I am a software project manager who wanted a better understanding of what my development staff goes through in the projects so we could estimate better. I decided to pursue the Java certs to really force me to learn the topics and not just take a set of classes. 67% is a little lower than I was getting on some of the mocks, but I didn�t start the study work until October so I am satisfied.
Here are some of my experiences from the exam.
(1)For Collections, know the implementations of the interfaces, which ones are ordered, and how they handle order when you add additional items. I didn�t find the Collections questions that challenging.
(2)I had two assertions questions. None were code snippet/application questions like�s Dan�s exams but rather when their use is appropriate.
(3)I had a lot of questions on Threads and these were the most challenging. Focus on having synchronized blocks within a method vice having the method synchronized itself. Also practice with embedded synchronized blocks which synchronize on different objects.
(4)There were several questions on Strings. Be very careful of code that calls a static method on String (like replace()) but doesn�t assign it to a variable. E.g.
S still points to �ABCDEFG�
My Study Tips:
�I used the RHE Book, JQPlus, and JavaRanch. There were at least four questions on the JQPlus software that were verbatim on the exam. I recommend this prep software if you want a tool with a lot of questions.
�The exam center provides you with blank paper. I decided to memorize reference sheet for myself. Before I started the exam I scribed out the Collections interfaces and implementations tree, a section on inner classes and what vars/methods which they can access, and the static methods of String and StringBuffer. These were the three topics for me that I found myself stuck on the mocks at times trying to remember something. If this type of aid works for you, I recommend it.
�Try to answer your peers� questions on JavaRanch. This may sound obvious but it is definitely a great way to learn the topics. It seems that some of the old timers (no offense you guys) give the newbys a little time to answer their peers� questions before they step in. Take this opportunity to try.
�Lastly on the day of the exam, I went through Dan�s topic exams. I choose the topics that I felt least familiar with so they would be fresh in my mind (in my case that was Assertions and StringBuffer). I did very well on these two topics as a result. Thanks Dan!
Onward to The Web Component Developer preparation. Good Luck All,
John
Here are some of my experiences from the exam.
(1)For Collections, know the implementations of the interfaces, which ones are ordered, and how they handle order when you add additional items. I didn�t find the Collections questions that challenging.
(2)I had two assertions questions. None were code snippet/application questions like�s Dan�s exams but rather when their use is appropriate.
(3)I had a lot of questions on Threads and these were the most challenging. Focus on having synchronized blocks within a method vice having the method synchronized itself. Also practice with embedded synchronized blocks which synchronize on different objects.
(4)There were several questions on Strings. Be very careful of code that calls a static method on String (like replace()) but doesn�t assign it to a variable. E.g.
S still points to �ABCDEFG�
My Study Tips:
�I used the RHE Book, JQPlus, and JavaRanch. There were at least four questions on the JQPlus software that were verbatim on the exam. I recommend this prep software if you want a tool with a lot of questions.
�The exam center provides you with blank paper. I decided to memorize reference sheet for myself. Before I started the exam I scribed out the Collections interfaces and implementations tree, a section on inner classes and what vars/methods which they can access, and the static methods of String and StringBuffer. These were the three topics for me that I found myself stuck on the mocks at times trying to remember something. If this type of aid works for you, I recommend it.
�Try to answer your peers� questions on JavaRanch. This may sound obvious but it is definitely a great way to learn the topics. It seems that some of the old timers (no offense you guys) give the newbys a little time to answer their peers� questions before they step in. Take this opportunity to try.
�Lastly on the day of the exam, I went through Dan�s topic exams. I choose the topics that I felt least familiar with so they would be fresh in my mind (in my case that was Assertions and StringBuffer). I did very well on these two topics as a result. Thanks Dan!
Onward to The Web Component Developer preparation. Good Luck All,
John