1) Unfortunately JavaRanch isn't affiliated with SpringSource, so no that isn't the same as contributing to the Spring Framework
2) Also unfortunately, Spring in Action currently covers version 2.0, the
test covers 2.5, so while the basics of Core Spring is in that book, you probably would be better to wait till they upgrade and make a new version of that book.
I don't recall there being a way to just buy a voucher for their test, but I can ask them.
Good Luck
Mark