Trapped most of da cows , Passed 93%

[Gagan Indus]

hello fellow-ranchers
i cleared da scjp-exam wid 93% today !!
(to be precise , 10 hours back , actually i had to move to da capital for exam , so it took me dis long to share wid u )
Trapped 55 cows out of 59 .
Here r sum of my exp , which may help u
( am open to any kind of queries u hav , excpet for da original questions )
NO OF Qstns,i got :
Declaration n acess control 5
Flow control & exceptions 7
Operator n assignments 7
Lang fundamentals 6
GC 1
OOPs 8
threads 7
awt 6
lang 5
io 5
util 2
i lost 1 question in each of foll :
- io( about FileInputStream constructor )
- util( about ArrayList properties)
- flow-control ( i donno )
- operators ( i donno )
TYPE of Qstns :
15-16 More than one choice ( it was told , how many correct ans to chosse )
1 Type-in-da-box type
Rest , single choice
At least 38-40 questions were accompnied with code , but :
For 5-6 qstns ( almost all from Threads ) , code-lines == 25-32
For 11-13 qstns , code-lines == 14-16
for rest , code-lines<14
Other-observations :
-All questions from IO , were based on constructors
-From AWT , except one q( which was from event handling) , rest were from Layout managers
-Thread question require reading n re-reading to get hold of
-Qstns n answer's wording is very very clear , no vague statements like some mocks
-The type-in question wanted me to type value of some string , i used double-quotes(") ( like "javaranch" ) , and this answer was considered correct.
-At least 4 questions about Inner n Anonymous classes
-Almost all qstns from operators , flow-control , threads , lang fundamentals were accompnied wid code.
-Try to be calm always , tho i had restless moments in bween , but i tried best to be clam , and dat helps.
Very easily , completed da exam in 65 minutes , properly concentrating on each question . Rest of the time i used for review again n again till end .
Books used :
-Programmers Guide to Cert ,by Khalid A Mughal ( 2 readings , except for IO chapter , for which i didnt had time )
-Java Lang Specification 2nd ed ( Only chap 8 n 9 complete , rest chap only imp-parts n examples , dont miss any examples )
-Sun's Java Tutorial ( for introductory purpose to everything)
Final-reading Notes :
-Velmurugan Periasamy's Notes ( gr88888 notes , complete coverage of imp points , i just had da time for first 7 chapters , but recommened u all of it )
Others :
- API Documentation
- Maha anna's discussion archives(www.javaranch.com/mahaanna ) ( must do , interesting points discussed here)
- IBM's IO Tutorial , coverage is same as khalid's 18 chapter , but it's presentation style is good.
- Discussed doubts at javaranch n www.jchq.net
-
Mock-tests Given
As usual me running all da time , so hadn't got enough time for many mocks , but i gave da foll :
14sept Hardest-test 63% (12 out of 19)
16sept Khalid-Mock 71%
17sept MarcusGreen-1 90%
19sept GuoqiaoSun-3 85%
20sept RHE-Tester 94%
20sept MarcusGreen-2 90%
20sept BillBrodgenApplet 92% ( 35 out of 38)
20sept Jarwoski'sApplet 81% ( 81 out of 100 , rest 58 skipped)
21sept MarcusGreen-3 93%
21sept GuoqiaoSun-1 90%
21sept GuoqiaoSun-2 85%
Javaranch Rules Roundup - 88% - 100% all-da-time
I learned at-least 4-5 new things from each mock .So , I recommened u to go through some more quality mocks if time permits. Write down da questions u missed , and review missed questions one day before da exam , it helped me.

Plan-for-preparation :
Originally i am a C-language student , had done few projects with C lang but no experince with Java , except for 4-5 servlets i written in Java . So i had to learn Java-lang from scracth almost , i set da target of 5-6 weeks for this due to my time constraints
So wht i did was , introduced myself to da things from Sun's Java tutorial , along wid reading da same topics from khalid , n JLS . I 'll write down all da points i had doubt wid , and will write code to test those points or discuss them at javaranch. I wrote code for almost every topic , but for OOPS-concepts , and Threads i had to write losta code to convince myself.
Also had look at prevously written java-code , dat helps. No other special technique i adopted , just trying to clear as-many of my doubts as i culd , worked
For first 2 weeks , i put very less time just 3 hours a day , but then i realized n improved to 4-5 . But actual hardwork i done was in last 10 dayz , putting upto 7-8 hrs a day.
so My Advice :
-Put in as much time as u can
-Write as much code as u can
-Discuss doubts as much as u can , and answering to others doubts is a learning-exp in itself.

