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!
ΡΡΠΈΡΡΡΡ seo [url=www.kursy-seo-11.ru/]www.kursy-seo-11.ru/[/url] .
kyrsi seo_vhEl
30 Oct 25 at 1:03 am
Π΄ΠΈΠΏΠ»ΠΎΠΌ ΡΠ΅Π΅ΡΡΡ ΠΊΡΠΏΠΈΡΡ [url=http://www.frei-diplom3.ru]Π΄ΠΈΠΏΠ»ΠΎΠΌ ΡΠ΅Π΅ΡΡΡ ΠΊΡΠΏΠΈΡΡ[/url] .
Diplomi_egKt
30 Oct 25 at 1:05 am
https://t.me/Best_promocode_rus/1696
RoyalFlusher
30 Oct 25 at 1:07 am
https://t.me/s/Best_promocode_rus/105
RouletteRogue
30 Oct 25 at 1:16 am
Π³Π΄Π΅ ΠΊΡΠΏΠΈΡΡ Π΄ΠΈΠΏΠ»ΠΎΠΌΡ ΠΌΠ΅Π΄ΡΠ΅ΡΡΡΡ [url=http://frei-diplom13.ru]Π³Π΄Π΅ ΠΊΡΠΏΠΈΡΡ Π΄ΠΈΠΏΠ»ΠΎΠΌΡ ΠΌΠ΅Π΄ΡΠ΅ΡΡΡΡ[/url] .
Diplomi_qwkt
30 Oct 25 at 1:19 am
seo ΠΎΠ½Π»Π°ΠΉΠ½ [url=https://kursy-seo-11.ru/]seo ΠΎΠ½Π»Π°ΠΉΠ½[/url] .
kyrsi seo_ahEl
30 Oct 25 at 1:22 am
ΠΊΡΠΏΠΈΡΡ Π΄ΠΈΠΏΠ»ΠΎΠΌ Π·Π°Π½Π΅ΡΠ΅Π½ΠΈΠ΅ΠΌ ΡΠ΅Π΅ΡΡΡ ΠΊΠΈΠ΅Π² [url=http://www.frei-diplom3.ru]http://www.frei-diplom3.ru[/url] .
Diplomi_pfKt
30 Oct 25 at 1:42 am
ΠΊΡΠΏΠΈΡΡ Π΄ΠΈΠΏΠ»ΠΎΠΌ ΡΠ΅Ρ Π½ΠΈΠΊΡΠΌΠ° ΡΠΎΡΠ½ΠΎ [url=http://frei-diplom12.ru/]ΠΊΡΠΏΠΈΡΡ Π΄ΠΈΠΏΠ»ΠΎΠΌ ΡΠ΅Ρ Π½ΠΈΠΊΡΠΌΠ° ΡΠΎΡΠ½ΠΎ[/url] .
Diplomi_paPt
30 Oct 25 at 1:44 am
ΠΊΡΠΏΠΈΡΡ Π΄ΠΈΠΏΠ»ΠΎΠΌ Π² ΠΊΠΈΡΠ΅Π»Π΅Π²ΡΠΊΠ΅ [url=http://rudik-diplom2.ru/]ΠΊΡΠΏΠΈΡΡ Π΄ΠΈΠΏΠ»ΠΎΠΌ Π² ΠΊΠΈΡΠ΅Π»Π΅Π²ΡΠΊΠ΅[/url] .
Diplomi_efpi
30 Oct 25 at 2:02 am
ΡΡΠΈΡΡΡΡ seo [url=http://kursy-seo-11.ru/]http://kursy-seo-11.ru/[/url] .
kyrsi seo_rxEl
30 Oct 25 at 2:02 am
ΠΊΠΎΠ½ΡΠ΅ΠΊΡΡΠ½Π°Ρ ΡΠ΅ΠΊΠ»Π°ΠΌΠ° ΡΡΠ°ΡΡΠΈ [url=https://www.statyi-o-marketinge7.ru]ΠΊΠΎΠ½ΡΠ΅ΠΊΡΡΠ½Π°Ρ ΡΠ΅ΠΊΠ»Π°ΠΌΠ° ΡΡΠ°ΡΡΠΈ[/url] .
