IBM WebSphere, SOA and XML Certification
2012 Assess and Save Promotion

January 27, 2012

The Professional Certification Program from IBM is a worldwide industry program. Its primary objective is to enable technical professionals in specified jobs to validate their skills on IBM's latest products (e.g. WebSphere) and technology (e.g. SOA), and demonstrate their competency levels to others.

Training, real-world experience and rigorous exams are all required to earn IBM's prestigious certification distinction. To prepare for an exam, it is recommended that a test candidate refer to the following elements. To access them, refer to the Test Information by product Web page, select Software, select the desired product category of IBM WebSphere, IBM Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) or IBM XML, scroll to the desired test number, and then select the desired certification role name(s) and follow the path.

• job role description/target audience to which the certification is built
• recommended prerequisite skills one should already possess before preparing for the test using the test preparation / training resources
• test objectives or detailed skills measured on the test
• test preparation / training resources used to prepare based on the test objectives.
• assessment test to gauge ones readiness for the actual test

Adequate preparation and assessment of ones readiness for the actual certification test are key success factors in achieving IBM certification. To this end, the WebSphere, SOA and XML certification team is pleased to announce that the worldwide Assess and Save Promotion, applicable to all IBM WebSphere, SOA and XML certification tests, is again available in 2012.

The following criteria applies to the Assess and Save Promotion.

1. A test candidate must pass one or more certification assessment tests aligning to an actual IBM WebSphere, SOA and/or XML certification test listed on the Test Information by product web page during any one of the following specified timeframes/windows by 23:59 GMT.
   • Mar. 1 - 14, 2012
   • Jun. 1 - 14, 2012
   • Aug. 1 - 14, 2012
   • Oct. 1 - 14, 2012
   
   To access the certification assessment tests, refer to Test Information by product, web page, select Software, from the search engine, select the desired product category of IBM WebSphere, IBM Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) or IBM XML, scroll to and select the desired test number, and follow the Test Preparation/Assessment Test path.
   
   Notes:
   1. To maintain the integrity of the certification program, like with the actual certification tests, the test questions and answers of the certification assessment tests are not distributed.
      Instead, diagnostic feedback is provided on the Examination Score Reports that correlates back to the test objectives, informing the test taker how well they did on each section of the test.
       
   2. Excluded from this offer are certification tests pertaining to the following products:
      1. WebSphere Commerce
      2. WebSphere Transformation Integration
      3. WebSphere Portal
   3. By the end of the respective month in which the certification assessment test was taken, a certification voucher number will automatically be sent to the test taker via their email address that they entered into the test delivery tool. The voucher number can and must be used to register for and take the aligning actual certification test for a 50% discount. For the regular test fee click here.
       
   4. Actual certification tests for which the voucher numbers are used must be registered for and taken by the expiration date of each voucher number. The expiration dates are as follows. By 23:59 GMT:
      • Apr. 30, 2012 ... for vouchers qualified for in Mar. 2012
      • Jul. 31, 2012 ... for vouchers qualified for in Jun. 2012
      • Sept. 30, 2012... for vouchers qualified for in Aug. 2012
      • Nov. 30, 2012 ... for vouchers qualified for in Oct. 2012

1. Each certification assessment test:
   • is delivered via a web-based test delivery tool (link resides outside of ibm.com).
   • may be retaken multiple times to qualify for a voucher.
   • costs $30 USD per attempt. VISA, Master Card and American Express credit cards are accepted, and entered directly into the web-based test delivery tool by the test taker.
      
2. A voucher number is not transferable to another person, may not be redeemed for cash, credit, or refund, and may not be used for any other exam than the one for which it is issued.
    
3. IBM is not responsible for any expenses a candidate incurs in preparation for the certification assessment test(s) and/or actual test(s), and for travel to/from the test center.
    
4. IBM WebSphere Portal and Information Integration/Platform Solutions tests do not apply to this promotion.
    
5. IBM reserves the right to withdraw this offer at any time.