• Post Reply Bookmark Topic Watch Topic
  • New Topic
programming forums Java Mobile Certification Databases Caching Books Engineering Micro Controllers OS Languages Paradigms IDEs Build Tools Frameworks Application Servers Open Source This Site Careers Other Pie Elite all forums
this forum made possible by our volunteer staff, including ...
Marshals:
  • Campbell Ritchie
  • Jeanne Boyarsky
  • Ron McLeod
  • Paul Clapham
  • Liutauras Vilda
Sheriffs:
  • paul wheaton
  • Rob Spoor
  • Devaka Cooray
Saloon Keepers:
  • Stephan van Hulst
  • Tim Holloway
  • Carey Brown
  • Frits Walraven
  • Tim Moores
Bartenders:
  • Mikalai Zaikin

Sun Accademy Initiative (SAI): the hidden facts

 
Greenhorn
Posts: 28
  • Mark post as helpful
  • send pies
    Number of slices to send:
    Optional 'thank-you' note:
  • Quote
  • Report post to moderator
So,
after reading the GREAT! SCJP 5 book (by Kathy and Bert), I was ready to purchase my exam. Regular price is US$ 150 but I was informed that the university I graduated from had a campus agreement with Sun (Sun Accademy Initiative) and that I was ellegible for a discount voucher that would lower the exam cost to US$ 40. Wasting no time I requested the voucher, paid the 40 dollars, took and passed the exam. I noticed that the exam code changed from 310-055 to 210-055 (SAI), but everywhere it said that it was the same exact exam (same questions pools, same time, same everything).

Anyway, some time later I receive the envelop from Sun and to my surprise it only comes with the certificate; no pin/badge/logo contract.
Upon contacting Sun, I'm told that due to the discoung, those items where not included; if I desire them, I have to retake the exam at the regular cost. <!>

So, what's the point behind Sun's policy??? I mean, whey want to promote the use of Java at the universities, but only so much? I don't know, but it really left a bad taste in me... Why didn't they put it clearly *before* allowing me to get the discount voucher of the limitations that applied? Having known them I'd have taken the regular exam from the beginning.
I just hope that after taking another certification, I receive the items (most interested in the logo contract at this time).

Just wanted to share my experience with other...

</rant>

Regards

Alejandro
 
author
Posts: 9050
21
  • Mark post as helpful
  • send pies
    Number of slices to send:
    Optional 'thank-you' note:
  • Quote
  • Report post to moderator
Hi Alejandro,

That seems weird to me too - I'll contact Sun.

Bert
 
Greenhorn
Posts: 13
  • Mark post as helpful
  • send pies
    Number of slices to send:
    Optional 'thank-you' note:
  • Quote
  • Report post to moderator
Hi Alejandro,
its really weired , happened that to you..
I am also prepared to buy a voucher. you mentioned that the certification regular price , US$150. but in sun site it shows US$200.
i too heard from my friends who certified SCJP, that the price is US$150. were they changed the price or what i saw is wrong..?
let me know...

thanks,
Chaitanya.
 
Sheriff
Posts: 11343
Mac Safari Java
  • Mark post as helpful
  • send pies
    Number of slices to send:
    Optional 'thank-you' note:
  • Quote
  • Report post to moderator
Yes, the US price for the SCJP exam was recently raised from $150 to $200.
 
chaitanya gopal
Greenhorn
Posts: 13
  • Mark post as helpful
  • send pies
    Number of slices to send:
    Optional 'thank-you' note:
  • Quote
  • Report post to moderator
Thank you.

chaitanya.
 
Bartender
Posts: 6663
5
MyEclipse IDE Firefox Browser Linux
  • Mark post as helpful
  • send pies
    Number of slices to send:
    Optional 'thank-you' note:
  • Quote
  • Report post to moderator
Your rant is not well formed </rant>

More importantly will you be able to publish this certificate to some one ? Also does this mean you are eligible to take the next level of exams - the SCWCD, SCBCD etc etc ? Are you able to log into the certification database and lookup your score ? Right now these questions should matter more to you. Let us know about this after you find out.
 
