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Passed with 86%

 
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Hello,
I wanted to thank everyone that answered my many questions. It was really a big help, especially since I was studying alone on the exam.
I took the test just now, and passed with 86%. I had no java work experience.
The following are the tools I used:
1. Read Java in 21 Days (good simple book)
2. Read Thinking in Java (******highly recommend *****)
3. Read Heller's Certification book (** good "starting"
certification book **)
4. Read Bill Brogdens Exam Cram book
5. Used JQ+
6. Used Bill Brogdens Hardest Question Mock
7. Took Marcus Exams
8. Participate on JavaRanch, helping others and get help.
(This is a good idea, it helped me to think
with the data. Some questions that I helped
others on cleared up some concepts for me, and some of
there questions were even points on the exam)
9. Took 1 week ProSoft Java Class
(This brought me up to speed fast)
10. Bought Java flash cards online (**** recommend ****)
11. Bought Sun exam
(This is a good idea. It lets you see sample
style questions and how they break down with
Sun's objectives)
The test was not that hard. What is hard is knowing what to study and what not to study.
Anyways, Best of Luck to you on your Java certification.
 
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Congrats Charlie,
How did the Sun mock compare to the actual test as far the difficulty of the questions? I've looked at it and am considering it but the cost is a little steep as compared to JQ+, Marcus, and the ones I got with RHE. How did you like the RHE ones, I've not yet taken one - going to start mocks in a few weeks.
Also, where did you find the flash cards? Do you have a url?
Again, nice job, and good score too.
Dave
 
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Congratulations, Charlie. Please consider posting your scores here: http://www.jdiscuss.com/index.jsp?tab=scjp&option=VAR
This will help other scjp aspirants to know how well they are prepared.
-Paul.

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Charlie Swanson
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Dave,
The RHE exam was too easy.
The Sun exam had a good sample of the type of questions, and it was on par and just a little easier than the real exam. (this could have been due to one being done at home and the other was
the real thing)
Marcus Green's 3 exams are good indicators of the level of difficulty.
JQ+ was good to use to narrow done your weak areas fast, and bring these up to speed.
The flash cards were simple but effective. They made my score the last 15 minutes of the exam. During the last 15 minutes of the exam I found I had around 15 questions to answer. It was the flash cards that got me through this part quickly. (Boy was I glad) I tried to find the URL but I no longer have it. It was a linked (then linked again) to it from a site Maha recommended.
The hardest part to the exam is knowing what to study. (It's very easy to study a lot of non-exam stuff) During the last days, I studied on my weak areas, and I went over the objectives via the Sun exam; making sure I understood what I was going to be tested on.
Best of Luck,
 
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Congratulations Charlie
------------------
Jane Griscti
Sun Certified Programmer for the Java� 2 Platform
 
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Great score and congrats. How did you approach attacking your weak areas after using JQPlus.
Thanks,
Donald
 
Charlie Swanson
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Donald,
To response to your question "how did I attack my weak spots":
I took the generic JQ+ test. That test shows your the percentage in each area. If I received a low area. I would study the questions I missed. If necessary, I would study the whole are or just the area missed depending on what knowledge was missing.
Another thing I did was after I restudied an area. I would take the JQ+ exam just on that area. If I felt shaky I would start out with the easy exams, always checking for something I did not understand. If it was a small point, I would just understand it. If it was something I just did not understand, I would restudy again. Also, if I understood an answer and I just needed more clarification or some help on it, I would post the question on java ranch.
Another thing, when you get past learn the basics of the language and get down to just studying for the exam make sure you are studying something that is an objective. (It's easy to loose track, and loose lots of time studying things that are good but not on the exam.)
Have fun with it!
 
Donald Nunn
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You can find the Java Flash Cards at www.code316.com.
 
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congratulations. All the very best for the future.
Your Friendly Bartender
Shailesh.
 
With a little knowledge, a cast iron skillet is non-stick and lasts a lifetime.
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