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Exam Information
Official specifications published by IBM
Exam Format
90 min
60
70%
Associate
Registration
$200 USD
Pearson VUE or online proctoring
Validity
Not specified by IBM
Pass the current version of the same exam; Pass a higher-level IBM certification exam in the same track
C1000-187 Exam Topics and Domains
C1000-187 is organized into 7 weighted domains. Expect to work with IBM watsonx Code Assistant for Z, IBM ADDI, IBM Cloud, IBM Z, and more.
1
watsonx Code Assistant for Z Overview
15%
Understand the needs of modernization
Mainframe challenges driving modernizationModernization benefits and value proposition
- Identify the key challenges that drive mainframe modernization initiatives
- Articulate the business value of mainframe modernization to stakeholders
Explain the skills needed for a successful modernization project
Required team roles and competencies
- Describe the roles and skills needed for a mainframe modernization project
- Identify how watsonx Code Assistant for Z addresses the skills gap
Understand business value of watsonx Code Assistant for Z
AI-powered modernization acceleration
- Articulate the business value that watsonx Code Assistant for Z provides
- Explain how generative AI reduces modernization risks and costs
Describe components of watsonx Code Assistant for Z
Core product components
- Identify and describe each component of watsonx Code Assistant for Z
- Explain how the components work together to support modernization
Understand the needs for Modern Application Architecture Patterns
Modern architecture patterns for mainframe
- Identify modern application architecture patterns applicable to mainframe modernization
- Select appropriate patterns based on business and technical requirements
Understand the deployment options for watsonx Code Assistant for Z
Deployment flexibility
- Describe the available deployment options for watsonx Code Assistant for Z
- Recommend appropriate deployment options based on client requirements
2
Architecture and Components
17%
Distinguish which functional and non-functional requirements impact deployment
Functional requirements analysisNon-functional requirements analysis
- Distinguish between functional and non-functional requirements in the context of WCA4Z deployment
- Map requirements to appropriate deployment configurations
Install and configure watsonx Code Assistant for Z components
Installation procedures and prerequisites
- Identify the prerequisites for installing each WCA4Z component
- Describe the installation and configuration process for WCA4Z
Provision required resources for watsonx Code Assistant for Z
Resource provisioning and sizing
- Determine the resources required for a WCA4Z deployment
- Provision resources appropriately for cloud or on-premises deployment
Demonstrate Hybrid Cloud integration knowledge
Hybrid cloud integration patterns
- Describe hybrid cloud integration patterns relevant to mainframe modernization
- Explain how WCA4Z fits into a hybrid cloud architecture
3
Discover and Explain Existing Mainframe Applications
17%
Understand Code Explanation capabilities
AI-powered code explanation
- Describe the code explanation capabilities of WCA4Z
- Identify prerequisites for using the Code Explanation service
Understand Application Discovery capabilities
IBM Application Discovery and Delivery Intelligence (ADDI)
- Explain how IBM ADDI discovers and analyzes mainframe applications
- Describe the role of Application Discovery in the modernization lifecycle
Describe the process of using watsonx Code Assistant for Z for Explainability
Explainability workflow
- Walk through the process of using WCA4Z for code explainability
- Identify the prerequisites and configuration for code explanation
Describe an application blueprint
Application blueprint creation and interpretation
- Describe what an application blueprint is and its components
- Explain how application blueprints support modernization planning
Identify modules and code for modernization using watsonx Code Assistant for Z
Modernization candidate identification
- Use WCA4Z to identify and prioritize modules for modernization
- Apply selection criteria to determine modernization candidates
Operate the Application Discovery component
Operational procedures for Application Discovery
- Operate the Application Discovery component in a production environment
- Optimize ADDI performance through proper resource allocation
4
Optimize Mainframe Applications
7%
Modify and optimize code utilizing the Code Optimization Advice tool
Code Optimization Advice tool usage
- Use the Code Optimization Advice tool to identify and resolve performance issues
- Apply optimization recommendations to improve COBOL application performance
Describe Optimization capabilities using watsonx Code Assistant for Z
