What Cert to Pursue?

[Theodore Casser]

It's a silly question (I feel like it is at least), but I figured here's the place to ask.
I do have my WebSphere AS SE 3.5 certification. My company, finally, is going to start migrating from JRun to WebSphere over the next few weeks, with all new client projects being developed on WebSphere instead of on JRun.
My question is, off the bat, which certification is more useful for me to pursue in terms of client confidence in the short run: 409 (Administration) or 498 (Advanced Edition)? Does anyone have an opinion or experience with the question one way or another? I intend, in the long run, to be certified in both (along with 486 and 483, time permitting), but I figured I'd ask here to see if anyone has opinions that might help me decide which direction to spend my money.
Thanks in advance!
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Theodore Jonathan Casser
SCPJ2 and SCWCD
IBM Certified Specialist - WebSphere Application Server, Std. Ed, V3.5

[David Chan]

Hi! Theodore Casser!
I am also interested in IBM Websphere Certification. Actually, I am new to Websphere and Java. I just have passed SCJP about a month ago. I think I will start with IBM Certified Specialist - WebSphere Application Server, Std. Ed, V3.5 first. Can you kindly advise me how to start it? Is there any good website, resource, mock exam and books available?
Thanks in advance,
David Chan.

[Theodore Casser]

Well, my best advice for anyone pursuing the 406 (WebSphere Application Server, Standard Edition, V3.5) examination is the advice I believe anyone would give on any of the tests discussed here at JavaRanch: Practice. Download the trial server, set it up on your workstation. Set up a servlet, practice setting up second nodes and cloning items across them to demonstrate load balancing.
The second thing I can recommend is to read the Redbooks from IBM. I don't recall the number for the one that I liked, but I do remember that there was a Redbook on administering WebSphere AS 3.5, and if you filter through the features that aren't tested on 406, you get a bit of useful information.
And, know the standards involved. I seem to recall a cluster of questions on how web applications work, how servlets function, etc. It never hurts, of course, to know the background of what you're going to be using WebSphere for - to run Java applications.
IBM has a mock exam at http://certify.torolab.ibm.com - this is the site for their ICE engine. I'd practice using this - it's great as a diagnostic tool, especially because the questions and interface are close to what you will encounter on the real thing.
Best of luck!
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Theodore Jonathan Casser
SCPJ2 and SCWCD
IBM Certified Specialist - WebSphere Application Server, Std. Ed, V3.5

[Rahul Mahindrakar]

Hi Theodore,
This may look off the Topic but my suggestion is that you wait for the WAS 4.0 Certifications. This is because 3.5 and 4.0 are very different in their approaches to server side Java. I would expect people to go and buy 4.0 rather than 3.5. So think about it.
Rahul

[Theodore Casser]

I suppose that does make some sense, though I was more answering David's question than giving such a recommendation.
Sides, I haven't heard anything on when IBM plans to release the new tests. I've never been good at waiting....
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Theodore Jonathan Casser
SCPJ2 and SCWCD
IBM Certified Specialist - WebSphere Application Server, Std. Ed, V3.5

[Rahul Mahindrakar]

I hope they do so soon. I have been waiting for a long long time...

[David Chan]

Hi Theodore,
Some more question. Is it there havn't any exam oriented book for this exam(Test 406)? I cann't find any exam oriented book in amazon. Is questions in the exam difficult? Straight foward? or tricky?
Thanks,
David Chan

[Huiming Gu]

There is no exam book for 406.
Most of the recommendation resource at http://www-4.ibm.com/software/ad/certify/tests/education/edu406.html is good and necessary. I also use Websphere 3.5 handbook available at: http://publib-b.boulder.ibm.com/Redbooks.nsf/9445fa5b416f6e32852569ae006bb65f/575626afc163c4e5852569260052d4ca?OpenDocument&Highlight=0,websphere
The question is not very difficult. But you have to understand JSP and Servlet. You can try the mock sample test at: http://certify.torolab.ibm.com/icetest.jsp
passing score is 50%

[bobby s]

Hi Folks,
I am preparing for test 498 for almost more than a month now.
I have given sample tests at ibm site but my scores never crossed 17 out of 25 and IBM does not provide answers.
If anyone is interested i would like to discuss some of the questions.
The resources i am using are:
1.websphere 3.5 handbook
2.EJB development with VA and web sphere.
Also i would like to know , is it OK to ask the questions in this forum.
let me know if anyone needs info regarding prep for this exam.
Thanks
bobby
[e-mail]