OCUP 2 Certification Guide: Preparing for the OMG Certified UML 2.5 Professional 2 Foundation Exam

Team!

Chapter 1

What is OCUP 2?

Abstract

In this chapter, we will cover the information about the OMG Certified UML Professional 2 program. We will tell you everything you want to know about the examinations (except the answers, of course) and give you some hints on taking them. This material is not on the examinations, but it will help in passing them.

Keywords

Advanced level; allowed time; answer; beta testing; brain dump; cheating; class diagram; cut score; distractor; foundation level; guessing; intermediate level; item; item structure; key; model builder; model user; multiple choice; OMG Certified UML Professional (OCUP); OMG Certified UML Professional 2 (OCUP 2); Object Management Group (OMG); option; passing; Pearson Vue; psychometrician; question; scenario; state machine diagram; stem; studying; test structure; test taking; UML Technology Institute (UTI)

1.1 The OCUP Programs

1.1.1 OMG Certified UML Professional 1

In 2003, the Object Management Group (OMG) established a certification program for users of UML, based on the UML standard then undergoing finalization, UML 2.0. The certification program was a three-level program called the OMG Certified UML Professional (OCUP).

The program was very successful, and many candidates took and passed the examinations¹. Since the OCUP program was created, tens of thousands of candidates have taken the examinations and have been certified. These certificate holders come pretty evenly from countries around the world and every continent (except Antarctica). No single country dominates².

Unfortunately, some candidates thought that the original examinations were overly focused on the UML 2.0 specification and metamodel, and not sufficiently on more practical aspects of UML modeling. The candidates that passed certainly knew their UML, but some good modelers may have failed because they were not sufficiently familiar with the UML specification documents. The UML specifications, then, as now, are formal documents with a syntax and terminology of their own and are not intended for the practical modeler. These documents are more appropriate for tool vendors, language designers, and chief modelers or methodologists tailoring UML for a project.

1.1.2 OMG Certified UML Professional 2

By 2013, with the development of UML 2.5, which entailed a significant restructuring and simplification of the UML specifications (e.g., merging the two documents; Infrastructure and Superstructure into one document) the certification examinations needed to change. No longer could the test depend in any way on the original 2.0 UML specifications and metamodel³. Moreover, by the time of UML 2.5, significant changes had occurred to UML that needed to be included in any certification program. This time, taking advantage of the need to rewrite, now the examinations do not rely on specific knowledge of the format of the UML specification or the metamodel, except where relevant to the practical application of modeling. Of course, the certification examinations ultimately rely on the content of the UML 2.5 Specification, because the specification defines UML.

The first exam in the OMG Certified UML Professional 2 (OCUP 2) series, the Foundation Level, came out in 2014. The next exam, the Intermediate Level, will be available in 2016. The final exam, the Advanced Level, will be available in 2017.

1.1.3 Why Does OMG Offer It?

I asked Jon Siegel, Ph.D., Director of the Certification for OMG (and Vice President, Technology Transfer) why OMG offers the OCUP 2 program. Here is his answer.

Certification Program benefits an organization’s standard in many ways. Most fundamentally, it creates a population of trained, identifiable practitioners. Hiring managers charged with introducing UML modeling to a company will favor these candidates because their knowledge level is certified, but companies with established UML modeling groups benefit as well. The program also forms the focus of an ecosystem of support as training courses (taught in-person or online), books, and ancillary material are produced and published. Working together, all of these factors encourage the spread of usage of a standard. This has certainly been the case for UML, OCUP, and OCUP 2.⁴

1.1.4 Why Should You Take It?

Candidates take the certification examinations for two kinds of reasons: To impress others, and to prove something to themselves. The others you might try to impress, include your current boss, future hiring bosses, and project/team leaders looking to fill a position, or contracting, and outsourcing agencies looking to hire. In some cases, a particular level of certification may be required for a job or appointment. Many companies have programs or study groups that sponsor (and pay for) the examinations for their employees. A few universities are considering the idea of adding certifications to their degree requirements.

Some candidates feel a strong sense of accomplishment when they become certified and try to get as many certifications as possible.

Candidates also learn from their examination results report, which specifies in what UML topic areas they are strong and in what topic areas they are weak. A good diagnostic evaluation of their skills is very useful. Many candidates can use a realistic evaluation; people often have significantly overvalued or undervalued their abilities.

Though a candidate will learn much from the examination results report, most of the learning arises from studying for the exam. UML 2.5 is very large and complex. With just 90 questions per exam, we can only test a small percentage of the UML language. The learning of UML comes from studying the topics not by sitting for the examination.

Points to Remember

• The OCUP programs have been very popular and successful.

• The OCUP 2 program replaces the OCUP 1 program.

