ICCP: Data resource managament, data comms, and systems development

I need to take the following ICCP tests:

1. Data Resource Mgmt
2. Data Communications
3. Systems Development

I have had a hard time finding study material that I think will benefit me at the local libraries. So I guess I am going to have to shell out some money for some material. I have read both good and bad things about the Bird study materials. I am leaning towards purchasing them anyway, because I don't know of other material that is designed to follow the test outlines. I don't understand why the Bird materials aren't textbooks. It seems like the casette tapes will be extremely hard to take notes on and study. Is it really worth it?

If you have the Bird study materials for the above 3 exams for sale, let me know. Or if you have used other texts that you think are good for these exams, let me know about that too. I may be interested in those as well.

Thanks.

 

Try at the ICCP site for Review Text Books and other References:
http://www.iccp.org/iccpnew/materials.html

 

I can get the study guides for free in .pdf format from Excelsior College. The only one of the resources from the above page that looks like it might be of use is :
3. Data Resources Management - study package ($35)
which I may end up ordering. But I'd like to hear feedback on the Bird materials and on other specific textbooks.

 

This is actually one of the complains of ICCP test takers - the lack of study materials (according to ICCP). But if you get hold of the "ICCP's Complete Guide to Professional Computing" (Examinations Study Guide), you'll find a full list of reference materials to prepare for any of the ICCP exams.

Please take note also that the ICCP exams are experience based.
http://www.iccp.org/iccpnew/faq.html#14

 

Excelsior has ICCP study guides?

TexasBlack6,

Could you please point me to the link on the Excelsior website where the study guides are in .pdf format?

Much obliged, partner.
I couldn't resist

 

Found ICCP exam studyguides

I found the ICCP studyguides on Excelsior's website (which is one of the most unintuitive sites I have ever used). The url is https://www1.excelsior.edu/itweb/resource.html

Thanks for all of your posts, everyone. They are invaluable for those of us just getting started!

 

I agree. The Excelsior site has a wealth of tools and information for which I am very greatful. However, I do agree that the organization and layout is poor at best.

Glad you found it. Which test(s) are you planning to take?

 

I am planning on taking the following ICCP exams:

Data Resource Management 3 UL
Communications 3 UL
Systems Programming 3 LL
Systems Development 3 UL
Microcomputing & Networks 4 LL
Software Engineering 3 LL
Systems Security 3 LL

I think I will tackle the DRM exam first. This is the area that I have the most experience with - I deal with databases every day at work.

I just finished taking a Java class (COMP268) from Athabasca University, as recommended by the PreferredProvider page of Excelsior's website, so I don't need to take any of the ICCP's language classes. The Athabasca class wasn't hard, but the assignments (there were a total of 3, plus a final class project) were extremely time-consuming. I spent a month on the class project. Afterwards I vowed that I would test my way out of the rest of the BSCIS requirements. Testing seems to be faster and easier, as there are no assignments/class projects (at Athabasca you still have to take a final exam - why not take just the final and not worry about the assignments?)

Have you taken any of the ICCP exams? What was their level of difficulty compared to other exams you have taken? Finding study materials that address all aspects of the ICCP exams seems to be a major stumbling block for most people.

 

I've yet to take any ICCP tests, but I know many others on this board have. Search a bit to get more feedback. Also, several people have posted feedback regarding ICCP exams on the Excelsior EPN site that you can check out. I'll keep all posted on my ICCP progress. Please do the same.

 

ICCP exam

An ICCP exam is quite rigorous, but with your good experience and further training, you'll be able to make it. ICCP exams are experience based. It's exam developers are from the industry who are experts in their field. Your experience counts the most.

 

Felipe,

Kamusta ka? Mabuti? (I'm not Filipino, but I work with a couple of great Filipino guys.)

Thanks for the encouragement. How long did you study (and which materials did you use) for each of the ICCP exams? Would you recommend the Bird Publications materials? They seem to be a bit pricey, especially considering they are in audio format.

 

Nice to be Filipino isn't it? Kindly extend my regards to them.

I did The ICCP exams during my two months annual leave (April - May, 2003). I used the ICCP's Text Books for the two exams I took (Core IT Skills and IT Management). These materials will provide you with the concepts and the fundamental principles an Information Systems Professional must be familiar with. I took only two because my CIW Professional certification was considered for substitution.

The exam questions are mostly based on practical applications of those concepts and principles and situational i.e. you'll be given a situation in which you'll respond to it by selecting the one best answer from a list of choices. I didn't encounter a single question with direct reference to the text book. But the concepts yes.

I suggest take the DRM first and pass it so you'll have stronger faith when you go for the next test.

Unfortunately, these (Bird Pub) are the only available preparation materials endorsed by ICCP, which covers most of the exams. Although there are others on the list but you'll get confused as to which one to pick. If you'll try to get hold of the "ICCP's Complete Guide To Computing", there you'll find list of resources for each subject area (specialty exams).

Hope this helps.

Regards,

 

I took the TESC CS-311 TECEP in place of the ICCP DRM a couple days ago. I'm taking the ICCP Systems Development exam on Saturday. I'll take the ICCP Data Comms exam on the 27th or so of April. And then, assuming I pass these last few tests, I'll be done.

Any pointers for the Systems Development exam?

 

I took the Data Communication's exam some time ago while enrolled at Regents (Excelsior).

Earlier this month I took the CORE exam -- because I want to earn the ICCP certification. I used the ICCP's Complete Guide to review. Nice book, with lots of references listed for study on each exam...and some good example questions too.

I ordered and have in front of me the DAta Resource Management Review manual.

It appears to go into much more detail than the ICCP's Complete Guide in this area (as I was told it would by ICCP's telephone staff).

This will be a tougher area for me, because although I administer SQL 2000 regularly -- I do not code.... and know very, very little SQL. I initially though I would take a week to study --- but now that I have just over a hundred pages of info in DRM.... I think I will take a bit longer.

 

Re: Re: ICCP: Data resource managament, data comms, and systems development

Yes. Avoid it. I just failed it for the third time. This shouldn't be a hard subject but that test is the stupidest test I've ever seen. Another Excelsior student just failed it for the second time with a 63. I've wasted over $700.00 on this piece of junk of an exam.

Good Luck

 

I managed to squeak by the Sys Development exam with a whopping 71%. I've completed the DB requirement by passing the TECEP CS-311 exam. Now all that remains is the ICCP Data Comms.