Passing the PHP 5.3 ZCE exam
I passed the PHP 5.3 ZCE exam
Today I passed the exam to become a PHP 5.3 ZCE. Like everyone else I had to sign the non-disclosure contract so I can’t go into detail about the questions that were asked, I can however tell my impressions of the exam and how prepared for it.
Differences with the previous exam
The first thing I noticed when I bought the PHP 5.3 exam voucher was that there was no option to order a bundle of preparation tests. There was however a free study guide. The new study guide can not be compared with the previous php|architect’s Zend PHP 5 Certification Study Guide. Were the new free study guide gives a quick overview (including some example questions) of each topic in the exam the original study guide starts with basics of PHP and really covers each topic thorough, except for the new PHP 5.3 features.
How did I prepare myself?
After reading the “old” study guide I found it was time to test my current knowledge about PHP 5. I luckily still had some preparation tests available from the previous PHP 5 exam. I took the exam with the following result:
Not bad at all, but again I realized how much problems I had with streams, I also got a fail for PHP4 vs PHP5 but that was nothing to worry about because thats a topic that doesn’t occur anymore on the new exam. Streams did worry me because I had read that this was a topic that would be definitely tested on the new exam. For the people that still have the preparation tests for the PHP 5 exam I recommend using them, for the people that don’t have an tests left but own a iPad of iPhone I recommend buying the app of PhpRiot (discussed further on).
My opinion about the new exam
I did found the new exam a bit more difficult then the previous one. I do think however the new exam is improved a lot over the old one, I still found some trick questions in the exam, but the trick questions I now encountered were questions that really tested your basic insight in PHP and the ability to observe what the code does. The exam did contain a lot more open questions to be filled in the the previous one, sometimes a function name was asked, sometimes the result of a piece of code. First I was doubting if I should take the exam because I already owned the PHP 5 ZCE certification. I now can say I’m very glad I took the exam, it differs enough from the previous one to be considered as a completely new exam.
Reading list
Below I wrote down a list I absolutely recommend to read before taking the exam. Another tool that was useful to me while preparing was the PhpRiot iPad/iPhone Application. The application contains the offline PHP manual, shortcut to the PhpRiot articles and “Quiz training to help you become a Zend Certified Engineer”, the questions in the quiz can be compared with the actual exam. The application itself is free but only contains 6 quiz sample questions, other questions must be bought. ZCE PHP Training bundles I bought for the application:
- ZCE PHP Training: Arrays 1 (36 questions)
- ZCE PHP Training: Strings 1 (40 questions)
- ZCE PHP Training: Web Features 1 (39 questions)
- ZCE PHP Training: Basics 1 (55 questions)
Blogs
Michelangelo van Dam (DragonBe) about his preparation, thanks for the heads up!
Steven Lloyd Watkin about his experience with the new exam
Lorna Jane her preparation, also check out her other great articles about the new PHP 5.3 features!
Another great article to read, some useful tips for the exam, read carefully
Interesting PHP.net links
Key features of PHP 5.3.0
SPL (study the Graphical Class Hierarchy carefully)
Predefined interfaces
Late static binding
Namespaces
Closures
PHP Date Objects
PCRE
Sprintf
Date and time
Date
strftime
Streams
Compression wrappers
Compression Filters
Thanks to the PHP community
Besides to links above I would also recommend to look at all string and array functions. Thanks to everyone who contributed to the content on the links above. Special thanks to DragonBe and LornaJane for publishing great slideshare presentations and blogposts. I would also like to thank my colleagues at e-sites for arguing with me about general PHP topics each working day π
Good luck to everyone who’s planning to take this exam!

