Re: Outrage that OCP exams are now unproctored - Comments?

Pete Sharman <peter.sharman_at_oracle.com> wrote in message news:<aupvgr05cf_at_drn.newsguy.com>...
> In article <zORP9.2545$jL4.1532714096_at_newssvr11.news.prodigy.com>, "Bert says...
> >
> >Joel,
> >
> >FYI: There is a big difference between "Oracle Master" and "Oracle
> >Certified Master."
> >
> >An Oracle Master is someone who paid (or whose company paid) for Oracle
> >training. It doesn't say the person learned anything or even attended the
> >class (other than to sign-in).
> >
> >On the other hand an "Oracle Certified Master" MIGHT BE getting closer to
> >what Daniel desires (e.g. like a state run board test for lawyers, doctors,
> >and engineers). The OCM requires you to:
> >
> >1) Be an Oracle 9i OCP (via the 4 exams or New Features exam)
> >2) Take two advanced Oracle training classes (e.g. replication, advanced
> >SQL, etc.)
> >3) Take a two day practical exam where you build systems, implement
> >features, and solve problems on real machines.

I implement features and solve problems on real machines all the time.  I've been doing it for decades. Why should I pay Oracle to say I've done it? They should pay me to say I've done it!

> >
> >The key is #3. The first two are nice and help you prepare but it is #3
> >that might make the OCM very valuable. It would be nice to know more about
> >the actual stuff covered, in order to judge its value.
> >
> >Personally, I look forward to taking (and God willing passing) the OCM exam,
> >but only after studying and practicing for it.
> >
> >Bertram Moshier
> >Oracle Certified Professional 8i and 9i DBA
> >
> >http://www.bmoshier.net/bertram
>
> Bertram
>
> I've stayed out of this discussion until now because I didn't really see
> anywhere I could add value, but this is something I can help with. Having been
> through the OCM exam, I can tell you it's VERY worthwhile, not to mention bloody
> exhausting! For more details, seen the 9i OCM DBA page at
> http://www.oracle.com/education/certification/index.html?dba9i_ocm.html. It
> includes a description of the practicum and an OCM FAQ, in addition to the
> details you've already mentioned here.

o.com>Participants will not be allowed to use personal documentation or notes
o.com>during the practicum nor will they be permitted to collaborate with
o.com>other participants

Well, I've always had an issue with _that_ as a predictor of real-world performance! Maybe if the performance is giving classes and being buttonholed by students... Even in jobs I've had where I've been expected to sit in a corner and program, working with the docs and collaborating with the rest of the world has been more important than technical memorization.

Let's see, business travel to Chicago ~$1000, a week off work $2400, hotel stay ~$600, what am I forgetting... oh yeah, $2000 for the test!  6 grand for what???

If someone wants to give me a job and pay for it, fine, I'd even pay for it myself if someone would guarantee me a year's contract out of it, but from what I've seen of the current job market there's no added value for those who are not bleeding-edge rah-rahs. And the marketing sounds _just like_ the original OCP marketing.

>
> Pete
> >
> >
> >"Joel Garry" <joel-garry_at_home.com> wrote in message
> >news:91884734.0212281615.2f57c92_at_posting.google.com...
> >> DA Morgan <damorgan_at_exesolutions.com> wrote in message
> news:<3E0B2C23.7257344B_at_exesolutions.com>...
> >> > michael ngong wrote:
> >> >
> >> > From that standpoint the OCP doesn't cut it. After you graduate from a
> >> > university you an employer can phone the university and verify you
> >> > attended and your graduation. Call Oracle after you pass the OCP and try
> >> > to verify that they've ever heard your name before.
> >>
> >> So how about "Oracle Masters?" Making lemonade out of the OCP lemon,
> >> or big revenue stream for Oracle?
> >>
> >> >
> >> > Daniel Morgan
> >>
> >> jg
> >
> >
>
> HTH. Additions and corrections welcome.
>
> Pete
>
> SELECT standard_disclaimer, witty_remark FROM company_requirements;

jg

--
@home is bogus.
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/uniontrib/mon/business/news_mz1b30lair.html