Pre-Assessment Tests ist nicht besonders groß. D.h. meistens kommen immer die selben Fragen. Interessierte haben also Zeit bis zum 1.12. 12 a.m. Eastern Time ausgiebig zu trainieren.

Ich selbst bin momentan Business Partner Angestellter und kann somit an den we-pay-you-pass Programmen teilnehmen. Soweit ich weiss muss man aber zahlen, wenn man durchfällt (würde wohl AG übernehmen, aber man weiss ja nie). Deshalb und aus Gewohnheit werde ich auch an dem Programm teilnehmen.
Ausserdem gibt es bei solchen Angeboten immer interessante Diskussionen im Other Certification Forum von Java Ranch und in yahoogroups spriessen certi-Gruppen wie Pilze aus dem Boden.  

Ich finde die Vorbereitung auf Zertifizierungen muss nicht überschätzt werden. Auf der anderen Seite habe ich mir oft durch die konzentrierte Vorbereitung die nötigen skill-Basis angeeignet, um Java, XML, Websphere Projekte durchzuführen, ohne zu verzweifeln.
Ausserdem verfolge ich ohnehin das Ziel bis Mitte Februar 2004 superheftig IBM Certified Enterprise Developer zu werden.

Spezieller Atnotes-Java für Anfänger Forum-Service:
You-Say-Number-I-Search-For-Answers-Program
Jeder der sich an einer Zertifizierung ist, kann hier die Nummer posten. Ich bemühe mich dann die korrekten Antworten rauszufinden. Das Problem an der Test-Software ist, dass man nur die Ergebnisse bekommt, nicht die korrekten Antworten. Für ein Training vor dem 1.12. ist es aber besser die korrekten Antworten zu kennen.

Ich selbst werde mir folgendes sichern:
486
484
287
(enterprise dev certi).

sowie vermutlich noch:
Test 340, IBM WebSphere Application Server, V5.0, Basic Administration

Durch das Angebot bekommt man nur den voucher. Den Test muss man dann selbst bestehen. Das ist nicht unbedingt einfach und erfordert einiges an Vorbereitung.

Gruß Axel

[Axel_Janssen]

November 21, 2003

IBM is pleased to announce that effective December 1, 2003, all pre-assessment/sample tests under the IBM WebSphere, IBM WebSphere Business Integration, CICS and XML categories within the Professional Certification Program from IBM web site, www.ibm.com/certify, will be available via assessment tool Prime. That is, all pre-assessment/sample tests except the WebSphere Voice sample tests, sample tests where the first 3 digits of the 6 digit test number is not 000, and those for which an exception is indicated.

Prime is a web-based assessment tool, accessible worldwide via http://ibmtesting.prime.prometric.com/ The pre-assessment sample tests under the following categories reside in the respective sections within Prime.

Category    Prime Section
IBM WebSphere    WebSphere Assessment/Sample Tests
XML    WebSphere Assessment/Sample Tests
IBM WebSphere Business Integration    MQ - Business Integration Assessment/Sample Tests
CICS    MQ - Business Integration Assessment/Sample Tests

You will need to register into each respective Prime section with a unique username. If you already have a Prometric ID number, register into each section using your existing Prometric ID number. If you do not already have a Prometric ID number, Prime will generate one for you. It will be at the end of the registration form. Record it for future reference and use it to register into other Prime sections.

A $10 USD fee applies to each pre-assessment/sample test. VISA, Master Card and American Express credit cards are accepted.

In conjunction with the introduction of  Prime, IBM is pleased to announce a special quantity and time limited "free certification testing offer". This offer is available worldwide from December 1, 2003 (12:00 a.m. Eastern Time) to March 31, 2004 (11:59 p.m. Eastern Time) and applicable to all tests appended to the bottom of this announcement.

The following criteria applies to this special offer:

   1. There are 2,000 vouchers available. Each voucher can be used worldwide as payment when registering for an actual certification test at an authorized Prometric testing center.

