how to get certified as a java programmer

How to Get Certified as a Java ProgrammerJeanne Boyarsky4/28/16

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

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OCJP 5/6

9/10: Sun Oracle

SCJA 5/6

SCJP 5/6

OCJA 5/6

New acronyms!

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2/12: More exams

OCA 7

OCP 7

More to learn!

OCJP 6

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1/15: Java 8 exam

OCA 7

OCP 7

Removed and new content

OCA 8

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

OCA 8

I’ll start with the OCA 8OCP 7

OCP 8 *

OCJP 6 or earlier

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Java Foundationsnovice level exam

Warning! Don’t Take!

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Pause for commercial interruption

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Step 1: Create a Study Plan

Buy book

Magic

Pass Test

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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

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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

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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 SolutionNot enough time Code more

Drill with review questions to get fasterList what missed so look for it faster

Too low a score List what areas got a question wrong and study those parts moreList WHY got it wrong – fact? missed point? Understanding?

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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.

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Step 6: Practice exams

Practice exams are typically harder than the real thing

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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/

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Questions?

Wait? Robots can’t take the test? Someone

should have told me!

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