IBM Test 286 Difficulties

[Eric Binet]

I'm going to take the IBM test #286 tomorrow. I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions/memories about the difficulties they encountered while taking the test.

In particular, does the test include a LOT of very precise WSAD questions that are not covered in the practice tests?

I bought the CertFX practice test and the IBM 10$ one. I studied using the CertFX test, the WSAD help files and the IBM Red Books. I passed the IBM 10$ test with around 85% the first time I took it. I'm fairly comfortable with WSAD and web application development.

Thanks for any help/info you could give.

[Americo Souza]

Eric

I tried to clear the IBM 287 test a couple of weeks ago but I failed (check the thread that I started about it (https://coderanch.com/t/144953/po/certification/Failed-at-IBM
).

Anyway the reasons why it happened, were:

I am beginner in Java/J2EE technology. I mean, I never worked with it, but I got some certifications from Sun. IBM questions are quite tricky and completely different from SUN. They ask a lot about scenarios.

I did not take the IBM pre-assessment test. I found some comments at JavaRanch that they are useless because their questions do not match the level that they asked at the exam. Also I thought that their test was like SUN, and I practiced using the mock exams, which I already used in the past (Enthuware)

I studied WebSphere using Howard�s book. For me it was useless, because they asked questions with an information detail level that I did not find in his book

Good luck tomorrow

[Eric Binet]

Thanks for your reply.

I had already checked your thread and it helped me in my studies.

My experience with J2EE is quite vast (2-3 years) so I'm not scared about questions concerning J2EE. My concerns are more about GUI and wizards questions. Anyways, I still have 1 day to prepare.

[Americo Souza]

Eric

Don't worry with Wizards and GUI because at least at 287, they did not ask any question about this stuff.

Besides I failed, I rather prefer IBM style exams because they ask you smart questions. You don't have to memorize garbage (methods, xml tags and so on) like Sun

If you have experience, you will clear it without any problem

[Nicholas Cheung]

Don't worry with Wizards and GUI because at least at 287, they did not ask any question about this stuff.

This is because of the different focus of the exams. For 285, most of the questions are related to WSAD. For 286, it should be half of the questions related to WSAD. For 287, it focus on J2EE and only a few questions related to WSAD.

But if you back day to the previous exam (it seems 158 but I am not quite sure) of 287, i.e. the exam for WSAD 4.0, it focus much in WSAD because at that period, there is no 285/286-styled exams for WSAD 4.0.

Anyway, best luck in your exam.

Nick

[Eric Binet]

I just finished the exam and I passed with 83%. Cool!

Here are a few hints I could give out to other people wanting to take test #286:

Try the mock exams from IBM. They cost only 10$ and show good examples of questions.

This test is a lot about WSAD and a little of web app programming.

To succeed, you must have a thorough understanding of WSAD (Mostly its views, preferences and wizards).

I used the test from CertFX. It's not great but it contains questions almost identical to the ones in the real exam.

You can read a version of the IBM mock exam there.

Now, I have to study to take (and pass ) the IBM test on Websphere Portal (#348).

[Americo Souza]

Congratulations, Eric!!!

Nothing replaces real experience. You did great!!!

Unfortunately, I will have to overcome my lack of experience in a fast way. I really don't know how it will be, but I will have to find it shortly

[Mikalai Zaikin]

Originally posted by Eric Binet:
I just finished the exam and I passed with 83%. Cool!

Congratulations !

What book(s) was the most useful for preparation ?

regards,
MZ

[Nicholas Cheung]

Well done!!!

Nick

[Eric Binet]

The most useful study material was the WSAD online help. Besides that, I read and reread the test objectives. I also studied by correcting the mock exam answers given in my previous post. Application certifications are difficult for me because they ask too much questions about specific tools supplied by the given application.

But in the end, I feel I can now use WSAD more productively.

And that, is a good thing!

For those of you who will take the test soon, I advise you to study application running, profiling and debugging. Also, you MUST master remote running, profiling and debugging.