Should I hold off on SCBCD until EJB 3.0?

[Phil Meyer]

I recently passed the SCJP 5.0 test with flying colors, and I've gotten bit by the certification bug.

I went back and forth between the SCBCD and the SCWCD as to which one to go for next, and I chose the SCBCD because I decided I would get the most benefit to my current job responsibilities by improving my EJB knowledge.

However, the SCBCD study materials I've ordered are for EJB 2.0, and now everyone on this forum appears to be excited for the EJB 3.0 cert which is coming out in beta soon.

I was okay with this, because I figured knowing EJB 2.0 (or 2.1) would still be what benefits my work the most. It turns out, however, that some of the "senior" engineers are talking about moving toward EJB 3.0 in the not-too-distant future.

So if I spend a couple of months studying, and then pass the exam, I may have to go right back to studying for EJB 3.0.

I wonder if I would be better off getting the SCWCD in the next couple of months, and then when study materials for the SCBCD-5.0 become readily available, go for that cert.

Or... Should I study my butt off on the HFEJB and the SCBCD Exam Study Kit, and then read up on the EJB 3.0 spec and just go for that cert? (How long will it likely be in beta form?)

What would you do?

[Hong Anderson]

If you want SCBCD, I strongly recommend you to take SCBCD 5.0.

SCBCD 1.3 is based on EJB 2.0 which is almost obsoleted (except old projects).

Last day of SCBCD 5.0 Beta Exam is Jan 2, 2007.

[Phil Meyer]

Last day of SCBCD 5.0 Beta Exam is Jan 2, 2007.

In another thread on the front page, it looks like the official test won't be coming out until February or March... If I can't get sufficiently prepared for the beta, will I be out of luck until the official one is released?

[Ko Ko Naing]

Originally posted by Phil Meyer:


In another thread on the front page, it looks like the official test won't be coming out until February or March... If I can't get sufficiently prepared for the beta, will I be out of luck until the official one is released?

Exactly! If you miss the chance to participate in the beta, you will need to wait until the exam is officially released.

[Phil Meyer]

Thanks for the advice.

I decided that I didn't want the intense pressure of attempting to get prepared to take the test by January 2nd (without much exam specific study materials), then spending 5 hours taking it, and then not knowing if I passed for who knows how long. I'm not sure I could take that.

I bought the Head First: Servlets and JSPs book today, and have been giving that a go. I can probably get certified as a Web Component Developer around the end of December or beginning of January if I study hard, but if something comes up, I won't need to panic over a deadline.

Already I am learning some new things from the book, and I don't think I am going to regret my decision.

After I get the SCWCD cert, I will finish reading the Head First EJB book, and then see what the status of the official exam is. It will probably be coming out around that time. With my thorough knowledge of EJB 2.0 from the book, I'll read up on everything I can about the EJB 3.0 upgrade, and then attempt my SCBCD 5.0 somewhere around March or April.
[ November 22, 2006: Message edited by: Phil Meyer ]