VoiceXML Review - Feature - VoiceXML on Auto Row

Volume 4, Issue 3 - September / October 2004

VoiceXML Developer Certification Test Tips

By James A. Larson

Certified VoiceXML Developer To raise encourage developers to become more knowledgeable in VoiceXML, the VoiceXML Forum is making a VoiceXML Developer's Certification Test available.

Why you may want to take the VoiceXML Certification Test

Employers will recognize job seekers and employees that have obtained VoiceXML certification as highly competitive VoiceXML programmers with demonstrated competency in the W3C Speech Interface Framework. Employees will be more productive and better understand vender products and solutions when they have the expertise demonstrated by the certification test.

What to study for the test

The following technologies are covered by the test:

VoiceXML 2.0
Speech Synthesis Markup Language 1.0
Speech Recognition Grammar Language 1.0
Semantic Interpretation Language 1.0
Call Control CCXML 1.0
ECMAScript 262/327

Tips for preparing for the VoiceXML Certification Test

For each element, write a short application that includes that element. Use an online VoiceXML development environment to debug the application. The act of using an element will help you remember how the element is used and its important attributes.
Much of the test concentrates on VoiceXML elements. Be familiar with each of these elements. There are also questions about SRGS, SSML, CCXML, semantic interpretation and ECMAScript, so don't forget to review these languages.
Don't try to memorize all of the attributes that can be used with each element. Instead, categorize similar elements together and relate the attributes of similar elements.
Try to explain complex concept to a friend. For example, if you can explain the how the FIA works or how grammar scoping works, then you should be able to answer question involving the concepts.
Take a practice test such as that at http://www.larson-tech.com. Identify topics requiring additional study.

Tips for Taking the VoiceXML Certification Test

Get a good night's sleep and eat before taking the test. Sleep and food will give you energy and help you focus on the test questions.
The test lasts about two hours and contains about 60 questions. You should complete a question about every two minutes. Bring a watch so you can pace yourself, completing about 8 questions every 15 minutes.
Read the entire question carefully before answering the question. You don't want to answer a misinterpreted question.
Some questions will not fit on the computer screen, so you may need to scroll up and down to see the entire problem. Bring a paper and pencil to take notes and avoid lots of successive scrolling which takes time and may cause you to loose focus.
You will find some questions hard and some easy. All questions have the same weight, so answer the easy questions first. Don't get stay on a problem that you are stuck on. Do not spend too much time on difficult quesitons. Skip difficult problems and come back to them if you have time at the end of the test.
If you start to feel nervous take a few deep breaths to relax.
Try to finish the test before the time is up. Review the entire test to make sure that you have answered ALL of the questions. You are NOT penalized for wrong answers. If you can, eliminate one or two of the possible answers that are obviously wrong, and then guess from the remaining answers.
Change an answer only if you misread or misinterpreted the question because the first answer that you put is usually the correct one. Watch out for careless mistakes.
Remember, it is not necessary to answer every question correctly to pass the test. Don't worry if you don't know the answer to every question.

Be sure to complete the questionnaire at the end of the test. This information will enable the test developers to improve the test.

For more information about the VoiceXML Developers Certification Test, see http://www.voicexmlforum.org/certification/developer.html

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