Help! - OCP DBA - Books/Training Classes, etc...

Hi all:

I have on and off again tampered with the idea of taking the the OCP exams and have researched over a short period of time various expensive ways to get the training to take the exams. At least expensive seemed to be the only thing I found to get the education.

I just came across the book by J. Couchman "Oracle Ceritified Professional DBA Exam Guide" book. ISBN 0-07-882549-0 for $100 at Barnes and Nobels. Pretty darn cheap compared to the other avenues. It makes a lot of claims that folks have used his to to learn and demonstrate knowledge of Oracle 7 and upgrade exam to Oracle 8.

I'm wondering if anyone out here has aquired thier OCP or knows of someone who has and can put me in touch with them to share their experience using this book and method.

I do have one great reservation and regardless of how you were educated, the exams you took. After reading in the book, the exam format and practice seemed to be VERY similair to the Microsoft MCSE exams for network professionals.

I have taken several of those exams and I learned the hard way that Microsoft is a sneaky, dirty, tricky, bastard when it come down to taking their exams. In fact, a lot of what it takes to pass (long story cut short here...) is to shell out big $ to take "Special" classes and pay big $ for "Special" Practice exam CD's in order to pass the exams they give. Other wise, your not educated in the right stuff in which you'll be examed. IOW, don't buy the regular MS Press stuff because the emphasis focus isn't on what you need at the time to pass the test.

Anyway, I'm looking for some real life feedback, advise and general things like: If it's too good to be true..."

Thanks and looking forward to lots of overwhelming responses!

Jay Quinn
jpquinn_at_home.com Received on Thu Aug 27 1998 - 00:00:00 CDT