9/19/2007 -- Sun Microsoft recently announced free "beta" (or early-version) exams for a new version of its Sun Certified Enterprise Architect certification.

The SCEA version 5 beta will take place in three parts:

• A multiple choice exam (beta registration starts Sept. 26).
• A written assignment covering design principles, architecture technologies and other topics (beta will begin Nov. 21).
• A short essay (beta will begin Nov. 28).

Use the links above to view the objectives for the first two parts and recommended study resources for the third. Candidates will be required to pass the first or previous stage of the certification before being invited to participate in the next one.

The certification is designed for architects with at least five years of experience. Those who pass all three parts of the beta will be awarded the new certification.

The launch date of the revised title has yet to be announced.

The SCEA is the top level of Sun's Java track of certification and usually costs around $650 to earn. The company also offers titles for its Solaris, clustering and Java CAPS technologies.

For more information on participating in this beta, go here. -Becky Nagel