How to Get Certified as a
Java Programmer
Jeanne Boyarsky
4/28/16
About me
• Java developer for 13+ years
• Author of two Java books
• Programming mentor of FRC Team 694
• Slideshare.net/boyarsky
• Blog: http://www.selikoff.net
• Moderator of forums at: http://www.coderanch.com
Twitter: @jeanneboyarsky
Why get certified?
• Learn Java more deeply
– Faster
– Better
– More accurate code
• Job hunting
– Internship
– Entry level job
Twitter: @jeanneboyarsky
9/10: Sun  Oracle
New
acronyms!
SCJA 5/6
OCJA 5/6
SCJP 5/6
OCJP 5/6
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2/12: More exams
More to learn!
OCA 7
OCJP 6
OCP 7
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1/15: Java 8 exam
Removed and new
content
OCA 7
OCA 8
OCP 7
OCP 8
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3/16: Java 5 exams retired
About time!
OCJA 5
OCJP 5
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Three paths to OCP 8
OCA 7
OCP 7
OCA 8
OCP 8 *
OCJP 6 or earlier
Twitter: @jeanneboyarsky
I’ll start with the
OCA 8
Warning! Don’t Take!
Java Foundations
novice level exam
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Pause for commercial interruption
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Step 1: Create a Study Plan
Buy book
Magic
Pass Test
Twitter: @jeanneboyarsky
Step 1: Create a Study Plan
Study 15 minutes a day
no matter what.
No losing momentum!
I’ve studied for certs during competitions – minutes between each match!
And this year, I took one the day after stop build day – flashcards!
Twitter: @jeanneboyarsky
Step 2: Read a Study Guide
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Step 2: Read a Study Guide
Lots of info to digest
Lots of edge cases
Not everything overlaps
what you actually use in
a job
Twitter: @jeanneboyarsky
Step 3: Code!
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Step 3: Code!
How do I know
what to code?
• Change to break
something and see
error
• Change to see what
something does
• See what outputs from
changes
Twitter: @jeanneboyarsky
Step 3: Code!
What
could
we
change
here?
Step 4: Review questions
Answer?
Why?
How are they trying
to trick you?
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Step 4: Review questions
Didn’t we just see
this question?
Nope!
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Step 4: Review questions
Really, didn’t we just
see this question?
Ok we did. Easier this
time?
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Step 5: Flashcards
What are
the eight
primitive types?
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Step 5: Flashcards
Make your own too
Think of key points
Spaced repetition
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Step 5: Flashcards
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Step 5: Flashcards
What
flashcards
could we
make for
Commands?
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Step 6: Practice exams
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Step 6: Practice exams
Common Problems
Solution
Not enough time
Code more
Drill with review questions to get faster
List what missed so look for it faster
Too low a score
List what areas got a question wrong and study those
parts more
List WHY got it wrong – fact? missed point?
Understanding?
Twitter: @jeanneboyarsky
Step 6: Practice exams
Do 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.
Twitter: @jeanneboyarsky
Step 6: Practice exams
Practice exams are typically
harder than the real thing
Twitter: @jeanneboyarsky
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-plqdad/db_pages.getpage?page_id=651
Twitter: @jeanneboyarsky
Questions?
Wait? Robots can’t take
the test? Someone
should have told me!
Twitter: @jeanneboyarsky