Update: (but NOT final) SCWCD beta news

[Bert Bates]

Howdy SCWCD 1.4 Beta Aspirants,
Concerning the SCWCD 1.4 Beta, we don't have all the official news yet, but here's what we DO know:
1 - Very soon now (in the next couple of weeks probably), Sun will announce a beta exam for the new version of the Web Component Developer certification.
2 - The purpose of the beta exam is for Sun to test out the newly created exam questions to see how they perform with real live candidates.
3 - Of the many questions that were created for this exam, only about 80% of those questions will survive the beta process. Questions that are too difficult or too easy will be removed from the final exam.
4 - Candidates who pass the beta exam will receive full-fledged certificates. They are as real in every way as certificates received from "live" tests, and the certificates are identical. (So they don't say "beta" anywhere on the certificate.) These babies are the "real McCoy".
5 - Beta candidates will "probably" (no guarantees here ), have 5 hours to answer 160 questions (give or take).
6 - The "real" exam will probably allow 2 hours to answer 65-70 questions.
7 - When the beta is announced, there will be some "first come - first served" signup process, and the first X volunteers will receive vouchers from Sun (for free), that will allow them to take the beta exam. (Did I mention "for free"?). (In the past, the number of vouchers has been some number like 400 or 600, again we don't know for sure what that number is.)
8 - Once the candidates have received their vouchers, they will be able to schedule their exam at a certified test center. Candidates will probably have a 3 to 5 week time range in which to schedule their exam.
10 - This process is under constant refinement and improvement, so things you might think you know about the process from previous exams, may not hold true for this exam.
11 - Be patient! Please limit yourself to this forum for your questions, we're acting as Sun's informal agents, and we are releasing information as soon as it becomes available. Please don't pester Sun about this, as soon as decisions are made, the information will be made available!
12 - The objectives for this exam have been posted on this forum!
More news as it becomes available!
Bert

[P S Arora]

hello mr. bates,
Where will the news of beta SCWCD appear ?
can you please let us know ?
thanks
PSA

[Theodore Casser]

The bigger question, in my mind, is: This time, is everyone who gets a voucher guaranteed a seat for the beta test? The big mistake I made with the SCBCD beta was feeling rushed to take the test before I was ready, and I'd like time to prepare for this one.
Thanks!

[Daniel Spaethe]

Bert,
Does the new book, "Head First SCWCD", that is being released in January 2004, cover the new requirements of the new SCWCD exam? I liked the 310-035/310-027 certification book you and Kathy wrote so much, that I searched for your names and found this one on Amazon.
Thanks,
Dan

[Ko Ko Naing]

Originally posted by PS A:
hello mr. bates,
Where will the news of beta SCWCD appear ?
can you please let us know ?
thanks
PSA

One recommended source is here in this forum of JavaRanch.com... People from Exam development Team are usually hanging out in this forum to provide the news about the beta exam of SCWCD...

[Ko Ko Naing]

Originally posted by Daniel Spaethe:

Does the new book, "Head First SCWCD", that is being released in January 2004, cover the new requirements of the new SCWCD exam?

Of course, the book is mainly based on the new SCWCD... Everything on the exam objectives will be covered in that book...

[Bert Bates]

HF SCWCD will cover all the objectives of the new exam, alas, Amazon's information is old, the book will not be available in time for the beta. It is scheduled for March or April. However, we will try to provide some study materials for beta takers.

[Andres Gonzalez]

I've just received another email asking for my details (name, email, prometric center, etc). Have to wait though because I have no idea what my prometric center id is/was.
[ December 22, 2003: Message edited by: Andres Gonzalez ]

[M Bala]

Originally posted by Andres Gonzalez:
I've just received another email asking for my details (name, email, prometric center, etc). Have to wait though because I have no idea what my prometric center id is/was.
[ December 22, 2003: Message edited by: Andres Gonzalez ]

If you've already created user at 2test.com (https://www.register.prometric.com/Login.asp), then login and click update profile, you should see your prometric Testing ID over there.
Murali

[Andres Gonzalez]

Originally posted by M Bala:

If you've already created user at 2test.com (https://www.register.prometric.com/Login.asp), then login and click update profile, you should see your prometric Testing ID over there.
Murali

thanks dude.. I was gonna send the email today when I receive another email with my voucher #.
cheers

[Anupam Sinha]

Hi Bert

However, we will try to provide some study materials for beta takers.

I am eagerly waiting for the study material.