• Review the OCM exam objectives to evaluate where you will need additional training and preparation.
• Update your training with Oracle University’s advanced Database Administrator curriculum.
• Refer to the Oracle Database 11g documentation library available from the Oracle Technology Network
• Practice in a representative environment (practice environment does not need to be on the exact OS and database software versions used in the OCM exam - see below). You can download Oracle products from theOracle Technology Network. Use Oracle Enterprise Linux or RedHat Linux operating system.

The OCM is offered in English, regardless of exam location (except in Japan, it is offered only in Japanese).

• Exam Retake Policy
• Exam Cancellation Policy: Oracle Certified Master Exams are offered through Oracle University and are governed by the Oracle University Legal Terms & Policies.
• You are not allowed to use your own keyboard. We recommend you practice on the type of keyboard you expect to find in OCM Test Center.
  • All countries, except those listed will use country-specific keyboards
    • United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Greece, Croatia, Italy, Poland, Romania, Slovak Republic, Egypt, Israel, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Hong Kong, Indonesia, India, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Australia, New Zealand.

Notes about the exam

• Exam participants work through four skillsets that are based on the exam objectives.
• Tasks can be performed using CLI or GUI environment and tools when available

Exam Environment
Oracle Linux Release 5.2 (32-bit)
Oracle Database 11g version 11.1.0.7.0 (32-bit)
Oracle Enterprise Management Grid Control 10g version 10.2.0.5 (32-bit)

To prepare for the OCM exam, candidates should focus on mastering the tasks for each Skillset. Software can be downloaded from the Oracle Technology Network (OTN) to build a practice environment.  Use the latest software available from OTN; it is not necessary to build a practice environment on the exact OS and database software versions used in the OCM exam.  Later releases of Oracle server support nearly all features and functions of earlier ones; for any software version, relevant parameter values, naming differences and obsolete features may be found in the product documentation, which is available from OTN.

Database, RMAN, EM and Network Configuration

• Configure server-side network
• Configure client-side network
• Create and Manage encrypted tablespaces
• Create and Manage a tablespace that uses NFS mounted file system file
• Set up ADR file based repository
• Perform cold database backup
• Manage user accounts and use case sensitive passwords
• Use OPatch to install a patch
• Install and configure EM Agent
• Create Base Recovery Catalog
• Configure RMAN
• Perform multisection backup of a datafile
• Create an Archival Backup

Data Guard

• Create Physical Standby Database with real-time apply.
• Configure the data guard environment to reduce overheads of fast incremental backups on the primary database
• Configure the Observer
• Switchover and switch back
• Convert the standby to a snapshot standby
• Configure archivelog deletion policy for the dataguard configuration

Data and Data Warehouse Management

• Troubleshoot fast materialized views to fast refresh and query rewrite
• Add a tablespace by using Transportable Tablespace Feature of Data Pump Import (cross platform transportable tablespace)
• Configure a schema to support a star transformation query
• Configure and use parallel execution for queries
• Use and access SecureFile LOBS
• Create partitioned tables (includes reference and interval partitioning)
• Configure Flashback Data Archive
• Use Oracle Streams to capture and propagate changes in a table

Performance Management

• Set up and configure Resource Manager to control active sessions, number of I/Os, execution time..etc
• Use Result Cache
• Use multi column statistics
• Gather statistics on a specific table without invalidating cursors
• Use partitioned indexes
• Use SQL Tuning Advisor
• Use SQL Access Advisor
• Configure baseline templates
• Use SQL Plan Management feature
• Replay a captured workload

ADVICE FROM SENIOR OU INSTRUCTORS:

• Obtain a minimum of 3 - 4 years of Oracle experience. Five or more years experience would be more typical of the qualified candidate.
• Make sure you have all the skills described under Recommeded Minimum Skills and Experience.
• Be prepared to use the non-searchable documentation during the exam, to help you with correct syntax.
• Review command line solutions and be prepared to use them, even if you know how to do things in GUI. GUI is not available for every segment of the exam.
• Take the time to get hands-on practice with all the exam objectives, especially on skills that you do not use regularly.
• You must be able to translate high-level conceptual requirements into the specific commands and actions that are needed to execute them. This is where your years of experience and hands-on practice are especially vital to success on the exam.

