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Yes, real world experience IS important.

I remember back when the Oracle7 Certified DBA certificate required
proof of at least 3 years experience.

But a certificate without a knowledge test?

The ECODBA certification page says:

"Many people have several years of experience and are not able to
achieve certification because they simply "freeze up" at the mere
thought of having to take a test. They are not able to obtain
certification, and all the while some sophomore in high school is
walking around with several of them."

"Geomancer" <> wrote
> Yes, real world experience IS important.
>

I'd take an 'A' student with no experience who just graduated with an MS in
Computer Science over a 'C' student with 4 years experience.

In my experience (with co-workers and employees) the best predictor of
success in the computer industry has been a college degree with good grades
in math, computer science, or engineering. And even better if a graduate
degree. Some people without that are very good, but almost without
exception, the very best I've worked with have had a BS or MS in a
scientific field. I haven't found any certification program to be a
worthwhile predictor.

> I'd take an 'A' student with no experience who just graduated with an MS in
> Computer Science over a 'C' student with 4 years experience.

Hear Hear!!!!

> In my experience (with co-workers and employees) the best predictor of
> success in the computer industry has been a college degree with good grades
> in math, computer science, or engineering. And even better if a graduate
> degree.

Yes indeed.

Remarkably, those with an MS in Math or an MBA make exceptional Oracle
DBAs.

Personally, I think any Oracle certification should include a degree
in a quantitative major (CS, engineering, math).