• OCUP 2 is based on UML 2.5; OCUP 1 was based on UML 2.0

• OCUP 2 is more focused on modeling than OCUP 1, which was more focused on the specification structure.

• Becoming OCUP 2 certified demonstrates to your employers, peers, and yourself, that you are competent in UML 2.5 modeling.

• The learning that you undergo by certification is in the studying, not in the test taking.

1.2 The Levels

The OCUP 2 Certification program has three levels of certification: Foundation, Intermediate, and Advanced. We determined what should go in each level by examining UML 2.5 training programs, industry hiring requirements, project requirements, and UML tools capabilities. The team of experts developing the OCUP 2 program includes UML book authors, UML trainers, both in-house and independent, people working on the UML specifications, senior project leaders, and methodologists for UML-using projects.

Each level builds on knowledge of the previous levels though most material is only tested on one exam. You cannot get the Advanced certification by just passing the Advanced Exam; you need to pass the earlier exams also. We show this in the UML state machines diagram of Fig. 1.1.

Figure 1.1 State machine diagram for passing exams and certifications.

Here is how we determined the contents of the levels.

1.2.1 Foundation Level

For example, looking at the Foundation Level, we examined the hiring requirements for entry-level UML modelers (UML model builders) and other people on a team that are required to read UML Models, (i.e., UML model users). Some projects do not put UML skills into their hiring requirements; instead, they send their developers to take an Introduction to UML course (usually three to four days long). If UML material did not fall into the prerequisites for real jobs, or if it did not fall into a typical Introduction to UML curriculum, it was not placed in the Foundation Level exam.

We also looked at tool support. If popular UML tools do not commonly support a notation, we did not include the notation, though the concept might still make it into the exam.

With the level of knowledge and skill tested at the OCUP 2 Foundation Level and a corresponding amount of industry experience, a UML model user will be well equipped to read and understand the diagrams he or she encounters in work situations. It will help the Model User, as a stakeholder checking that a design expressed in UML satisfies requirements, or as a coder responsible for implementing that functionality following the structure and design depicted in the model⁵. We also target other model users, including Managers, Requirements Engineers, Configuration Management Practitioners, Software Quality Assurance Engineers, Testers, Documentation Specialists, and similar people working on or with a project.

Similarly, a UML Model Builder will be prepared to work alongside others in a modeling team as the group prepares a model for presentation to stakeholders or implementers. Equipped with the foundation defined by this level, the model builder will also be prepared to study, practice, and move up to the OCUP 2 Intermediate certification—A level better aligned with the design and development skill set that the model builder uses in his or her work⁵.

We also included the basics principles and purposes of modeling. We realize that if Model Users and Model Builders do not understand the motivation for making models, they may not completely buy-in to modeling nor sustain the modeling effort.

The OCUP 2 Foundation certification is a prerequisite for receiving the higher level certifications.

1.2.2 Intermediate Level

In constructing the Intermediate Level of UML 2.5 Certification, we looked at the requirements for independent working on a UML project, or as a supervisor of a small modeling team. We also checked against what is often called Advanced UML training courses, five to eight days long. If some topic was not commonly taught in such curricula, nor used on the majority of projects, nor supported by UML tools, it was deemed too advanced for Intermediate Level and left for the Advanced Exam. Familiarity with items on the Intermediate Level examination and several years of industry experience allows a Model Builder to read, interpret, construct, and work with complex UML models.

The OCUP 2 Intermediate certification is a prerequisite for receiving the Advanced Level certification.

1.2.3 Advanced Level

In constructing the Advanced Level of UML 2.5 Certification, we looked at the requirements for a Modeling Lead on a large UML project, making decisions on the types of modeling for the project to use. With the appropriate level of industry experience, these people, who may be called Methodologists, often advise management on the role and extent of modeling.

We also checked against semester-long Advanced UML training courses and the most advanced UML training books. If no UML tools support a notation, we may still filter the topic. The Advanced Level certificate holder should be able to tailor UML for a project’s needs. We have also included material on metamodeling covering the MOF and, at an awareness level, the uses of two members of OMG’s metamodel-linked family of specifications: fUML (Semantics of a Foundational Subset for Executable UML Models) and Alf (Acton Language for Foundational UML). Including these other standards will ensure that the certificate holder can function at this Advanced Level.

Points to Remember

• There are three levels of the OCUP 2 Certification Program: Foundation, Intermediate, and Advanced.

• Each level is a prerequisite for being certified at the next higher level.

• The Foundation certification is aimed at

• Model Builders who wish to become a competent part of modeling team on a project.

• Model Users who need to understand the typical models produced on a project.

1.3 What Do You Get If You Pass?

After taking the examination, the screen will display your score. Therefore, you will know whether you have passed immediately. You will receive a printed examination results report indicating the number of incorrect answers per topic area. This information is very useful, even if you have passed, as it identifies your weaker areas in UML, which could help guide you in future modeling efforts, and in taking the next level exam.