Alejandro Dominguez
Greenhorn
Posts: 28
  • Mark post as helpful
  • send pies
    Number of slices to send:
    Optional 'thank-you' note:
  • Quote
  • Report post to moderator
<explanation type="short">
Yes, it's perfectly identical
</explanation>

<explanation type="long">

Yeah, according to Sun, the SAI version is identical in every aspect, 'cept for the mentioned pin/logo/badge, to the commercial version.
I can log and see my Certification history as well as send it to someone else.

Following are the emails I received from Sun; their Certification support team has been quick and clear answering my questions. Too bad I don't share Sun's policy in regard to SAI.

The Sun Academic Initiative tests provide the same Sun certification at a discounted price. Due to the discounted price, you do not receive the lapel pin, logo use, or wallet card. If these are needed you will have to take the exam at the commercial price.



In order to obtain use of the logo, you must take and pass the commercial version of the test. We cannot provide logo use to SAI certification students. We regret any inconvenience you may experience as a result of this issue.



Your actual SCJP certification is the same as the commercial certification and fulfills all of the prerequisite requirements for any of the Developer certifications. The only difference is that with the Sun Academic Initiative (SAI) program, you do not receive logo use, the wallet card, or the lapel pin. Since Developer certifications are not offered through the SAI program, you would receive all of the supplements of the commercial certification�logo use, wallet card, and lapel pin.



So, at least I can take the Developers certification (SCJD, SCBCD, etc...)

Now, if one goes to http://www.sun.com/products-n-solutions/edu/programs/sai/#certification there's no mention of the actual differences. I think more transparency would be truly good.

Anyway, back to study for SCBCD, then I'll get the missing items... barring some other, unknown, policy...

</explanation>

Regards

Alejandro

Edited: finally found the link that specifies the differences: http://www.sun.com/products-n-solutions/edu/programs/sai/faq.html#q11 Too bad it took an exam, a post and 3 emails getting to know the differences... oh well
[ June 06, 2007: Message edited by: Alejandro Dominguez ]
 
marc weber
Sheriff
Posts: 11343
Mac Safari Java
  • Mark post as helpful
  • send pies
    Number of slices to send:
    Optional 'thank-you' note:
  • Quote
  • Report post to moderator
So they value the label pin and wallet card at $110? I don't want to start a revolt here, but that's lame.
 
Ranch Hand
Posts: 7729
  • Mark post as helpful
  • send pies
    Number of slices to send:
    Optional 'thank-you' note:
  • Quote
  • Report post to moderator
I guess it is more a student ain't supposed to be a professional, well not yet, sort of thing.
 
Ranch Hand
Posts: 178
  • Mark post as helpful
  • send pies
    Number of slices to send:
    Optional 'thank-you' note:
  • Quote
  • Report post to moderator

Originally posted by marc weber:
So they value the label pin and wallet card at $110? I don't want to start a revolt here, but that's lame.




Not just lame if you ask me. They should offer to allow people to pay the $110 for the extra goodies if one wants them, not make them retake the exam.
 
Deepak Bala
Bartender
Posts: 6663
5
MyEclipse IDE Firefox Browser Linux
  • Mark post as helpful
  • send pies
    Number of slices to send:
    Optional 'thank-you' note:
  • Quote
  • Report post to moderator
I would love to take the 40$ exam then, but it makes no difference since my company is willing to reimburse my certifications yay ! But it still means less risk for the person in case they fail. What matters in the end is the knowledge you gain and the ability to take the next step in the exam chain if you want to (along with the certification publishing thing). Since you have all three now its pretty cool ! I agree with the transparency part of it also.
 
Ranch Hand
Posts: 304
  • Mark post as helpful
  • send pies
    Number of slices to send:
    Optional 'thank-you' note:
  • Quote
  • Report post to moderator
I am imagining my Resume without the logo.

eeeeeeeeeekkkk!!
 
Ranch Hand
Posts: 55
Eclipse IDE
  • Mark post as helpful
  • send pies
    Number of slices to send:
    Optional 'thank-you' note:
  • Quote
  • Report post to moderator
Hi,
I got my SCJP through SAI.. and didnt get the logo/lapel pin e.t.c ... now what if I search and copy the logo from google and put it on my CV?? what would SUN do about it??
 
Don't get me started about those stupid light bulbs.
reply
    Bookmark Topic Watch Topic
  • New Topic