Π±ΡΠΊΠΌΠ΅ΠΊΠ΅ΡΡΠΊΠΈΠ΅ ΠΊΠΎΠ½ΡΠΎΡΡ ΠΊΡΡΠ³ΡΠ·ΡΡΠ°Π½Π° [url=https://mostbet12032.ru]Π±ΡΠΊΠΌΠ΅ΠΊΠ΅ΡΡΠΊΠΈΠ΅ ΠΊΠΎΠ½ΡΠΎΡΡ ΠΊΡΡΠ³ΡΠ·ΡΡΠ°Π½Π°[/url]
mostbet_kg_yrmt
26 Oct 25 at 12:29 am
Π±ΡΠΊΠΌΠ΅ΠΊΠ΅ΡΡΠΊΠΈΠ΅ ΠΊΠΎΠ½ΡΠΎΡΡ Π² ΠΊΡΡΠ³ΡΠ·ΡΡΠ°Π½Π΅ [url=www.mostbet12031.ru]www.mostbet12031.ru[/url]
mostbet_kg_rcMa
26 Oct 25 at 12:48 am
1xbet giri? yapam?yorum [url=https://1xbet-15.com]1xbet giri? yapam?yorum[/url] .
1xbet_dtpl
26 Oct 25 at 12:50 am
ΠΊΡΠΏΠΈΡΡ Π΄ΠΈΠΏΠ»ΠΎΠΌ Π² ΠΈΡΠΈΠΌΠ΅ [url=www.rudik-diplom3.ru/]www.rudik-diplom3.ru/[/url] .
Diplomi_bzei
26 Oct 25 at 12:50 am
ΠΊΡΠΏΠΈΡΡ Π΄ΠΈΠΏΠ»ΠΎΠΌ Π² Π½Π΅Π²ΠΈΠ½Π½ΠΎΠΌΡΡΡΠΊΠ΅ [url=http://rudik-diplom10.ru/]ΠΊΡΠΏΠΈΡΡ Π΄ΠΈΠΏΠ»ΠΎΠΌ Π² Π½Π΅Π²ΠΈΠ½Π½ΠΎΠΌΡΡΡΠΊΠ΅[/url] .
Diplomi_caSa
26 Oct 25 at 12:54 am
ΠΊΡΠΏΠΈΡΡ Π΄ΠΈΠΏΠ»ΠΎΠΌ ΠΎ Π²ΡΡΡΠ΅ΠΌ ΠΎΠ±ΡΠ°Π·ΠΎΠ²Π°Π½ΠΈΠΈ Π»Π΅Π³Π°Π»ΡΠ½ΠΎ [url=https://frei-diplom3.ru]ΠΊΡΠΏΠΈΡΡ Π΄ΠΈΠΏΠ»ΠΎΠΌ ΠΎ Π²ΡΡΡΠ΅ΠΌ ΠΎΠ±ΡΠ°Π·ΠΎΠ²Π°Π½ΠΈΠΈ Π»Π΅Π³Π°Π»ΡΠ½ΠΎ[/url] .
Diplomi_hvKt
26 Oct 25 at 1:03 am
1xbet ?ye ol [url=https://1xbet-12.com/]1xbet-12.com[/url] .
1xbet_blSr
26 Oct 25 at 1:04 am
one x bet [url=https://1xbet-16.com/]one x bet[/url] .
1xbet_wjOn
26 Oct 25 at 1:16 am
apotek online utan recept: apotek online utan recept – onlineapotek fΓΆr mΓ€n
RandySkync
26 Oct 25 at 1:20 am
ΠΊΡΠΏΠ»Ρ Π΄ΠΈΠΏΠ»ΠΎΠΌ ΠΌΠ»Π°Π΄ΡΠ΅ΠΉ ΠΌΠ΅Π΄ΡΠ΅ΡΡΡΡ [url=frei-diplom15.ru]frei-diplom15.ru[/url] .
Diplomi_hzoi
26 Oct 25 at 1:22 am
Π±ΠΊ ΡΠ΅Π½Π½Π΅ΡΡΠΈ ΡΠΊΠ°ΡΠ°ΡΡ Π½Π° Π°Π½Π΄ΡΠΎΠΈΠ΄ [url=http://mostbet12031.ru/]http://mostbet12031.ru/[/url]
mostbet_kg_mzMa
26 Oct 25 at 1:24 am
ΠΌΠΎΡΡΠ±ΠΊΡ [url=mostbet12032.ru]ΠΌΠΎΡΡΠ±ΠΊΡ[/url]
mostbet_kg_ywmt
26 Oct 25 at 1:33 am
1xbetgiri? [url=http://1xbet-15.com/]http://1xbet-15.com/[/url] .
