OCUP FAQs

Why should I get certified?
As an OMG Certified UML Professional, you will be able to show current and future employers, clients, and the IT Industry that you know UML, making you a more attractive candidate for hiring and promotion.

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Why should I hire OCUP Certified Professionals?
The OCUP Program is the first and only objective, validated measurement of a candidate’s knowledge of UML. In addition, you have the knowledge that an OCUP Certified Professional has made a commitment to UML.

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THE UNIFIED MODELING LANGUAGE (UML)

What is UML?
Introduction to OMG’s Unified Modeling Language (UML) provides a review, with more detailed information found by going to OMG’s UML website.

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Where can I get a copy of the UML 2.X specification?
All of OMG’s specifications can be downloaded from our website without charge. The official UML 2.X Superstructure specification (on which the Exams are based) is available as a PDF or Zip file here. However, the UML spec is a HUGE document, and it was never intended to be read through as a way of learning UML. We recommend that you prepare for the Exams by taking a training course or studying with a book. Information about preparing for the UML exam can be found here.

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Which version of UML are the Exams based on?
The Exams are written specifically to cover UML 2.0, which carries over a great deal of material from earlier versions, especially with respect to concepts in the Fundamental Exam.

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THE EXAMS

What are the OCUP Exam levels?
Fundamental, Intermediate and Advanced. Each level of examination tests a candidate's knowledge of different concepts and usage of the UML 2.X specification. Click here for more information on each Exam.

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Which Exams should I take?
Starting with the Fundamental level is recommended, because passing it is a prerequisite to getting certified at Intermediate, and passing Intermediate is a prerequisite to getting certified at Advanced. The real question is - how high should I go? That will depend on the skill set that you have or are learning. Look here for a description of the skills that each level of certification indicates.

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What areas of study are most important for each Exam?
Review the Coverage Map (PDF - 128k) to see what is covered in each Exam. It can be a bit overwhelming all in one piece, so you may find it a lot easier to learn UML from courses or books. For more information on study materials, click here.

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What is the cost for each Exam?
US$200.00 in the United States. In other countries, our testing partner Pearson VUE, may charge a similar amount in the local currency. Payment is by major credit card. For exact pricing, please go to Pearson VUE.

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Can I get a discount on the fee for an Exam?
The only discount we can offer is for large groups of pre-paid Exams, arranged by a company or training company. If you are interested in arranging a group of Exams, please contact certificationinfo@omg.org.

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What languages can I take the Exams in?
All of the Exams are in English. A Japanese version is available in Japan and Asia-Pacific.

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What is the Exam format?
The Exams are computer-based tests (CBTs) delivered at testing centers owned or licensed by Pearson VUE. Exams are multiple-choice and include text and UML diagrams.

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How long is each Exam?
90 minutes. The number of questions varies between Exams. When an English-language Exam is delivered in a non-English speaking country, the test time might vary.

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REGISTERING FOR AND SCHEDULING YOUR EXAM

How do I Register to take the Exam?

IF YOU ARE IN EUROPE, THE AMERICAS, THE MIDDLE EAST, OR AFRICA: Go to the OMG Exam Registration page at Pearson VUE: http://pearsonvue.com/omg. Click on the menu box that corresponds to the Exam you wish to take. From here you can;

Locate a Test Center

Schedule a Test (requires a Pearson VUE web account)

Reschedule a Test (requires a Pearson VUE web account)

Cancel a Test (requires a Pearson VUE web account)

At the bottom of the page, you can;

Schedule Online, (requires a Pearson VUE web account) or click through to information that will let you

Schedule by Phone

Schedule through a Test Center.

To create a free Pearson VUE Web Account:
On the sign-in page that appears when you click on any function that requires an account, click on the link labeled "create a new web account" and follow the instructions that appear.

IF YOU ARE IN INDIA: Go to the OMG Exam Registration page at Pearson VUE: http://pearsonvue.com/omg. On this page, find the second paragraph starting with the boldface heading "In India:". On-line and call-center scheduling are not available in India. Click on "Click here" to bring up the list of test centers in India. Find a nearby test center on the list, and contact that center either by telephone or in person to schedule your test.

IF YOU ARE IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION, EXCEPT INDIA: OMG's Certification Partner UTI administers the OCUP certification in your country. Go to http://www.umlcert.org/en/index.html for more information.

