IBM free testing opportunity...

[Vijay S. Rathore]

Hi All,
IBM has come up with a new way of conducting free (with a minor fees) testing opportunity.
http://www-1.ibm.com/certify/news/20031118a.shtml
Take advantage of it asap.

Vijay

[Vipin Mohan]

Does this apply to the Enterprise Connectivity (484) exam also ?
At the top it says WebSphere, XML and CICS only. But 484 is also listed in the page.
thanks
vipin

[Howard Kushner]

Hello Gentlemen,
Until the end of the year you can still take the pre-assessment/sample tests for free, and this includes the 484. But don't wait too long, since it will start costing beginning next year I am told. You should definitely check http://certify.torolab.ibm.com for details. I just checked and all the good tests are there for free!
Let me know if you have any questions at all. Wishing you the very best of luck,
[ November 24, 2003: Message edited by: Howard Kushner ]

[stara szkapa]

Are you saying that IBM will remove WebSphere related tests from http://certify.torolab.ibm.com not in December but sometime next year ?
The news dosn't say anything about removing assesment tests from where they are, only that the tests will be available at Prometric. It is sort of unclear what will happen. I was hoping the tests will be available at both places, only that Prometric site will grant $10 vouchers.
[ November 23, 2003: Message edited by: stara szkapa ]

[Howard Kushner]

Hello Stara,
So the good news is that if you pass the test on Prime right away, you can earn a voucher to take the real test for free at Prometric.
I myself had the good fortune of taking a free 484 test myself earlier this year. I took the 484 pre-assessment on ICE for free and passed it, got a voucher via email, and then passed the actual 484 test at Prometric for free.
Now I have heard rumors that ICE will go away, but I am not sure the exact date. I have sent email to [e-mail] to get clarification as to the actual date that ICE will no longer be available.
Regards,
[ November 24, 2003: Message edited by: Howard Kushner ]

[Gus Mus]

Does it mean each time when we take preassessment test then
we have to pay for $10 ?
So if we take for example XML test for 3 times (because didn't
pass the preassessment) then we have to pay for $30 ?

[Howard Kushner]

Hello Gus,
I do not know the answer to your question, but I do know this. If it was my 10 dollars, I would be taking as many free pre-assessment tests as possible at the ICE site, before I started paying my hard earned money.
Best of luck,
[ November 24, 2003: Message edited by: Howard Kushner ]

[Vijay S. Rathore]

I don't see any test lists on Prime as of now.
It means whenever I login I don't see any tests from IBM on prime.
Correct me if I am wrong, will the list of tests be available starting from 1st of December.

[Forrest Xu]

Does it mean each time when we take preassessment test then
we have to pay for $10 ?
So if we take for example XML test for 3 times (because didn't
pass the preassessment) then we have to pay for $30 ?
I think it may be true!
If I failed 20 times, I will lost $200. In this case it is not
free voucher any more.

[Howard Kushner]

Originally posted by Howard Kushner:

Now I have heard rumors that ICE will go away, but I am not sure the exact date. I have sent email to [e-mail] to get clarification as to the actual date that ICE will no longer be available.

Howdy Folks,
I got bad news...
According to the email I got back today from [e-mail]:

"ICE became unavailable as of Sunday, November 23, 2003. Our WebSphere tests will move over to Prime effective December 1, 2003."

Sorry 'bout that chief.

[Gus Mus]

Well, in my opinion the total cost of trying to pass the assessment won't be more than 30$ (Not more than 3x trying).
Simply prepare the material and take for the first and copy all questions you get and save it.
If you don't pass.. check the questions that you already copied. And
prepare again... I think it will not more than 3x trying. (Depends on how many questions are there )
But the problem is only 2000 voucher available... this is bad..

[Alan Ford]

ICE still up.
Lets take advantage of it....

[Vikrama Sanjeeva]

Hi,
This page quotes:

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.

