Getting the OCMJEA6 needs 4 steps: MC exam, design assignment, essay exam and mandatory training. The training can be done any time.
Now the JEA cert expects you to have couple years of Java experience preferably design experience. But some people ignore that.
The MC exam covers lots of topics yet none of these need a detail level, unlike those developer certs. As you may know architect suppose to "design" rather than code.
The design assignment is given a scenario and you design it drawing bunch of UML diagrams then defend your solution in the essay exam.
A high level knowledge of the Java EE platform is needed: the 5Ws, pros and cons, comparison with other tech/framework etc.
To start off in Java EE, get familiar with
servlets and
JSP. With a sound foundation in this area, other web frameworks like
JSF, Spring,
Struts will be easier to pick up.
The core of the Java EE platform is the
EJB, understanding the different types and when/why to use them will help.
Last familiar with the other supporting technologies or API like JPA, JMS, JAAS (auth), JAX-WS (
SOAP WS), JAX-RS (REST WS) etc will complete your understanding.
Apart from the JEE stack, other topics in the exam objectives like design
patterns, 2/3-tier architecture, design principles etc are also needed.
All in all lots of reading. While you learn get your hands dirty will definitely speed up your pace. Anyway below are some books you can reference to start your learning:
* Head First Servlet & JSP 2e = cover the retired JEE5 web component exam but excellent book for learning servlets & JSP
* EJB 3 in Action 2e = detail coverage of EJB3 and JPA, suitable for EJB developer cert
* Java EE 6 Tutorial = cover the whole platform in just enough detail for you to understand those examples in the tutorial
* Head First OOA&D = if you haven't done design much this book will get you in the right mindset
* Web Services Up & Running = great intro to REST and SOAP
* Head First Design Patterns = great intro to Gang of Four design patterns
Anyway gotta start somewhere and I hope all this doesn't scare you
Should you do the expert exams is something of your choosing. When I started my prep for v5 cert, I ended up doing the developer certs also. Why? Because you already learn these things during my prep. Taking the developer exam is like a small milestone saying I know enough in such and such technology, which "can" help during project designs.
However, do all these relevant or helpful? Not really. I personally did find the EJB v5 cert helpful and WS v5 cert practically useless for JEA5 cert.