RE: RPG IV Certification

The general Technical Solutions tests are designed for people who spec
out the systems for end users, thus knowledge of part numbers,
capabilities and compatibilities are real world scenarios for these
exams.

Regards,

Scott Ingvaldson
System i Administrator
GuideOne Mutual Insurance Company

IBM Certified Specialist - iSeries System Administration V4R5 & V5R2
- iSeries Technical Solutions Design V5R1
- iSeries Technical Solutions Implementation
V5R2
- i5 iSeries Domino Technical Solutions V5R3
IBM Certified Systems Expert - iSeries Linux Technical Solutions V5R2


-----Original Message-----
From: Lukas Beeler [mailto:l.beeler@xxxxxxxxxxx]
Sent: Monday, August 20, 2007 9:28 AM
To: Midrange Systems Technical Discussion
Subject: RE: RPG IV Certification

I can't tell you much about developer certifications, but i've done a
few technical IBM exams:

074 System x Windows Installation & Performance

A rather well designed test. Still some stupid questions about high end
machines.

868 System i Technical Solutions V5R4

Tests your ability to remember part numbers and their abilities. Very
few real world questions.

071 System x Technical Principles

Tests your ability to remember part numbers and their abilities.

866 eServer i5 iSeries Technical Solutions

Again, more part numbers.

I've done a few other certifications from HP (Systems Integration plus
some Sales stuff) and also a few Microsoft certifications (MCSE, MCITP).

HP's exams are the worst in my opinion (To many part number questions),
while Microsoft made clearly the best exams I've taken so far - very
focused on the technology, and not on marketing stuff or remembering
SKUs.

Whoever thought that asking for part numbers in a technical exam is a
valid way to go is just stupid. I don't know much about what things a
595 needs, nor do I care. I also don't care how an 8 processor System x
works. I also don't remember part numbers well.


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