SCJP 5.0 - Carving a well qualified Java Tiger Programmer
by Ganesan[ CEO], pubished on Wed, 12 May 2010 02:13 PM

Sun Microsystems offers many certifications starting from programmer level to architect level. The latest version of programmer (SCJP) exam is SCJP 5.0 - Sun Certified Programmer for the Java 2 Platform, Standard Edition 5.0 (CX-310-055). Sun started calling SCJP 5.0 instead SCJP 1.5 from this new version.

Achieving this certification provides clear evidence that a programmer understands the basic syntax and structure of the Java programming language based on new syntax introduced in SCJP 5.0. The certified programmer can create Java technology applications that run on server and desktop systems using J2SE 5.0 ( Java Tiger). Java Tiger is the another name of J2SE 5.0.

NOTE: The external version number of this release is 5.0 and its internal version number is 1.5.0.

What is new in Java Tiger ?

Changes include generic types, metadata, autoboxing, an enhanced for loop, enumerated types, static import, C style formatted input/output, variable arguments, concurrency utilities, and simpler RMI interface generation.

Wow ! Thanks to Sun Microsystems for providing such a valuable features for Java Programmers.

So, if you decided to take Sun Java Programmer certification (SCJP) go ahead with SCJP 5.0 and be a Java Tiger Certified Programmer and enjoy the benefits of new features.

Changes in Exam Objectives from SCJP 1.4 to SCJP 5.0

SCJP 1.4


SCJP 5.0

* Section 1: Declarations and Access Control
* Section 2: Flow control, Assertions, and Exception Handling
* Section 3: Garbage Collection
* Section 4: Language Fundamentals
* Section 5: Operators and Assignments
* Section 6: Overloading, Overriding, Runtime Type and Object Orientation
* Section 7: Threads
* Section 8: Fundamental Classes in the java.lang Package
* Section 9: The Collections Framework




* Section 1: Declarations, Initialization and Scoping
* Section 2: Flow Control
* Section 3: API Contents
* Section 4: Concurrency
* Section 5: OO Concepts
* Section 6: Collections / Generics
* Section 7: Fundamentals

Is SCJP 5.0 easy compared to SCJP 1.4 as it has limited number of sections? No, most of the concepts are new in SCJP 5.0. Some of them are not related with SCJP 1.4.

SCJP 5.0 Exam Details

* Delivered at: Authorized Worldwide Prometric Testing Centers
* Prerequisites: None
* Other exams/assignments required for this certification: None
* Exam type: Multiple choice and drag and drop
* Number of questions: 72
* Pass score: 59% (43 of 72 questions)
* Time limit: 175 minutes

After completion of SCJP 5.0 exam you are familiar with Java Tiger concepts like generic types, metadata, auto boxing, an enhanced for loop, enumerated types, static import, variable arguments, etc.

SCJP Exam How long I need to prepare for this exam?

The answer is it depends on your current knowledge in Java programming and OO Concepts. You may get an approximate estimation from EPractize Labs SCJP 5.0 Preparation Time Calculator.

SCJP Exam How to start? Where to start?

1. First go to Sun's website and understand the exam objectives. http://www.sun.com/training/catalog/courses/CX-310-055.xml
2. Plan for your preparation. If needed calculate an estimation from EPractize Labs SCJP 5.0 Preparation Time Calculator.
3. Identify your weak areas based on the exam objectives. Set more focus on those topics.
4. Study and workout the program examples.
5. Practice with mock exams and see where you are. Continue your practice till you achieve your goal.
6. Achieve your SCJP 5.0 certificate and share your success WITH YOUR FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES!

Recommended SCJP 5.0 Exam Preparation Kit

Use SCJP 5.0 Exam EPractize Labs – Personal Edition for empowering your preparation by PPA-1(Plan, Practize, Achieve) methodology.

SCJP 5.0 Certification Benefits

For the Individual

* Clear evidence that you are a Java Tiger programmer.
* The certification empowers in driving Java Programming based on J2SE 5.0.
* SCJP 5.0 certified programmers can easily design and develop the code based on J2SE 5.0.
* Being a SCJP 5.0 certified programmer helps you to improve your career potential, gain more respect, boost up your job security and opportunities.
* With SCJP 5.0 certified programmer, you become more competitive in the job market.

For the organization

* Enables management to distinguish SCJP 5.0 certified programmer as Java professionals who can develop quality code efficiently and effectively.
* Helps in deciding the best development APIs or Java Components based on latest J2SE APIs.
* More confidence to work on Java Code technical decisions with business partners.
* Enables project team to get best coding practices and guidance from a qualified Java Programmer.

Good Luck !


Ganesan - CEO & CTO, EPractize Labs Software. Has extensive experience in architecting and designing small scale to high scale enterprise applications in various domains using Java EETechnologies.