Frequently Asked Questions Nokia S60 Developer Exam
Nokia Accredited S60 Developer Exam FAQs:
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What do I need to know to pass the Accredited S60 Developer exam?
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What are the advantages of having Accredited S60 Developer status?
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How much does it cost to take the Acreddited S60 Developer exam?
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Do I need to take the exam under exam conditions, with a supervisor?
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Do we need to be a Nokia partner (e.g. Forum Nokia Pro) before taking the exam?
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What is the pass mark for the Accredited S60 Developer exam?
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How often do I need to retake the exam in order to stay an Accredited S60 Developer?
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How can I make use of the Accredited S60 Developer program for training?
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How can I use the Accredited S60 Developer program for recruiting?
• What is the Accredited S60 Developer Exam?
The Accredited S60 Developer programme from Forum Nokia is an objectively measurable framework for continuous professional development for S60 C++ developers. It comprises a curriculum and pass criteria defined by Forum Nokia and an on-line assessment that tests knowledge and understanding of that curriculum, provided my Majinate Limited.
1. What do I need to know to pass the Accredited S60 Developer exam?
It is a pre-requisite that to become an Accredited S60 Developer you must already have a current pass in the Accredited Symbian Developer exam. The combination of these two exams covers the topics required to be able to make best use of the S60 platform.
The curriculum is based on publicly available training materials obtainable either from Forum Nokia or Nokia’s Training Providers. The curriculum and references to appropriate reference materials are described in detail at:
• http://www.forum.nokia.com/main/technical_services/training/accredited_s60_developer.html 
• http://www.symbian.com/developer/training/symbian_developer.asp and
on the Majinate S60 curriculum page.
The curriculum is defined by Forum Nokia and is reviewed on a regular basis to ensure it keeps up to date with developments in S60. Although the scope of the S60 curriculum is very wide, unfamiliarity or weakness in one or two sub-topics is not a barrier to passing the exam, since it is expected that not all developers will have regular exposure to all parts of the curriculum.
You will also require a good standard of English to take the exam.
2. Where can I learn about the right topics?
Nokia and Majinate maintain a list of Authorised Training Providers and appropriate learning resources at the following web sites:
• http://www.majinate.com/trainingproviders.html
• http://www.forum.nokia.com/elearning
Forum Nokia provides a wealth of resources to mobile developers. For the latest on mobile tools, devices, training & technologies, go to http://www.forum.nokia.com 
3. What are the advantages of having Accredited S60 Developer status?
As the volume of S60 devices grows, employers need a tool to identify developers capable of helping them deliver their solutions on these new devices. Those who pass the exam will be able to show that their competency has been independently evaluated.
4. How much does it cost to take the Accredited S60 Developer exam?
Majinate offers the exam directly from this web site and partners.
You can see current pricing and register to take the exam here.
5. Where can I take the exam?
A list of our partners is available here.
6. How long does it take to sit the exam?
It takes most participants between 50 and 70 minutes. You should plan to have time do the whole exam in one sitting. Your network connection will need to remain active throughout that period. The exam times out after 90 minutes: a countdown clock is displayed during the exam session, along with a count of the remaining number of questions.
7. Do I need to take the exam under exam conditions, with a supervisor?
The exam may be taken with or without supervision. If a candidate is successful, their certificate will state whether the exam was conducted in a supervised environment, indicating whether the candidate was known to be taking the exam unaided. The on-line exam is licensed to be unsupervised in many regions, and local representative agreements determine the regions where they may be conducted without supervision.
8. Does the exam require knowledge of S60 3rd Edition?
Yes. The exam is designed to test skills needed in the current market environment, based on which versions of can be found in the market at that time. The question database is constantly being revised to keep it up to date.
9. What are the entry requirements for taking the exam?
It is not necessary to attend formal training to take the exam, and indeed on-the-job experience can in many cases suffice to pass. However, a candidate will not be eligible for S60 ASD accreditation unless they hold a current Accredited Symbian Developer accreditation.
10. Is Accredited S60 Developer an official Nokia program?
Yes. This is Nokia’s scheme, operated by Majinate Limited on Nokia’s behalf. Nokia carries further information on the scheme on Forum Nokia .
11. Do we need to be a Nokia partner (e.g. Forum Nokia Pro) before taking the exam?
Anyone can take the exam.
However, if you are a member of a Forum Nokia programme, you can take the exam at a discount or for free. For some programmes you will need to pass the exam to get a discounted price. To take advantage of the offer contact your Forum Nokia representative. They will supply your details to Majinate and (if appropriate) we will invoice you for the discounted price. You will then receive your exam credentials and if you pass the exam your fee will be refunded in full. The programmes supporting this offer are currently: Forum Nokia Launchpad; Forum Nokia Pro; Forum Nokia Champion; Nokia Certified Training Centres; Nokia supported Universities.
12. What is the pass mark for the Accredited S60 Developer exam?
The pass criteria are:
Holds a current pass in the Accredited Symbian Developer exam;
Scores above 60 in the Accredited S60 Developer exam.
The pass mark is reviewed on an annual basis to ensure that the exam continues to reflect an up-to-date knowledge. Unfamiliarity or weakness in one or two sub-topics alone will not reduce the score to below the pass mark, since it is expected that not all developers will have regular exposure to all parts of the curriculum.
13. How often do I need to retake the exam in order to stay an Accredited S60 Developer?
Accreditations made today will be valid for a minimum of 12 months and we anticipate at least 18 months, driven by the need to keep pace with releases of S60.
14. How can I make use of the Accredited S60 Developer program for training?
Organisations may use the examination infrastructure to assess their level of Symbian OS and S60 competency, including additional information on areas of weakness and advice on appropriate training or revision that is needed for a particular project.
15. How can I use the Accredited S60 Developer program for recruiting?
Individuals claiming to be Accredited S60 Developers are listed in a database held by Majinate. Please contact verify.asd@majinate.com for details on how to use this service.
Organisations involved in recruiting developers can use the same examination structure as used for the accreditation exams as a recruitment screening tool. Recruitment assessments are available from either direct from Majinate, or through our network of resellers.
16. How will I know if I passed?
The result of your exam is displayed on screen at the end of the exam and emailed to you automatically if you are sitting unnsupervised. Otherwise it is produced by the supervisor. You can immediately compare the result to the pass mark.
If you pass the exam, you will receive an email confirmation within 48 hours and a paper certificate within 15 days, supplied directly from Forum Nokia.
17. What happens if I fail?
We advise that you study the areas of weakness identified in the detailed analysis.. You can take the exam again at any time and your previous result will not contribute in any way to the outcome. There’s no cooling off period required before you can re-sit.
18. Can I take a practice exam?
Yes, you can register for a practice exam here. This exam will not be marked, but will indicate where your percentile ranking of all candidates to sit the exam falls. The result is available immediately at the end of the exam session.
19. Can I use the Accredited S60 Developer logo?
Nokia has made the Accredited S60 Developer logo available under licence for the private use of developers who satisfy the eligibility criteria. The outline guidelines for use of the logo are held in a secure area of the Majinate web site that is only available to Accredited Symbian Developers (ASDs should login to their home page to view the guidance). Only Accredited S60 Developers are able to read and accept the full licence terms in this secure area and on acceptance of these terms are able to download a logo pack once only from the Majinate web site.
Nokia will strongly protect their trademarks and logo from breaches of the usage guidelines and unlicenced use. Do not use these logos without permission.
