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tamed the tiger... Barely.

 
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I felt pretty much ready when I decided to take it. I knew I didn't know every single thing, but I felt I had enough practice. I went over whizlab, K&B book and 2 master exams in one month time. I was getting really tired of studying everyday. I was exausted. So I went in and get it over with.

I went in with the impression that the questions are easier than whizlab and masterexam. Also with the impression that 3 hours is sufficient for everyone no matter how slow you do it. Boy, was I wrong!!

I started slow and steady. Make sure I read each question at least 2 times. I went through the code 2-3 times. Even I after I made a selection, I went back to reread the question again to make sure there is not a special Trap.

Everything was going smoothly as I had hoped in the beginning. Since I was going at my own pace, I felt prety confident with at least 90% of the questions I answered for the first 10 questions.

Then I started to notice.. hmmm I am only on question 10 now? And thre is only around 2 hours 15 min left? At first I thought maybe that doesn't matter. I didn't want to spend time calculating if that is enough time for rest of the questions. So I kept my plan and read each question very very carefully and make sure it's right before I move on. But when I get to roughly question 25 I noticed there is only 1 hour 30 min left or something like that. I knew something is not right. If I keep this pace up, there is no way I can finish. I started to panic a little bit but finally calm down and try to finish each question as soon as I can. I skip 4 of them and put mark on them so I can come back to them. When there is time pressure, you can no longer think straight and that is really really bad! I finally managed to rush in and get to number 72 and still have 5 min left on the clock. I went back and filled in the four I skipped. So I finished the exam with every question answered.

So I guess when the clock run out, you can take as long as you want on this last question and then you can finish it.

Lesson learned:
I brought a bottled water with me, guess what? I was rushing pretty much the whole exam and didn't even get to drink it! I only went to bathroom one time. And I was running too. If I take longer than 40 seconds I was worried I'd never finished the exam.

When you are taking real exam with timed pressure, everything seems harder not easier. Specially when the time starts to run out that's when the pressure really starts messing with your mind! For example if you notice there is only 1 hour and 30 min left and you are not on question 36 you may be in trouble!

There maybe around 10 questions that seems to be easier than whizlab and masterexam, but rest of them is either equal difficulty or more diffult(in the sense it takes 5-8 minutes just to solve one question!) So don't expect the exam to be easier!

If you want to guaranteed passing, do K&B questions, master exams, whizlab and enthuware. I didn't get to do enthuware. I wished I had.

Last but not least I got 73%. I felt glad. The exam felt so hard and long, I never want to take it again. lol. I hope SCWC exam is easier... I do hope to take that someday. Funny thing I got 87% in Concurrency and 70% in Generics but only 54% in Fundamentals.... That just wierd. I hope this message helps those who plan to take it and maybe you can forumate your own battle plans. Thanks everyone.
 
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Congratulations Tony.

You should not be using the word barely for 73%.
 
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congrats, man
 
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Congrats
 
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Hi Tony,

What is this master exams. I have Whizlabs. But where do I get these master exams. Thanks in advance.

Thanks
Ravi
 
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Congratulations Tony!
 
Tony Smith
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"What is this master exams. " So you don't have the SCJP book by Kathy and Bert? That book is a must get. No other book explains as well as that book. Master exam comes with the CD-Rom that is in the back of the book. Here is a link to the book in amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Certified-Programmer-310-055-Certification-Guides/dp/0072253606/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-3930069-4180815?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1189992016&sr=8-1
 
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Congratulations TonySmith!!
you have wonderfully explained the way you prepared and attempted the exam!!It really helps who planning to give the exam!
Thanks!
 
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Congratulations! Tony Smith We are glad to have contributed to your success! We look forward to contributing to your future certification exams.
Best wishes,
Ritu Sharma
--------------------
Whizlabs Software
Success, certified!
World's BEST Java Certification Preparation Solutions
SCJA| SCJP 5.0 | SCJP 5.0 (Training))| SCWCD SCBCD | SCDJWS | SCEA | SCMAD
With Unconditional 150% Test PASS Guarantee!
 
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hai.. thanks for sharing your experiences and congrats
 
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Congrats Tony Smith.
I am preparing for the exam.I am not scoring good(45-52%) in Whizlabs exam while some other exams I am doing well. Can anybody suggest me for the preparation and I am ready for exam or not?
 
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G1!!!
 
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Congrats
 
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Howdy Tony Smith,

that's a great sharing of your experience. Congratulations on achieving it finally!
 
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