1xbet_xapl
26 Oct 25 at 1:40 am
ΠΊΡΠΏΠΈΡΡ Π΄ΠΈΠΏΠ»ΠΎΠΌ ΠΎ Π²ΡΡΡΠ΅ΠΌ ΠΎΠ±ΡΠ°Π·ΠΎΠ²Π°Π½ΠΈΠΈ Ρ ΡΠ΅Π΅ΡΡΡΠΎΠΌ [url=http://frei-diplom3.ru]ΠΊΡΠΏΠΈΡΡ Π΄ΠΈΠΏΠ»ΠΎΠΌ ΠΎ Π²ΡΡΡΠ΅ΠΌ ΠΎΠ±ΡΠ°Π·ΠΎΠ²Π°Π½ΠΈΠΈ Ρ ΡΠ΅Π΅ΡΡΡΠΎΠΌ[/url] .
Diplomi_dbKt
26 Oct 25 at 1:45 am
1xbet spor bahislerinin adresi [url=http://1xbet-15.com/]1xbet spor bahislerinin adresi[/url] .
1xbet_qupl
26 Oct 25 at 2:05 am
bahis sitesi 1xbet [url=1xbet-15.com]bahis sitesi 1xbet[/url] .
1xbet_gspl
26 Oct 25 at 2:20 am
1x giri? [url=www.1xbet-14.com/]www.1xbet-14.com/[/url] .
1xbet_qaet
26 Oct 25 at 2:21 am
ΠΊΡΠΏΠΈΡΡ Π΄ΠΈΠΏΠ»ΠΎΠΌ ΠΎΠ± ΠΎΠ±ΡΠ°Π·ΠΎΠ²Π°Π½ΠΈΠΈ Ρ ΡΠ΅Π΅ΡΡΡΠΎΠΌ [url=frei-diplom3.ru]ΠΊΡΠΏΠΈΡΡ Π΄ΠΈΠΏΠ»ΠΎΠΌ ΠΎΠ± ΠΎΠ±ΡΠ°Π·ΠΎΠ²Π°Π½ΠΈΠΈ Ρ ΡΠ΅Π΅ΡΡΡΠΎΠΌ[/url] .
Diplomi_ocKt
26 Oct 25 at 2:29 am
birxbet giri? [url=https://1xbet-10.com/]https://1xbet-10.com/[/url] .
1xbet_kzea
26 Oct 25 at 2:38 am
1xbet lite [url=https://www.1xbet-12.com]https://www.1xbet-12.com[/url] .
1xbet_qwSr
26 Oct 25 at 2:42 am
This is my first time pay a quick visit at here and i am really happy to read everthing at alone place.
ΠΌΠ°ΡΠΊΠ΅ΡΠΏΠ»Π΅ΠΉΡ kraken
Dichaelwaw
26 Oct 25 at 2:50 am
1xbet g?ncel giri? [url=www.1xbet-16.com/]1xbet g?ncel giri?[/url] .
1xbet_beOn
26 Oct 25 at 2:55 am
BassBet Casino mβa ensorcele BassBet Casino, on ressent une energie vibrante. La selection de jeux est harmonieuse, offrant des sessions live immersives. 100% jusquβa 500 β¬ + tours gratuits. Disponible 24/7 via chat ou email, offrant des solutions claires. Les paiements sont securises et instantanes, cependant plus de promos regulieres ajouteraient du rythme. Dans lβensemble, BassBet Casino offre une experience inoubliable pour les passionnes de jeux modernes ! Ajoutons que la plateforme est visuellement vibrante, donne envie de prolonger la melodie. A souligner les evenements communautaires dynamiques, offre des recompenses continues.
https://bassbetcasinopromocodefr.com/|
SoulSpinnerJ2zef
26 Oct 25 at 2:57 am
1xbet resmi [url=https://1xbet-13.com]https://1xbet-13.com[/url] .
1xbet_rdKa
26 Oct 25 at 3:02 am
xbet giri? [url=https://www.1xbet-12.com]https://www.1xbet-12.com[/url] .
