Hi Kathy
Here's some things I would find useful in the study guide for SCBCD:
1. Single discussion points for transactions, exception handling, permissable method invocations, and security contexts - the specification, although complete organises this information based on bean type and therefore makes it harder to assimilate. If each of these topics were in their own chapter and a discussion provided for how they worked in relation to each bean I would find it a lot easier get the rules straight in my head rather than jumping around to different sections to try and put it all together.
2. Mock exams included on an accompanying CD.
3. Printable PDF containing key points from each chapter (to print out and read on the train into work!)
I took the exam yesterday - my brain was fried by the end but it was a very good learning process. I have experience supporting a
J2EE system but not much in the way of getting my hands dirty with bean coding. I thought this exam was an excellent opportunity to consolidate my knowledge. I spent two weeks reading the Ed Roman book, the spec and the postings in this forum but for me, I think a good study guide like the SCWCD book by Hanumant Deshmukh and Jignesh Malavia makes the difference between a pass and a great score.
At times I found the specification confusing (see point 1 above) and repetitive and it was hard to see the wood through the trees. I am looking forward to what you guys come up with!
Thanks
Ben