BlackBerry® Training and Certification

[smunro2009]

Hello,

I've just passed my SCJP 6 and was interested in undertaking the BlackBerry certification Programme. As I understand it, I need to take 2 exams to get the developer certification: Solution developer and the Java developer.

I've got both of the study guides from  Element K, which admittedly look very rushed, I wasn't impressed with the CDROM I got, the free exam just pointed at the one already available on the site (for BCP-810) and the CDROM itself looked liked a very cheap brand and  had  marks all over it.

Has anyone taken these exams and is the material presented in the Element K study guides enough?

Also, as version 6 is on the horizon, is it likely the certification programme will be upgraded to version 6 this year. If so, there is little point in me going for the 5 iteration of the exam when a newer one will be available.

Any other advice would be useful

Cheers,

Stephen

[peter_strange]

Have done both exams, with no external material.  Sometime ago.  I think I posted some comments on the forum, so search around, you should find something. 

I actually doubt that RIM will update them given the focus appears to be on QNX. 

I actually think that they are worthwhile, despite the fact they are "old", as most of my development is OS 5.0 based now. However I don't know how much they actually cost to do.  If they cost a bit, then in fact I would spend the money on buying some books and learning them. 

[simon_hain]

alliance partners need the certificates to earn points for their status.
as a freelancer the certificate may be a nice recommendation, but in my opinion SCJP is lightyears ahead in difficulty.

[smunro2009]

Thanks for the quick reply peter. The one thing that makes me nervous about the whole thing is that RIM are moving over to QNX, which would probably invalidate the certifications. Would they have any value at all other than decorating my resume?

As I'm working in a mobile software house, I'd like my resume to show I've actively looked for progression while in the company (even though any company I've worked for doesn't pay for developers to take these certifications like you read in those lovely software books..).

The first exam looks pretty easy, that is the solution developer (BCP-810). I've not been able to locate a mock exam for the Java developer (BCP-811). While the RIM api's are not that big, I'd still like a one or two mock exams to get a feel of wether or not I'm ready.