In a month’s time after passing, OMG will send a congratulation letter, and a certificate, that is suitable for framing. You will also get instructions and permission to download an icon that you can put on email or business cards. See Fig. 1.2.

Figure 1.2 OCUP 2 Foundation Level icon.

OMG Certification Directory, Jan 2016.

You will also be able to enter your name, and optional contact information (e.g., company and address) in the OMG Certified Professionals Directory, where it can be searched for by prospective employers, friends, etc. To search for your own entry, just go to http://www.omg.org/cgi-bin/searchcert.cgi.

In addition, you will earn the respect and admiration from your peers, by demonstrating your knowledge and perseverance.

1.4 Taking the Exam

1.4.1 Signing Up for the Exam

To schedule an exam, go to the Pearson Vue’s OMG site by visiting http://www.pearsonvue.com/omg/ and then selecting OMG. On the right of the screen, you can create an account if you do not already have one. If this is your first OMG exam at Pearson Vue, you need to make an account before you can schedule an exam.

When you select the examination, please make sure you select OMG-OCUP2-FOUND100. You will need to schedule the exam appointment several business days in advance. This rule also applies to canceling an appointment. It may also be difficult to find an open appointment slot at a location nearby on the day you want. Some facilities are not open on weekends, and weekends are the most desired time as most candidates work or go to school. If you go to the wrong exam, arrive more than 15 minutes late, or your ID is insufficient, you will not be able to get your money back.

The examination is $200 (US) in English-speaking countries for the 120-minute exam. Most local currencies are also accepted. In non-English-speaking countries, you will have an extra half-hour to take the exam; the cost is $210 or equivalent in the local currency. You might wish to contact your employer as many of them have bought (at a discount) a set of exam vouchers that they can make available to their candidates free or at a reduced price. The voucher is often part of an in-house training program⁶. If you are an employer or training company, consider sending an email to OMG at certificationinfo@omg.org asking about their quantity discount voucher program.

Please arrive at least 30 minutes before the scheduled time to allow adequate time to sign-in. You will have to plan for traffic conditions and weather. You will need two valid forms of ID with signature; at least one of the two must have your photo.

You will not be able to bring anything in, except for necessary eyeglasses. Do not bring in bags, books, notes, cell phones, Google Glasses, watches, or wallets. Most examination sites have lockers. However, they do not all do so, so call the site in advance, or work out an alternate approach.

They will have surveillance of the candidates including their hands, for example, at least, one proctor per 15 candidates and/or video surveillance. If you get nervous while taking tests or while being watched, you may have difficulty in these exams.

Remember to have plenty of sleep and eat before the exam. Try not to drink too much as bathroom access may be limited.

Points to Remember

• Do not be late to your test appointment. You should be aiming to arrive at least 30 minutes early to handle the paperwork.

• You will not be allowed to bring anything into the examination room.

• Have two forms of valid ID with signatures, one, at least, showing your photo.

• Have plenty of sleep before the exam.

1.5 How to Prepare

I would love to say that all you need to pass the examination in this book. Unfortunately, this is not true. You will also have to study.

You will probably need to have access to the UML 2.5 (or later) specification. The most recent specification will be found at http://www.omg.org/spec/UML/Current. The specification was not written to study from, but if, while reading this book or other study sources, you find questions that your study material cannot answer, the specification holds the final answer.

There is also additional useful background material at http://www.uml.org/index.htm#UML2.0. The detailed coverage map is at http://www.omg.org/ocup-2/coverage-map-found.htm. There is a supplemental coverage map that gives more detail at http://www.omg.org/ocup-2/coverage map-found-suppl.htm.

Unfortunately, there are no other books (at the time of this writing) that are aimed directly at passing the OCUP 2 exam. Books written for passing the OCUP 1 exams, while very good for that purpose, will not be helpful for OCUP 2, because the focus of the exams has changed (from spec focused to modeling focused). Still good books on the modeling of UML 2 may be helpful to you on modeling UML 2.5, because the changes between UML 2 and UML 2.5 are not sufficiently significant, especially at the Foundation Level.

Some useful material books and articles can be found after the coverage map at http://www.omg.org/ocup-2/coverage-map-found.htm⁷.

One approach might be to use this book by going through each chapter in detail, taking the sample tests as they appear. Then after finishing the book and feeling comfortable with the material, go back through only the sample tests, with a timer, given yourself about 80 seconds per item. When the time is up, score your results. If you have more than 66.7% correct, you might be ready to take the actual certification examination. Of course, it is best to try to prepare to get a much higher score, for more confidence in becoming certified, and for better UML skills in