IBM Professional Certification for Tivoli
IBM Professional Certification for Tivoli offers an internationally recognized qualification for technical professionals seeking to apply their expertise in today's complex business environment. The program is designed for those who implement, buy, sell, service and support Tivoli solutions and want to deliver higher levels of service and technical expertise. Become an IBM Certified Professional today!
Updates May 2010
What's New
New IBM Certified Solution Advisor - Cloud Computing Architecture V1 certification exam
IBM is proud to announce the first cloud computing architecture certification. This new exam will be available at Prometric Testing Centers worldwide on May 19, 2010. It is currently available for IBM employees and conference testing using Prime.
This new certification exam covers:
- Cloud Computing Concepts and Benefits
- Cloud Computing Design Principles
- IBM Software Cloud Computing Architecture
This exam will count in PartnerWorld as a sales point and towards the Tivoli Automation, Security and Storage authorization groups for Software Value Plus. It also counts towards authorization group for other IBM Software brands.
For more information regarding this exam, please visit: http://www-03.ibm.com/certify/certs/50001101.shtml
To view the press release about the certification visit: http://www-03.ibm.com/press/us/en/pressrelease/30804.wss
If you have any additional questions regarding the certification, please send an email to tivcert@us.ibm.com
New Tivoli Entry Level Certification Role - Subject Matter Experts Needed
The Tivoli Certification Program will be developing a new line of certification exams aimed at the fundamental level. Here is a high-level look at what each will cover:
- Product features and functions
- Key components and their uses
- Integration with other Tivoli products
Workshops:
IBM Maximo Asset Management V7.1 Fundamentals
- Job Task Analysis Workshop - June 7 - 10, 2010
- Item Writing Workshop - June 28 - July 1, 2010
- Technical Review Workshop - July 14-15 , 2010
- Angoff/Scoring Workshop - July 21, 2010
If you feel that you have the appropriate level of skills and would like to participate in one of the workshops above, please send an email to tivcert@us.ibm.com with a completed copy of the SME Bio Data Form
Display Your Achievement
IBM Professional Certification is pleased to announce the availability of our new premium certificates printed on an ultra-fine parchment paper and officially embossed with the platinum seal of the Professional Certification Program from IBM.The certificates are available through our new eStore for members of the IBM Professional Certification community.Included with the certificate is a newly designed wallet card. This new sleek card displays your name and certification title, demonstrating your status as an IBM Certified Professional.
If you are certified, you will want to check out the new certificate and eStore on the IBM Professional Certification Member Site.
Take it Again
Back by popular demand! The Professional Certification Program from IBM is launching the Take It Again (TIA) voucher program for 2009. Under the Take It Again program, you may purchase specially priced vouchers that allow you to retake an exam for no additional costs. The TIA retake opportunity can provide an added level of confidence in your testing success, as you pursue the IBM certification you value. TIA vouchers will be available, worldwide, for most IBM tests. Check it out for details! This is an opportunity you don't want to miss!
IBM Business Partners - Prepare for IBM Software Value Plus
Are you an IBM Business Partner trying to obtain new certifications to prepare for IBM Software Value Plus? The Tivoli Certification and WW Tivoli Channels team are working together to help you accomplish your goals. Check out the latest offerings on the IBM Software Value Plus incentives Web Site. For more information visit the IBM Software Value Plus Web site.
Testimonials
We want to hear from you. Send us your testimonials on how Tivoli Certification has helped you, your company, and your customers and we'll send you a Tivoli Certified travel mug! We want to spread the word on the benefits of certification, and who better to phrase it than you, the Subject Matter Experts. Please send any comments to tivcert@us.ibm.com.
Certification Preparation Seminars
Now you can gauge your readiness for Certification by enrolling in the new Tivoli Certification Preparation program. This innovative program consists of a refresher Instructor-Led Online seminar on a selected topic with a preassessment and post-assessment test given. The preassessment test will allow the instructor to focus more intently on the specific needs of the class, while the post-assessment test will allow the student to determine readiness for the actual Certification test. A prepaid voucher allowing you to take the full Certification test in the chosen skill is included with your tuition payment for you to redeem at a Prometric testing center within one year of completing this course. Cost for each Seminar/Exam is $499.00 USD.
The Preparation program is ideal for customers, Business Partners, and IBMers who want a review of specific skills before Certification testing. Look for these and other Preparation Seminars at http://www-01.ibm.com/software/tivoli/education/advancedtechnical/.
Latest Certifications:
Go to the IBM Certification Web site for all Tivoli Certifications currently available: http://www-03.ibm.com/certify/certs/tv_index.shtml
Want to be a SME of the Month? Get involved in our exam development projects! The SME of the Month receives recognition in this newsletter which goes out to over 2100 Customers, Business Partners, and IBMers.
