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Passed IBM-141 with score of 81%

 
Greenhorn
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I took the IBM-141 test today at 12:30pm and passed with score of 81%. (Passing is 58%):
Architecture: 80%
Information modeling: 60%
XML Processing: 88%
XML Rendering: 100%
Testing and Tuning: 100%

I took the final Whizlabs test in the morning and got a score of 44 out of 57. (Passing was 34 out of 57).

For those who can afford it, I think the $70 to buy Whizlabs exam simulator is a great bargain. Without it I probably would have passed but just barely. I could have done better on the real exam, but I decided
to take the exam today no matter what. If I had another three days I
could have taken ALL the Whizlab tests instead of just four of them.
That would certainly have raised my score. But I figured I had to get
it over with and move on. The best part of the Whizlabs tests is that
after you take one you know exactly what areas you need to study before you take the next Whizlabs test.

The real exam had some really easy questions that only took a few seconds if you knew the answer. But there were business scenario questions that were very taxing mentally and which were very subtle and
exhausting to read.

I needed the entire 90 minutes to take the exam. I used that last fifteen minutes to review my answers.

I used the "XML Bible" to learn XML-FO. I read that chapter three or four times... I didn't get bogged down in the details of, says, how to build a complete FO-TABLE. But I had a good mastery of the FO regions and the FO FLOW, FO Blocks, etc. and the high level FO architecture.

I used the WROX XML book for SAX and DOM. I read the chapters in both books for XML Schema and XLST and XPOINTER and XLINK and XPATH. I found that re-reading the chapters was much more meaningful than the first readings of them.

I don't want to give away any answers, but hopefully it's okay to say that regarding DOM it is important to know how the DOM2 event processing works. Also, it's more important to know UDDI than it is to know WSDL, I found. I was worried about DOM, so I reviewed that chapter in the WROX
XML book many times. Thank goodness it was a short chapter... I skipped
the part of the chapter that had programming examples since I suspected
only the API of DOM would be covered.

Knowing DTD inside and out is essential. DTD is the shortest and easiest of the various technologies to know. The coverage of XML
Schema was not as in depth as was DTD. I knew XPATH was used by
several XML technologies so I read the chapters in both books on XPATH
repeatedly. I also put effort into reading both book's chapters on XLST.

One thing that confused me was that some of the possible answers involved XQUERY. I had to keep reminding myself that the IBM specs for the test did not mention XQUERY. At least, I hope they didn't.

I agree with others who say the IBM 141 test is one of the hardest of all the certifications. I agree that it takes as much effort as it did
to get the Java Certified Programmer certification. I also agree with
others that the process of studying for the IBM 141 test is the most
valuable part of it all.


I plan next (meaning tomorrow morning) to brush up on my C/C++ skills
so I can list them on my resume along side my (very strong) java skills.
Does anyone know of a C/C++ certification that would be worthwhile
workings towards? I find it easier to learn when there is a definate
goal to work towards.

Finally, thanks to the people who answered my questions here. Also
I learned a great, great deal from reading other people's posts here.
Thanks to everyone.
 
Greenhorn
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Hey congrats for ur certification!!

I also saw the long list of certifications you have obtained so far. I am one of those guys who is planning to take SCJP exam. Can someone tell me how does beign certified help on the following fronts:
1. Advancement of career
2. Pay hike
 
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Great job, Robert!
 
Robert Glover
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> Can someone tell me how does beign certified help on the following >fronts:
>1. Advancement of career
>2. Pay hike

In my case, I was a java consultant in a group that later hired two new consultants. One of them was introduced to us as being a superstar because he had the SCJP and SCJA certifications.
Because I can be quite competive when I'm pressed, I immediately proceeded to become a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer in eight weeks.
Usually that takes a year. It requires (as I recall) six different certifications. I put all seven of them on the wall of my cubicle where everybody could see them.
That's how I got into the habit of getting a lot of certifications. Now I find getting certified to be the best way to motivate myself. I enjoy the challenge and the fact that there is a goal at the end.
At that particular job, having those certificates was probably a key factor in other people being layed off before I was finally laid off.
I probably lasted an extra year because of them.
Having all those certifications on my resume was very, very helpful in getting my next job too.
In summary, I think the certifications are immensely helpful when prominently displayed on a resume. I also have first hand experience with the utility of posting copies on your cubicle wall at work.
As far as getting a raise, I don't think it helped with that. Raises are given for other reasons than certifications.
 
Ranch Hand
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Great score Robert .Congratulations.


Dhiren
 
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Congratulations Robert,

i was wondering about the MCSE. Is it advisable for somebody with no systems engineer experience to take the MCSE? How dit it help you in your job or jobsearch(es)?

Thanks
 
Robert Glover
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Regarding the MCSE, you have to be a little crazy to get it in eight weeks. I bought three computers at a computer show and networked them together at home so that I could simulate all the advanced concepts required.
Nearly all of what I learned for the MCSE went into short term memory and is now forgotten. Almost all of it is totally arbitrary information regarding where options are on dialogue boxes, etc.
MCSE is most useful for pc support staff. Since I was a programmer, it helped me of course but mainly it helped me to maintain my own Win NT machine at work a little better.
Unfortunately, the MSCE for Win NT4 is useless now. Microsoft changed everything concerning networking in Win 2000. Sigh.
If I didn't have the MCSE for Win NT4 I would probably seriously consider getting certified as an MCSE for WinXP. As you probably know
it is so competitive that every little bit of resume window dressing helps.
 
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Congrats Robert

 
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Congrats Robert.



Regards,
 
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Congrats Robert !!!
Great score
I have to agree with the whizlabs part
It also helped me boost my confidence and prepare well for the exam
Thanks for sharing your resources and preparation
 
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Congratulations Robert

I am happy that Whizlabs product contributed to your success.
 
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Congratulations!
 
I wasn't selected to go to mars. This tiny ad got in ahead of me:
Smokeless wood heat with a rocket mass heater
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