The following excerpt from DB2 9 Fundamentals: Certification study guide, written by Roger E. Sanders, is reprinted with permission from MC Press. Read the complete Chapter 1, A guide to the IBM DB2 9 certification exam if you think taking a DB2 9 Fundamentals certification exam might be your next career move.
The IBM DB2 9 certification process
A close examination of the IBM certification roles available quickly reveals that, in order to obtain a particular DB2 9 certification, you must take and pass one or more exams that have been designed specifically for that certification role. (Each exam is a software-based exam that is neither platform -- nor product-specific.) Thus, once you have chosen the certification role you wish to pursue and familiarized yourself with the requirements for that particular role, the next step is to prepare for and take the appropriate certification exams.
Preparing for the IBM DB2 9 certification exams
If you have experience using DB2 9 in the context of the certification role you have chosen, you may already possess the skills and knowledge needed to pass the exam(s) required for that role. However, if your experience with DB2 9 is limited (and even if it is not), you can prepare for any of the certification exams available by taking advantage of the following resources:
- Formal education
IBM Learning Services offers courses that are designed to help you prepare for DB2 9 certification. A listing of the courses that are recommended for each certification exam can be found using the Certification Navigator tool provided on IBM's "Professional Certification Program from IBM" Web site. Recommended courses can also be found at IBM's "DB2 Data Management" Web site. For more information on course schedules, locations, and pricing, contact IBM Learning Services or visit their Web site.
- Online tutorials
IBM offers a series of seven interactive online tutorials designed to prepare you for the DB2 9 Fundamentals exam (Exam 730). IBM also offers a series of interactive online tutorials designed to prepare you for the DB2 9 for Linux, UNIX, and Windows Database Administration exam (Exam 731) and the DB2 9 Family Application Development exam (Exam 733).
- Publications
All the information you need to pass any of the available certification exams can be found in the documentation that is provided with DB2 9. A complete set of manuals comes with the product and are accessible through the Information Center once you have installed the DB2 9 software. DB2 9
documentation can also be downloaded from IBM's Web site in both HTML and PDF formats.
Self-study books (such as this one) that focus on one or more DB2 9 certification exams/roles are also available. Most of these books can be found at your local bookstore or ordered from many online book retailers. (A listing of possible reference materials for each certification exam can be
found using the Certification Navigator tool provided on IBM's "Professional Certification Program from IBM" Web site.)
In addition to the DB2 9 product documentation, IBM often produces manuals, known as "RedBooks," that cover advanced DB2 9 topics (as well as other topics). These manuals are available as downloadable PDF files on IBM's RedBook Web site. Or, if you prefer to have a bound hard copy, you can obtain one for a modest fee by following the appropriate links on the RedBook Web site. (There is no charge for the downloadable PDF files.)
- Exam objectives
Objectives that provide an overview of the basic topics that are covered on a particular certification exam can be found using the Certification Navigator tool provided on IBM's "Professional Certification Program from IBM" Web site. Exam objectives for the DB2 9 Family Fundamentals exam (Exam 730) can also be found in Appendix A of this book.
- Sample questions/exams
Sample questions and sample exams allow you to become familiar with the format and wording used on the actual certification exams. They can help you decide whether you possess the knowledge needed to pass a particular exam. Sample questions, along with descriptive answers, are provided at the end of every chapter in this book and in Appendix B. Sample exams for each DB2 9 certification role available can be found using the Certification Exam tool provided on IBM's "Professional Certification Program from IBM" Web site. There is a
$10 charge for each exam taken.
It is important to note that the certification exams are designed to be rigorous. Very specific answers are expected for most exam questions. Because of this, and because the range of material covered on a certification exam is usually broader than the knowledge base of many DB2 9 professionals, you should take advantage of the exam preparation resources available if you want to guarantee your success in obtaining the certification(s) you desire.
The rest of this chapter details all available DB2 9 certifications and includes lists of suggested items to know before taking the exam. It also describes the format of the exams and what to expect on exam day. Read the complete Chapter 1: A guide to the IBM DB2 9 certification exam to learn more.