Want to help develop one of the upcoming Tivoli certification exam listed above? Send an e-mail to: tivcert@us.ibm.com and let us know!
Exam Withdrawal and Certification Retirement
The following certifications will be retired on October 31, 2010.
- IBM Certified Solution Advisor - Tivoli Business Automation Management 2008
- IBM Certified Deployment Professional - Tivoli Provisioning Manager V5.1
- IBM Certified Deployment Professional - TotalStorage Productivity Center V3.3
- IBM Certified Deployment Professional - Tivoli Network Manager IP Edition V3.7
- IBM Certified Advanced Deployment Professional - Tivoli Fault Management Solutions 2008
- IBM Certified Advanced Deployment Professional - Tivoli Security Management Solutions 2008
- IBM Certified Advanced Deployment Professional - Tivoli Storage Management Solutions 2008
- IBM Certified Advanced Deployment Professional - Tivoli Service Management Solutions 2008
- IBM Certified Advanced Deployment Professional - Tivoli Performance Management Solutions 2008
- IBM Certified Advanced Deployment Professional - Tivoli Business Application Management Solutions 2008
For the latest news in exam withdrawals and certification retirement, go to:
http://www-03.ibm.com/certify/certs/tv_index.shtml
Scroll to "News" section in the middle of the page.
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Promotions - Discounted Exams and Assessment Tests
The latest "New certification promotions and discounts" information available at: http://www-03.ibm.com/certify/news/tvpromos.shtml
DISCOUNTS ON EXAMS
Promotions are good at any Prometric (www.prometric.com) testing centers worldwide. Provide the relevant promotion code, found on the "New certification promotions and discounts" url above, when registering for the exam.
DISCOUNTS ON ASSESSMENT TESTS
The Tivoli Professional Certification Program offers assessment tests for most Tivoli exams. Assessment tests ($30 USD) are designed to predictive of a candidate's success on the actual exam and can be taken on-line in an unproctored environment.
Current promotions include:
- Discounted Testing for IBM Business Partners - (ongoing): Get 50% off any Tivoli assessment test. More information on the Promotions page at IBM URL at top of this section.
For more information, including Assessment Frequently Asked Questions and a link to the assessment tests, go to:
http://www-03.ibm.com/certify/news/tvpromos.shtml
Certification Skills Development and Training
NEW Courses from Tivoli Education
Check out the "News, Events, Special Offers" section on the Tivoli Education site at: www.ibm.com/software/tivoli/education/.
Now Available:
- IBM Tivoli Service Request Manager 7.2 Fundamentals
- IBM Tivoli Workload Scheduler 8.5.1 Operations and Scheduling
- IBM Tivoli Workload Scheduler 8.5.1 Administration
- IBM Tivoli Identity Manager 5.1 System Administration
Coming in June:
- IBM Tivoli Access Manager for Enterprise Single Sign-On 8.1 Deployment and Administration
- Tivoli Enterprise Portal Advanced Administration
- IBM Tivoli Netcool Performance Manager 1.3 Wireline Component Installation
FREE Courses from Tivoli Education
All current "free" courses can be found at: www.ibm.com/software/tivoli/education/edu_prd_free.html
Previous Product Version Training - Interested?
Prior product level courses can be found at: www.ibm.com/software/tivoli/education/edu_prd_bl.html
IBM Tivoli Online Education Savings
IBM Education Assistant (IEA) for Tivoli Products
IBM Education Assistant is a self-assistance tool designed to help you successfully configure and use Tivoli and other IBM products. IEA includes:
- Show Me Demos: guided demonstrations that show how to complete a specific task
- Tutorials: step-by-step instructions to follow for completing tasks
- Presentations: technical overviews that provide background on a topic (some include voice-over)
- Additional resources: links that organize product documentation, Redbooks, and white papers
IEA home page is at:
http://www.ibm.com/software/info/education/assistant/
Get On Our List - Tivoli Certification e-Newsletter!
Interested in receiving your own copy of the Tivoli Certification e-newsletter? Let us know! Send an e-mail request to: tivcert@us.ibm.com. The e-newsletter is sent out the first week of every month and includes the latest certifications, exam development projects (we need your help!), and other certification news and information. A .pdf copy of the latest Certification e-newsletter can be found at http://www-03.ibm.com/certify/certs/tv_index.shtml -> scroll to "news" section in middle of page.
Want to be a SME of the Month? Get involved in our exam development projects! The SME of the Month receives recognition in this newsletter which goes out to over 2100 Customers, Business Partners, and IBMers.
