MySQL Certification FAQ

• Why should I get certified at the Conference?
• Will the DBA certification primer tutorial fully prepare me for taking the certification exams?
• Will the Cluster DBA certification primer tutorial fully prepare me for taking the certification exam?
• What does it cost to take an exam at the conference?
• How do I pay for the certification exams before the conference?
• How do I pay for the certification exams at the conference?
• What certification primer tutorials are offered?
• What did all those abbreviations in the previous question refer to?
• What do I need to bring to a certification exam during the conference?
• What is a MySQL Certification ID number and how do I get one?
• Will upgrade exams (from v. 4.x to v. 5.0) be offered at the conference?
• How many exams do I need to take to attain a certification?
• What is the format of the certification exams delivered during the conference?
• Where can I get more information on the MySQL Certification program, exam contents and so forth?

Q: Why should I get certified at the Conference?
A: By taking your exam at the conference, you not only save a lot of money, you can also attend certification primer tutorials on the first day of the conference. Attend the tutorial and go to the exam while all the details are fresh in your mind.
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Q: Will the DBA certification primer tutorial fully prepare me for taking the certification exams?
A: The tutorials are “primers” and in the time provided, the speaker cannot cover every detail you need to know before taking the exams. They are however a great refresher and address some of the key areas needed for the exam. MySQL also offers training courses that will prepare you for all the exams (see mysql.com/training). For self-study for the Developer and DBA exams, you should purchase the MySQL 5.0 Certifcation Study Guide (ISBN 0-672-32812-7).
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Q: Will the Cluster DBA certification primer tutorial fully prepare me for taking the certification exam?
A: This tutorial is a “primer” and in the time provided, the speaker cannot cover every detail you need to know before taking the exam. The tutorial is a great refresher and address some of the key areas needed for the exam. To prepare yourself for the exams, you should either attend an official MySQL training course (see mysql.com/training). For self-study, a study guide for the Cluster certification exam is underway.
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Q: What does it cost to take an exam at the conference?
A: Exams at the conference cost $25 (regular price is $200.) You save $175 per exam.
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Q: How do I pay for the certification exams before the conference?
A: Online registration for the exams is available. If you register for the exams along with the conference registration, exam fees will be added to your total conference registration fees. Subject to availability, you may also register and pay for exams on-site. Note that only exams paid during conference registration are guaranteed a seat.
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Q: How do I pay for the certification exams at the conference?
A: It is strongly recommended that you sign up for the exams you intend to take online when you sign up for the conference. However, if you wish to postpone the decision or find that you need to re-take an exam during the conference, you may purchase exams on-site. On-site sales are subject to availability, and will close if the testing room cannot accommodate more exam-takers. Cash or checks only will be accepted onsite for certification exams. Credit card payment is available when purchasing the full conference session pass.
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Q: What certification primer tutorials are offered?
A: Tutorilas for the CMDEV, CMDBA and CMCDBA exams are available at the conference.
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Q: What do all those acronyms in the previous answer refer to?
A: CMDEV is the abbreviation of Certified MySQL Developer; CMDBA for Certified MySQL Database Administrator and CMCDBA for Certified MySQL Cluster Database Administrator.
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Q: What do I need to bring to a certification exam during the conference?
A: You need to bring (1) Voucher for the payment of the exam (this will be given to you during the conference registration); (2) Photo ID; (3) Your MySQL Certification ID number.
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Q: What is a MySQL Certification ID number and how do I get one?
A: If you have already taken one or more MySQL certification exams, you have already been assigned a Candidate ID number. If you don't know what it is, please see us at the conference and we will help you locate it. If you have not taken any MySQL exams before, you should obtain one on mysql.com/certification/signup
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Q: Will upgrade exams (from v. 4.x to v. 5.0) be offered at the conference?
A: We are unfortunately unable to offer upgrade exams at the conference.
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Q: How many exams do I need to take to attain a certification?
A: For CMDBA and CMDEV, you must take 2 exams (e.g. DBA-I and DBA-II). For CMCDBA, you need only take one. However, you must also attain the CMDBA certificiation before the CMCDBA certification is recognized.
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Q: What is the format of the certification exams delivered during the conference?
A: Exams are paper-based with “bubble forms” to be filled in by pencil. Pencils and eraser will be provided at the testing room.
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Q: Where can I get more information on the MySQL Certification program, exam contents and so forth?
A: The certification pages on mysql.com/certification contain the information you need. You should make sure to familiarize yourself with the contents of the Candidate Guide that you will find there.
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