Just before starting my present contract last year, I took a certification upgrade exam to keep my CV up to date. It wasn’t difficult and required a weekend of cramming and going through a sample test before pretty much breezing through the test itself. Because I originally upgraded my original certification to an advanced version (basic 3 tests plus 1 specialisation test), whenever I take an upgrade test, I keep my advanced status.

This week, 9 months or so after taking the test, I finally got my certificates through. I wasn’t really bothered about them - it’s not like anyone’s ever asked to see them - but it’s nice to be able to add it to the collection. I was more amused by the fact that it took IBM nearly a year to send them to me.

Then yesterday, I got another copy of the standard qualification certificate.

Today I got another copy of the advanced certificate.

The word “fuckwits” comes to mind.