Acknowledgements
My heartly thanks goes to all da fellow ranchers , who always been prompt for help , just to name few :
Ashik uzzaman , Swati bannore , Vanitha Sugumaran , leena rane, Angela narain ,Jose Botella
, Jane Grishti ,Ragu Sivaraman , Guoqiao Sun , Sandeep Desai , Ashok Khetan
and rest all fellow-ranchers
Special Thankx to Guoqiao Sun , Marcus Green , Bill Brodgen n Jammie Jarwoski , for putting in there valuable time to design gr8-mocks n sites.
Thankx to Maha Anna , for putting up gr8 resources links , and discussion archives
Thankx to author of KAM-book , JLS , n Sun's Java Tutorial.
Thankx to folks' at IBM for gr8 work about IO tutorial.
Thankx to creater n maintainer of www.javaranch.com n www.jchq.com
Last , but not da least , my special thankx to da designer , developer of Javaranch Rules roundup Game. I liked it so much , n got stuck into playing it again n again . Idea of Trapping cows as u go along answer qstns is so imaginative n jus unmatched , n implementation is so complete.. And it boosted my moral all-da-time entitling me to 88 to full 100% . Love thy game .
And Thank u all out there who are for da cause !

Plan to hunt for job next , n after getting one , n after sum experinece , i plan to go for SCWCD & IBM's XML certifications.( just plans yet ). For now , i hav to learn J2EE platform .
( so i be here on javaranch , all-da-time )
Good Luck to everyone ! u r not alone
---------
(int)Math.ceil(2.5) cheers to myself !
Gagan.

[anurag dwivedi]

Heartiest Congratulations for you superb performance and best wishes for your future.
Anurag

[Samira Mastali]

Congrates.
Thanks for your time to share all of your experiences.
Best wishes,
Samira

[Jane Griscti]

Congratulations Gagan ... nice score
------------------
Jane Griscti
Sun Certified Programmer for the Java� 2 Platform

[Muhammad Farooq]

Congratulations Gagan, and Thanks for sharing your experience with us. It was indeed a great score.
--Farooq

[Ashik Uzzaman]

Dear Gagan, congra! Vvery..gudda....i was watin for da news man....Have a shampane as i knew u 'ld fly with us...
Ur preparation was da solid...u worked hard n i think we can start planning for da SCWCD 1st. Carry on gggagannnnnnnn....
[/^ + ^\]
....==....
------------------
Muhammad Ashikuzzaman (Fahim)
Sun Certified Programmer for the Java 2 Platform
--When you learn something, learn it by heart!

[This message has been edited by Ashik uzzaman (edited September 25, 2001).]

[Padmaja Balaji]

Congratulations Gagan ! GREAT SCORE.
Padmaja

[Angela Narain]

Wow ! Gagan it's a great score. Well done.
Wanted to ask , that in the fill in
the blank type, do they mention
writing within the quote..( I just read
that u mentioned the questions were
very very clear )

[This message has been edited by Angela Narain (edited September 25, 2001).]

[ashok khetan]

congrats Gagan!!!
fact..i was eagerly waiting fot it! Nice...feel proud!.. u have won the battle! my turn on tuesday!
Keep going on!
wish u all the best.
ashok.

