The Java Certifications offered by Oracle helps you to gain more respect in IT jobs with high pay. It also improves your profile value because many customers demands certified Java programmers for their project assignments.
The Java Certifications are recognized across the globe; therefore many Java developers are interested to take these exams. The following are most frequently asked burning questions related to Java Certifications.
What are Java Certifications?
- I am already programming Java for many years, Can I clear without preparation?
- Why Oracle has two different certifications, OCAP and OCPJP?
- What is the best way to prepare for OCAJP and OCPJP Java Certifications?
I am coding Java since 2004, successfully completed Java Programmer and Architect certifications in the first attempt. I decided to share my approach to Java Certification preparation here.
Before starting my approach, let’s look at the answer to the frequently asked questions.
What are Java Certifications?
The Java Certifications are offered by Oracle (product owner of Java) and conducted by Pearson VUE test centers. Most of the exams are multiple choice format with or without pre-requisite. The following list shows the current list from Oracle:
Java SE
- Java SE 7 Programmer I | 1Z0-803
- Java SE 7 Programmer II | 1Z0-804
- Upgrade to Java SE 7 Programmer | 1Z0-805
- Java SE 8 Programmer I | 1Z0-808
- Java SE 8 Programmer II | 1Z0-809
- Upgrade Java SE 7 to Java SE 8 OCP Programmer | 1Z0-810
- Java Foundations (novice-level exam) | 1Z0-811
- Upgrade to Java SE 8 OCP ( Java SE 6 and all prior versions) | 1Z0-813
- Java SE 5 and 6, Certified Associate | 1Z0-850
- Java SE 6 Programmer Certified Professional | 1Z0-851
Java EE and Web Services
- Java EE 6 Enterprise Architect Certified Master | 1Z0-807
- Java (EE) Enterprise Architect Certified Master Assignment | 1Z0-865
- Java (EE) Enterprise Architect Certified Master Essay | 1Z0-866
- Java (EE) Enterprise Architect Certified Master Assignment for Resubmission | 1Z0-867
- Java EE 6 Enterprise JavaBeans Developer Certified Expert | 1Z0-895
- Java EE 6 JavaServer Faces Developer Certified Expert | 1Z0-896
- Java EE 6 Web Services Developer Certified Expert | 1Z0-897
- Java EE 6 Java Persistence API Developer Certified Expert | 1Z0-898
- Java EE 6 Web Component Developer Certified Expert | 1Z0-899
I am already programming Java for many years. Can I clear without preparation?
No, you can’t; since the exam syllabus and format is totally different from usual programming experience. It is advisable to prepare well based on the certification syllabus before appearing real exam.
Why Oracle has two different certifications, OCAP and OCPJP?
To cover basic and advanced Java SE skills Oracle spitted Java Programmer certifications. The beginner level OCAJP covers basic skills and OCPJP covers advanced skills. So to become fully qualified Java Certified Programmer, one must complete both Oracle Certified Associate, Java SE Programmer (OCAJP) and Oracle Certified Professional, Java SE Programmer (OCPJP) certifications
What is the best way to prepare for OCAJP and OCPJP Java Certifications?
You will get to clear conclusion from this article. Read this article.
Preparation approach for Java Certification
Fix your mind
You need to convince your mind that you are decided to take Java Certification and no dilemma like will I Pass/Fail. The Java Certification adds a huge number of benefits and ignores negative comments from others about your certification journey.
Do more research on exam syllabus
The Java Certifications are conducted by Oracle, so it is good to refer exam topics directly at Oracle instead of watching other sites/blogs. Refer this URL (http://education.oracle.com/pls/web_prod-plq-dad/db_pages.getpage?page_id=651#5) for accessing latest exam syllabus. You need to understand what subtopics are covered under the main topic without any confusion. Just understand what topics to be covered and do not worry about the new topics which you do not aware of them.
Take a printout of each exam topics (with sub-objectives) in the separate sheet. These papers will be your preparation monitor across your self-study travel. Just add three different checkboxes on each objective and track it like below:
| Theory Knowledge | Practical Knowledge | Exam Knowledge | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Define the scope of variables |  |
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| Define the structure of a Java class | |
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| Create executable Java applications with a main method; Run a Java program from the command line; produce_console_output | |
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| Import other Java packages to make them accessible in your code | |
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| Compare and contrast the features and components of Java such as: platform independence, object orientation, encapsulation, etc | |
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Understand exam format and process
You need to know the time duration, number of questions, test center, exam fees and registration process. Both Java SE 8 Programmer I and Java SE 8 Programmer II exams share 150 minutes to complete a set of 77 and 85 questions. All questions in both exams were in form of either select correct answer or choose all that apply.
Register and Buy Vouchers: To enter a certification exam you need to register with the Oracle Education System and buy an electronic voucher.
Locate Exam Place and Time: After registration and buying a voucher, when you’re ready to take the exam, you can use the Pearsonvue organization to find a suitable place and time to take the exam.
Check Your Results: Within 30 minutes after taking an exam, you can get your score via email. 3-4 days after, certifications are sent electronically. You can check your E-Certificate at certview site at Oracle.
Improve Theory Knowledge
There are tons of eBooks/Paper books available for Java Certifications according to the latest syllabus to improve theory knowledge. You just read and understand all exam topics before started working on programs. Tick mark your self-study tracker once you completed theory part.
Improve Practical Knowledge
Get some working knowledge of each exam objectives. Write programs and run it on your system. Do not skip any exam syllabus. Play more with your programs by adding/changing alternate code/methods. Note that most of the Java Certification questions are program based, so it is mandatory advice to a program to get the good practical knowledge to clear Oracle exam. The program directory created in your system must have chapter-wise folders for ease of review. Repeat this till you get good knowledge in exam chapters.
Improve Exam Knowledge
The key to achieve a good score in real exam is solving as many mock exams as possible. The real exam questions are very tricky and it requires hard preparation by solving practice questions as much as possible. There are commercial exam simulators like MyExamCloud will assist you to evaluate your strength & weakness to improve exam knowledge. This kind of simulators also comes with good explanations to understand exam knowledge.
