The SCJP exam is the first in a series of Java certification exams offered by Sun Microsystems, and for many it is the first step to becoming established as a competent Java developer.
This article serves as a primer to SCJP certification. To help you prepare for the exam, we’ll start with a point-by-point comparison of SCJP 1.2 and SCJP 1.4, outlining the most significant changes to the exam content. In addition, we’ll talk about the broader issues of SCJP certification, such as how to prepare for the exam and whether the time and cost of certification are worthwhile to your career as a Java programmer.
Introducing SCJP 1.4
Table 1 compares the functional differences between the 1.2 and 1.4 versions of the SCJP exams, in terms of cost, number of questions, and time allotted for completion, among other things.
Table 1. SCJP 1.2 vs. SCJP 1.4
The syllabus for the SCJP exam is organized in terms of objectives . Each objective tests your skill in an area of Java programming. The most important changes to the new version of the exam are as follows:
- Wrapper classes
- Collections
- hashCode() and equals()
If you’ve already completed all the training for the original exam, you might be tempted to just go for SCJP 1.2 certification. After all, who wants to study up for a whole new exam? If you compare the two exams, however, you’ll find that there isn’t a significant difference between them. You’ll need to brush up on the Assertions API (if you haven’t already done so) and pay more attention to the objectives that have been strengthened in the new version, but the overall exam content hasn’t changed much. The point of IT certification is to reflect competency in the most current version of the technology, and the Java platform has changed quite a bit over the past couple of years. You’re advised to take the SCJP 1.4 exam.
Preparing for the SCJP exam
Preparing for any kind of IT certification is about both studying and practicing. You’ll likely want to start with the former and migrate to the latter. At present, several books are available for the SCJP 1.2 exam, but none have yet turned up for SCJP 1.4. Your best bet is to get started with one or two of the well-recommended guides to SCJP 1.2, but use the above list of changes to SCJP 1.4 to tailor your course of study. (In other words, don’t waste much time learning about Java I/O or the AWT, but do read up on wrapper classes, Collections, and the methods hashCode() and equals() .)
In addition to books, you should check out the numerous resources on the Web. Start with the essential Java technology specifications from Sun Microsystems, then scout around to find tutorials that address important topics such as the Assertions API or the Collections API. One nice thing about Web resources is that they’re generally more up-to-date than books, so you can use online reading to supplement your less current reading.
See Resources for a complete listing of recommended books, articles, tutorials, and specifications.
Practice, practice, practice
After you’ve prepared with the appropriate books, browsed through the specifications, read the tutorials, articles, and notes, all that’s left to do is practice. Start by getting yourself a good IDE and writing code. Choose programming exercises that help you focus on the exam objectives, and don’t avoid the stuff you’re afraid of. Better to make mistakes on your own time than in the exam itself.
In addition to toiling away under your own direction, there are two ways to simulate the test experience before you get to the real thing. Mock exams offer a good sampling of the kinds of questions you’ll encounter and give you the opportunity to resolve them on your own time. Certification test simulators take the mock-exam experience to the next level, by actually simulating the test environment.
Another option is to hire a personal coach. Organizations that specialize in Java training provide a structured, disciplined learning environment, and most have a well-established record of success. While personal training costs more than many of the other training resources mentioned here, it can also be a more efficient path to certification, allowing you to quickly gain the skills necessary to passing the SCJP exam.
See Resources for a listing of IDEs, free mock exams, commercial certification test simulators, and companies that specialize in Java training.
Discussion forums
If you’re looking for the study-group feeling, try participating in an online discussion forum. Several broad-based Java forums maintain threads about certification issues, and some are devoted solely to certification. In a forum, you can quiz your peers about their study techniques, learn about some of the lesser-known certification resources, get support when you’re stressed about the upcoming exam, and find out how others have fared in the effort to get certified.
See Resources for links to several active online discussion forums.
Tips for passing the SCJP
- Many of the questions in the SCJP 1.4 exam will require code-based answers, so practice coding as much as possible in preparation for the exam.
- As mentioned, some objectives have been strengthened in SCJP 1.4. Be sure that you’re well-versed in the topics of wrapper classes, collections, and the methods hashCode() and equals() .
- Some aspects of the Java programming language do not come up as often in real life as they do in the exam, which can trip you up if you’re not prepared. Be sure you understand how operators work in Java code — particularly the shift operator.
- Multithreading is a difficult topic, and it will come up in the SCJP 1.4. You should know the different ways to construct a thread in a Java program, have a good understanding of synchronization, and be familiar with the functionality of the different methods used in creating a multithreaded application. In all instances, you should be prepared to deliver code-based answers.
- Be sure you’ve memorized the inheritance hierarchy of the Exceptions and Collections classes. It will come in handy.
- If you’re taking the SCJP 1.2 exam the I/O objective deserves special attention. It is recommended that you be aware of the applicability of various I/O classes, especially those related to the File I/O streams.
- The objective on Garbage collection will have questions asking how many objects are eligible for garbage collection at a particular point in the program. The answers to such questions cannot be verified with the help of examples because you cannot force the garbage collector to run. So attempt as many questions as possible on this topic from various mock exams; compare your answers to test your knowledge.
Is certification worthwhile?
Java certification will cost you in terms of both time and money, and it is natural to wonder if the expenditure is worthwhile. The answer has more to do with your expectations than with the inherent value of certification. If you’re expecting to get a job just because you’re certified, you could be disappointed. A high exam score isn’t all that impressive without real programming experience. The combination of experience and certification, however, could help your resume stand out in a competitive job market. Certification might not get you a job, but it could get you a better job. It can also be a big help when it comes to negotiating for a higher salary, lobbying for a promotion, or increasing your overall job security.
One of the less-appreciated values of IT certification is the experience itself. Studying for the SCJP exam is a very structured way to learn about the Java language, which is quite different from the day-to-day experience of programming for a living. Coming out of the exam, you could find that you have a more detailed understanding of how the Java language works and that, as a result, your overall Java programming skills are much improved.
Conclusion
Regardless of your reasons for going after certification — whether you want the professional advantage or the personal challenge (or whether getting certified is a job requirement) — your approach to the task will determine the success of its outcome. Good preparation, attention to detail, and a positive attitude are essential if you want to pass the SCJP exam.
For a free preview of the kinds of questions you might encounter in taking the SCJP certification exam, see the sidebar ” Sample questions from the Whizlabs Java Certification (SCJP 1.4) Exam Simulator .” To follow up on the many study aids recommended in this article, see the Resources section. Regardless of how you choose to prepare for your first Java certification exam, I sincerely hope the suggestions in this article will be helpful to you, and I wish you the best of luck in your exam.
Resources
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Whizlabs is a leading provider of IT skill assessment and certification exam preparation. Whizlabs’ suite of offerings include “IT certification exam simulators and online trainings” for various exams by Sun, IBM, Oracle, Microsoft, BEA, Cisco and other leading IT vendors and “IT skill Assessment Management Solution” for Corporations, Training Institutes and Universities.”
Ever since its inception in 1999 Whizlabs has helped 280,000 software professionals in realizing their dream of acquiring an IT certification of their interest. Whizlabs offerings have fuelled the career growth of IT professionals working in 321 Fortune 500 companies spread across 118 countries all over the globe.