stati o marketinge _hekl
30 Oct 25 at 2:08 am
ΠΊΠ°ΡΠ½ΠΈΠ·Ρ Ρ ΡΠ»Π΅ΠΊΡΡΠΎΠΏΡΠΈΠ²ΠΎΠ΄ΠΎΠΌ [url=elektrokarniz499.ru]ΠΊΠ°ΡΠ½ΠΈΠ·Ρ Ρ ΡΠ»Π΅ΠΊΡΡΠΎΠΏΡΠΈΠ²ΠΎΠ΄ΠΎΠΌ[/url] .
elektrokarniz_zlKl
30 Oct 25 at 2:13 am
ΠΊΡΠΏΠΈΡΡ Π΄ΠΈΠΏΠ»ΠΎΠΌ Π²ΡΡΡΠ΅ΠΌ ΠΎΠ±ΡΠ°Π·ΠΎΠ²Π°Π½ΠΈΠΈ Π·Π°Π½Π΅ΡΠ΅Π½ΠΈΠ΅ΠΌ ΡΠ΅Π΅ΡΡΡ [url=frei-diplom3.ru]ΠΊΡΠΏΠΈΡΡ Π΄ΠΈΠΏΠ»ΠΎΠΌ Π²ΡΡΡΠ΅ΠΌ ΠΎΠ±ΡΠ°Π·ΠΎΠ²Π°Π½ΠΈΠΈ Π·Π°Π½Π΅ΡΠ΅Π½ΠΈΠ΅ΠΌ ΡΠ΅Π΅ΡΡΡ[/url] .
Diplomi_rcKt
30 Oct 25 at 2:21 am
ΡΡΠ»ΠΎΠ½Π½ΡΠ΅ ΡΡΠΎΡΡ Π½Π° ΠΎΠΊΠ½Π° ΡΠ΅Π½Π° [url=https://rulonnye-shtory-s-elektroprivodom7.ru/]ΡΡΠ»ΠΎΠ½Π½ΡΠ΅ ΡΡΠΎΡΡ Π½Π° ΠΎΠΊΠ½Π° ΡΠ΅Π½Π°[/url] .
rylonnie shtori s elektroprivodom_eoMl
30 Oct 25 at 2:25 am
ΠΊΡΠΏΠΈΡΡ ΠΆΠ΄ Π΄ΠΈΠΏΠ»ΠΎΠΌ ΡΠ΅Ρ Π½ΠΈΠΊΡΠΌΠ° [url=https://www.frei-diplom12.ru]ΠΊΡΠΏΠΈΡΡ ΠΆΠ΄ Π΄ΠΈΠΏΠ»ΠΎΠΌ ΡΠ΅Ρ Π½ΠΈΠΊΡΠΌΠ°[/url] .
Diplomi_hoPt
30 Oct 25 at 2:28 am
Jβai une passion debordante pour Ruby Slots Casino, il procure une sensation de frisson. La bibliotheque est pleine de surprises, incluant des paris sportifs en direct. Il offre un coup de pouce allechant. Le service est disponible 24/7. Les gains sont verses sans attendre, mais des offres plus genereuses seraient top. Pour finir, Ruby Slots Casino merite un detour palpitant. Notons aussi le site est fluide et attractif, ajoute une touche de dynamisme. Un avantage le programme VIP avec des avantages uniques, qui booste la participation.
Voir la page dΠ²Πβ’accueil|
Swiftpulseok9zef
30 Oct 25 at 2:28 am
ΡΠ»Π΅ΠΊΡΡΠΎΠΊΠ°ΡΠ½ΠΈΠ· ΠΌΠΎΡΠΊΠ²Π° [url=elektrokarniz797.ru]elektrokarniz797.ru[/url] .
elektrokarniz_hfEi
30 Oct 25 at 2:28 am
https://t.me/Best_promocode_rus/2291
AceSorcerer
30 Oct 25 at 2:30 am
ΠΊΡΡΡΡ seo [url=www.kursy-seo-11.ru/]ΠΊΡΡΡΡ seo[/url] .
kyrsi seo_fzEl
30 Oct 25 at 2:46 am
differenza tra Spedra e Viagra: differenza tra Spedra e Viagra – Spedra
ClydeExamp
30 Oct 25 at 2:52 am
farmacia viva: differenza tra Spedra e Viagra – differenza tra Spedra e Viagra
ClydeExamp
30 Oct 25 at 2:55 am
ΠΊΡΠΏΠΈΡΡ Π΄ΠΈΠΏΠ»ΠΎΠΌ Π² Π±Π»Π°Π³ΠΎΠ²Π΅ΡΠ΅Π½ΡΠΊΠ΅ [url=https://rudik-diplom6.ru/]ΠΊΡΠΏΠΈΡΡ Π΄ΠΈΠΏΠ»ΠΎΠΌ Π² Π±Π»Π°Π³ΠΎΠ²Π΅ΡΠ΅Π½ΡΠΊΠ΅[/url] .
