Passed IBM exam 486 - Score: 85%

Took the exam yesterday morning. Here are the results. And conclusions...
Development Process.................... 85%
Requirements Modeling.................. 80%
Architecture........................... 100%
Static Modeling........................ 100%
Dynamic Modeling....................... 84%
Design and Implementation Techniques... 57%
Overall score.......................... 85%
In my opinion, questions were not difficult but tricky.
Many with very similar answers which require concentration and attention all the time. I remember almost missing a correct answer because
I couldn't see part of the exhibit at all from the screen. Make sure you scroll the screen to all sides and see clearly what options are available.
Many questions were similar to the ICE ones but with different terminology in both the question and the answer.
There were lots of exhibits. And I mean lots. Sometimes the scenario repeated across questions, so pay attention when you read it so you don't need to reference many times later.
Got no questions on CRC, one on refactoring, one on patterns, one on state diagrams, many on class and interaction diagrams.
My approach to the exam:
Read UML Distilled (this was years ago actually);
Took the ICE mock exam. Didn't pass;
Read UML User's Guide up to interaction diagrams;
Read Enterprise Java with UML;
So far I was looking not only to take the exam but to apply UML efficiently. Enterprise Java UML not only helped me with UML but put it in a context in a way I haven't seen in any other book.
Read Applying UML and Patterns;
Took the ICE mock exam again. Passed with 68%;
Concentrated on undertanding and answering the questions for the mock exam. Added The Unified Software Development Process as a reference;
Noticed the key book for the exam was UML Distilled and read that one again;
After many tries got all the answers correct for the mock exam;
Skimmed Applying UML and Patterns and UML Distilled.
Took the exam.
Suggestions:
If you want just to pass go ahead and read UML Distilled a couple of times and Applyiing UML and Patterns. Then concentrate on the mock exam questions and answers. However I have to tell that many questions I didn't find anywhere and answered based on experience (both on the mock and the real exams).
If you want to put UML in a development context read the Enterprise Java UML. It is more comprehensive than UML Distilled and less "formal" than Applying UML and Patterns.
Anyway, I suggest you do not seek to pass only.
Good luck for those about to take the exam.
PS: Anybody going to the WSAD exam ?

Hi,
Many Many heartiest congratulations!
Wish u more successes in future.
Asif

Congratulations Paulo Salgado...
Wish you all the best in future endeavors....
Thanks for giving your thoughts.....about the book on Enterprise Java UML.
Regards
Malay

Congratulations. All the best in future.
Thanks for your helpful feedbacks.
BTW, when will the WSAD exam be released?

Thanks All for the wishes.
Doug,
from the Websphere Studio Application Developer thread in the Product Certification forum I got the date of April 15, 2002, next Monday. One of the replies references to the IBM Announcement Letter of the product with the date. Let's hope they keep it, I'm not really willing to take the VAJava exam knowing it will no longer be supported by the end of this year.
Best regards to everybody.

Hi Paulo,
Its great. Free Certification Testing Opportunity. IBM is releasing the WebSphere Studio Application Developer test(Test 157) and announcing a "free certification testing offer", which is available from April 15, 2002 to May 31, 2002.
Aren't you to take the free test?
BTW, will WSAD become one of jCert tests?

Congratulations Paulo. I just got the book "Enterprise Java UML". I saw a great review on it in Amazon. I am excited about getting into it. I need to become really proficient in this area.
Good Luck to you. I always appreciate your input.
Well I just saw in this thread that WSAD is out as a exam. This changes things a bit. I wonder if it is going to be laid into the Solutions Developer JCert level 2.
[ April 08, 2002: Message edited by: garth schneider ]

Doug, I'm definetely going to try the free test. A million thanks for posting this.
Garth, I may be wrong but I think they will put WSAD in the JCert roadmap. Seems the natural follow-on to VAJava.
Since we probably won't find many books available about WSAD, I think we'll have to rely on the product Help tutorials and Redbooks. Here some things I've found in the IBM Redbooks website:
An Introduction to WSAD
WSAD Programming Guide
Self-Study Guide: WSAD and Web Services
Web Services Wizardry with WSAD
I've also tried the product help. It was not bad for getting started.
Best regards.

Congratulations....
Hey from where did u prepare for static and dynamic modelings??u got very good marks and i am quite weak in these sections.....plz help me.
Bye

Hi Paulo,
Thanks for the Redbooks you recommended.
I am also curious to know how you prepare for static and dynamic modeling sections?

congratulations & all the very best for the future.
Shailesh.

Shailesh, thanks for the wishes.
Poonan/Doug, I don't remember doing anything specific for those areas. However, during my "quest" to get correct answers on the ICE, I remember referencing many books at the same time for a given subject.
I also used this approach to enhance my understanding when I was reading UML Distilled focused on the exam. I would complement information from this book with the UML User's Guide. For instance I would read the Interaction Diagrams chapter and then go to the UML User's guide and do the same, comparing ideas, explanations and differences.
I'm mentioning UML User's Guide because it seemed to be the best source of info for those sections of the exam after the UML Distilled.
Best regards.

WELL DONE...VERY NICE SCORE YAAR...
PRAY FOR ME I AM GIVING THIS WEEK..I JUST WANT TO PASS IT...

Vijay, thanks. Do not forget to rest well before the exam. And read the exhibits with attention because many times a given scenario is repeated for many different questions. Once you have read it well and hopefully memorized most of it, you'll save some valuable time. Good luck !
Doug, there is a thread discussing the free voucher for the WSAD exam in the Product Certification forum. Some vouchers were sent already.
Best regards.
[ April 22, 2002: Message edited by: Paulo Salgado ]