How to get PHP certified
How I did it: I wanted to set up a date so that I would pressure myself more to get it. I've wanted to get it for years now. I bought the recommended book and practice exam way before.
I started by reading the PHP Architect Study Guide first. I took notes and practiced coding a little. I went on to read the PHP manual online. I took maybe 6 pages of notes from that (realistically probably should have been more but since I already had PHP knowledge). I bought another PHP study guide but it turned out to be on PHP 4 so it was of little use. I still used the practice questions though.
I then made a huge function test consisting of some 470+ questions just based off the manual. That helped to memorize function names and what they do and parameters.
I also bought the practice tests online. I bought ten but only used five. I passed all of them with excellents on three.
I studied the hell out of the books, the manual, and all my mock tests.
The Friday before the test, I took the day off to do more studying. Took the test Saturday morning, and PASSED!
I'd say I probably studied around 500+ hours for this thing.
Lessons & tips: Study the manual. Read the study guide. Read the PHP manual. Study your butt off! Mock tests online help!
Resources: PHP Manual
PHP Architect Study Guide/Test Exam
Online Tests