[Gagan Indus]

Thankx Anurag , Samira ,Jane , Muhammad , Ashik , Padmaji , Angela n Ashok !
n good luck to all u guyz too !
Ashik , thankx for da drink , ma'n ! , i wish all of u to join me in drinks !
n yes Ashik , i hav noted u already going strong for SCWCD , i be joining u soon ! , good luck to u

Angela , it wasnt mentioned whether to use quotes or not , tho it seems obvious
( Yes , questions were indeed very very clear )
it was kinda this ( no where near to original q, just to give u idea)
String s="java";
String r="ranch";
s+=r;
What is da value of s , after execution of 3rd line ?
i typed "javaranch" , including quotes , and it was considered correct
So my advice , do use quotes for String-values
any other query is welcome
Good Luck Ashok ! tuesday is here ! go , go ,go n do it !

------------------
Gagan (/^_^\) SCJP2
Die-hard JavaMonk -- little Java a day , keeps u going .

[Angela Narain]

Considering your example, i suppose even writing javaranch without the quotes should be considered correct ? What do u say ?

[swati bannore]

CONGRATS Gagan.........Very well Done.Your score and understanding of Java is superb.
ALl the queries u answered were well wriiten and explained...Keep it Up!!
Thanx
( Whenever, I see ur name..it reminds me of old Indian adv..it goes like this..Khao Gagan..Raho Magan... .do not mind...)

[Guoqiao Sun]

Hi, Gagan, you did so execellent there!
Congratulations to you! With best wishes to your future career!


------------------
Guoqiao Sun
Sun Certified Programmer for Java™ 2 Platform
try my mock exam¹²³ at my homepage.

[Ragu Sivaraman]

Gagan,
Excellent Score !!!~~~~
Way to go !!!
Good luck for you future
Ragu

[Gagan Indus]

Thankx Swati , Guoqiao , Ragu !
n best wishes for u guyz also
Angela , Yes . i also think even typing javaranch widout quotes shld also do
Swati , lol..lol , u really made me laugh there ... yeah made me recall of school dayz , when some freinds used to say dat to me
"khaoo Gagan , raho magan " lol
( for non-indian fellows-> it means , "eat gagan n live happily " , "Gagan" is also a brand name of edible-oil LOL ...tho da meaning of my name is "sky , blue-sky " )
( and tell u more , Swati , here at our place , Company "Gagan" has sponsered some public properties , so having their name on them , so whenever i 'll use to visit these places ( of course when i was kid) , i 'll use to claim my stake at those places , n feel proud ! LOL..lol..lol..lol )

------------------
Gagan (/^_^\) SCJP2
Die-hard JavaMonk -- little Java a day , keeps u going .

[Manish Hatwalne]

Hi Gagan,
Congrats!!! Excellent score man.
I am interested in knowing where can I find the IBM IO notes that you mentioned. I'll be starting my prep. in a day or two.
I had also wanted to know abt. type in questions, but I guess now my doubts have been cleared.
Thanks,
- Manish

[Gagan Indus]

thankx Manish ! n Good Luck for ur prep !
u can find IBM's IO Tutorial at : http://www-105.ibm.com/developerworks/education.nsf/dw/java-onlinecourse-bytitle
( here u ll also find many other useful Java Tutorials , but u 'll have to register at DeveloperWorks to use them )

I hav a query , for all of u already having exp wid this :
hmm.. i had a address change , so i updated my mailing address at www.galton.com/~sun/ . But the FAQ at dis site says , Sylvan database is different from this . So where can i update my demographics in Sylvan database ? Thanks

------------------
Gagan (/^_^\) SCJP2
Die-hard JavaMonk -- little Java a day , keeps u going .

[Mateen Nasir]

can anyone give me the link for
Velmurugan Periasamy's Notes
Thanks

[Gagan Indus]

Mateen
Vel's notes r here: http://www.geocities.com/velmurugan_p/
------------------
Gagan (/^_^\) SCJP2
Die-hard JavaMonk -- little Java a day , keeps u going .
[This message has been edited by Gagan Indus (edited September 27, 2001).]

[Vikrama Sanjeeva]

Congrats Gagan.... Dashing score!!
Thanx for sharing your valuable experience.

(am open to any kind of queries u hav , excpet for da original questions)

Well, i am not going to ask the original questions anymore.But i have a Big problem which i want to share with you.
I have too much problem with learning I/O.I don't no how i will learn by heart large amount of I/O methods,classes & constructors.I am totally confused when i reached I/O.Infact i've done OO,declaration,operators very robustly.But i have much problem in learning I/O.
Please help me in this regard."Assume me as a layman"!!
Thanks in advance.
Viki.

