Passed. :)

[Kenneth Tsuei]

Hi,
I've passed the exam with 98% few days ago. It is little easier than my expectation.
Since I've some exp in working with XML, I've studied for about a week. Due to my tight study schedule and late discovery of this forum, so selfish me just acted as a receiver only . I'd like to express my sincere thanks to you who have participated in this forum. And I'll try my best to contribute from now on.
For the exam Qs, most of them are quite conceptual. And as sb said in prev post (forgot which :confused , most of the Qs can be answered by eliminating false options which are quite obvious. Also, time is not a problem for me. I finished all Qs w/ ~30 min left.
Quite a lot on Schema (8-10) include these topics:
- inclusion and import
- inheritance (ie. extension, restriction, substition group)
- model group schema component (eg. all)
- conversion of content model between DTD and Schema
and XSLT/XPath (6-8)
- import precedence
- axis
- locate a node using correct XPath
Some are Qs on IBM sample test w/ minor variation (3-4)
6-8 w/ Exhibitions (3 diff exhibitions)
2-3 on validation / well-formness of XML fragment
2 on patterns (regular expression)
1 on XSLFO
1 on DOM Event
1-2 on SOAP/UDDI/WSDL
1 on XML Signature
My distribution of the Qs:
Architecture 18%
Information Modeling 27%
XML Processing 33%
XML Rendering 11%
Testing and Tuning 11%
As for my study materials,
- This forum (of course!)
- W3School Tutorials
- Essential XML Quick Reference
- ZVON References
- Roger's ppt for Schema and XSL
- SAX JavaDoc (www.saxproject.org/apidoc/overview-summary.html)
- W3C specifications
Mock exams:
- XML Mock Exams list from top of the forum home
- skillometer
- WhizLab trial
- Boson trial
My strategy is first to finish the readings to get the overview idea of each topic, then complete all mock exams to fill in the details. When you found some Qs uncertain (either in mocks or this forum), DO find in the specs for the details. And make sure you really understand the reason of every answer.
Of course this forum is your best teacher.
Still thinking about next target. I know Java, but little working exp on it. Should I get the SCJP etc? Feel that whenever u see XML, u'll somehow see Java...
Good luck, folks!!
Cheers,
Kenneth
PS: How could I inform IBM if I found some of the Qs are problematic?

[John Wetherbie]

Congrats, Kenneth, and thanks for the good info!
I'm not sure what the feedback mechanism to IBM is. Anyone have suggestions?

[Valentin Crettaz]

Nice shot Kenneth

[Madhav Lakkapragada]

Congrats.
Seems like you don't participate much here.....
- m

[Roseanne Zhang]

I've passed the exam with 98% few days ago. ...
I've studied for about a week.

Now we have a genious squared (actually cubiced or more). That is very possible a world record.

[Vivek Saxena]

First of All congrats Kenneth!
Roseanne,
I don’t know what is going on here. It wasn’t use to. I have been looking around this site since last 2/12 years. Suddenly why don’t people believe others here? If I can’t do something or you can’t do something like that, it doesn’t mean nobody can do it. If you and I are not capable of doing something like that, it does not give us rights to comment or doubt over somebody else.
There are lots (millions) of like you and me who didn’t go to space/moon but there are very few who have done this.
Please stop commenting on others, it doesn’t make any sense.
Thanks

[Roseanne Zhang]

That is very possible a world record. And I still think so. Why can't we celebrate? I hope I can do it too!!!

[Madhav Lakkapragada]

Suddenly why don�t people believe others here? If I can�t do something or you can�t do something like that, it doesn�t mean nobody can do it. If you and I are not capable of doing something like that, it does not give us rights to comment or doubt over somebody else.
There are lots (millions) of like you and me who didn�t go to space/moon but there are very few who have done this.
Please stop commenting on others, it doesn�t make any sense.

Vivek, not to comment on your stmts, but I would request you to lighten up. I am sure Roseanne was just kidding and din't mean anything offensive.

I don�t know what is going on here. It wasn�t use to. I have been looking around this site since last 2/12 years.
Maybe we are trying to learn comedy as well. Again, just kidding.
You know after taking so many Cert. exams we are kinda stressed out, right ?
- madhav.....................just a thought and friendly suggestions.

