| Date tip published: | 07/19/2004 |
| Description: | There are a number of certifications available for WebSphere. This article focuses on the certifications that would be of interest to a WebSphere developer and provide links and tips to pass the exams necessary to become a certified WebSphere developer. |
To learn more about getting certified as a WebSphere developer use the following links:
Java and WebSphere 5 Developer Package - Domino 6
WebSphere 5 for Domino Developers Package
WebSphere 5 Developer Package
 WebSphere Certification Paths
This tip has been updated to include new certifications released by IBM.
Click here to see the updated article.
Why get certified? Certification is a great way to show a level of competency. WebSphere is a new technology and J2EE developers are in demand. A WebSphere certification would be a great addition to a resume. Depending on the level of certification, getting certified requires passing one or a series of multiple-choice exams. You take these exams at a Pearson VUE or Prometric testing center. These testing centers are available world-wide in larger cities.
IBM's certification programs are based upon products and versions. For WebSphere there are a number of certifications available. The following WebSphere products (version 5.x only) have a certification program available:
- IBM WebSphere Application Server, V5.0
- IBM WebSphere Application Server for z/OS, V5.0
- IBM WebSphere Commerce Business Edition V5.5
- WebSphere Development Studio Client for iSeries, V5.0
- IBM WebSphere Portal, V5.0
- WebSphere Studio Application Developer V5.1
- IBM WebSphere Studio, V5.0
The certifications available for the server products (like WebSphere Application Server) are designed for administrators. The certifications for the developers are actually based on the development tool, WebSphere Studio.
There are up to three levels of certification for a product. The entry level certification is the Associate level. The intermediate level of certification is the Solution Developer. The Advanced level is typically called the Advanced or Enterprise level. The exact name used will vary by product. Below are the three levels of certification showing the typical certification titles used for each level.
Currently IBM has the following certifications available for the WebSphere products listed above:
IBM WebSphere Application Server, V5.0
- IBM Certified System Administrator - WebSphere Application Server V5.0
IBM WebSphere Application Server V5.0, Multiplatform Administration
- IBM Certified Advanced System Administrator - WebSphere Application Server V5.0
IBM WebSphere Application Server for z/OS, V5.0
- IBM Certified Advanced System Administrator - WebSphere Application Server for z/OS, V5.0
IBM WebSphere Commerce Business Edition V5.5
- IBM Certified Deployment Professional - WebSphere Commerce Business Edition V5.5
IBM WebSphere Commerce, Business Edition V5.4
- IBM Certified Specialist - IBM WebSphere Commerce, Business Edition V5.4, Implementation
WebSphere Development Studio Client for iSeries, V5.0
- IBM Certified Solution Developer - WebSphere Development Studio Client for iSeries, V5.0
IBM WebSphere Portal, V5.0
- IBM Certified System Administrator - IBM WebSphere Portal V5.0
- IBM Certified Solution Developer - IBM WebSphere Portal V5.0
WebSphere Studio Application Developer V5.1
- IBM Certified Solution Developer - Web Services Development with WebSphere Studio V5.1
IBM WebSphere Studio, V5.0
- IBM Certified Associate Developer - WebSphere Studio, V5.0
- IBM Certified Solution Developer - WebSphere Studio, V5.0
- IBM Certified Enterprise Developer - WebSphere Studio, V5.0
Notice that the certifications for WebSphere Application Server are for administrators. Developers will be most interested in getting certified on the IBM WebSphere Studio platform. Another possible certification of interest for a developer is the WebSphere Portal Certified Solution Developer. The balance of this article will focus on developer related certification.
The requirements for each level will vary based on the product and the actual certification. Typically the entry level (Associate) certification requires one exam and the Solution Developer requires two exams. Unlike the Lotus certifications, the exam for the Associate level is not required and does not help a developer in getting certified at the Solution or Enterprise level.
 Preparing for the Exams
The best way to prepare for the exams is to obtain WebSphere Studio and learn how to use it. The exams do concentrate very heavily on the user interface of WebSphere Studio and it would not be practical to try to study for these exams without using WebSphere Studio itself. TLCC has published a tip to help you learn how to obtain and install the free trial version of WebSphere Studio:
TLCC has two courses on how to use WebSphere Studio to develop WebSphere applications, a introductory level course and an advanced course that concentrates on advanced topics in servlet and JSP programming. A free trial version of Introduction to WebSphere Studio 5 is available at the TLCC website. TLCC offers two versions of each course. One version is for all developers and runs as a plug-in to WebSphere Studio. A plug-in allows you to take the course right in WebSphere Studio. The other version is for Domino developers. This version runs in the Domino Designer 6 client and also includes information on how to integrate Domino with WebSphere.
There is also a Redbook on using WebSphere Studio. This Redbook is over 700 pages long and can also be purchased in hard cover form for $72.
There are several different exam vendors who produce practice exams for the WebSphere certifications. Prometric (a testing company where you can take the real test when you are ready) offers a web-based practice exam for each test. These exams cost $10 each time you take the exam. CertFx also offers practice exams. These exams are installed on your computer and can be retaken at many times as you want. The CertFx exams also offer explanations of each question/answer and are a good way to get ready for the exam. These practice exams are just that -- a way to take a practice exam before you sign up for the real exam.
All of the WebSphere exams will require some knowledge of Java. The next section will provide information on each certification for WebSphere Studio and WebSphere Portal (Developer) and will suggest the appropriate learning and study aids such as TLCC courses and practice exams.
