ORACLE CERTIFICATION

What is Oracle?
       Oracle is the dominant database system in the industry, with the largest market share for both NT and Unix-based databases.
       As well as being the world's leading supplier of software for information management, Oracle is also the world's second largest independent software company. This also makes Oracle one of the most important software companies of our time.
       With annual revenues at more than 10.1 billion dollars, Oracle has become the standard database system in many enterprises and is used in more than 145 companies around the world.
       Oracle and Sylvan Prometric jointly developed the Oracle certification Professional (OCP) in 1997. After establishing a standard in this manner, Oracle was finally able to recognize professionals who had worked hard to gain a high level of knowledge and skill working with their products.
       Since that time, Oracle has continued to grow as a company. This past spring, while Microsoft's stock was in its antitrust lull, Bill Gates temporarily lost his title as the world's richest man to Larry Ellison, who is Oracles CEO. Bill eventually regained his title, but Microsoft's position in the Industry was forever tarnished, and Oracles position in the Industry was solidified.
       There is a very high demand in the Industry for Oracle Certified Professionals, and to date, this is the only certification out there that will prove your expertise with Oracle products.

 

Oracle Certification Comes in Different Packages:
       Much like the Microsoft exams or the Novel exams, Oracle certification offers a choice of different tracks. Each track leads to a certification in a different area of expertise with Oracle products.

1. Data Base Administrator (DBA).
   DBA's perform daily administration of databases, and handle crises and troubleshooting. Exams in this track cover Performance Tuning, Network Administration, Database Administration, SQL, and Backup and Recovery.

2. Data Base Operator (DBO)
   DBO's have a basic understanding of databases and their role and function is to assist the DBA with simple administrative tasks. Exams in this track cover setting up accounts, and installing Oracle software.

3. Oracle Java Developer
   The Oracle Java Developer track was developed with Sun's Java Certification, and is for individuals who have strong knowledge of developing databases with Java. Exams in this track cover object-oriented analysis and developing enterprise-wide applications with Java.

4. Application Developer
   Application Developers organize databases for client server technology, and the Internet, along with other systems. Exams in this track cover defining data sources, working with record groups, managing report templates, and ensuring consistency between applications.

5. Oracle Financial Applications Consultant
   Financial Application Consultants organize databases and perform various Financial record keeping duties. Exams in this track cover financial management, applied technology, Procurement and Order Fulfillment.

6. Master Of Oracle Certification
   The Master of Oracle Certification is the ultimate level of certification in Oracle. It proves to the Industry that you are an expert in all areas of Oracle. In order to meet the requirements for the Master of Oracle designation you must pass exams in all tracks of Oracle, and select an area to specialize in. For more information go to: http://education.oracle.com/masters/index.html AT the present time, the Master of Oracle certification is available to citizens of the USA only.

Certification Requirements:

Oracle8 DBA:

In order to become an Oracle Database Administrator you must pass the following 5 exams:

EXAM NUMBER	DESCRIPTION	# OF QUESTIONS - PASSING SCORE
1Z0-001	SQL and PL/SQL	57 questions - 68% pass
1Z0-013	Database Administration	63 questions - 68% pass
1Z0-014	Performance Tuning	61 questions - 79% pass
1Z0-015	Backup and Recovery	60 questions - 60% pass
1Z0-016	Network Administration	62 questions - 69% pass

Oracle8 Upgrade Path Upgrade exam for Oracle7.3 DBAs (1 exam): 

About The Exams: Oracle8: New Features for Administrators
Exam number 1Z0-010
This exam is required to upgrade your certification from Oracle Oracle7.3 and to keep your certification current.

Oracle8i DBA: In order to become an Oracle Internet Database Administrator you Must pass the following 5 exams:

Oracle8 DBO: In order to become a certified Oracle Database Operator you must pass the following exam

Oracle8i DBO: In order to become an Oracle Internet Database Operator you must pass the following exam:

Java Developer:To become a Certified Oracle Java Developer you must pass the following required exams:

Application: Developer To become a Certified Oracle Application Developer you must pass the following exams:

Oracle Financial: Applications Consultant If you want to become an Oracle certified Financial Applications Consultant you must first pass the following two required exams:

Master Of Oracle:

       Oracle offers a Master of Oracle certification which proves your expertise in all areas of Oracle. It involves passing exams in all of the available tracks. If you are interested in earning your Master Of Oracle Certification, upon your completion of one of the tracks, you should contact Oracle for more information. http://education.oracle.com/masters/index.html At the present time Master of Oracle Certification is available in the USA only.

       The numbers in the tables above indicate the number of graded questions on the exam. Oracle warns that there may be extra ungraded questions on any given exam. These beta questions do not affect your final score.
       The exams are all 90 to 120 minutes in length depending on the exam. The exams consist of multiple choice, fill-in, and interactive graphical questions. The interactive graphical questions are intended to test your hands-on knowledge of the product.

The Cost of Exams:

       The cost of exams for Oracle certification varies from exam to exam. Most of the exams are $125.00US, however the Java Developer exams are $175.00US.

Retired Exams:

       The Oracle7 exams have recently been retired. Oracle recommends that you upgrade in order to stay current with the industry, however, when Oracle retires a track, you remain certified in that particular track. When a track is retired, an upgrade exam is provided for each track of Oracle certification for a set period of time. If you choose to upgrade during that period of time, you need only write the upgrade examination to upgrade to the current track. If you do not do it in that period of time, and choose to upgrade at a later date, you will need to complete all of the exams in the track in order to stay current.

Benefits Of Oracle Certification:

       Being Oracle certified gives you a competitive edge in the marketplace. As more and more companies are implementing Oracle databases, the demand for certified employees is becoming very high.
       As a small token of their appreciation, Oracle also offers free TechNet memberships to Oracle Certified Professionals.

Where to Take the Oracle Certified Professional exams:

       These exams are by Sylvan Prometric on behalf of Oracle. You can register by calling 1-800-481-EXAM or by visiting Sylvan Prometric's online registration website, which is www.2test.com.
       When call or book your exam online at a testing center near you, make sure to have your social security or social insurance number on hand, as well as a major credit card. (Sylvan Prometric will be very happy to take a check, the only drawback being that you must mail the check to their headquarters, and it must clear the bank, before you will be allowed to write your exam.
       When you are on the telephone with the testing center, make sure to write down the confirmation number that they give you, because you may need it the day of the exam. A very good piece of advise is to repeat everything back to them, and make them repeat everything back to you - this will alleviate any fears of sitting down in front of the wrong exam!!!
       At the testing center, you will need to present two forms of Identification. One must have a picture and both must have a signature. The testing center will take you to your allocated seat, and then you perform the exam. When you are finished your score will appear on the screen, and is automatically sent to a printer.
       After you pass the test be sure to keep the print out they give you in a safe place. If for some reason your certification gets lost in the mail, you may need it. Upon passing all of the exams in your track of choice, Oracle will send you your certification in the mail, and you will have reached your ultimate goal of becoming an OCP.

Want more information:

Visit Oracle online at: http://education.oracle.com/certification

       By: Tracey J. Rosenblath