Difference between Test 285 & 287

[Vishwa Kumba]

I find it easy to understand the different types of SUN exams for Java developers, but not the same with IBM exams.
Can somebody tell me the differences between Test 285 and 287?
Are these independent of each other or is Test 287 an upgrade for Test 285?...
Is Test 285 similar to Sun's SCWCD and Test 287 similar to SCBCD with some additional topics? Are they related to J2EE1.3 spec?
How adequate are the following guides mentioned at the IBM's site to pass these exams?
Test 285: Developing with IBM WebSphere Studio, V5.0
Study guide : An Introduction to Web Application Development with IBM WebSphere Studio (IBM Certified Associate Developer)
Author: Gary Craig, Peter Jakab
Test 287: Enterprise Application Development using IBM WebSphere Studio V5.0
Study guide: Developing J2EE Applications with IBM WebSphere Studio
(IBM Certified Enterprise Developer)
Author:Howard Kushner and others
I also found(discovered ) another book by one of our bartenders Kyle Brown. The cover page does not say that it is a study guide for any of the above exams.
Enterprise Java Programming with IBM Websphere
- Kyle Brown & others - IBM press.
Can some rancher comment on this book also please.
Apart from the price tag, I must admit I found excellent reviews for all the above books.
Lastly, can somebody tell me if they are available in india for purchase.
Many thanks,

[Vishwa Kumba]

Test 286: Application Development with IBM WebSphere Studio, V5.0
I am confused again. I just found another exam, Test 286. What is this certification for?
At the IBM site, in the web references section I found only Servlet 2.3 and JSP1.2 specs mentioned, so is it similar to Sun's SCWCD exam?

[Nicholas Cheung]

Hi Vishwa,

Can somebody tell me the differences between Test 285 and 287?

285 is for beginner. It tests your knowledge on basic WSAD stuffs. Something like MOUS, you just need to know how WSAD works, like what view is for what, what function is for what.
287 focus on how to use WSAD to write J2EE applications. You additionally need to know how to configure DB connection pool, how to write JSP, Servlets, EJB, and how to deploy them. You also need to know how WSAD help to tune application performance.

Are these independent of each other or is Test 287 an upgrade for Test 285?...

They are independent, as they are focus on different areas.

Is Test 285 similar to Sun's SCWCD and Test 287 similar to SCBCD with some additional topics?

NO. You can read the testing objectives from the website:
http://www.ibm.com/certify

Are they related to J2EE1.3 spec?

YES.

How adequate are the following guides mentioned at the IBM's site to pass these exams?
Test 285: Developing with IBM WebSphere Studio, V5.0
Study guide : An Introduction to Web Application Development with IBM WebSphere Studio (IBM Certified Associate Developer)
Author: Gary Craig, Peter Jakab
Test 287: Enterprise Application Development using IBM WebSphere Studio V5.0
Study guide: Developing J2EE Applications with IBM WebSphere Studio
(IBM Certified Enterprise Developer)
Author:Howard Kushner and others

I did not take 285, so I cannot comment on it. But I feel Howard book is the only thing you need to pass 287. I read Howard's book once before my 287 exam, and then get a pass, as well as my ICED.
It also helps for 484, the J2EE connectivity, as it covers not only WSAD issues. (in fact, 484 and 287 are a bit overlapped on the exam objectives).

I also found(discovered ) another book by one of our bartenders Kyle Brown. The cover page does not say that it is a study guide for any of the above exams.
Enterprise Java Programming with IBM Websphere
- Kyle Brown & others - IBM press.
Can some rancher comment on this book also please.

Mr. Brown's book is focus on how to develop applications using WSAD, in a generic approach. It is somewhat like a WSAD manual, rather than an exam study guide. I buy both his books (1st edition for VAJ) while I am working with WSAD.
Nick

[Vishwa Kumba]

Thanks Nicholas!...

[balraj goulikar]

Pl. send me sample questions for test 286.

Balraj