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Hi everyone,

I’ve seen a few articles lately that remind us that—in spite of the current economic climate—it is a good time to be a Database Administrator, both for now and for the future.

In a CNN article the author lists Database Administrator (DBA) as one of the Top Ten Promising jobs with solid job growth outlook over the next several years. Additionally, a US-oriented salary survey indicates encouragingly high salaries for DBAs and Senior DBAs. Most importantly what these articles both indicate is that the DBA job role indeed continues to be a critical, high paying role with solid future prospects.

Now as much as ever, DBAs of all skill levels should look to shore up their skill sets and resumés. Certification can be a relatively inexpensive (although not easy) way to enhance your credibility and prospects while adding to your skills and knowledge.

As you evaluate your current situation, remember to consider certification as a part of your career-planning strategy—whether you are looking to upgrade, seeking first time certification, or looking to specialize with an Expert designation.

Thanks,


Paul Sorensen | Director, Oracle Certification

 
ORACLE CERTIFICATION NEWS
ORACLE DATABASE CERTIFICATION
ORACLE MIDDLEWARE CERTIFICATION
ORACLE E-BUSINESS SUITE CERTIFICATION

ORACLE CERTIFICATION NEWS

Oracle Certification's LinkedIn Membership Continues to Grow

Oracle Certification's LinkedIn Membership Continues to GrowThanks to all of you who have embraced Oracle Certification’s efforts to get the message out. We’re reaching the broadest audience ever and doing it more efficiently.

One thing that I wanted to point out specifically is that the membership on our LinkedIn certification area now has over 4,000 people connected to it, and that has occurred in a very short time frame. That seems amazing to me! It’s great to be able to get your feedback and pass on certification-related information to people who need it.

In addition to our LinkedIn page, we have many avenues that we are using to get the word out, including Twitter, Oracle Mix, the Oracle Certification Blog, our website, and our monthly Certification E-Magazine (remember to opt-in).

Thanks again for your support!

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THE ROUTE YOU CHOOSE

Staying on the right path while preparing for your certificationStaying 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 website
  • Perform a gap analysis of your knowledge/experience/skills versus the exam objectives (for each exam).
  • Create a study plan 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 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 you follow the legitimate process to practice, study and become certified, you 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.

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NEW PROMETRIC TESTING IDS

NEW PROMETRIC TESTING IDSSome Prometric IDs, which is your unique identifier for all Oracle exams and certifications, were recently changed by Prometric at Oracle’s request. When some candidates originally created their profiles with Prometric, they used social security numbers as IDs. Due to security concerns, all Prometric IDs that were social security numbers have been replaced with new system generated Prometric Testing IDs.

Oracle sent an email to all affected candidates. However, due to incomplete or out-dated information, we may not have reached all parties. If you currently use your social security number as your Prometric ID, please visit Prometric's website to access your new Prometric ID. To view the new Prometric ID, log in to www.prometric.com/oracle with your original username and password. Once you have accessed your Prometric account, select the "Update Personal Information" link to view your new Prometric ID. If you have any issues logging in to your Prometric account, contact your local Prometric representative by selecting your Region under the "Questions? Call Us" box in the left navigation menu.

For all future Oracle Certification exam appointments, it is crucial that you use your new Prometric ID so that your Oracle Certification records are under one profile. You will no longer be able to use your social security number for any Oracle Certification purposes.

Please contact ocpexam_ww@oracle.com if you have any questions.  
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ORACLE DATABASE CERTIFICATION

BETA TESTING OPPORTUNITY FOR TWO DATABASE CERTIFICATION EXAMS (1Z1-053, 1Z1-054) TO END THIS MONTH

BETA TESTING OPPORTUNITY FOR TWO DATABASE CERTIFICATION EXAMS (1Z1-053, 1Z1-054) TO END THIS MONTHExtended beta period continues until June 30, 2009 for two Oracle Database certification exams:

  • 1Z1-053 – Oracle Database 11g: Administration II
  • 1Z1-054 – Oracle Database 11g: Performance Tuning

Exam 1Z1-053 is a single exam requirement for those holding the Oracle Database 11g Administrator Certified Associate (OCA) to upgrade to Oracle Certified Professional (OCP).

Exam 1Z1-054 is a single exam requirement for Oracle 11g DBA OCPs to earn the Oracle Database 11g Performance Tuning Certified Expert (OCE) certification.

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.

Certification exam candidates can register now online at Prometric.

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ORACLE MIDDLEWARE CERTIFICATION

BETA TESTING OPPORTUNITY CONTINUES FOR NEW “PROGRAM WITH PL/SQL” CERTIFICATION EXAM (1Z1-144)

Beta testing continues for the new “Oracle Database 11g: Program with PL/SQL” certification exam (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 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.

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.

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ORACLE SOON TO RETIRE “MANAGING ORACLE9I ON LINUX” SPECIAL ACCREDITATION

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.

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ORACLE E-BUSINESS SUITE CERTIFICATION

BETA TESTING OPPORTUNITY FOR “E-BUSINESS SUITE R12: SYSTEM ADMINISTRATION” EXAM (1Z1-206) TO END THIS MONTH

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 about this new
 Oracle certification track or about Oracle certification beta exams, visit the quick links below.

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