EVERYONE gets 183 questions

[Kathy Sierra]

Howdy all -- I just confirmed that the beta will have 183 questions for *everyone*. The 160 was an original estimate, but it was changed once all the exam questions were reviewed.
Four hours will be enough, but it will be exhausting. This is how the betas always work. I still think it will be easier than the SCJP exam. But there is still a whole lot to learn.
Have fun!
cheers,
Kathy
p.s. if any of you are planning to take it while at JavaOne, let me know! Remember, Prometric will be on-site at the conference.

[Pradeep bhatt]

Kathy,
How many people have been given the voucher?
bye
pradeep

[sh yh]

I've the same question: how many free vouchers will be given out?
If too many vouchers are there, then every one will race for the 400 limit on June 6 (the first exam date).
Then, when people in the US wake up in the morning on June 6 and he/she will realize that all the 400 positions have been taken by people from India.

[Hung Tang]

I would also like to voice my concern over this issue. I would like to know the number of free vouchers that have been dispatched thus far. If the number is >1000, I don't think I will bother studying as there's pretty much a high chance that the first 400 will be there on the opening day when the exam starts. On the other hand, if the number was around ~500, that might give hope to others studying for the exam.
Do you know what is Sun going to be doing about this?

[Kathy Sierra]

I do not know the exact number, but I would be SHOCKED if somehow everyone got in on the first day, or even within the first week. Based on other exams that have used this process, it is likely that you will have at least 8 days or so, from the start of the beta.
But this is a risk... if the studying required is too much of an investment that you are not ready to make without a guarantee, then I would not try to take the exam now, and just wait until you're ready for the final one, later.
Those who I think *should* take the beta are:
* Developers already very experienced and knowledgeable in EJB, so that the additional studying is not that huge of an effort.
* Developers who are newer to EJB, but have the time to commit for studying right now, and nothing to lose by spending that time now.
* Developers who have *some* time to study right now, and want to at least "practice" taking the exam by doing the beta.
That's how *I* am advising my friends at Sun as to whether they should take the exam...
Either way, the exam will be there. The beta is just a chance to take it for free, but it comes with this risk that you might not get in.
Cheers,
Kathy

[Gayan Balasooriya]

Kathy thank you very much for answering my question.

[Karthik Guru]

Originally posted by sh yh:
I've the same question: how many free vouchers will be given out?
If too many vouchers are there, then every one will race for the 400 limit on June 6 (the first exam date).
Then, when people in the US wake up in the morning on June 6 and he/she will realize that all the 400 positions have been taken by people from India.

Actually you dont have to worry too much :-). Prometric, India responded yesterday saying that they have'nt heard anything from Sun yet about the beta. I know the way things work here in India. I seriously doubt if this "beta" exam will be offered here.

[Jack Yang]

how about singapore?

[Pradeep bhatt]

Does it mean that I cannot take the exam in India?

[Titu singh]

---------------------------------------------
Actually you dont have to worry too much :-). Prometric, India responded yesterday saying that they have'nt heard anything from Sun yet about the beta. I know the way things work here in India. I seriously doubt if this "beta" exam will be offered here.
----------------------------------------------
I agree with u. and it's free so, I hope prometric center will allow us to enter the center with free voucher.
[ May 29, 2003: Message edited by: Titu singh ]

[Pradeep bhatt]

Dont forget that Australia, Japan, Singapore are ahead of India.
May be You can visit Austaralia for taking up the beta.

Originally posted by sh yh:
I've the same question: how many free vouchers will be given out?
If too many vouchers are there, then every one will race for the 400 limit on June 6 (the first exam date).
Then, when people in the US wake up in the morning on June 6 and he/she will realize that all the 400 positions have been taken by people from India.

[Karthik Guru]

Originally posted by Pradeep Bhat:
Does it mean that I cannot take the exam in India?

Keep your fingers crossed and prepare. Am doing the same too! If not anything , we can brush up on our EJB knowledge.
I have worked on EJbs but the amount of the detail in the specs are just mind boggling! So am ok even if we dont get to take the beta exam.
But the prometric response just makes me feel a little skeptical about the chances of the beta being offered here. Am sure you can relate to what am trying to say here :-)

[Gustavo Torreti]

Hello, Ladies and Gentleman,
Well... two comments on the matter.
- Travelling to Australia would certainly be a great idea , but that would make the free voucher just a little bit too expensive
- Remember that the voucher is to be "on" starting on June 6, so I wouldn't be surprised if nobody at prometric knows about it (even in some parts of US, I dare say). If you are really suspicious about it, wait 'till (let's say) june 04 to ask them about it. By that time they will be better informed to better inform you.

Regardz to all,
Gus Morpheus

[Pradeep bhatt]

But you get to see beautiful places in Australia too.

Originally posted by Gustavo Torreti:
Hello, Ladies and Gentleman,

- Travelling to Australia would certainly be a great idea , but that would make the free voucher just a little bit too expensive
-
Regardz to all,
Gus Morpheus

[Sumit Amar]

Indians can undoubtedly take the Beta exam in India itself. The only thing is beta tests are not registered through prometric website rather these are registered manually, but again that's the headache of testing centre people. Last year I got SCSA 9 OE vouchers and testing centre people had no problem getting me registered.
So keep up the hard work India. [No need to travel in deserts of Australia or somewhere else. lol]

[Manish Hatwalne]

Originally posted by karthik Guru:

Actually you dont have to worry too much :-). Prometric, India responded yesterday saying that they have'nt heard anything from Sun yet about the beta. I know the way things work here in India. I seriously doubt if this "beta" exam will be offered here.

I have no doubts that the exam will be offered in India. The prometric ppl might not have heard abt it yet, but they'll do the needful by 4th June. I did take SCJP 1.4 beta in India itself. At that time also they didn't know about any "1.4 exam", and looked at me skeptically when I told them that it would take 4hrs.... But, it did work out!
Don't worry and all the best!
- Manish
[ June 01, 2003: Message edited by: Manish Hatwalne ]

[Pradeep bhatt]

Dont worry, I am not going to some Austaralian desert to take up the test. Travelling to Austarlia is out of my reach.
Manish, can please lemme know how did you register for the SCJP beta exam? Did you call the Asia/Australia prometric number?
Thank you

[Evelyn Cartagena-Meyer]

All,
The beta will be offered worldwide at Prometric testing centers. Registration starts on June 4th, perhaps they have not been told yet, but I have told Prometric to start registering on June 4 worldwide.
Hope this helps.
Evelyn

[Pradeep bhatt]

I just contacted the local Prometric center..they said they were not aware of the SCBCD beta exam..Will I be able to take the exam or not?