1xbet_jrSr
26 Oct 25 at 3:03 am
Je suis totalement envoute par Spinit Casino, on ressent une ambiance de piste. Les options sont vastes comme une course, comprenant des jeux compatibles avec les cryptos. Le bonus de bienvenue est rapide. Les agents repondent comme un sprinter, toujours pret a accelerer. Les gains arrivent sans delai, parfois plus de promos regulieres ajouteraient du rythme. Pour conclure, Spinit Casino offre une experience memorable pour les amateurs de sensations rapides ! De plus le site est rapide et attractif, ce qui rend chaque session plus excitante. Particulierement interessant les options de paris sportifs variees, propose des avantages personnalises.
https://casinospinitfr.com/|
WheelWhisperB3zef
26 Oct 25 at 3:04 am
1xbet resmi giri? [url=www.1xbet-15.com]1xbet resmi giri?[/url] .
1xbet_dzpl
26 Oct 25 at 3:09 am
1xbet ?ye ol [url=https://1xbet-16.com/]https://1xbet-16.com/[/url] .
1xbet_dwOn
26 Oct 25 at 3:16 am
1xbet mobil giri? [url=http://www.1xbet-10.com]http://www.1xbet-10.com[/url] .
1xbet_qvea
26 Oct 25 at 3:17 am
Je suis totalement envoute par BassBet Casino, ca plonge dans un monde de notes. Il y a une profusion de jeux excitants, offrant des sessions live immersives. 100% jusquβa 500 β¬ + tours gratuits. Le support client est melodieux, offrant des reponses claires. Les gains arrivent sans delai, de temps a autre des offres plus genereuses seraient melodieuses. En resume, BassBet Casino est un incontournable pour les joueurs pour ceux qui aiment parier en crypto ! A noter le design est moderne et melodieux, amplifie le plaisir de jouer. Un autre atout les options de paris sportifs variees, qui booste lβengagement.
bassbetcasinobonusfr.com|
RiverRiffE7zef
26 Oct 25 at 3:21 am
ΡΠΊΠ°ΡΠ°ΡΡ ΠΏΡΠΈΠ»ΠΎΠΆΠ΅Π½ΠΈΠ΅ ΠΌΠΎΡΡΠ±Π΅Ρ [url=http://mostbet12032.ru]http://mostbet12032.ru[/url]
mostbet_kg_opmt
26 Oct 25 at 3:24 am
Je suis emerveille par Spinit Casino, il procure une experience magique. La variete des titres est magique, comprenant des jeux compatibles avec les cryptos. Le bonus de bienvenue est magique. Le support client est enchante, avec une aide precise. Le processus est simple et elegant, cependant des offres plus genereuses seraient enchantees. Dans lβensemble, Spinit Casino offre une experience memorable pour les fans de casino en ligne ! En bonus le site est rapide et captivant, ce qui rend chaque session plus enchantee. Un plus les options de paris sportifs variees, renforce le sentiment de communaute.
spinitcasinobonusfr.com|
FairyWhirlG8zef
26 Oct 25 at 3:26 am
Jβai une passion ardente pour Monte Cryptos Casino, ca offre une sensation futuriste unique. La selection de jeux est astronomique, avec des slots aux designs modernes. Avec des depots crypto rapides. Le support client est irreprochable, offrant des solutions claires. Les retraits sont rapides comme une transaction, de temps a autre des recompenses supplementaires seraient ideales. Au final, Monte Cryptos Casino est une plateforme qui domine lβunivers crypto pour les passionnes de sensations numeriques ! Ajoutons que la plateforme est visuellement eblouissante, facilite une immersion totale. Un avantage notable le programme VIP avec des niveaux exclusifs, qui booste lβengagement.
Ouvrir maintenant|
GlitchWaveR2zef
26 Oct 25 at 3:31 am
Je suis absolument ebloui par Impressario Casino, on ressent une energie glamour. Les choix sont vastes comme une salle de cinema, offrant des sessions live immersives. Avec des depots rapides. Lβassistance est rapide et professionnelle, avec une aide efficace. Les gains arrivent sans attendre, neanmoins des recompenses en plus seraient eclatantes. Dans lβensemble, Impressario Casino garantit un plaisir constant pour les joueurs en quete de magie ! Notons aussi la navigation est intuitive et elegante, facilite une immersion totale. Egalement remarquable les options de paris variees, offre des recompenses continues.