      To qualify for a voucher, a candidate is required to be one of the first to qualify for the available 2,000 vouchers by passing the applicable Pre-assessment/Sample Test from December 1, 2003 (12:00 a.m. Eastern Time) to January 31, 2004 (11:59 p.m. Eastern Time). The same candidate may attempt to qualify for more than one voucher, but may only earn one voucher per test.

   2. Vouchers will automatically be sent electronically via an e-mail within 5 business days from qualifying.

   3. Vouchers expire March 31, 2004 (11:59 p.m. Eastern Time). If using the voucher as payment for the test fee, the actual certification test must be taken by March 31, 2004 (11:59 p.m. Eastern Time). There will be no extensions.

Notes:

   1. For information on the pre-asssessment/sample and actual tests (i.e., test objectives (skills measured on test)and how to prepare for them, refer to www.ibm.com/certify).
   2. The pre-assessment/sample tests may be retaken multiple times in an effort to qualify for a voucher.
   3. Only one voucher per test can be qualified for by the same person.
   4. Vouchers are not transferable to another person or another test, may not be redeemed for cash, credit, or refund and may not be used for any other exam than the one for which it was issued.
   5. IBM is not responsible for any expenses a candidate incurs in preparation for the pre-assessment/sample tests and/or actual tests and for travel to an authorized testing center.
   6. The IBM Toronto and Boeblingen Lab employees do not qualify for this offer. Lab employees can take these tests free-of charge within the Lab. They can register for them by sending a note to certad@ca.ibm.com.
   7. IBM reserves the right to withdraw this offer at any time.

WebSphere:
Test 285, Developing with WebSphere Studio, V5.0 (for junior/apprentice developers)
Test 286, Application Development with IBM WebSphere Studio, V5.0 (for intermediate level developers)
Test 287, Enterprise Application Development with IBM WebSphere Studio, V5.0 (for advance level developers)
Test 340, IBM WebSphere Application Server, V5.0, Basic Administration (for intermediate level administrators)
Test 341, IBM WebSphere Application Server V5.0, Multiplatform Administration (for advanced administrators)

Test 345, IBM WebSphere Studio Family of Products, V4.0.x(for entry level developers)
Test 157, IBM WebSphere Studio Application Developer for Windows, V4.0.3(for intermediate level developers)
Test 158, IBM WebSphere Application Server, Single Server Ed. for Multiplatforms, V4.0(for advanced developers)
Test 489, Administration for IBM WebSphere Application Server, Advanced Edition, V4.0

Test 211, IBM WebSphere Commerce, Business Ed. V5.4, Implementation
Test 213, IBM WebSphere Commerce, Business Ed. V5.5, Implementation
Test 212, IBM WebSphere Commerce, Business Ed. V5.4, Customization

Test 344, IBM WebSphere Portal for Multiplatforms V4.1 Implementation
Test 346, IBM WebSphere Application Server for z/OS, V5.0
Test 620, WebSphere Development Studio Client for iSeries, V5.0, Webfacing Tool

Technologies:
Test 141, XML and Related Technologies
Test 483, Enterprise Connectivity (with J2EE V1.2)
Test 484, Enterprise Connectivity (with J2EE V1.3)
Test 486, Object-Oriented Analysis and Design with UML

WebSphere - Business Integration:
WebSphere MQ V5.3
Test 294, IBM WebSphere MQ V5.3 System Administration
Test 296, IBM WebSphere MQ V5.3 Solution Design
Test 297, IBM WebSphere MQ V5.3 Solution Development
WebSphere Business Integration Message Broker V5.0
Test 298, IBM WebSphere Business Integration Message Broker V5.0 System Administration
Test 299, IBM WebSphere Business Integration Message Broker V5.0 Solution Design
WebSphere MQ Workflow V3.4
Test 292, IBM WebSphere MQ Workflow V3.4 Solution Design
WebSphere InterChange Server V4
Test 293, IBM WebSphere InterChange Server, V4 and Toolset Deployment
WebSphere MQ Everyplace V2.0
Test 300, IBM WebSphere MQ Everyplace V2.0, Solution Design

CICS:
Test 531, CICS Enablement for e-business Architecture & Design, CICS Transaction Server for z/OS