Does this means we can get Free Prometric Testing Voucher of XML-141? If yes, then which sample test we have to pass, ICE or PRIME? If PRIME, then does we have to give $10 USD for attempting PRIME?
Let me know the details please. I am interested in geting Free Promeric Testing Voucher of XML-141.
Bye,
Viki.

[Ashik Uzzaman]

I wish it would include the UML exam.

[Axel Janssen]

Originally posted by Ashik uzzaman:
I wish it would include the UML exam.

it does:
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

[Vikrama Sanjeeva]

Hi,
Thanks Axel for the info. But which sample test we have to pass and by which date? Starting is 1st Dec. but end is ?? Secondly, plz. send the sample test link.
Bye,
Viki.

[ram kumarrkrr]

hi, can any one help , hoe to write Ibm assessment exam. how to pay $10, iam in India and donot have credit card. Also
-how to handle PRIME. What these headers mean:
1)Public Tests
Select the Sponsor of the Public Test desired:
2)Private Tests
Enter the Keycode for the Private Test Desired:
3)Eligibility Tests
Enter the Eligibility Code for the Test Desired:

[ram kumarrkrr]

Originally posted by Gus Mus:
Well, in my opinion the total cost of trying to pass the assessment won't be more than 30$ (Not more than 3x trying).
Simply prepare the material and take for the first and copy all questions you get and save it.
If you don't pass.. check the questions that you already copied. And
prepare again... I think it will not more than 3x trying. (Depends on how many questions are there )
But the problem is only 2000 voucher available... this is bad..

HI , IS THAT 2000 VOCHERS MEANS 2000 PER EXAM 0R ALL TOGTHER 2000 VOCHERS?

[Vijay S. Rathore]

It's Bad as of now the Prime is not working...
As of now The time indicated by Prime is
The current system time is 12/1/2003 5:26:28 AM.
Anyone can check by clicking on 'Resume Test' link.
[ November 30, 2003: Message edited by: Vijay Rathore ]

[gopalakrishnan palani]

yes. i vijay. i am also getting the following..
Resume Test
Below is a list of tests that are in progress, or tests in which you have begun the registration process but not yet begun the test. To continue with a test, click on the test title.
The current system time is 12/1/2003 5:32:20 AM.

[gopalakrishnan palani]

any updates guys.. i tried prometric. but no luck..

[Gadzirai Moyo]

Hie,
Can anyone assist me with Prime registration process.I'm in Zimbabwe and i have been trying to contact IBM but I am not getting any response.

[Axel Janssen]

voucher program starts at: December 1, 2003 (12:00 a.m. Eastern Time). This is US-Eastern time.
This is in 5 hours, according to my estimations. (10:00 a.m. in Javaranch time).
[ December 01, 2003: Message edited by: Axel Janssen ]

[Theodore Casser]

So the question would be, how do we access all these exams, since it doesn't seem that some of them (like 484) are listed yet, and some of us would like to try to get vouchers...

[Prabu Swami]

Hey I could not see all the tests!
I just see the following under WebSphere Assessment/Sample Tests
__________________________________________________________________________
Outline View
=============
This view is not available for WebSphere Assessment/Sample Tests. See Other Tests below.

Other Tests
============
346 s - Sample Test 346, IBM WS Application Svr z/OS V5.0 - English (US) - $10.00 USD
483 s - Sample Test 483, Ent. Conn. w/ J2EE V1.2 - English (US) - $10.00 USD
________________________________________________________________________
Is it the same for everyone?.

[Prabu Swami]

All the long waited tests are available now
Prime is working just fine
[ December 02, 2003: Message edited by: Prabu Swami ]

[Prabu Swami]

IBM knows the certification game and the candidates psychology..!
PRIME does not need a procter
[ December 02, 2003: Message edited by: Prabu Swami ]

[Marcelo Sousa Ancelmo]

I can see all the test's for WebSphere (141, 287, 483, 484, 486,...).
I tried to register and it teel's that a proctor is needed, I am with Prabu, maybe I ask my Boss to go out and take a sample?