[Roseanne Zhang]

Maybe, I should shut-up. However, I don't understand Why. You don't think that is a world record so far? The highest score before this one I'd heard was around 90. If you know anybody got more than 98%, or got 98% earlier than this one, please let me know.
Thanks!

[Madhav Lakkapragada]

Maybe, I should shut-up.
No you should not. I din't mean to upset you.
Hope it's not what I said.
However, I don't understand Why. You don't think that is a world record so far?
Its certainly possible. I have no idea.
- m

[Vivek Saxena]

I think should have not started this at all. I am sorry if u didn�t like what I said.
The thing I didn�t like was that you include second line in your QUOTE.

I've passed the exam with 98% few days ago. ...
I've studied for about a week.

I thought that you were trying to say that it is impossible to do that good in a week. I have seen your other post where you asked for the proof.

Anyway sorry!

[Ruff Young]

Congratulations!

[John Dunn]

98%
1 week
Whooo Hooo!!!
You GO, Boooooyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyeeeeeee!!
------------------
As for SCJP, I would TOTALLY recommend it. It is a pre-req for SCJD.
SCJP is not an easy test, even for a seasoned Java developer. I would recommend this:
1. Do some mock exams first to humble yourself.
2. Read one good cert-related book cover to cover. (It is imperative that you use a compiler and do some examples along the way if you don't have Java experience.)
3. Then try the tests again to gauge progress.
4. Read a second good cert-related book.
I bet you pass, but I also bet you will find that it is not at all easy. You WILL get a very good training in Java.
Good luck!!

[John Dunn]

To contact IBM, try this link. You'll see a feedback link on the bottom left. That'll probably be a good start...
http://www-1.ibm.com/certify/site/map.shtml

[mary morris]

congratulation Kenneth and thanks for sharing your information concerning the test
I also find the mock exams helpful,
What is the url for Boson trial?
Thanks

[Dennis L Chen]

Wow! 98% is reeeeeeellly goood score. Congratulations! Kenneth. I am pretty sure you can pass SCJP test very easily.

[Kenneth Tsuei]

Hi,
Mary, here's the URL for Boson's trial:
Boson's Practice Test for IBM exams
Hey all, don't miss out sth. I've stated that I've been working with XML for ~1 yr, that's why I can pass it w/ so little time. Don't wana give anybody a wrong impression that this exam is so easy that u're just paying the exam fee to buy the cert, just like some other IT certs
BTW, I'm sure Roseanne is not offensive!
But I don't think this's a record.
And thanks John for the recommendation on SCJP.
But is SCJP an official pre-req of SCJD?
Coz I heard sb have passed SCJD w/o SCJP.
Cheers

[John Dunn]

Developer Exams
Prior to beginning the Sun Certified Developer for Java 2 Platform program, you must be a Sun Certified Programmer for Java 2 Platform 1.2.
Step 1: Sun Certified Developer for Java 2 Platform, Programming Assignment (CX-310-252A) ($250)
Step 2: Sun Certified Developer for Java 2 Platform, Essay Exam (CX-310-027) ($150)

Ken, the above is from the Sun Cert site.
SCJP is a truly useful cert. I tell all my colleagues to take it; because if you give at least a valiant effort and still fail you will have definitely picked up some worthwhile skills.

[Ashik Uzzaman]

Outstanding!!

[Ashik Uzzaman]

Outstanding!!

[Roseanne Zhang]

Can Kenneth Tsuei or others help me on my xml schema confusion on this thread?
Thanks a lot!
https://coderanch.com/t/146995/po/certification/schema-key-keyref

[Pradeep Chopra]

Dear Ranchers,
To avoid any misunderstanding which has happened recently, I would like to inform you all that Boson Software is just a reseller of our XML product. Their product for XML certification has the content of XML@Whiz and that is not updated. We've recently launched an updated version of our product which has undergone many cycles of reviews and has received HIGHLY positive feedback.
Hope this helps.
Also on different note:
For last couple of weeks we've been doing some restructuring at our end and I should be be back soon and share our thoughts with you.
Thanks for your faith in us and conntinous support!
Regards and best wishes
Pradeep

[John Lee]

Congratulations!

[Ajith Kallambella]

Congratulations and good luck with your future endeavours!