I passed 4 exams without STS

8i: Net Admin
8i: A & A
8i: Perf Tun
8i: SQL/PLSQL

YOu know when you are ready I reckon... practice exams from the books, Sybex and Couchmen.

Mind you, my best two results have been from exams in which I've had the STS.

Cheers,