Taking the Exams
The exams are available through two testing vendors, Pearson VUE and Prometric (formerly known as Sylvan.) The cost ranges from $75 to $175. Most exams are $150. Below are the links for each test vendor:
IBM Certified Associate Developer - WebSphere Studio, V5.0
This certification requires only one exam and is a good way to get started on the WebSphere certification path. The required exam is:
Developing with WebSphere Studio, V5.0, Exam 285
The exam focuses on WebSphere Studio and how to use its tools to develop web applications including Java applications, servlets, and JavaServer Pages. Some Java experience is suggested but you do not have to be a Java coding guru. Most of the Java related questions deal with WebSphere Studio's Java tools like the debugger and not Java itself, so an intensive knowledge of Java programming is not required. The test requires a passing grade of 53%. There are many detailed questions on the WebSphere interface which add to the test's difficulty (and probably is why the passing grade is so low.) The exam is a multiple choice format. Some questions have several correct answers and you have to select all the correct answers to get credit for that question. The cost for this exam is $75.
 Click here to see the 285 exam objectives
Practice Exams for the 285 Exam
Click here to see the suggested TLCC courses
IBM Certified Solution Developer - WebSphere Studio, V5.0
The Solution Developer certification requires two exams. Note that you do not have to become certified as an Associate Developer first since the 285 exam is not part of this certification. The first exam is Test 286, Application Development with IBM WebSphere Studio, V5.0. The 286 exam primarily concentrates on the WebSphere Studio development tool. The second exam is not WebSphere Studio oriented and is designed to test a developer's web development skills. There are several options for this second exam. IBM offers the exam Test 154 - Web Developer to test for this skill. They also accept other organization's exams that test similar web development or Java skills. These are listed below.
Exam requirements for the Certified Solution Developer - WebSphere Studio:
- Test 286, Application Development with IBM WebSphere Studio, V5.0
- Test 154 - Web Developer (more on this exam later)
Or any one of the following exams may be substituted for the 154 exam:
As you can see there are several ways to achieve this certification. The good news is that in the course of becoming a Certified Solution Developer on WebSphere Studio you will also earn another certification. The CIW exam is the same exam as IBM's 154 exam. If you take either the 154 exam or the CIW exam (1D0-532) then you also will be certified as a CIW Web Developer. And passing the Sun exam will earn you a Sun Certified Programmer certification. Which exam to take? That depends on you ... if you are comfortable with Java and are new to J2EE development than the Sun exams might be a better choice. If you are very familiar with J2EE development and web services than the Web Developer exam might be better. Review the test objectives for the Web Developer exam and the Sun exam and decide which option is a better fit for your skills. Below is more information on each exam and how to prepare for that exam.
Test 286, Application Development with IBM WebSphere Studio, V5.0
This exam is very similar to the 285 exam. It concentrates mostly on WebSphere Studio's tools and interface. The required passing score is 65%. The exam is a multiple choice format. Some questions have several correct answers and you have to select all the correct answers to get credit for that question. EJB's are not covered on this exam.
Click here to see the 286 exam objectives
Practice Exams for the 286 Exam
Click here to see the suggested TLCC courses
Test 154 - Web Developer
This exam tests your knowledge on web development, JavaScript, servlets, JSPs and web services. Below are the objectives and some suggested study aids. A passing grade is 55%.
Click here to see the 154 exam objectives
Practice Exams for the 154 Exam
Click here to see the suggested TLCC courses
Test 310-035, Sun Certified Programmer for the Java 2 Platform 1.4
This exam concentrates solely on Java programming. No web development techniques or J2EE topics like servlets or JSPs are covered. If you are a strong programmer and not as strong in web development than this might be a better way to go. The passing grade is 52% and the exam is multiple choice. The exam costs $150 and is available through Prometric like the IBM exams. There is also an exam from Sun for version 1.2 of Java which can be used to satisfy the exam requirement.
Click here to see the Sun exam objectives
Practice Exams for the Sun exam
Click here to see the suggested TLCC courses
IBM Certified Enterprise Developer - WebSphere Studio, V5.0
This is the highest level of certification for WebSphere Studio. This certification requires four exams. The primary area of focus is EJBs. One of the required exams is the 310-035 (or the Java 1.2 equivalent). The exam requirements are:
- Test 310-035: Sun Certified Programmer for the Java 2 Platform 1.4
- Test 486: Object-Oriented Analysis and Design with UML
- Test 484: Enterprise Connectivity with J2EE V1.3
- Test 287: Enterprise Application Development with IBM WebSphere Studio, V5.0
Test 486: Object-Oriented Analysis and Design with UML
The passing score on this exam is 67%.
Click here to see the 486 exam objectives
Practice Exams for the 486 exam
Test 484: Enterprise Connectivity with J2EE V1.3
The passing score on this exam is 63%.
Click here to see the 484 exam objectives
Practice Exams for the 484 exam
Test 287: Enterprise Application Development with IBM WebSphere Studio, V5.0
The passing score on this exam is 62%.
Click here to see the 287 exam objectives
Practice Exams for the 287 exam
IBM Certified Solution Developer - IBM WebSphere Portal V5.0
This certification requires only one exam and none of the other certifications are required for this certification.
Test 348: IBM WebSphere Portal V5.0, Application Development
The passing score on this exam is 54%.
Click here to see the 348 exam objectives
Practice Exams for the 348 exam
Links for More Information
IBM WebSphere Certification Page - This page has links for each WebSphere certification. Each certification than has a page with the required exams, the exam objectives, practice tests, and educational resources.
WebSphere Power article on WebSphere exam - This article is about one developer's quest for certification.
|