3/5/2003 -- IBM is currently offering a new, 30-question DB2 8.1 upgrade exam for $60 at Pearson Vue and Prometric testing centers worldwide.

Although the exam is designed for candidates previously certified on DB2, details on exactly who qualifies to take this upgrade were not readily available at press time. IBM did say in a press release announcing the exam that it consists of 30 questions, or "half the length of competitor's upgrade tests."

The $60 price is a temporary promotional price. Candidates interested in taking this exam should contact one of the test delivery companies above for availability information.

In related DB2 certification news, IBM also recently announced a new high-level DB2 exam, Advanced Database Administrator. This exam is the latest addition to the job-role-focused overhaul of IBMs entire certification program, under which the DB2 titles are being revamped. Details regarding the current structure of IBM's DB2 certifications and how this exam fits in can be found here. -B.N.