[Vanitha Sugumaran]

Congratulations Gagan! Great Score!
Your explanations for the queries really impressed me.
All the best for SCWCD.
Hope I can join you guys there,
Vanitha.

[Gagan Indus]

Thankx Vikrama , Vanitha !
good luck to u guyz too !
Vanitha, yes , we be waiting for u in SCWCD after few dayz , hope to c ya there .
Vikrama , Don u worry , IO is not dat tuff as it may seem at first glance. U jus go through it first time somehow , and u will get hold of da things coz :
- most of the common method in each classes
- similar type of constructors
- specific properties of each sub-hierarchy
u hav a look at Graphical-representation of IO-class hierarachy , and dat will make lot of work easier for u .
U need to knw da constructor of :
- Streams ( especailly FileInputStream , FileOutPutStream)
- Readers n Writers ( especially FileReader , Filewriter , InputStreamReader , OutputStreamWriter)
Along wid u need to knw da class-hierarchy of Stream n Reader/writers , and which of them are abstract( this is very imp )
Also take care of general methods in abstract classes InputStream / OutputStreams , Reader/Writer , and their return-types
Also the constructor of File class are imp , along wid its methods . All the methods of File class given in Khalid shld suffice.
I Didn't got any question from RandomAccessFile , but tht was jus coincidence , this class is as imp , also the fact tht it is not da part of IO hierarchy directly , it inherit from Object itself.
so is serialization wid dae interfaces DataInput , DataOutput , ObjectInput & ObjectOutput.
i will say , either take IBM's IO tutorial , or read this chapter from Khalid . And then hav a look at API Doc ( this is very imp , i skipped this part , n dats y i got confused n lost one q ). neither Khalid nor IBM IO tutorial covers all constructors.
good luck for ur prep n exam !
------------------
Gagan (/^_^\) SCJP2
Die-hard JavaMonk -- little Java a day , keeps u going .

[Puneet Narang7]

Good Job Gagan,
Thanks for LOADS of TIPS.
Rgs,
Puneet

[leena rane]

He Gagan,
I am very happy,
My inter connection was not working for last 4/5 days.Oops i am a little late.
I am very very happy.93% .. Cool.You really deserve it.
Hearty Congratulations
All the Best for your future
With Warm Regards,
leena.

[Valentin Crettaz]

Well done Gagan !

Val

[Anonymous]

Amazing score .
Great work!
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Sun Certified Programmer for the Java� 2 Platform

[Roopa Bagur]

Congratulations.. great score :-)

Originally posted by Mathias P.W Nilsson:
Amazing score .
Great work!

[Gagan Indus]

Thankx Puneet , Leena , Valentin , Mathias , Roopa !
good luck n best wishes for u guyz also !
No leena , u r not late , may be i was lill early LOL
yes same here net is slow , coz of extra virus-traafic , i heard
Good luck for ur prep n exam !
i have a query about address-change in sylvan-database , i am repeating , c if anyone can help :
i had a address change , so i updated my mailing address at www.galton.com/~sun/ . But the FAQ at dis site says , Sylvan database is different from this . So where can i update my demographics in Sylvan database ? Thanks
------------------
Gagan (/^_^\) SCJP2
Die-hard JavaMonk -- little Java a day , keeps u going .

[Gagan Indus]

hey fellows !
Got my SCJP-certificate from Sun , and it looks cool
( tho they culd have bothered to laminate it , anyway )
My address is corrected as well in the database
(along wid da cert , got one pin red/blue color , wid java caffine logo on it , and a logo-license-contract to be filled n sent back to Sun , if i wanna download n use their logo on my stationary )
( tho i was xpecting some useful things on CD or sumtin , like demo/full version of some softwares , or APIs , tutorial , wuld have be better indeed . May be it was xpecting too much )
Regards

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Gagan (/^_^\) SCJP2
Die-hard JavaMonk -- little Java a day , keeps u going .