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Certification Resources Quick Links
- Testing at TUC Meetings - FREE Tivoli Certification testing at many user group meetings. Additional information and FAQs about how to provide testing at your next TUC meeting.
- Study Guides - Guides available for Tivoli exams with more to come! (search on tivoli AND certification)
- News - the newest exams and latest updates, right here!
- Testing Centers Worldwide - exams can be taken at any Prometric testing center worldwide.
- Exams - a listing of the most current certification exams, including exam objectives and prerequisites.
- Roadmap - specific information about the different certification tracks, and the tests required for each.
- FAQs - questions and answers about the Tivoli Professional Certification Program.
- Contact us - update your profile, give us feedback, or inquire about new certifications.
- IBM Certification Policies (left nav) - Privacy and Identification, Testing Policies, Special Accommodations, and Conduct Guidelines.
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Tivoli Testing at TUC Meetings: General Information, Discounts, FAQs
General Information
Tivoli Certifications are an important way for your customers and business partners to distinguish their skills and earn recognition from IBM for the investment they have made in Tivoli skills. The Tivoli Certification Program has agreed to allow TUC members to take Tivoli Certification exam free of charge at TUC meetings - as a benefit for participating in a local TUC.
Test setup is much easier now than it has ever been in the past. The only tools you will need are PCs or laptops that have a browser and an Internet connection. The testing itself is 100% Web-based but to insure the integrity of the program, all testing is done in the presence of an authorized certification proctor.
IBM employees who manage TUCs are invited to become certification proctors and deliver Tivoli exams at their TUC meetings. The process is quite simple and can be arranged quickly. To request details, please send an e-mail to Tivoli Certification (tivcert@us.ibm.com).
Tivoli Testing at TUC Meetings
As a benefit of being a GTUG member, you are entitled to a 15% discount on any Tivoli Professional Certification exam taken at any Prometric testing center worldwide. So if you are not able to take advantage of free Tivoli Testing at TUC Meetings, be sure to use this 15% discount code when registering for a Tivoli exam!
Code: 15TUGS10
%off: 15
Valid: For all Tivoli exams
Expires: December 31, 2010
Frequently Asked Questions about Testing at TUC Meetings
How are the exams administered?
The exams are administered on computers using a Web-based system known as "Prime". A candidate will log on to the Prime Web site and create their own Prime testing account, being careful to use their existing testing ID number if they have one, selecting "Tivoli Certification" as their program of interest and inputting current name and address information - be especially careful to include your correct e-mail address since this is where your certification will be sent when you pass your exam. An authorized Tivoli Certification proctor will launch the desired exam using a secret keycode and password. The tests are self timing and will end when you have finished or run out of time. Your testing records will be sent automatically to IBM for processing. If you passed your exam you will receive your certificate as an e-mail attached pdf file within a few business days.
What hardware and software is needed to deliver exams?
Hardware requirements are not extensive, all that is needed is a PC or laptop with a Web browser and a broadband Internet connection. If the PC can run Windows 95 or later, it is probably adequate. A printer is optional since score reports can be viewed online at any time.
I want to deliver exams to the TUC that I manage, what do I need to do?
Send an e-mail to Tivoli Certification (tivcert@us.ibm.com) telling them that you are a TUC manager and want to deliver Tivoli Certification exams to your TUC members. As an authorized Tivoli proctor you will have 3 main responsibilities:
- Delivering exams efficiently and in a manner that makes testing as comfortable as possible for the candidates - remember, many people find taking an exam of this type to be quite stressful so do what you can to make them at ease.
- Protecting the integrity of the Certification Program. As an authorized proctor you become a representative of the Tivoli Professional Certification Program. We will do whatever we can to support you but it is your efforts that determine the ultimate success or failure of the program. While cheating is rare in a proctored environment, it does occur and it is the proctor's job to stop it. Cheating takes two basic forms, getting help on the exam (from a neighbor, book, cell phone or Web resource) or by copying down questions to bring out of the testing center.
- Providing candidates with information about the Tivoli Professional Certification Program - while we do not expect you to become an expert on Tivoli certifications you should be able to provide candidates with some basic information about the program. Most of the program information that you will be asked about can be found on the "www.ibm.com/certify" Web site. Additional questions can be directed to the program's e-mail alias "tivcert@us.ibm.com".
Are special facilities needed for testing?
