Recipe to pass SCBCD w/no experience

[Terry Martinson]

I just took and passed the SCBCD test today (94%). I had no EJB experience before I started studying. Here is what I did to prepare:

1. Read Head First EJB book 3 times
- 1st time to become familiar with and understand the material
- 2nd time to start trying to really understand and begin memorizing
- 3rd time to pound it into the brain

**** Each time through, I attempted the mock exam questions at the end of each chapter. I missed a lot the first time through, not as many the second time through, but still missed some the third time through. Just make sure you understand the ones you missed as you read the explanations.

2. Took the mock exam at the end of Head First EJB and got 77%
3. Read through the mock exam questions and explanations once to understand my wrong answers.
4. Went through each category on www.ejbcerticate.com and did the 10 question study test. I did not get higher than 70% in any area, but I worked through each category, viewed the answers and explanations for each question and later returned to retest my faults. I did not take any of the mock exams on this site - I just did the "Study" part. I ended up with an Average score of 74% and an average score all members of 67% (ugh - kind of scary)
5. Then I took the test.
6. My prep took 6 weeks, and I did not hit step 2 above until 4 days prior to taking the exam.

The www.ejbcertificate.com site was really helpful for me because it really got me thinking about all the tricks they try to catch you on. The actual exam was much less tricky in my opinion.

If you don't have actual EJB experience, I feel the Head First book is a MUST HAVE if you want to pass. I only referenced the spec a couple times when I wanted to followup on a reference from the Head First EJB chapter mock exam answers. It would have been very hard for me to pass using just the spec. Bravo to the folks who had to take it before the Head First book came out!!!

I must admit that I did no actual code writing to prepare for this and studied straight theory from the book. That will work for those who can learn by a book and understand/remember it really well. However, some folks learn better hands on, so they should definitely play with the code.

I was exhausted both during and after the test. I made sure to take it while I was fresh in the morning. I did no mock exam work on the day of the test because I didn't want to be tired going in.

Hope that helps people with no experience to have some confidence that it is possible to pass.

Good luck all!

TJ

[Barbara Norway]

Congratulations Terry

Do you mean you don't have actual EJB coding experience or do you mean you have been able to learn all Java, (for all certs you have), without coding experience? In either case, it sounds like in addition to being "pretty dern smart", you have a photographic memory

[Marcelo Sousa Ancelmo]

Congrats, Good score.



Regards,

[Nicholas Cheung]

Well done Terry!!!

What's next?

Nick

[Terry Martinson]

Thanks all.

Barbara -
Let's say lucky instead of smart
I do have many years of java experience, just no EJB specific experience. I should have been more clear on that. I work with web applications (Struts, JSP, etc.).

Nicholas -
NOTHING is next. I'm sick of certifications for the time being. I did the programmer one back in 2001 and then the other 3 all since last August 2003 and I'm really burned out now. (and so is my spouse! )

TJ
[ September 09, 2004: Message edited by: Terry Martinson ]

[S Subramonyan]

Hi Terry,

I am going for SCBCD next after my SCWCD tomorrow. I don't have any experience in EJB at all. I am so convinced that I can do it, after reading your message.

Thanks for sharing it with us.