Oracle DBA Exam Cram: Test 1 and Test 2: Exam: TEST 1 & TEST 2 [Paperback]

Michael R. Ault (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1576102629 | ISBN-13: 978-1576102626 | Publication Date: July 21, 1998

Takes user through overviews, concepts, and terminology for all required topics in the popular, easy-to-understand Exam Cram format and for those who need more study, resource sections at the end of each chapter help the reader make use of the best study aids available. Includes sections on proven test-taking strategies, time-saving study tips, shortcuts, and practice exam questions arranged in a similar format to the ones encountered on the exam. Provides a special pull-out Cram Sheet with tips, acronyms, and memory joggers that readers can review just prior to taking the exams.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Oracle DBA Test 1 and Test 2 Exam Cram provides a concise study course in preparation for the first two tests in the Oracle Certified Professional (OCP) certification program. Author Michael Ault focuses intently on the crucial information you will need to know to pass these critical examinations on SQL, PL/SQL, and database administration.

After an introductory overview of the OCP testing process, the architectural concepts of Oracle are presented, including various components of the Oracle Shared Global Area and the Data Dictionary. A basic understanding of Oracle is a good prerequisite for this review-oriented title. After the first chapters, the book moves into the SQL language, including discussions of Database Definition Language (DDL), Data Manipulation Language (DML), and a critical examination of ALTER and DROP--two commands that figure prominently into any database administrator's daily duties.

The book then details PL/SQL--the Oracle dialect of SQL that adds programming structure and power to the query language. User management, utilities, and database design concepts are covered in succeeding chapters. A final chapter on administration covers more advanced profile and resource issues.

Each chapter includes an exam prep quiz, and icons mark tips and common trick questions. Oracle DBA Test 1 and Test 2 Exam Cram packs the key concepts of an enormous amount of information into a short, clearly organized package. With some foundational knowledge in Oracle as a starter, this title will get you ready for your first two certification exams. --Stephen Plain

About the Author

Michael R. Ault (Alpharetta, GA) is Chief Technical Officer and part owner of DBMentors, International, Inc., an Oracle consulting and training firm, and was a quality control expert for the OCP exams. Michael is the author of Oracle DBA Exam Cram: Test 1 and Test 2, and the co-author of Oracle DBA Exam Cram: Test 3 and Test 4. His books have been translated into German, Portuguese, and Chinese.

Product Details

• Paperback: 300 pages
• Publisher: Coriolis Group (July 21, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1576102629
• ISBN-13: 978-1576102626
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.8 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (45 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,550,355 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars excellent reference guide for the experienced administrator, June 6, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Oracle DBA Exam Cram: Test 1 and Test 2: Exam: TEST 1 & TEST 2 (Paperback)

After over a year of contemplation, I decided to get serious and go after Oracle certification. I am already heavily Microsoft certifed and work as a consultant dba, data modeler etc. in SQL Server and Sybase. But Oracle has significant market penetration in the medical and pharmaceutical industries -- my specialty and therefore I consider it prudent to develop an appreciation of the software for future opportunities.

I read all the reviews on the various prep books and firmly agreed with the individual reviewer who suggested that the proper course to take was to use Ault's book together with the appropriate SelfTestSoftware practice exam (and no I do not work for nor am I connected in any way with either publisher). So that's what I did coupled with a simplistic reference book or two to explain some of the more complex aspects.

I wrote SQL (10 days after beginning formal study) and passed but not handily (632) (I even changed two answers at the end which I subsequently discovered were wrong) and passed Oracle 8 Database Administration two weeks later easily (I didn't bother changing any answers in that one).

I found Ault's book to be quite excellent at providing all the necessary information in one slim volume (and that includes the database administration section even though I wrote version 8 and not 7). There are a few errors as there always are but it's no big deal.

The first exam (SQL) was tough. Ault ranked it a 4 out of 5 and that's probably about right. I'm an experienced Transact SQLer but this was still quite a mind bender. The exam asked you to not only know SQL but also to be able to think--I can see that there's going to be a lot of disappointed people out there but hey! I flunked Microsoft SQL twice before finally passing so hang in there.

The second exam, Database 8 Administration was a strict regurgitative exercise -- total cram city that tests very little other than one's ability to memorize, spew it forth and promptly forget it.

In both cases I could not have passed without the Selftestsoftware together with Ault's book unless I was a true guru -- which I'm not and which I have no intention of becoming. Anyway, I hope this critique helps the odd individual in their certification quest.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Confusing, and not up-to-date, June 22, 2000

By 

Andre Whittick Nasser - See all my reviews

This review is from: Oracle DBA Exam Cram: Test 1 and Test 2: Exam: TEST 1 & TEST 2 (Paperback)

I am an IT consultant and Oracle DBA with 8 years of experience in high-end technology, working for a large international bank in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. I have decided to become Oracle certified because it would certainly give me more visibility in my work. Now, I am an Oracle8 OCP DBA with an average score of 97% in the five exams of the Oracle8 DBA track.

I must admit it was very difficult at first to find out what the best way would be to prepare for the tests. It took me some time to understand that the exams are entirely based on the original Oracle course books and that the practice tests offered by Self Test Software are a superset of the real exams. Now I have a keen perception of what the whole process is all about. The real trick to get a 90+% score is to attend the Oracle classes and cram with the STS practice tests. However, this is a rather expensive way to study,......................

When I fist set off my study, I bought Mr. Jason Couchman's Oracle8 DBA Certification Guide by Oracle Press. Bad choice... It was completely out of synch with the real exam contents and had a lot of typos and gross conceptual errors. I do feel sorry for those people who were caught unawares buying the big red book. I wonder how Oracle signed off on it.

I also bought the 'Oracle 7 Exam Cram Tests 1 and 2' by Mr. Michael Ault and 'Oracle 7 Exam Cram Tests 3 and 4' by Mr. Ault Mrs. Anne Pascavage. They were both better than Mr. Couchman's, but a bit confusing, especially because they mixed two tests in each book. Besides, they did not cover Oracle8.

As a last resort, I borrowed the original course materials from an acquaintance, with the exception of the Network Administration book. I read the reviews on Mrs. Pascavage's 'Oracle8: Network Administration', and decided to order it ......... I was surprised. This book is really great ! It was evident that the author was careful to study the original oracle course material and practice test, giving priceless tips and accurately separating the chapters according to those of the course books and the exams sections. Also, the questions in the book are very close to the real ones one would encounter. Congratulations, Mrs. Pascavage !

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars OK, but caveat emptor..., October 17, 1999

By 

J H Murphy "Hank Murphy" (Agoura, California USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Oracle DBA Exam Cram: Test 1 and Test 2: Exam: TEST 1 & TEST 2 (Paperback)

Most of the other reviews have outlined the perceived problems with this book. I just passed (barely) the PL/SQL test, and my comments are based on that part of the book only. This book is useful as a review before the test. The organization is not optimal IMHO, forcing one to read extra material for the PL/SQL test. It is not useful as one's primary reference for the test - caveat emptor! The strong points are the tests after each chapter and the sample test in chapter 12. The explanations for each question are useful. However, the comments about typos, et cetera are true. For example, I think question 1 in chapter 8 probably was supposed to go in chapter 9. I also used the Kevin Couchman DBA certification and Scott Ulman PL/SQL books from Oracle, and the free self-test downloadable from Oracle, as well as the Boson test, and about five days of exposure to SQLPlus.