IBM 285 or 286. Please advice?

Can anyone help me with my decision. I'm thinking of doing ibm test 285 or 286. If I look at the objectives then it seems that they are much alike. Except that for 286 you need to be sun certified programmer. Since I already have SCJP, SCWCD and SCBCD I can do directly 286.
But where is 285 for then?
If I look at ibm's site the methods of preparation are not alike. For 285 there's one book specifically name "An Introduction to Web Application Development with IBM WebSphere Studio: WebSphere Certification Study Guide"
For the 286 there are several books. Do I have to read them all for 286 or is anyone of these book sufficient. I do not like reading and studying several books. All the other certificates I did it with reading ONE book, doing some mock's and doing the exam.

Please give me some advice on which exam and on which book to study from.

Hallo Stefan,

most people here prefer IBM Certified Enterprise Developer.
This are 3 tests (UML, J2EE, J2EE websphere specific).
http://www-1.ibm.com/certify/certs/adedwssv5.shtml

Might be a prejudice, but I find this 285, 286 tests not that sexy, because they seem to ask some very specific details about wizards and stuff like that.
... and with every point release there are wizards added quickly.

Of course one should know this stuff, but for a test I prefer more analytical questions like those in 486, 484 and 287.
There are a lot of topics covered from the certis you allready have.
A very good book about different aspects of WSAD developmen, which talks in a easy to follow manner from wizzard to architectural stuff, is:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/032118579X/ref%3Djr%5Fbunk-20/102-4339255-7144120

Axel

I would vote for 287, rather than 285 or 286, like Axel...

Count me in.

If you consider IBM 28x, you better consider ICED, instead of ICAD or ICSD.

Nick

Hi,

I've just started with 486, and UML
distilled is on my nighttable. I've
wandered around the web after you
guys gave some tips

, but resources
for 486 (or ICED) are very little,
and forums (e.g. Yahoo meda, objectsbydesign)
are not so lively, there is a lack of
mock exams, compared to SCJP for example.
(of course SCJP is a big one, but nevertheless)

Am I looking in the wrong places?

Cheers,

Gian Franco

Gian Franco,

there are lots of internet sites and books about UML, Patterns and all that. But its more scattered and huge body of information, which in many aspects is not purely technical.
The most important book for the test is Larmans book (mentioned in IBM page).
Whizlabs have an excelent test engine for the test and the whole topic. It costs a bit more than a handful of dollars, though.

Axel
[ September 15, 2004: Message edited by: Axel Janssen ]

hi guyz,
Can any one suggest some good book for IBM 286 and 287 ??
Thnaks,
Aju

Can any one suggest some good book for IBM 286 and 287 ??

There should be no books for 286, except IBM's redbooks.

For 287, you may consider Howard's book.

Nick
[ September 15, 2004: Message edited by: Nicholas Cheung ]

Ok Guys, It seems like you convinced me in doing 287. So I will start with the uml exam first.
I see one of you saying that he is using the book UML Distilled as a preparation. Is that book enough or do you need more books to read through?
On the ibm site they mention 2 books but these books seem to go out of production. Are these books still the right books? Do you need to study them both? Pls Advice

Hi,

Yes you need to study them both. Larman's
book will have a 3rd edition that is
expected to come out end October, the
2nd edition is still fine for 486.

Good luck,

Gian Franco

Originally posted by Gian Franco Casula:
Hi,

Yes you need to study them both. Larman's
book will have a 3rd edition that is
expected to come out end October, the
2nd edition is still fine for 486.

3rd edition is not good for 486... I found many posts in this thread that 3rd edition concentrates on the difference between the UML 2.0 and the previous version...

So we'd better use 2nd edition for the preparation for 486...

Just my 2 cents...

3rd edition is not good for 486... I found many posts in this thread that 3rd edition concentrates on the difference between the UML 2.0 and the previous version...

So we'd better use 2nd edition for the preparation for 486...

Ko Ko, I guess Gian is talking about the 3rd edition of Larman's Applying UML and Patterns, not the 3rd edition of Fowler's UML Distrilled.

Nick

Yes, I meant Larman's 3rd edition.

But, the thing with Fowlers 2nd
edition worries me a bit, I'm
currently studying from the 3rd
edition, because it's the only
one available.

Cheers,

Gian Franco

Same question from my part. I also found Fowler's UML Distilled in the Third edition. If this is the wrong version for the exam please reply because I want to start reading asap
thx for all the advices

Personally, I feel both versions are ok.

But as IBM 486 focus on UML 1.x, it is better to read the book talks about UML 1.x.

Nick

Larmans book is much more important than uml distilled for passing the test.

Thanks Guys, I'll focus on Larman's book from now on.

hi guys,
do u have any online study material, link other then
books u guys are talking to prepare for 486??

thnks

Hi,

You might find the following links useful:
objects by design and meda forums

They are not very lively unfortunately, the luxury of an
immediate answer you get here in JavaRanch you won't get
it there.

Cheers,

Gian Franco Casula

I agree with some of you guys, the 285 exam isn't that sexy, you need to know the keystrokes within the IDE, however some of the objectives are very interesting and can give you a head start when you arrive in a WAS project.

When studying for this exam you will appreciate the IDE and you will get the know the internals, only for the geek persons under us ;-)

Anyway, all the best with your studies and the exam.

Hi Folks,
Test 287 looks quite interesting....I am planning to go ahead with this certification.I would like to know any free tests available?Awaiting ur reply.
Regards,
Ravi

Free tests are usually available from IBM during the months of Nov-Dec. Keep an eye on the News Section of the following link for future promotions:

http://www-1.ibm.com/certify/certs/ws_index.shtml

Good Luck
[ October 01, 2004: Message edited by: Vijay S. Rathore ]