Optimization capabilities overview
- Describe the full range of optimization capabilities in WCA4Z
- Understand the prerequisites and limitations of code optimization features
5
Refactor Mainframe Applications into Modular Components
18%
Describe use cases for refactoring
Refactoring use case identification
- Identify use cases where refactoring is the appropriate modernization strategy
- Distinguish refactoring from other modernization approaches
Describe the workflow steps in the refactoring assistant
Refactoring Assistant workflow
- Describe each step in the Refactoring Assistant workflow
- Explain how developers use the web UI to select code for refactoring
Implement code explanation and refactoring capabilities
Combined explanation and refactoring implementation
- Implement code explanation and refactoring capabilities together
- Use code explanations to make informed refactoring decisions
Operate the Refactor component
Refactoring Assistant operations
- Operate the Refactoring Assistant in a production environment
- Manage the container-based deployment of the Refactoring Assistant
6
Transform COBOL Applications into Java Modules
15%
Understand selective mainframe services transformation and interoperability
Selective transformation strategy
- Explain selective transformation strategies and their benefits
- Describe how COBOL and Java modules interoperate on IBM Z
Describe the process of using watsonx Code Assistant for Z for Code Rewrite
COBOL to Java transformation process
- Describe the end-to-end process of COBOL-to-Java transformation using WCA4Z
- Identify the minimum COBOL version requirements for high-quality transformation
Generate code transformation within Visual Studio Code Extension
VS Code extension for transformation
- Use the VS Code extension to perform COBOL-to-Java transformations
- Review and manage transformation outputs within the IDE
Troubleshoot the Transform component
Transformation troubleshooting
- Troubleshoot common issues with the Transform component
- Apply systematic debugging approaches to transformation failures
7
Validate Transformed Code
11%
Generate automated tests utilizing Validation Assistant
Automated test generation
- Use the Validation Assistant to generate automated tests for transformed code
- Configure test data settings for validation scenarios
Apply validation error fixes for transformed code
Error diagnosis and remediation
- Diagnose and fix validation errors in transformed code
- Apply version control best practices during the validation process
Compare functionality of service with transformed code with existing
Functional equivalence comparison
- Compare the functionality of transformed Java code with the original COBOL service
- Verify semantic equivalence through automated testing
How do I earn this certification?
Passing C1000-187 earns the IBM Certified watsonx Mainframe Modernization Architect v1 - Associate certification. It sits in the IBM Z / watsonx / Mainframe Modernization track.
Next Level Options
Not yet available - IBM Certified watsonx Mainframe Modernization Architect - Professional (potential future exam)
Alternative Paths
- C1000-180 - IBM Certified watsonx AI Assistant Engineer v1 - ProfessionalBroader AI assistant engineering skills complementing mainframe modernization
- C1000-177 - Foundations of Data Science using IBM watsonxData science foundation with watsonx platform familiarity
- C1000-185 - IBM watsonx Generative AI Engineer - AssociateGenerative AI engineering skills that complement the Granite model understanding needed for mainframe modernization
Practice with Precision
The PlanetCert Simulator mirrors the real exam environment with authentic questions and timed pressure.
How to study for this exam?
The most effective way to prepare for C1000-187 is by using the PlanetCert Simulator to practice questions and review detailed explanations.
What's changed on this exam?
Current Status
- ACTIVE
- Last content update: 2025-01-01
- Announcement date: 2025-01-01
Updates
- IBM watsonx Code Assistant for Z 2.6 New features like AI code generation and assembler support may be included in future exam updates • Release date: 2025-06-27
- IBM Granite Foundation Models Latest Granite models for Z are core to code explanation and transformation capabilities tested in the exam • Release date: 2025
Who should take this exam?
- Foundational expertise in integration and application architectures for modernizing business applications on IBM Z
- Experience with watsonx Code Assistant for Z
- Understanding of COBOL, CICS, IMS, and DB2 mainframe technologies
- Knowledge of mainframe application modernization strategies and patterns
- Familiarity with Visual Studio Code and its extensions
- Understanding of hybrid cloud integration concepts
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