Re: Oracle Certified DBA Exam Preparation

Don Prentice wrote:
>
> I have a question to pose to those who have recently taken the
> certification exam.
>
> If someone takes all of the Oracle education offerings associated with
> the Oracle Database Administration Masters Program, will that
> satisfactorily prepare them to take the certification exam?
>
> If not, how can I fill the gaps?
>
> The courses are, Intro to Oracle: SQL and PL/SQL, Develop Data Models and
> Design Databases, Oracle7 Database Administration, Oracle7 Backup and
> Recovery Workshop, and Oracle7 Performance and Tuning Workshop.
>
> Any advice would be appreciated.
>
> TIA,
>
> Don Prentice
> (New) Oracle DBA
> Alabama Gas Corporation
> dprentic_at_go2.energen.com

Don,

Here's some general info on the DBA Certification exam from "RevealNet: Oracle Administration" - a MS-Windows Knowledge Base covering 1,900+ Oracle Administration topics. Full product information and a demo can be downloaded from the RevealNet website: http://www.revealnet.com

In 1995, the International Oracle Users Group, in conjunction with Oracle Corporation and Education Testing Service (ETS, now Chauncy Corporation) of Princeton, NJ developed and field-tested a certification examination for Oracle7 database administrators.

The Oracle7 DBA examination measures the DBA candidate’s mastery of the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform proficiently as an Oracle7 DBA. It documents the attainment of this level of competence and should be useful to candidates assessing their qualifications and abilities, and to employers in making hiring decisions and evaluating the competency level of existing staff.

The examination was created, screened, and calibrated by a committee of working expert Oracle database administrators. Every effort was made to make this a job-oriented examination. Job analysis surveys were used to validate the content of the test. A candidate who has attended Oracle Education DBA training courses or read a variety of Oracle manuals and third-party books should not be able to pass. It is not an easy test. The pass rate, although not published, is rumored to be only about 50%.

The test is taken on-line at one of the many Sylvan Learning Centers throughout the country and costs $195.00 to take. Call 1 (800) 967-1100 to locate the Sylvan Learning Center nearest you. It is a 120 minute, 75 question multiple choice test. Two examinations actually exist, if you fail one, you will take the other examination upon retest. Seven areas of expertise are tested:

• Oracle Architecture and Options
• Security
• Data Administration
• Backup and Recovery
• Software Maintenance and Operation
• Resource Management
• Tuning and Troubleshooting

The number of questions for each area are approximately equal, ranging from 12% to 16% of the total test questions. However, each individual question is weighted with a differing weight of relative importance. This provides the ability to test every subject area, but compensate for the relative importance in the DBA’s job.

When preparing for this test, it is of critical importance to remember three main precepts:

• The test is operating system ignorant. It does not matter what operating system is used. Not one question addresses Oracle in the context of the operating system environment.
• The test is version blind. You are tested on your knowledge of a basic Oracle7 database, not release 7.x nor any of the options currently available (parallel query, web option, etc.).
• The test is interface non-specific. For example, it does not matter whether you start and stop databases with SQL*DBA (line or screen mode), Database Manager, or Server Manager. What is important is that you understand the steps that a database goes through as it is started or stopped.

The format of the test is somewhat unique in that within the context of a multiple choice test, it attempts to mimic, as much as possible, an actual working Oracle7 database. Although the all of the test questions are simple multiple choice, approximately 40% of the answers can be developed by examining a set of sample data dictionary tables provided for a simple database.

You will have many questions such as “John called to say that he tried to create a 2 megabyte table in the CORPORATE tablespace, but received an error message (that he can’t remember) that he was unable to create a table. Why couldn’t John create a table”. To answer the question, you must examine the supplied data dictionary tables for system privileges for John, tablespace quotas, space allocation problems, etc. to find the most suitable answer. Because this is a timed test, you must have a strong working familiarity with the data dictionary in order to quickly determine the correct answer.

Immediately after completion of the test, you will be notified of your test results. A criterion referenced passing standard is used to determine pass/fail. You will pass or fail based on your performance in relation to a previously determined point of competence. If you pass, you will only be notified that you passed the examinations. If you fail, areas of weakness will be identified to you.

DB*ACE is a menu guide into the Reveal for Oracle Administration knowledge base. The menu structure is aligned to the 7 specific areas of expertise that are tested. Each of the overview buttons in DB*ACE contains a set of the major points that need to be understood followed by commentary.

Hope this helps,

Cam White
RevealNet, Inc.
(800) 738-3254 Received on Wed Jan 22 1997 - 00:00:00 CST