[Vijay S. Rathore]

Now I think even 2000 free vouchers are also more than enough...
At least I am not going to the prometric center just to take the sample test.

[Gadzirai Moyo]

Hie folks,
Can anyone help me here,I need to know how and where the payments for te assessment exams can be made.
Is there an online site where I can pay using a credit card?
I'm in Zimbabwe and the prometric test centers this side are the dark about the Prime site developments.
I need help,folks.
Thanks a lot.

[Sumit Amar]

$10 !? IBM is a fortune 25 company to my knowledge. The change in testing tool is only for earning $10 per prospect

[v giri]

I had a word with Prometric. It seems that IBM is to be contacted for taking these practice exams (How ?). Moreover they confirmed(?) that this exam (since they are proctored) are to be taken at Test centers.
Time is ticking away... Or is it?
Best wishes

[Prabu Swami]

Oh.. my granny-cum-proctor option is ruled out !
You must have to go to Prometric.
For those who are going for Sample test at Prometric..
Good Luck guys..Cool and be relaxed and prepared..
I guess there won't be much rush like last time offer.

[ December 01, 2003: Message edited by: Prabu Swami ]

[Forrest Xu]

Hi,
I only can the the tests below. Where is 484? Is it all tests in your web site?
Thanks,
158 s - Sample Test 158, IBM WbS ApSrv Adv SS Ed Mplt V4.0 - English (US) - $10.00 USD
211 s - Sample Test 211, IBM WbS Com Suite Bus Ed V5.4 Imp - English (US) - $10.00 USD
212 s - Sample Test 212, IBM WbSp Comm Bus Ed V5.4 Cust. - English (US) - $10.00 USD
213 s - Sample Test 213, IBM WbSp Com Bus Ed V5.5, Impl. - English (US) - $10.00 USD
285 s - Sample Test 285, Dev with IBM WbSp Studio V5.0 - English (US) - $10.00 USD
341 s - Sample Test 341, IBM WbSp Ap Srv V5.0 Mpltfm Admn - English (US) - $10.00 USD
344 s - Sample Test 344 IBM WbSp Portal for Mplfm V4.1 Imp - English (US) - $10.00 USD
345 s - Sample Test 345, IBM WS Studio Family Prod, V4.0x - English (US) - $10.00 USD
483 s - Sample Test 483, Ent. Conn. w/ J2EE V1.2 - English (US) - $10.00 USD
489 s - Sample Test 489, Admin IBM WS Ap Srvr, Adv Ed V4.0 - English (US) - $10.00 USD

[v giri]

Hey, Most of them say it does NOT require proctor sign in. Others seem to have evaporated.. Or will they return after a while ?
Best wishes

[v giri]

Now 14 exams are appearing and increasing....
Be on the lookout ...
Best wishes

[Vijay S. Rathore]

It seems IBM is removing the proctor settings from some of the tests...
Don't loose hope. Just check it out often...

[Vijay S. Rathore]

Just now I cleared IBM 287 and IBM 484.
[ December 01, 2003: Message edited by: Vijay Rathore ]

[Forrest Xu]

The web site
http://ibmtesting.prime.prometric.com/
does not work???

[Theodore Casser]

PRIME seems to be working just fine for me. My only guess is that what we're seeing is some kind of default settings being tweaked while we play with their shiny new toy. I wonder who else might end up using the system besides IBM.
Now, I'm not 100% thrilled about having to pay for assessment exams, but I understand (I think) where they're coming from on it so I won't grumble too loudly. Now I just have to decide if it's worthwhile to do anything more than 484 which I just qualified for, as my current company's not an IBM shop and it's been 2 years since I used WebSphere...
And now to just wait the five days for the voucher to arrive. (Not to mention preparing my girlfriend for my going into another bout of studying...)
[ December 01, 2003: Message edited by: Theodore Casser ]
[ December 01, 2003: Message edited by: Theodore Casser ]