RECOMMENDED MINIMUM SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• 3-4 years of professional enterprise-level Oracle experience
• Extensive experience with backup, restore and recovery operations
• Proficient with SQL
• Working knowledge of LINUX command language that includes:
  • Formatting and executing basic OS commands
  • Creating and navigating through directory structures
  • File management using copy, move, and delete
  • Linux environment text editors
  • Setting environment variables
• The ability to locate and launch Oracle executables that include:
  • RMAN utility
  • Oracle Net Manager
  • Oracle Net Configuration Assistant
  • OEM
  • Listener Utility
  • OMS
  • Oracle Password Utility
  • Database Creation Assistant
  • DGMGRL (for 11g OCM)
• Proficient with Oracle Enterprise Manager
• Proficient in using Oracle Net Manager and the Oracle Net Configuration Assistant to configure networking
• Advanced knowledge and use of Oracle Enterprise Server technology and features
• Familiarity navigating through online Oracle documentation
• Proficient with using Mozilla 1.6 browser software

THE EXAM

Registration

1. Choose the event you wish to attend
   1. Oracle Database 11g Certified Master Exam Event
   2. Oracle Database 11g Certified Master Upgrade Exam Event
2. Select the "Register" link beside the country and dates you wish to schedule.
3. Checkout.
4. Contact your local Oracle University representative if you are unable to find an OCM event in your area.
5. There is a 14-day waiting period to retake a failed exam. Passed exams may not be taken again.

Admission

The exam starts promptly at 9:00 AM. Plan on finishing no sooner than 6:00 PM. Late arrivals are not guaranteed entry but may be accommodated at the sole discretion of the proctor.
Plan your travel schedule accordingly to ensure enough time to work through each scenario. Participants are not permitted to enter or leave the classroom once a skillset has started; they must wait until the next skillset.

Photo Identification

All participants are required to provide valid, government-issued photo identification with signature to be admitted to the exam. Valid photo identification includes passport, drivers' license, military ID or other government-issued ID.

Oracle Testing ID

Every candidate must provide their 9-character Oracle Testing ID to initiate the OCM exam. The Oracle Testing ID is the unique identifier associated with each candidate's Oracle exam history at Pearson Vue.
It is strongly recommended that OCM candidates locate their Oracle Testing ID at least one week prior to their exam date. Follow these instructions to obtain your Oracle ID.

Delivery

The exam is conducted in a dedicated Oracle University classroom environment and administered to ensure fairness and security. An Oracle proctor facilitates the event by delivering skillsets and adhering to specific skillset time frames. The proctor does not score the exam and does not have access to scoring information.
Each participant is randomly assigned a dedicated server that is his or her workstation for the event. Servers are isolated from the Internet and Intranet in an effort to maintain security. It is the responsibility of each participant to effectively manage the database and instance environment on his or her server to ensure performance and ability to recover from failure skillsets. The inability to recover from a failure skillset may impact a participant's completion of subsequent skillsets.

All skillsets have time limitations that require participants to employ best practices in order to successfully complete assigned tasks. Each skillset explicitly describes the required end state that participants must achieve.

Participants are not allowed to use personal documentation or notes during the practicum, nor will they be permitted to collaborate with other participants. Cell phones, pagers, PDAs, and similar electronics will not be allowed in the practicum classroom. Participants can use the notepad on their desktop to keep notes during the practicum. Participants must agree to the same guidelines that apply to all Oracle Certification candidates. These guidelines can be found in the Oracle Certification Program Candidate Agreement. Divulging OCM exam content is a violation of Oracle's Fraudulent Activity Policy and may result in the revocation of an individual's OCP and OCM credentials.

Scoring

Participants are scored on their ability to complete assigned tasks and to recover from various database failure scenarios. Data from each participant's environment is collected at the end of each scenario and used to determine the final score. In some scenarios, participants may receive partial credit, however the inability to recover from a failure scenario results in zero credit for an entire scenario. The proctor is not responsible for scoring the exam and will not have scoring information during the event.

Participants will be notified of their final score 4 - 5 weeks following the exam. Upon attaining a successful score, a participant is awarded the Oracle Certified Master credential. Participants who do not earn a passing score are required to retake the entire exam at a later date.

Exam Cancellation

Oracle Certified Master Exams are offered through Oracle University and are governed by the Oracle University Legal Terms & Policies.

BENEFITS OF DATABASE OCM CERTIFICATION:

The OCM credential represents a proven ability to perform in the challenging role of a senior enterprise DBA. OCM benefits can help leverage this high level of credibility and turn it into career and business opportunities. OCMs can take advantage of valuable endorsement tools to become more marketable and differentiate themselves from others when competing for job opportunities and projects. OCMs continue to enjoy the OCP member benefits and also receive these additional benefits:

• Distiguished industry-recognized credential, backed by Oracle’s brand equity
• OCM professional profile
• Exclusive use of the OCM logo for business cards, literature, etc.
• Complimentary Database OCM Logo embroidered apparel items