Archive for 'CRCP' Category
Cost of Certifications
Over the weekend I did some research to find a local testing center and the cost per test. I had tested with Pearson Vue (www.pearsonvue.com) in Houston, TX in 2007 so I thought I would start there. It had been some time since I had last logged on to my account. After a speaking with Customer Service and proving to them who I was, I was able to log in to my account. It is only through your account can you see the courses available to you and the cost per test.
Well Christmas came early this year. I forgot that I took and passed by BOCP – CR XI certification back in 2007. This was an event full time in my life, traveling 5 days a week for work, taking exams, getting ready to move, etc. So I have taken and passed RDCR201 and RDCR301 which are the two tests that I wanted to BLOG about first. All I have to do now is take the RDCR08401 to update to CR 2008 certified and of course will BLOG about that.
The Crystal books have arrived
I arrived home last night to find two packages sitting on my front porch. One was CRCP Crystal Reports Certified Professional All-in-One by Annette Harper. The other was BOCP – QUICK REFERENCE STUDY GUIDE: 930 Questions – Business Objects Certified Professional for Crystal Reports by Antonia Iroko.
I first want to state that I don’t endorse or support any of the writers or publishers mentioned in my posts. I am not receiving any compensation directly or indirectly from either the publisher or authors by mentioning their products. These are my reviews and my opinions.
After walking my dogs and starting dinner I started browsing through the books. I started with Annette Harper’s book. The book I purchased had a CD where I could install some tutorials to help prepare for the exams. I have not installed anything but will do so later this week. Annette’s book so far is great. I like the logical layout and the detail that is provided.
I then browsed through Antonia Iroko’s Study Guide. I also like the layout and found myself browsing through several pages before my dinner started burning.
All in all I feel both books are a good investment and something that I will keep in my library. I will continue to browse and review the books this week
What is CRCP?
I was talking with some colleagues of mine on how to go to the next level in my professional career. Some of them suggested that I get CRCP certified. I told them that I was already a BusinessObjects Certified Professional – BusinessObjects Enterprise (BOCP BOE) so why would I want to get yet another certification. They pointed out that even though I have been working with Crystal Reports for 10 years it always helps to have documentation. Documentation that you have meet a certain level of knowledge in Crystal Reports where as the BOE Certification was just for the BusinessObjects Enterprise knowledge.
So now what? I did some research and found out that there are two Certifications at this time. One for Crystal Reports XI and one for Crystal Reports 2008. So do I take one and not the other? Do I just take 2008?
After some thought and further conversations with my colleagues I have decided to take three exams so that I am both Crystal Reports XI and 2008 Certified. With that said I have set out to understand, prepare and take three Exams. Two for BOCP – CR XI certification and one exam that is an update so that I am BOCP – CR 2008 and share any learning, tips and tricks as I go along.
This is how the certification is broken out. There are two exams RDCR201 and RDCR301 for BOCP – CR XI. RDCR201 has 45 questions with a time limit of 90 minutes. You must obtain a score of 65 or better to pass. RDCR301 has 40 questions with a time limit of 80 minutes. You must obtain a score of 70 or better to pass.
There are two exams RDCR201 and RDCR301 for BOCP – CR 2008. RDCR08201 has 62 questions with a time limit of 124 minutes. You must obtain a score of 65 or better to pass. RDCR08301 has 48 questions with a time limit of 96 minutes. You must obtain a score of 70 or better to pass.
Some of you may have seen RDCR08401. This is the Crystal Reports 2008 update for those of you that are already BOCP – CR XI Certified and want to include the 2008 Certification. For those of you only interested in CR 2008 certification you do not need to take RDCR08401, just RDCR08201 and RDCR08301. RDCR08401 has 22 questions with a time limit of 44 minutes. You must obtain a score of 68 or better to pass
There are learning offerings from various vendors. I have chosen to purchase from Amazon CRCP Crystal Reports Certified Professional All-in-One by Annette Harper. Since I have not asked for reimbursement from my employer I am taking the least expensive study route. There are some other books that look interesting like the BOCP – QUICK REFERENCE STUDY GUIDE: 930 Questions – Business Objects Certified Professional for Crystal Reports by Antonia Iroko.
Last time I took any BusinessObjects Certification exam it was around $600 per test. Stay tuned as I look for a testing center, get prices and get my first book from Amazon.
Hello world!
This is my second start to my first blog site. I had the best of intentions to start back in October of 2009 but…. So here I am nearly a year later making a second attempt. Initially I was going to blog about becoming Crystal Certified Professional only to immediately find out that I had already been certified. Talk about embarrassing.
Months went by when my friend who is hosting this site started poking me about restarting my blog. I told him that I didn’t think I had anything to talk about. He pointed out that I am the Crystal SIG Chair for ASUG and can talk about upcoming Webinars and events. I am the vice chair for our Dallas/Ft Worth Local User Group. I work for PepsiCo in their business support group where we are presented with new projects and opportunities everyday.
So needless to say I have found a renewed interest in blogging. I hope you find what I have to say and post useful and entertaining.
Brian