How to Study for the Java 8 Certification Exams

slideshare.net/boyarskyTwitter @jeanneboyarskyBlog: http://www.selikoff.netModerator on forums at: http://www.coderanch.com

Jeanne Boyarsky

A trip down “memory lane”

SCJP Single exam

9/10: Sun Oracle

SCJA 5/6

SCJP 5/6

OCJA 5/6

OCJP 5/6

New acronyms!

2/12: More exams

OCA 7

OCP 7

More to learn!

OCJP 6

1/15: Java 8 exam

OCA 7

OCP 7

Removed and new content

OCA 8

OCP 8

3/16: Java 5 exams retired

About time!

OCJA 5

OCJP 5

Three paths to OCP 8

OCA 7

OCA 8

I’ll start with the OCA 8OCP 7

OCP 8 *

OCJP 6 or earlier

Pause for Commercial

Step 1: Create a Study Plan

Buy book

Magic

Pass Test

Step 1: Create a Study Plan

Study 15 minutes a day no matter what.

No losing momentum!

Step 2: Read a Study Guide

Step 2: Read a Study Guide

Lots of info to digest

Lots of edge cases

Not everything overlaps what you actually use in your job

Step 3: Code!

Step 3: Code!How do I

know what to code?

Exercise time!

Let’s do some together

Step 4: Review questions

Answer?

Why?

How are they trying to trick you?

Step 4: Review questions

Didn’t we just see this question?

Nope!

Step 4: Review questions

Really, didn’t we just see this question?

Ok we did. Easier this time?

Step 5: Flashcards

What are the eight primitive types?

Step 5: Flashcards

Make your own too

Think of key points

Demo of Anki – spaced repetition

Step 6: Practice exams

Step 6: Practice exams

Step 6: Practice examsDo NOT take another practice exam immediately if you are not happy with your score.

There are only so many out there and you can waste your “first exposure” attempts.

Step 6: Practice exams

Practice exams are typically harder than the real thing

More Resources

• Includes links to mock exams• http://www.coderanch.com/t/659981/Wiki/

Ocajp-Faq• http://www.coderanch.com/t/659977/Wiki/

Ocpjp-Faq

• Oracle cert list• http://education.oracle.com/pls/web_prod-plq-

dad/db_pages.getpage?page_id=651

Questions?

Wait? Robots can’t take the test?

Someone should have told me!