Diplomi_vdKr
30 Oct 25 at 2:57 am
ΠΊΡΡΡ seo [url=http://www.kursy-seo-11.ru]http://www.kursy-seo-11.ru[/url] .
kyrsi seo_iaEl
30 Oct 25 at 2:58 am
Π΄ΠΈΠΏΠ»ΠΎΠΌ ΠΎ Π²ΡΡΡΠ΅ΠΌ ΠΎΠ±ΡΠ°Π·ΠΎΠ²Π°Π½ΠΈΠΈ ΠΊΡΠΏΠΈΡΡ Ρ Π·Π°Π½Π΅ΡΠ΅Π½ΠΈΠ΅ΠΌ Π² ΡΠ΅Π΅ΡΡΡ [url=http://www.frei-diplom3.ru]Π΄ΠΈΠΏΠ»ΠΎΠΌ ΠΎ Π²ΡΡΡΠ΅ΠΌ ΠΎΠ±ΡΠ°Π·ΠΎΠ²Π°Π½ΠΈΠΈ ΠΊΡΠΏΠΈΡΡ Ρ Π·Π°Π½Π΅ΡΠ΅Π½ΠΈΠ΅ΠΌ Π² ΡΠ΅Π΅ΡΡΡ[/url] .
Diplomi_sdKt
30 Oct 25 at 3:05 am
Kamagra online kaufen: Potenzmittel ohne Γ€rztliches Rezept – Kamagra Wirkung und Nebenwirkungen
RichardImmon
30 Oct 25 at 3:13 am
ΠΊΡΠΏΠΈΡΡ Π΄ΠΈΠΏΠ»ΠΎΠΌ ΠΌΠ΅Ρ Π°Π½ΠΈΠΊ ΡΠ΅Ρ Π½ΠΈΠΊΡΠΌ Π΄ΠΈΠΏΠ»ΠΎΠΌΡ ΡΠ΅Π»ΡΠ±ΠΈΠ½ΡΠΊ ΠΊΠΎΠΌ [url=https://frei-diplom12.ru]ΠΊΡΠΏΠΈΡΡ Π΄ΠΈΠΏΠ»ΠΎΠΌ ΠΌΠ΅Ρ Π°Π½ΠΈΠΊ ΡΠ΅Ρ Π½ΠΈΠΊΡΠΌ Π΄ΠΈΠΏΠ»ΠΎΠΌΡ ΡΠ΅Π»ΡΠ±ΠΈΠ½ΡΠΊ ΠΊΠΎΠΌ[/url] .
Diplomi_yyPt
30 Oct 25 at 3:14 am
acheter Kamagra en ligne: Kamagra sans ordonnance – Vita Homme
RobertJuike
30 Oct 25 at 3:15 am
https://t.me/Best_promocode_rus/2330
HighRollerMage
30 Oct 25 at 3:27 am
https://t.me/Best_promocode_rus/222
AllInAce
30 Oct 25 at 3:28 am
ΠΊΡΡΡΡ seo [url=www.kursy-seo-11.ru/]ΠΊΡΡΡΡ seo[/url] .
kyrsi seo_zbEl
30 Oct 25 at 3:30 am
farmacia viva: differenza tra Spedra e Viagra – Spedra prezzo basso Italia
RichardImmon
30 Oct 25 at 3:45 am
ΠΊΡΠΏΠΈΡΡ Π΄ΠΈΠΏΠ»ΠΎΠΌ ΡΡΠΈΡΡΠ° ΡΠ΅Ρ Π½ΠΈΠΊΡΠΌ [url=http://frei-diplom12.ru]ΠΊΡΠΏΠΈΡΡ Π΄ΠΈΠΏΠ»ΠΎΠΌ ΡΡΠΈΡΡΠ° ΡΠ΅Ρ Π½ΠΈΠΊΡΠΌ[/url] .
Diplomi_iyPt
30 Oct 25 at 3:54 am