Commencer ΠΒ dΠΒ©couvrir|
AzureCrestY7zef
26 Oct 25 at 3:34 am
1xbet spor bahislerinin adresi [url=http://1xbet-10.com/]1xbet spor bahislerinin adresi[/url] .
1xbet_bpea
26 Oct 25 at 3:38 am
Je suis stupefait par Monte Cryptos Casino, ca transporte dans un cosmos chiffre. Il y a une profusion de jeux captivants, incluant des paris en direct dynamiques. 100% jusquβa 300 β¬ + tours gratuits. Disponible 24/7 via chat ou email, toujours pret a resoudre. Les paiements sont securises et fluides, cependant des recompenses supplementaires seraient ideales. Dans lβensemble, Monte Cryptos Casino est un must pour les fans de blockchain pour les joueurs en quete dβinnovation ! Par ailleurs lβinterface est fluide comme un flux de donnees, donne envie de prolonger lβaventure. Un atout cle les evenements communautaires decentralises, offre des recompenses continues.
Parcourir le site|
DigitalDriftZ3zef
26 Oct 25 at 3:38 am
1xbet resmi [url=www.1xbet-13.com/]www.1xbet-13.com/[/url] .
1xbet_qrKa
26 Oct 25 at 3:44 am
birxbet giri? [url=https://1xbet-12.com]https://1xbet-12.com[/url] .
1xbet_guSr
26 Oct 25 at 3:45 am
https://mannensapotek.com/# Sildenafil utan recept
Hermanereli
26 Oct 25 at 3:50 am
ΡΠΊΠ°ΡΠ°ΡΡ mostbet [url=mostbet12031.ru]mostbet12031.ru[/url]
mostbet_kg_xaMa
26 Oct 25 at 3:52 am
1xbet [url=https://1xbet-16.com/]1xbet[/url] .
1xbet_elOn
26 Oct 25 at 3:58 am
1x bet [url=http://www.1xbet-15.com]1x bet[/url] .
1xbet_mnpl
26 Oct 25 at 3:58 am
ΠΊΡΠΏΠΈΡΡ Π΄ΠΈΠΏΠ»ΠΎΠΌ Π² ΠΏΠ΅ΡΡΠΎΠ·Π°Π²ΠΎΠ΄ΡΠΊΠ΅ [url=https://www.rudik-diplom2.ru]ΠΊΡΠΏΠΈΡΡ Π΄ΠΈΠΏΠ»ΠΎΠΌ Π² ΠΏΠ΅ΡΡΠΎΠ·Π°Π²ΠΎΠ΄ΡΠΊΠ΅[/url] .
Diplomi_tvpi
26 Oct 25 at 4:04 am
1xbetgiri? [url=https://www.1xbet-13.com]https://www.1xbet-13.com[/url] .
1xbet_kmKa
26 Oct 25 at 4:05 am
ΡΡΠ°Π²ΠΊΠΈ Π½Π° ΡΠΏΠΎΡΡ Π±ΠΈΡΠΊΠ΅ΠΊ [url=http://mostbet12031.ru/]http://mostbet12031.ru/[/url]
mostbet_kg_atMa
26 Oct 25 at 4:11 am
1xbet turkiye [url=www.1xbet-15.com]www.1xbet-15.com[/url] .
1xbet_xcpl
26 Oct 25 at 4:11 am
ΠΌΠΎΠΆΠ½ΠΎ Π»ΠΈ ΠΊΡΠΏΠΈΡΡ Π»Π΅Π³Π°Π»ΡΠ½ΡΠΉ Π΄ΠΈΠΏΠ»ΠΎΠΌ [url=www.frei-diplom3.ru/]www.frei-diplom3.ru/[/url] .
Diplomi_trKt
26 Oct 25 at 4:34 am
1xbet t?rkiye giri? [url=http://1xbet-10.com]1xbet t?rkiye giri?[/url] .
1xbet_hxea
26 Oct 25 at 4:40 am
1xbet tr [url=http://1xbet-15.com]1xbet tr[/url] .
1xbet_qmpl
26 Oct 25 at 4:51 am
mostbet aplikace [url=https://mostbet12031.ru]mostbet aplikace[/url]
mostbet_kg_acMa
26 Oct 25 at 4:51 am