>>Has "remote automation" been completely replaced by DCOM? I see mention of it in the MSDN and on the certification outline.
>
>They are the same thing. I think automation is the preferred terminology.

From what I studied in Microsoft docs it is not exactly correct. DCOM is a newer version of Remote Automation.

For example at
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/techart/msdn_raresp.htm
"The Remote Automation Enigmas: When, Why, and How" you can read:

Remote Automation vs DCOM 
Remote Automation is the model of choice for 16-bit platforms or for 32-bit platforms that do not implement the Distributed Component Object Model (DCOM) protocol. Microsoft Windows® 95 is an example of a 32-bit platform that does not implement DCOM. Remote Automation is also the "migration mechanism" of choice from platforms (either 16-bit or 32-bit) that do not support DCOM, to those that do support DCOM.

If you take a look at Remote Automation Manager utility RACMGR32.EXE you will see an option group which switches between DCOM and Remote Automation.

I think as a general term Remote Automation describes both version of it's implementation - DCOM and that particular realization which was called Remote Automation by itself. That's what probably causes the confusion.