I know it�s not a great score but I�m just really happy that I�m done with it, I would like to thank all at
java ranch for running such a wonderful site, though I was a silent observer, learned a lot from people who had done the exam before, and I�m here to do the same as a help for those who are hoping to sit for it soon.
My Remedy for Success
1. Head First
Servlet and
Jsp's (One great book, helps a lot to give a nice grounding)
2. Manning's SCWCD study kit (different approach all together more exam oriented)
3. Marcus Green's short notes (helps in getting the overall picture, really helped me a lot)
4. Enthuware (made me realize that there are weird stuff not covered in the books.
5. Peabody's Design
Patterns ( short and Sweet, really good)
6. and well Common Sense
Read Head First cover to cover minimum once Read Manning Cover to cover minimum once, make short notes of both.
then Read Marcus Greens Short Notes and well highlight all the important stuff, this will give you a very clear picture of the overall subject and it consists of close to 130 pages so you can go through the highlighted notes in less than an hour.
a note on highlighting, do not highlight on stuff you already know, highlight stuff that are new or stuff that you can�t remember.
after reading Marcus�s notes get back to head first and run through everything.
make sure you write code at least the minimum of what is in the books this will make you remember the methods and places you will need to put the appropriate files, the more your familiar with the code the easier it will be.
Peabody's Design Patterns consist of three pages and its really good but just cause you go through those notes do not wait without doing the questions follow the questions in the books and in enthuware ( this is all just to help you remember better)but Peabody�s notes are really good with his notes and a little bit of common sense you can score 100% on design patterns like I did, even he guarantees it, but I would say that you would need a bit of common sense as well, sorry Peabody there was just one question which had me confused and I had to go against your notes and use my common sense.
Well all said and done it took me 2 months to prepare for the exam but think you can do it in 1 month and 1 week the most(I was just lazy and dragging it) provided you do all what I have mentioned above, takes around a week for a book if you are reading 3 hours a day, so two weeks there 2 week for making short notes and coding and 2 week for questions and that should do it, dedication and commitments all you need.
well hope this helps all the best for all those who are sitting for the exam.
a bit about the exam don�t worry though its performance based and though they have increased the time you have enough and more time to finish it, I was done in less than 2 hrs, then I reviewed everything to make sure it was correct, oh and another important point REVIEW!!, anyways it�s not that hard if you put your mind to it, anything�s possible, take courage my friend and STUDY and put some effort into it, well hope this helps.
Good Luck To all and thanks again to all those who spent their valuable time in writing such great books and notes and all those who make this ranch a success. Cheers!!
