About the Exams


To take a MySQL certification exam, you must go to a Pearson VUE testing center. MySQL AB creates the exams and defines the content, the passing score, and so forth. Pearson VUE is responsible for delivering the exams to candidates worldwide.

Registering for an Exam

There are three ways to register for an exam:

  • You can use the Pearson VUE Web site, http://www.vue.com/mysql. Note that you must pre-register on the Web site to set up an account with VUE. VUE processes your application and notifies you when your account is ready. This process usually takes about 24 hours. After your account has been set up, you can register for the exam you want to take.

  • You can call one of the VUE call centers. The telephone numbers are listed in on the Pearson VUE Web site: http://www.vue.com/contact/mysql.

  • You can register directly at your local VUE test center on the day of the exam. A complete list of the test centers can be found on the Web at http://www.vue.com/mysql. Click on the Test Centers link about halfway down the page to find a testing center near you. Note that many test centers have limited hours of operation, so it's always a good idea to call ahead to ensure that you can be accommodated at the time you want to take the exam.

MySQL AB recommends that you use the VUE Web site for exam registration and payment, but you're welcome to use any method you choose.

If you register through the Web or a call center, a receipt will be sent to you as soon as the registration process is completed. If you register directly at the test center, please ask for your receipt when you submit payment.

Going to the Exam

On the day of your exam, you should ensure that you arrive at the test center well ahead of the appointed time (at least 15 minutes early is recommended). When you arrive at the testing center, you will be asked by the test administrator to:

  1. Sign the test log.

  2. Provide two forms of identification. One must contain your address, and one must be a photo ID.

  3. Sign a page explaining the test center rules and procedures.

After you've completed these steps, you'll be taken to your testing station. You'll be furnished with a pen and scratch paper, or an erasable plastic board. During the exam, the test administrator will be monitoring the testing room, usually through a glass partition in the wall. As you come to the testing station, your exam will be called up on the screen and the exam will start when you are ready. Remember to make any adjustments to your chair, desk, screen, and so forth before the exam begins. Once the exam has begun, the clock will not be stopped.

The first thing you will be asked on the exam is to accept the MySQL AB Certification Non-Disclosure and Logo Usage Agreement. As mentioned earlier, it's a good idea to have read the copy found in the MySQL Certification Candidate Guide before going to the exam, so you do not have to spend exam time reading and understanding what it says.

Figure IN.1. The Certification Non-Disclosure and Logo Usage Agreement as it will be presented at the testing station.


Taking the Exam

Each MySQL Certification Exam lasts 90 minutes. In that time, you must answer approximately 70 questions. Beta exams contain more questions, but also allow you more time to answer them. For more information on Beta exams and their availability, see the certification pages on http://www.mysql.com.

The questions and answers in any particular exam are drawn from a large question pool. Each section of the exam will have a different number of questions, approximately proportional to the percentages shown in the following tables. These were the percentages as planned at the time this book went to press; although they are unlikely to change, you should consult the MySQL Certification Candidate Guide for the exact details.

Table IN.1. Division of Questions on Exam Sections for the Developer Exams

MySQL Developer I Exam

 

MySQL Developer II Exam

 

Client/Server Concepts

5%

Joins

15%

The mysql Client Program

5%

Subqueries

10%

MySQL Query Browser

5%

Views

10%

MySQL Connectors

5%

Importing and Exporting Data

10%

Data Types

15%

User Variables

5%

Identifiers

5%

Prepared Statements

5%

Databases

5%

Stored Procedures and Functions

15%

Tables and Indexes

15%

Triggers

5%

Querying for Data

15%

Obtaining Database Metadata

5%

SQL Expressions

15%

Debugging MySQL Applications

5%

Updating Data

10%

Basic Optimizations

15%


Table IN.2. Division of Questions on Exam Sections for the DBA Exams

MySQL DBA I Exam

 

MySQL DBA II Exam

 

MySQL Architecture

10%

Using Stored Routines and Triggers for Administration

5%

Starting, Stopping, and Configuring MySQL

15%

User Management

15%

Client Programs for DBA Work

5%

Securing the MySQL Installation

10%

MySQL Administrator

10%

Upgrade-Related Security Issues

5%

Character Set Support

5%

Optimizing Queries

15%

Locking

10%

Optimizing Databases

15%

Storage Engines

15%

Optimizing the Server

15%

Table Maintenance

5%

Interpreting Diagnostic Messages

5%

The INFORMATION_SCHEMA Database

10%

Optimizing the Environment

5%

Data Backup and Recovery Methods

15%

Scaling MySQL

10%


This study guide organizes topic material into the sections shown in the Candidate Guide, but you shouldn't expect the exam to follow the same format. While you're taking the exam, questions may occur in any order. For example, on the Developer-I exam, you might be presented with a question about indexing, followed by a question pertaining to data types.

