The Sun Java certs

evilberry

Hi there folks,

was wondering if some of yous have passed any of these exams online through Oracle website. I am trying to get my hands on some programming in Java this time.

First thing is a cost of it - I can't find an estimated price anywhere (I know it varies for each country, but I wouldn't like to pay a 1000 quid for getting it).

The second question arises when I think about HOW preparation to the exam looks like - do they give you any sort of help like e-books etc. or you're more like a lonely soldier there with a must to buy some essential knowledge for ridiculous money?

I would appreciate any form of feedback - if you know anything about these online certs or you know someone who said something - feel more than welcome to answer.

cheers!
thanks in advance

EKRIUQ

I hope to do this exam in the next few weeks so here's the deal

The certification path has changed recently with the introduction to Java 7 and Oracle, now the correct path recommended by Oracle and to be up to date with modern technologies is to take the Java 7 route. There's no real point getting certified in Java 6 while Java 7 is the new thing.

Now the first exam you have to take is the Java SE 7 Programmer I used to be called the Certified Associate Exam but the new exam is a lot more difficult and covers about 60% of the old programmers exam.

Once the Java SE 7 Programmer I is passed you can then do the Java SE 7 Programmer II exam which is just out of the testing phase and literature about the exam is still thin on the ground.

Cost of the Exam is €238 with a pass of 75% you book your exam through Pearson Vue http://www.pearsonvue.com/ and arrange the testing center where you want to take the test.Here's the oracle link http://education.oracle.com/pls/web_prod-plq-dad/db_pages.getpage?page_id=51

I've studied Java for 3 years and thought I was handy enough with the language but this exam is quite testing and very precise and full of tricks to confuse you.

My study materials are this book
http://www.amazon.com/SCJP-Certified-Programmer-Java-310-065/dp/0071591060

There are loads of E-Book versions on the web but because I need to book so much I bought the hard copy of it.

chaps: 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5
chap 6 - the String and StringBuilder sections
chap 7 - the hashCode() and equals() sections, and only the ArrayList class.
chap 10

The chapters (and sections) listed above ARE NOT a perfect overview of everything you might encounter on the real exam, but I'd say they represent a 95% overlap. We'll be nailing down that last 5% over the next several weeks.

This software is a great resource for mock exams and only €12
http://enthuware.com/

And the forum of choice is http://www.coderanch.com the owners of the forum have written books on the exam and have set exams

Useful boards are
http://www.coderanch.com/forums/c/7/certification
http://www.coderanch.com/forums/f-117/ocaja

And of course practice java programs, its not any easy exam and more difficult than any exam I sat in college.

Any other questions just ask.

evilberry

EKRIUQ, that is a pretty cool answer, thank you so much!

Of course I will get Java 7 cert, as you say no need to get backwards really.

Well, I've had some Lisp, C and C++ experience so far and I am willing to do something more towards object orientated programming so I thought Java is a perfect thing for me to do now. It is a lot easier language than both C and C++ for me not even talking about Lisp here (Lotta Irritating Silly Parenthesis) while the syntax is still similar. I know it may take a few good, long months or years to pick it up good enough to sit on the Oracle exam, but I guess it is really worth it - that's the thing I would love to do one day alrite.
Have you actually had any programming background before you started Java? I suppose you're a Computer Science or some IT student/graduate.

As I say - I was hoping to get an answer like yours that would briefly tell me how it looks like and what to expect. I know passing these exams is not an easy thing, but come on - Oracle certificate sounds pretty tough on its own anyways, alrite.

Thank you once again,
May 90+% on the exam be with you.