By If you are an Oracle developer and you are not using Oracle Dev Gym yet, you are genuinely missing out. I discovered this platform a while back and honestly it became one of my go-to resources for keeping my SQL and PL/SQL skills sharp. Not because someone told me to use it, but because it is actually fun and practical at the same time.
Let me walk you through what it is, what makes it different, and why I personally like it so much.
What is Oracle Dev Gym?
Oracle Dev Gym (also known as DevGym) is a free learning platform built by Oracle for Oracle developers. The whole idea is based on a gym workout concept. You do not get stronger by just watching someone lift weights. You have to actually train. Same goes for coding.
The platform currently has over 2,400 quizzes covering SQL, PL/SQL, database design, logic, and Oracle Application Express. You can take individual quizzes, complete full workouts (which usually combine a video or article with quizzes), or even enroll in mini online classes.
The URL is devgym.oracle.com and it is completely free with your Oracle account.
Why I Actually Like It (Personal Take)
I work with Oracle APEX and PL/SQL daily. Even with years of experience, I still come across SQL behavior or PL/SQL edge cases that catch me off guard. Dev Gym is great for exactly that. The quizzes are not just basic “what does SELECT do” type questions. They actually challenge you with real code scenarios, tricky outputs, and edge cases you would find in production.
The workouts are structured really well too. You watch a short video or read an article, and then answer a few quizzes right after. That combination of learning and then immediately testing yourself is what makes the knowledge stick.
Key Features Worth Knowing
Quizzes: The core of the platform. Multiple choice questions with detailed explanations after you submit. You can search by keyword, like “FORALL” or “LISTAGG”, and the platform will show you all related quizzes.
Workouts: A set of exercises grouped together around a topic. You can build custom workouts, pick from available ones, or set up a daily single-quiz workout to stay consistent.
Classes: These are like mini online courses. A series of workouts organized into modules. When you complete all modules with a grade of 90% or above, you get a PDF certificate. That is a nice touch.
Weekly Tournaments: Every Saturday a new quiz goes live on SQL, PL/SQL, or database design. You have until Friday to submit your answer. Your submission is ranked against other developers globally. There is also a leaderboard where you can track your weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual rankings.
Annual Championships: The top 50 ranked players from the weekly tournaments qualify for the annual championship. Everyone competes at the same time around the world and answers five advanced quizzes within a limited time window. It is actually pretty intense in a good way.
SQuizL: The Fun One
There is also a game called SQuizL. It shows you a SQL statement and you have to guess what it is. It sounds simple but it is surprisingly addictive. Worth trying if you want a quick five-minute brain workout.
How to Get Started
Getting started is straightforward. You just need an Oracle account (the same one you use for Oracle APEX, Oracle Cloud, etc.). Once you sign in, the home page shows you featured quizzes, your recent exercises, and achievement progress.
The home page also shows your latest achievements and progress toward trophies like “SQL Heavy Lifter” or “No Pain No SQL Gain.” These are small motivators but they do keep you coming back.
Who is This Platform For?
Honestly, Dev Gym is useful at any level. If you are just starting out with SQL, the beginner-level quizzes and the “Databases for Developers: Foundations” class (which has over 116,000 participants as of now) are a great starting point. If you are an experienced Oracle developer, the intermediate and advanced quizzes in the weekly tournaments will still challenge you.
For someone on the Oracle ACE journey like me, it is also a great way to stay active in the Oracle community, keep learning consistently, and sharpen technical skills that directly translate into better development work.
Final Thoughts
Oracle Dev Gym does not feel like a textbook. It feels like actual practice. The quiz format, the community tournaments, the workouts, all of it is designed to make you a better Oracle developer through repetition and challenge. It is free, it is built by Oracle, and the quality of the content is genuinely good.
If you have not tried it yet, go create an account today. Start with a few quizzes in your area and see how you do. You might be surprised where the gaps are, and that is actually the point.
Have you used Oracle Dev Gym before? Drop a comment below and let me know what your favorite quiz category is.
