I just took the IBM-141 XML exam this morning and passed. Here are a few observations for the benefit of others... First, in some ways the test was easier than I expected. Not that the questions themselves were easy, but that even if the answer didn't pop into my head right away, I could look at the choices carefully and eliminate one or two wrong answers right off the bat. Just like having a 50-50 lifeline from Millionaire on every question. That helps a lot. On to the specifics. I got 76%, and as you know the passing score is 58%. Time was not a factor. I answered all the questions in 50 minutes, and had 40 minutes to review the answers I marked. I left the testing center with a half-hour to spare. For those still studying for this exam, I used the following study techniques: - I briefly read some of the specs (XML, Schema Primer, Namespace) on the W3C Web Site - I went through almost all of the XML tutorials at W3 Schools - Did the mock tests on JavaRanch (links at the top of this page) - Read the JavaRanch forum postings, particularly when someone reported they passed. Many thanks to those "I passed" forum posters! - Took the BrainBench XML test, and passed with a Master level 4.58/5.00. (Luckily, I get to take them for free as a BrainBench MVP.) - Started reading "Professional XML", but stopped just before the Chapter on Schemas (Chp 5 I believe). Sorry, but that was a boring way to study. - Took the official IBM sample test twice. Then studied the sample test answers someone posted on another site. There was one question pulled directly from there. I probably spent a grand total of 15-20 hours studying, over a one month period. As for the test itself, the content follows pretty closely to other forum postings: - One question on XSL:FO - Two questions on DOM vs. SAX - Two questions on DOM Interfaces (Node, NodeList, Document, DocumentFragment, etc.) - One question on SAX event handlers - One question on Schema ComplexType/SimpleType - A few questions on Schema - A few XSLT questions - A couple on DTDs - A couple of XPath/XPointer - One XQuery - NO XLink questions - A lot of scenario ones, "which of the following is MOST likely to be part of the solution". - One or two vague questions... I felt there was more than one correct answer, but the question only asked for one... Basically, all I can suggest is spend most of your study efforts on: - What makes XML well-formed? What makes it valid? - A "deep overview" of all the XML technologies (XML, XSLT, XSL:FO, CSS as it relates to XML, XPath, Schema, DTD, Namespaces, SAX1, SAX2, DOM). I mean, you don't have to know the exact syntax of each function, element, attribute... but you should have a good grasp on the names of the functions/elements/attributes in those technologies and what they do. - When do you use a particular technology over a similar one (SAX vs. DOM, CSS vs. XSLT vs. XSL:FO, etc.) Best of luck to all! Scott
Scott Duffy<br />:: MCSD, SCJP, IBMXML<br />:: Author of <a href="http://www.xguru.com/tutorial/cat_index.asp?cat=5" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">IBM XML Certification Guide</a><br />:: Author of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0072228873" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">How to Do Everything in JavaScript</a>, Osborne Press
Tong Chen
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Joined: Apr 26, 2002
Posts: 1011
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Congratulations to you, Scott Duffy! Also thank you very much for your valuable suggestions!
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