Clarification on Ability to "Downgrade" Certification

[ehaskins]

A previous thread mentions the ability to "downgrade" from say Oracle9i to 8i by taking the 8i New Features exam. Nowhere does Oracle mention this ability on their website. I decided to ask my contact at Oracle University; he manages the OCP Program. Here's my question to him, and his answer:

QUESTION:
Imagine this:Joe Blow wants to get certified as an Oracle9i DBA. He takes all 4 exams within the Oracle9i DBA OCP Track. He's now an Oracle9i OCP. His boss then says, "Joe, that's great...but all our databases are still Oracle8i. I wish you had gotten Oracle8i certified instead."Joe then goes and takes the Oracle8i New Features exam and passes. Is Joe now Oracle8i AND Oracle9i certified?

ANSWER:
Got it, and no, we're not really set up for that. The New Features exam covers material that is different between Oracle 8 and Oracle 8i. It is built for the audience of DBAs with experience, coming off Oracle 8.

What we would do in this case is show that being certified on Oracle9i includes the context of what you would be certified on with Oracle8i, and only adds to it. All our tracks are, for the most part, this way. Ofcourse there are new tuning practices and methodologies, and new features that make things easier with newer releases. The longer procedures that might be required with earlier versions would not be covered in the 9i content.

[Tarry]

Well that explains it, how can you be certified for a technology which doesn't exist in the newer version.
Not with an upgrade but with a complete path!

[grjohnson]

Personally, to have a true 8i certification and therefore understanding of the technology (without any previous certification), this goes for 9i as well, I think it's important to READ the 8i/9i upgrade study books . The study books I used (SYBEX) to gain my 8i certification didn't go into the NEW FEATURES of 8i specificatally. So it was difficult to determine between old and new features.

Now sutdying for my 9i upgrade, I learn specifically all the new features. This is great, because I'm learning the distinct differences beween 9i and 8i.

I still think downgrading is plausable option. So, why aren't many people persuing it... $$$$ cha-ching I reckon. Bosses arent impressed really with gaining certifcation in old technology. But if it helps you understanding of what which version DOES and DOESNT have, I say go for it.

Cheers,

[yoda]

"Every exaggeration of the truth once detected by others destroys our credibility and makes all that we do and say suspect."
-- Stephen R. Covey (b. 1932), American writer, author

[adrianomp]

I got Oracle 9i DBA Handbook (Kevin Loney, Oracle Press) and liked it very much.

It is not for certification purposes (which is not a bad thing at all), but the book explains the 9i features making a comparison between 8i and 8.