My exam results: 93% or maybe 98%. Big mistery to me.....

[karolos ignatiadis]

I passed the SCJP 1.4 exam a few hours a go and I still cannot figure out what's my real mark.
The exam was taken through the Pearson's VUE testing system(not Prometric) and my Examination Score Report says:
"Your percentage score was determined by taking the overall number of correct answers divided by the total number of questions.
There are 58 questions in this exam. You answered 57 questions correctly which gives you a score of 93%.
PASSING SCORE:52% YOU SCORE:93% TEST STATUS ass "
Unfortunately Pearson VUE does not assign Candidate ID's to test takers and my Score Report does not have such an ID(says ID Pending) that I can use to check my test result through Sun's CertManager.
Also I can clearly remember that I answered all 61 questions( and NOT 58 questions, so maybe those extra 3 questions were not to be marked??
Maybe this has something to do that the exam is taken using the Sun Academic Initiative? I researched into this and found out that the exam offered through the Sun Academic Initiative(212-035) is exactly the same as 310-035 in style and format.
Anyhow, I'm still very happy with the result I don't want to be sound greedy or something but I gotta know what my mark is. There is still a lot of effort to be made from my side in the areas of SCWCD and XML certification.
Many thanks to all JavaRanchers for their constant support and help, being a member of JavaRanch is like being a member of a big family!
Also special thanks to Kathy's and Bert's book for writing the most enjoyable and informative book I have read so far(and I have read many!!!).
You are the best!!

[karolos ignatiadis]

I am sorry for the rude emoticon in my previous message I just don't know how it got there. No offense to anybody or anything!!!

[ramap prabhas]

Congrats!!!

[Satish Avadhanam]

Congrats on passing!!

[Abdulla Mamuwala]

Congratulatins on getting such an excellent score.

[karolos ignatiadis]

Thank you all very much. Before I forget here's what I did to pass the exam:
---PREPARATION STRATEGY---
PHASE 1: Learning
1. "Sun Certified Programmer & Developer for Java 2", Kathy Sierra & Bert Bates
2. Revision of 1
3. Ebooks (JavaCaps, Cramsession) see JavaRanch's lists for such exam crams
4. Sun Learning Center Tutorials, Sun Java Basic Tutorials 1&2(can download from Sun, not all are relevant just a quick pass)
5. Revision Notes(plenty on the Internet see JavaRanch's lists) & my notes(only about 12 pages)
6. Additional reading for weak areas(I borrowed from a friend the Java 2 Programmer Exam Cram 2, Bill Brodgen, Marcus Green)which is an excellent book for revising and enforcing knowledge already gained.
PHASE 2: Exam Training
1. Mock Exams from "Sun Certified Programmer & Developer for Java 2
2. Free Online Mock Exams(Dan's exams is a MUST, see JavaRanch's list for latest suggestions)
3. e-practice Mock Exam from Sun Learning Centre
4. Commercial Mock Exams (I did JQPlus but Whizlabs is also highly recommended from many people in JavaRanch)
PHASE 3: Revision
1. Flashcards( very useful to have flashcards can create them during Learning, Exam Training or both)
2. Any exams from PHASE 2
3. Revision Notes
4. "Sun Certified Programmer & Developer for Java 2", TWO-MiNUTE DRILLS & SELF TESTS
5. Any step from PHASE 1(if necessary)

I know the above looks like a crazy algorithm but it worked for me!!
---TIPS ON PREPARING---
- Calculate the time you need and try to stick to your plan, don't just go on without a timeplan it might take forever
- Don't be too hard on yourselves, if you missed hours or days from your plan that's cool, you are not a factory or a robot that's supposed to work up to the last minute. But BE persistent, do not give up when there's something you don't understand. Tenacity pays well here. Also there are always the people of JavaRanch who can help you or just give you a hand
when you fall(plus all the very useful posts, your problem could be already explained there)
- Always be there when you study, not in some tropical beach in Hawaii or Jamaica!! My mind used to wander around the Santorini landscapes but I tried always to concentrate and catch myself if thinking of something else while studying!
- If you want to cut down the cost of the whole certification, try to enroll to the Sun Academic Initiative. In some cases you are eligible to subscribe to this programme just by being a library member etc. The exam voucher also costs about $55 if you are a member.
Here's the address:
Sun Academic Initiative
---TIPS FOR TAKING THE EXAM---
- I found the 4 pass approach suggested by Kathy Sierra's & Bert Bates's book tremendously helpful and efficient. That is: Pass 1: Cherry pick easy questions first, Pass 2: Complete all questions, Pass 3: Review Marked, Pass 4: Review all, quality check. That's the perfect battle plan!!!
- The night before the exam try not to drink alcohol. It just messes up your mind. Also try not to watch TV, chances are that by watching TV your short term memory will not be at it's best shape for the forthcoming challenge.
- Try to relax before the exam, e.g. listen to a CD you like or whatever works for you and try to focus during the exam.
That's all folks!!

[Bert Bates]

Karolos -
Wow - either way (93 or 98%) - is a GREAT score!
Thanks for your tips!
Bert

[karolos ignatiadis]

Thank you very much Bert, really honoured to be congratulated from you!
Please keep on writing great books!

[karolos ignatiadis]

by the way, does anybody anything about the actual percentage that appears on the report?
Mine says, "There are 58 questions in this exam. You answered 57 questions correctly which gives you a score of 93%"
Is my Maths THAT lousy or is the actual percentage different than the one that appears on the report?
Please post a reply if you know, I still don't know what to put in my CV. CertManager is even more confusing it just says "pass". I know 93% or 98% are the same but a higher mark is more impressive and maybe it will help me to land the job that I am hunting more quickly.

[Satish Avadhanam]

Hey karolos, either way both scores are great.
You can go to the Prometric centre once and try, it might help you. As far as Resume, both scores are good enough to keep in Resume.
One is good
Other is too good