I'm new to this sordid and endless DBA certification game and would be more than delighted to get answers to the following:

1.Should i go ahead and take the 8i exam and then upgrade to 9i------is that easier?if that requires fewer weeks of reading certification manuals i'll take that.Are the 8i exams easier than the 9i ones?Do i need to study MORE for the 9i exam(s)?

2.Has the 8i DBA certification expired? Does that mean there's no point in getting 81 certified at all??

Thanks.