Some features in MySQL are version specific. The current exam and this book cover MySQL 5.0, and you should consider a feature available if it's available as of MySQL 5.0. For example, stored procedures and views were implemented for MySQL 5.0, so for purposes of the exam, you should consider them to be topics upon which you might be tested.

Reading Questions

The single most important factor in answering any exam question is first to understand what the question is asking. The questions are written in very concise language and are thoroughly checked for readability. But you also need to know how to interpret any additional information presented with the question.

On the exam, you will see some SQL statements followed by a semicolon, and some not. This occasionally confuses people. What you need to keep in mind is that SQL statements need only be terminated with a semicolon when used in the context of the mysql command-line client, not in any other contexts. So only when shown in the context of the command-line client should you expect to see a terminator.

One type of information that's often provided is a display of the structure of a table. Instructions for interpreting this information are given later in this introduction (see "Interpreting DESCRIBE Output").

Answering Questions

You should attempt to answer all exam questions, because an unanswered question counts as an incorrect answer. When taking the exam, you'll be able to move back and forth between questions. This enables you to initially skip questions you're unsure of and return to them as time permits. You'll also be able to mark a question "for review," if you want to spend more time on it later. When you've gone through all questions, a review screen will be presented that contains any questions that you've marked for review, as well as all unanswered questions.

All questions are multiple-choice questions, only varying in whether you need to choose single or multiple correct answers among those presented to you.

You select an answer to a question either by clicking with the mouse on the field to the left of the answer, or by pressing the corresponding letter on the keyboard.

For a single-answer question, only one response is correct and you must identify the correct answer from among the possible responses. Some of the responses provided might be partially correct, but only one will be completely correct. In a single-answer question, the fields that you can select are circles ("radio buttons") and the text in the status bar below the question says "select the best response."

Figure IN.2. A multiple-choice/single-answer question. Note that each answer key has a circle ("radio button") beside it, and the status bar says "select the best response.


For a multiple-answer question, you must choose all correct answers to get credit for your response. As with single-answer questions, there might be subtle differences between correct and incorrect answers; take your time to read each possible answer carefully before deciding whether it is correct. In multiple-answer questions, the fields that you can select are square ("check boxes") and the status line says "Select between 1 and n answers," where n is the total number of possible answers.

Figure IN.3. A multiple-choice/multiple-answer question. Note that each answer key has a square ("check box") beside it, and the status bar says "select between 1 and 6 answers.


After the Exam

Unless you're taking part in a Beta exam, you'll receive your grade as soon as you complete the exam. The test center will provide you with a score report.

If you pass, MySQL AB will mail your certificate four to six weeks after receiving your exam results from the test center.

Whether you pass or fail, after you've taken any MySQL certification exam, you'll receive a letter from MySQL AB telling you how to gain access to extra information at http://www.mysql.com. There are two main entry points into this area:

  • The candidate area: http://www.mysql.com/certification/candidate

    Here, you will find information specially set aside for MySQL certification candidates. For example, there might be special offers, information on pre-releases of new certifications, and so on.

  • The results area: http://www.mysql.com/certification/results

    In this area, potential clients and employers can confirm that your certificate is valid. Access for others to this area is controlled by you, using the candidate area.

Retaking Exams

If you get a failing grade on the exam, you have the option of retaking it. There is no limit set on when you are allowed to retake an exam. MySQL AB does not place restrictions on how soon you can retake an exam, but doing so is not advised until you've done some further study.

This isn't just a commonsense warning. The statistics show with great clarity that those who attempt to retake a failed exam within five days of the first exam are much more likely to fail once again rather than passing.

Warning

For every popular certification exam, there are always enterprising individuals who set up so-called "braindump" Internet sites, where people anonymously post questions and answers purported to be from the exam. Please note these cautions about using or contributing to these sites:

  • If you use such a site, you are very likely to be misled. We've seen these sites, and trust us: The answers they provide are more often wrong than correct. Worse, most of the questions shown have never been and are so ludicrous that they never will be on an exam; they exist only in the submitter's head. As a result, instead of being helpful, such sites lead to confusion.

  • If you contribute to such a site by posting your own exam questions and answers, you risk forfeiting not only the certification for the exam about which you have posted details, but your involvement in the entire MySQL Certification program. You might thus never be able to regain MySQL certification credentials.



MySQL 5 Certification Study Guide
MySQL 5.0 Certification Study Guide
ISBN: 0672328127
EAN: 2147483647
Year: 2006
Pages: 312

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