Sort of... you need to provide your TUC members with a quiet, distraction-free setting to assure they can focus on the exams they are taking. The facility needs to support the computers you are using to test with and have broadband Internet access. The Internet connection does not need to be exotic but it cannot be a dial-up connection either. Plan to scale the bandwidth appropriately for the number of computers you have connected. Make sure that the computers are spread apart enough to allow for comfortable testing, say 1 meter between computers if possible.
Can I test people remotely?
No. Like all IBM and IT industry "high-stakes" certification exams, Tivoli certification exams may only be administered in a proctored environment. Proctoring is the only method available to assure the consistency of any testing program. As a proctor you must be physically present during testing to observe the candidates who are testing to make sure that things run smoothly and no cheating occurs.
Does everybody need to take the same exam?
No. Any Tivoli exam can be taken at any time and in any combination. Though we expect people to be prepared for the exam they take, there are no prerequisite requirements.
How long are the exams?
The exams vary in length depending upon how many question were needed to sufficiently cover the required scope. The range is from 75 minutes to 120 minutes with the majority allowing 90 minutes. There are usually between 50 and 100 questions on an exam. There is an automatic timer that counts down the time you have remaining on your exam. If time runs out before you are finished, you will always be allowed to answer the question that you were on when time ran out and then the test will be automatically scored. Your test will not be lost if you are still working on it when time runs out.
How many exams can I take?
You can take as many different exams at a TUC meeting as time and your TUC leader allow. The only program requirement is the IBM policy on retaking a failed exam. This policy states that you can take any specific exam only 2 times in a 30 day period. This means if you fail an exam, you can retake it immediately, but would then have to wait for 30 days after the first attempt before making a third attempt, and so on.
What is the best technique for taking an exam?
You earn points by answering questions correctly. Unlike some "standardized" tests you may be used to, you do not loose any points on IBM certification exams for incorrect answers. Because of this, the best approach to take is to go through the test once fairly quickly answering every question. Mark the questions that you are unsure of (there is a check box labeled "mark item for review" in the upper-right hand corner of the screen for each question). When you reach the end of the exam you will be presented with a summary screen that lists all the questions on the exam and shows you which ones you have marked. You can jump directly back to each of the marked question to use your remaining time going over them in more detail.
I have taken IBM tests before, do I need to know my old testing ID number?
Yes, if you have ever taken any IBM certification exam before you will have been given a testing ID number by the vendor you tested with. It is very important that you use the same ID number for all your testing or your records will be spread across multiple profiles in the IBM Certification database. Since all of the Advanced Deployment Professional certifications require passing multiple exams, these will never be matched together if they are in different profiles. The most common are the Prometric and VUE IDs. A valid ID is always 9 digits long and often starts with "PR0", "SP" or "VUE". In the USA and Canada it used to be the practice to use your Social Security or Social Insurance number. While these numbers are still valid, they are not commonly used any longer due to privacy concerns. If you have forgotten your testing ID number you can retrieve it from an old score report, by contacting Prometric customer support, or by sending an e-mail inquiry to "
certify@us.ibm.com". If you have never taken an IBM exam before, leave the ID field blank when creating your Prime account and a new ID will be generated for you. Do not create your own ID.
I failed my first exam. When can I retake it?
You can take any specific exam 2 times in a 30 day period. You do not have to wait between the first and second attempt but if you do not pass the second time, 30 days must go by from the time of the first attempt before you are allowed to make a third attempt (and 30 days between attempt 2 to attempt 4 and so on).
I passed my exam, now what?
You will receive an e-mail from the Prime testing system immediately just confirming that you have taken an exam. In 2 or 3 business days your results will have been transferred to IBM and processed. You will then receive an e-mail from the Professional Certification Program from IBM. If this is the first IBM exam that you have ever taken, you will be asked to log on to a Web site and agree to a Certification License Agreement. Once you have done that, your certification will be sent as a pdf attachment in a subsequent e-mail. If you have taken an IBM exam in the past you will receive your certification via an e-mail attachment directly without being asked again about the license agreement. If you have not received your certificate within a week of passing your exam, please send a note of inquiry to the IBM Certification Support Team at "
certify@us.ibm.com".
How do I print my score report?
Unlike other testing systems, no score report prints "automatically" when you are finished with your exam. If there is a printer defined in your testing environment, select File --> Print when the score report is displayed on your screen. Remember that you can access your Prime account from anywhere at anytime and review all your previous exams that were delivered via Prime using this same account. This will allow you to view your score report online or print it out at anytime in the future from your home or office.
To access your Prime account:
https://ibmtesting.prime.prometric.com
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Assessment Tests Available
The Tivoli Professional Certification Program now offers assessment tests for certain exams - with more to come! Assessment tests are available for many of the Tivoli exams and we will eventually have an assessment test for every exam.
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