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Where can I take an Exam?
The Exams are available worldwide. See our answer to the previous question for details about locations in your part of the world.

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When can I schedule my Exam?
Each test center sets its own hours and days of operation. You can schedule an Exam at any time when the center you choose is open and has an available testing slot. You will schedule your Exam as part of the registration process.

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What information should I be prepared to provide when I schedule my Exam?
When you schedule your Exam, you should be prepared to provide any of the following information:
- Your name (you may be asked to provide your name as you would like to have it appear on your certificate)
- Your Social Security, Social Insurance or Pearson Vue Testing I.D. (SP#) Number
- Contact phone numbers - If there is a problem, we will use these numbers to reach you
- Mailing address - Please provide the address to which you would like your certificate mailed
- Exam number and title
- Eligibility information (if required)
- e-Mail address - Once again for contact purposes, this is often the fastest and most effective means of contact. Many test sponsors require e-mail contact information for registration method of payment
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Can I cancel and/or reschedule my Exam appointment via the Pearson Vue Web site?
Yes, you must cancel and/or reschedule your test through Pearson VUE.

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PREPARING FOR THE EXAMS

What training is required before I can take an Exam?
No training is required, and you do not have to take or complete any training course before you take an Exam. Of course, we strongly advise that you prepare for the Exam by studying UML in one of the many training courses available or on your own from any of the many good UML books available. Study materials can be found here.

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Is there a guide to what I need to know for the Exam?
The Coverage Map (PDF - 128k) details content for all three Exams, and here is more information on each of the Exams.

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Are there books or training courses to help me to prepare for an Exam?
There is at least one book written specifically to prepare you for the Fundamental and Intermediate Exams, and several companies offer training that prepares you for certification. For more information and links to the books and courses, click here. If you're just interested in general UML books and training, not geared specifically towards the exams, you can check OMG’s UML Resources page and Training Listings page.

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Are there any practice exams available?
At this time, practice exams are not available.

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What is the pass rate and the minimum passing score?
We do not release information on pass rates. The minimum passing scores are in the description of each Exam found here.

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TAKING THE EXAMS

When should I plan to arrive at the testing center?
You should arrive at the testing center at least 30 minutes before the test is scheduled to begin. During that time the candidate will provide two(2) forms of proper identification and the test center administrator will give the candidate a short orientation and then escort the candidate to a testing station. If a candidate does not provide the appropriate identification, the candidate will not be allowed to test for security reasons. Late arrivals will not be admitted.

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What type of identification must I bring to the test center?
You must have two(2) forms of ID, one with a photo and both with a signature. Acceptable forms of photo identification include:
- Driver's license
- Passport
- Military identification
- Employee identification card
Acceptable forms of non-photo identification include:
- Credit card
- Check cashing card
In the U.S., Social Security cards are not considered acceptable forms of identification.
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Can my Exam be taken on my PC, or do I have to go to a test center?
The Exams must be administered at authorized testing centers.

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How do I take the Exam?
The Exams are computer-based, which you take on a computer at a test center. On the day of your Exam, present two(2) forms of identification, and sign in. You will be escorted to a quiet room with one or more testing stations. You won't be allowed to bring anything into the room with you except a wipe off note board provided by the testing center. You'll sign onto the computer and the test will begin. You will be required to complete an agreement promising not to reveal the contents of the test. The questions themselves are variations of multiple choice formats. The Exams last 90 minutes.

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What items can I bring into the testing area?
You may bring your identification required to take the exam. No computers, PDAs, cellphones, pagers, books, notes, scratch pads, writing instruments, coats, jackets, backpacks, briefcases, purses, and so on will be allowed within the testing station.

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Are there lockers?
Some centers may have lockers, but they are usually small, and there may be none available when you take your Exam. Please do not bring personal items to the test center.

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Will I test with only OCUP Examination candidates?
No. There may be candidates taking other professional exams at the same time using the computer-based delivery system technology.

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Do I have to agree to anything, like confidentiality, before I can take an Exam?
Yes. When you sit down to take an Exam at the test center, you will be asked to agree to keep the contents of the Exam confidential and to accept terms and conditions relating to the Exam and your certification. You will not be able to take the Exam if you do not agree to these requirements. You can review the Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) here. (PDF, 7k) You can review the Candidate Agreement here. (PDF, 16k)

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Can I skip questions during the Exam and answer them later in the Exam?
Yes, you may mark certain question that you feel are difficult and review them at the end of the Exam. After you clicked the submit button, the tool will tell you that you have marked questions and allow you to jump to them. Both marked and unmarked questions will be scored when finally submitting the Exam. Unanswered questions will be marked as incorrect answers.

