Important=> Validity of this exam :confused:

[Daniel Bauer]

Hi,

I am considering taking this exam, but i am not sure whether this exam is in fact valid anymore.

What spec of EJB is this exam based on? Now that EJB 3 is out is the previous spec going to be of any use, since EJB 3 changes quite a lot of core topics?

When was this exam last updated? Was it 2005, 2004?

I have about 6 years of java development experience and know the design patterns quite well. how long should I plan to study for taking the 1st exam?

Please let me know.

thanks.

D.

[Theodore Casser]

The EJB version is 1.1, corresponding to J2EE version 1.2.

Regardless, I think the exam still has quite a bit of validity, even if it's a bit dated. The fact is that the exam ismore about how you handle designing an application, the architecture of the solution, rather than the technologies involved. So bear that in mind.

[Daniel Bauer]

The core of this exam is the EJB spec, which has changed considerably. Is there any other certification, IBM??, that is more closely in touch with the times?

[Theodore Casser]

Originally posted by Daniel Bauer:
The core of this exam is the EJB spec, which has changed considerably. Is there any other certification, IBM??, that is more closely in touch with the times?

The core of this exam is J2EE technologies. EJB is not the be-all-and-end-all of it. And yes, I have to admit that the portion in question is outdated. If you're looking for something that concentrates on EJBs and is more up to date, look at the SCBCD, which is rumored to be updated this fall to EJB3.

However, the major portion of the SCEA is dedicated to architecting a software solution using Java EE - only Part I concentrates on the admittedly oudated spec. Part II can be done according to any valid spec of Java EE, including Java EE 5, so long as it meets the requirements set out in the instructions.

[Daniel Bauer]

I conclude that this exam is not worth the time. anyone taking this exam now will be wasting time and money. Either wait for a while till sun updates this exam, or choose something else.

[Kay Ra]

Totally Disagrre about it not being usefull.
As it has been iterated in the previous replies, it is about your problem solving skill, that can be applied to any technology. How to architect a solution. An architect does not say I can design only if it is EJB3 and under these circumstance ....

[Raghubir Bose]

Hey Daniel,
Interestingly knowing a design patterns well does not establish one as an architect.Knowing EJB3.0 or hibernate well also does not establish somebody as an architect.He may at best be called someone uptodated.Architecting is more than knowing design patterns and EJB3.0.I feel that it is the way to think things properly.For example common architectures,DP, Legacy connectivity, Messaging,i18n,UML is something that will always be around with some variation.

We do certification to get ourselves recognised in the job market, getting some dollars/Rupees more per hour.Of all the standard architect level certification SCEA still has value, since it touches the basic tenets of architecting.Pls remember technology is a part of architecture not the whole of it.

The other ones to compare are of-course from IBM and Microsoft, which are also very good.But you cannot conclude that since only SCEA has EJB1.1 it is backdated . It would be a misconception of the basic principles of architecting.

I do agree new things needs to be brought in like ESBs and AOPs and stuffs like that, but this is also fine.

To take the exam or not is your own personal decision, but pls do not be biased with technology, see how much of architecting you can learn by doing a certification.

[Theodore Casser]

Originally posted by Daniel Bauer:
I conclude that this exam is not worth the time. anyone taking this exam now will be wasting time and money. Either wait for a while till sun updates this exam, or choose something else.

Then don't take it.

I hate to be negative on the matter, but disagreeing with you feels pointless since I get the impression you came into this discussion already having decided that the exam was outdated and meaningless to you. I'd suggest, again, looking at the SCBCD exam when it's refreshed in the fall if you're looking for an exam that concentrates on EJB3, or perhaps something in some other technology if you're concerned about 'up to date' technologies rather than the roles that are being tested.

[Abiodun Adisa]

The SCEA is still very much valid. Its more about problem solving than just using new technologies. The exam aims to know how you would go about using any type of technology to solve a problem.I don't think the exam needs uprading at this time. I feel a good Architect can work with any edition of any Programming Language to solve any problem