Should I go for Oracle 10g OCA/OCP or 11g OCA/OCP Certification?

Saturday, December 13, 2008


Hello All,Choosing whether to go for Oracle 10g OCA/OCP or 11g OCA/OCP Certification is becoming complex to the Novice or Newbie DBAs. And also, I have seen a couple of posts asking such similar certification doubts more frequently in the OTN Forums, when they are not really sure or confused.Well, this is ever been told by everyone that going for latest version certification is good and ideal. But, what I advise is, first go for Oracle 10g OCA and OCP, then upgrade to Oracle 11g OCP.Following are my views on why to go for Oracle 10g OCA/OCP initially rather than 11g OCA/OCP directly.
As we all know that newer version (11g) does include older version features plus new features and bug fixes of older version issues.
Retirement date for Oracle 10g Certification has not yet been announced by Oracle. Moreover, Oracle Database 11g: Administration I (OCA) exam is only on production i.e. regular and Oracle Database 11g: Administration II (OCP) exam is not yet gone for Production i.e. still Beta Exam.
Oracle Database 10g is still being used as Production for the business in all most all the organizations in the globe. But very less companies are using the Oracle Database 11g for their business, as Oracle 11g is still a base release 11.1.0.6 and yet to go for standard release 11g (11.2.X.X) shortly. This means that Oracle 11g is not fully deployed or used for Production purpose yet.
Oracle Database 10g Release (10.2) still has Oracle primary and extended (Metalink) support for few more years from now, after that Oracle 10g will also be de-supported by Oracle.
Both versioned (10g and 11g) certifications have two exams – Administration I (OCA) and Administration II (OCP). Each exam fees of them is $125 US i.e. there is no vary.
It’s mandatory for the OCP candidates to undergo one approved course from the Approved list of Oracle University Courses for hands on course requirement. This applies to both Oracle 10g and 11g Certification takers.
For Oracle 10g OCP Certification holders, there is only one exam 1Z0-050 - Oracle Database 11g: New Features for Administrators given to upgrade directly to the Oracle 11g OCP. No course or hands on course requirement form is to be submitted to achieve the Oracle 11g OCP (Upgrade) Certification.
In this way, one will have both Oracle 10g and 11g Certifications in hand, and can show the same in their resume or CV. This also fulfills the requirement where the companies are looking for the candidates those are having enough experience with Oracle 10g and 11g, and holding multiple certifications in it.One can go for direct Oracle 11g Certification under the following circumstances.
If you are forced, by your company or manager, to undergo Oracle 11g Course and take Oracle 11g Certification Exams, for their specific requirement on Oracle Database 11g related projects.