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Is it OK to guess answers or are these tests marked negatively?
The Exams are not scored negatively. This means that you can safely guess answers, as no points will be deducted for incorrect answers. It is best to check if you have actually answered ALL questions before completing the Exam. If you are running short on time, just click any answer and move on. This way, you will at least have a chance to get some of them right.

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Do the Pearson VUE test centers provide special testing accommodations?
Yes. Candidates with documented visual, physical, hearing, or learning disabilities, which would prevent them from taking an examination under standard conditions, may request special testing accommodations and arrangements. Please contact Pearson VUE directly.

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Do I have to take the Exams in a particular order?
You can take the Exams in any order, but you cannot receive certification for a particular level until you have taken and passed any lower level Exams. Each Exam tests you on a different subset of knowledge about the UML, so you need to take and pass all of the Exams at and below a given level to be certified at that level. For example, in order to be certified as Intermediate level, candidates are required to pass the Fundamental Exam and the Intermediate Exam.

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When will I find out if I passed, and what my score is?
Once you have completed an exam online at a testing center, your score will automatically be displayed on the screen. You will also receive a printed copy of the score report. This information is transmitted to OMG for our records.

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AFTER YOU TAKE AN EXAM

When will I receive my score reports?
In most cases, you will receive your score report immediately after the test is completed. At the same time, you will receive some diagnostic information, to show you how strong you were in various areas.

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What happens after I pass an Exam?
First, Congratulations! You will have received your score at the test center immediately after you finished your Exam. We will send you (by mail) a certification kit, usually within one month after you pass the Exam. The kit will include a letter explaining the certification, the actual certificate (suitable for framing) and instructions for downloading the OCUP logo for the level of Exam that you have passed.

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What happens if I fail an Exam?
If you fail an Exam, you can retake it after a minimum of 21 days, but you cannot take a particular Exam more than three times in a twelve-month period. The diagnostic feedback that you will receive with the test score report will indicate the areas that need further study. There is no discount price for re-taking an Exam. The fee is the same as for the initial Exam.

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How do I use the OCUP Certification logo, and what are my rights and responsibilities in using it?
Candidates who qualify for OCUP certification may use the OCUP Certification Logo for their level (Fundamental, Intermediate, Advanced) as a graphic symbol to demonstrate their expertise with UML. Please follow these guidelines to correctly promote your relationship with OMG and protect the integrity of the Logo: You may use the Logo on your business cards, letterhead stationery, resume, Web site, and marketing materials for individual service, to indicate that you have earned a credential in the OCUP Program. You may not use the Logo on any product, book, or other material. You may not use it for any purpose other than to designate your OCUP certification credential. You may use the OCUP Certification Logo only as permitted by the OMG Trademark Usage Guidelines at http://www.omg.org/legal/tm_guidelines.htm. Some of these guidelines include:
- You may not alter the Logo in any way.
- Your name, trade name, or company name must appear on any materials where the Logo is used. The Logo cannot appear larger or more prominent than your name, product or service name, trademark or service mark, logo, or trade or company name.
- OMG may, in its sole discretion, terminate your right to use the Logo at any time.
  
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I have lost my certification kit. Can you re-issue it?
If you send us an e-mail with your name, address, and candidate ID number, we will re-issue your certificate only, for an additional charge.

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How can I check the status of my certification? Why haven't I received it yet?
You should receive your certification kit within a month of passing an Exam. If you have not received it within this period, please contact OMG by email at certificationinfor@omg.org.

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How long is the certification valid?
Once you are certified at a certain level for a certain version of UML, you are always certified for that level and version. Of course, as new versions of UML become available, you may want to get certified on the newest version.

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What happens to my certification if I leave my company? Does it move with me?
Certifications are associated with individuals, not companies. Your certification is granted to you and it will move with you wherever you go.

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What if I still have a question?
You can contact OMG by email at certificationinfo@omg.org.

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For more information or questions about the OMG Certification Program, please contact certificationinfo@omg.org

OCUP, OCRES, and OCEB are joint programs of the OMG and the UML Technology Institute (UTI) Hit Counter