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My SCJP

 
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Hello All,
I am new to this forum and would like to take SCJP 1.4. I am planning to schedule my exam date on Jan. 15(would be doing it this week), exactly 45 days from today. To tell about myself, I am doing my Masters in Computer Science and has some experience with JAVA. But, when it comes to intricacies, I am troubled, hence, I would like to take this exam to get my fundamentals strong.
Preparation:: I had bought kathy & bates book, ofcourse, with your posts & mock-exams over internet, I guess I should be able to pace up my preparation and do the exam well.
Plan:: I am planning to start with hard chapters like Threads, Garbage collection, anonymous classes etc. which aren't tested much in projects. Later, I would like to move onto initial chapters and get the crux. Planning to finish the book within 15 days (dec.15) and utilize the next 30 days with all sorts of mock-ups. I am not sure if I could complete within 45 days but want to speed up my preps..
Any inputs/help is appreciated. Would be bothering you all frequently with more questions from now on.
~ Shalini
 
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Shalini -
welcome to javaranch
Shalini: I am planning to start with hard chapters like Threads, Garbage collection, anonymous classes etc. which aren't tested much in projects. Later, I would like to move onto initial chapters and get the crux.
hmm... I wouldn't do it like that. You need to fully understand the "basics" before jumping into thread/garbage collection. You don't learn to swim by jumping straight into the sea, right .
Of course, you might have a different methodology for learning, and it might work for you. I personally didn't do it that way. I couldn't imagine answering a Thread question without knowing what a protected access modifier really meant, for example.
Anyways, good luck!
[ November 30, 2003: Message edited by: Andres Gonzalez ]
 
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Hi Shalini,
I would recommend going through K&B chapter wise. At least that is what worked for me.
 
Shalini Rangarajan
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Hello All,
thanks for your replies
As I said earlier, I have an year of experience in JAVA and I would like to get the tougher ones first into my mind. Being new concepts, I feel this start would be fresh and good, also, would keep myself refreshed.
~ Shalini
 
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Hi Shalini. I've learned from those who have experience and preparing for the exam that they take a mock exam first. And based-on their result they would organize the order of the topics starting from their weakest. But hey,..whatever works for you man! Important thing, you have to be comfortable with your strategy. Good luck and hope to hear from you in this forum.
 
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Originally posted by Shalini Rangarajan:

I am planning to schedule my exam date on Jan. 15(would be doing it this week), exactly 45 days from today.~ Shalini


I would say think well before you commit to a certain date. You may want to see what you score on a few mock exams to decide when you can be ready for the exam. I have seen a few very confident people go for the exam just a bit too early and fail by a slight margin.
 
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Hi Shalini, i don't want to discourage you but the truth must be told.
Me for example had my first introduction in JAVA during my early days in the university while preparing for my BS degree in computer science. And to tell you the truth i felt in love with it from the first sight.
During my university days i did a lot of projects using JAVA, such as implemeting a PASCAL compiler, and Handwriting Character Recognition. You can say that i had enough experience with the language. After i graduated i decided to take the SCJP 1.4 exam, so i bought the K&B book (what a great book i might add) and start reading it.... you know what i learned... THAT I KNEW NOTHING ABOUT JAVA!!!
The Sun guys expect you to be a human compiler to pass the test, so the experience you have doesn't really help much (Although it helps a little ). The human compiler thing is a very good strategy from sun which i am very grateful for, it really make you involve deaply in the language.
Now about you being ready in 45 days totally depend on YOU and only YOU. I know some guys that completed their study in 1 week (yes.. 1 week) and still managed to pass the exam (with a low score of coarse). So you should ask yourself a couple of questions, are you in it to achieve a high score or expand your knowledge in JAVA or simply just to hold a certification?
I would recommend going through K&B chapter wise as Andres & Cathy suggested.
You have come to the right place to seek answers. The ranchers here to help. Good luck with your preparation, and welcome to the RANCH.
 
dennis zined
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Hi Shalini. Why dont you gauge your skills first before you plan out your schedule. Try Dan's mock exam. Let us know what happens. Good luck.
 
Shalini Rangarajan
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Hello All,
Thanks for your suggestions. I will take Dan's mock exam in a day or two and will let u all updated about the results. You guys are going to estimate the preparation time for me. Ofcourse, put me in one of the hardworking students list .
~ Shalini
 
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I wouldn't set any firm dates for your test. They can be booked at fairly short notice so wait until you know you are ready. As it happens I took my test today and passed with 80% which I was quite happy with. I rang up at 7.15am this morning and had a test scheduled for 12.30pm (5 hours notice). I too also used the K&B book and took a few mock exams. My own method was just to read it in order, one chapter a night and then make a few notes and do self-tests. I did this a couple of times and then last week did quite a few mocks. I also have 1 years previous Java experience and studied for 4 weeks. If you put the effort in it's possible to pass in the time scale you have planned.
 
Don't get me started about those stupid light bulbs.
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