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Help needed to pass Java 2 1.2 SCJP, please

 
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I took the programmers exam (1.2) two weeks ago, I scored 57%. Though a respectable score I was gutted.
So now I am re-revising at the moment, trying to improve where I can.
Just wondered what anyone what recommend with the revision I should do just to improve things a little more?
I feel a little dispondant a this time, so a little bit of advice will help me bounce back, bigger & better.
Before I go, many thanks to JavaRanch, even though I didn't quite manage the pass this time, believe me that my scores have improved thanks to this place. Cheers, Dave.
 
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Hi Dave,
I appreciate your willingness to learn from your failure and stand up again. It takes a lot of courage to admit failure. Rest assured, you'll do well the next time with the right approach.
As for bettering yourself technically, you may want to ensure that you know the basics of the language first.
This can be done by a thorough study of related material AND experimenting with coding. Trying to see what and how things actually work. You'll want to do lots of coding and learn hands-on.
For the certification bit. There are a whole lot of resources available online. You can make your research starting with javaranch and see how to progress. Consult the java beginner's forum here regularly.
Avoid being just a spectator here. Try and participate in the discussions here, that'll improve your confidence.
Wish you all the best. You are bound to succeed.
Good luck,
Saket
 
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Hi Dave, why have you decided to go for the 1.2 exam not the 1.4 ? Just curious....
 
Dave Johnson
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Hi Dave, why have you decided to go for the 1.2 exam not the 1.4 ? Just curious


Because the course material provided by Computeach covered 1.2 not 1.4.
I know a bit about swing but not enough to be examined on it.
Thanks for replies, anymore please!!!
 
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The best thing is to spend a lot of time in this javaranch community. Spend time on this website and familiarise with the site.This has everything you need to know about java.If you are unsure about anything at all just ask and the friendly people here would jump to help you out-even the famous authors,java experts,greenhorns like me,SCJPs just about everybody who knows something about java would come to your rescue.
On your part you need to spend more time coding-if you are unsure of anything first try a sample code and see what happens.If you think the answer is not what you expected then post it in this forum and ask.You will be amazed at the replies!
Once you think you are ready for testing on your understanding then do the mock tests.Where do you find the mock tests? Again search in this site and you will find them!
When you are in this site try to answer the questions posted by others.
Go to results forum and read the experience of other ranchers.Ask them questions.
Thanks to community spirit of experts like Marcus Green and Dan Chisholm (just to name a few) there are plenty of free reading material with mock tests on the net.
You may want to buy a book and the best book as voted by many ranchers is the Kathy & Bert book.
Summary:
Read-understand-code-discuss-understand-code-read-do mock tests-read-code-code-discuss-help others-learn-do mock tests-read-code-book exam-take exam-pass with 100%-repeat above.
The very fact that you are ready to improve means you will succeed!
 
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Nail down some fundamentals, like the difference between object references and objects, equals method versus ==, overloading and overriding, String handling, constructors, declarations and access control, interfaces, flow control. You will need these in more than one set of objectives.
Also:
- differences between List, Map and Set interfaces, and their implementations
- wrapper methods (xxxValue, parseXxx, valueOf)
- focus on transitions between runnable and blocked (threading).
In my view, don't spend too much time getting deeply involved in Collections Framework, garbage collection, assertions, operator precedence, but spend your time on the fundamentals.
Good luck!
 
Dave Johnson
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I'll tell you what. I'm really glad I joined this forum. I have come to the site for ages, but only registered in the forum today, what a place.
I've joined a few forums for programming, one of which is Sun's own. There are some great people there don't get me wrong. But there is far to many people there hijacking threads thinking that it is funny (it aint).
Besides all the great advice you have given me, you have also lifted my spirits as earlier today I was feeling quite glum.
I shall take advice & get some hard work done.
Thanks everybody who has been kind enough to reply. If you wish to add your 2 cents then please do.
Long Live The JavaRanch!!!
 
La Vish
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Dave, I have 2 Australian Cents.Will that help?
 
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Hi Roger

U mentioned on collection,assertion, etc. What would you recommend for 1.4 exam ?
 
arch rival
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Dave, no version of the Sun Certified Java Programmers Exam has ever tested knowledge of the Swing classes. Hope you know that the largest freest set of study material for the JDK1.4 exam is waiting for you online here in the UK ....
Lot's of people don't pass, but few will let anyone know, I didn't pass first time myself. Ask questions online, make them small and concise and people love to reply, we're just a bunch of show offs.
 
Dave Johnson
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Nice to hear from you Marcus, thanks for all your work you have put into your tutorials & mock exams.
I'm doing the 1.2 programmers exam, I thought that the main difference between that and 1.4 was swing, nevermind my mistake.

Hope you know that the largest freest set of study material for the JDK1.4 exam is waiting for you online here in the UK ....


By that I assume your mean JavaRanch, if you were refering to something more specific please let us know.
Many, many thanks again, Dave.
 
La Vish
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Dave, normally Marcus Green is not shy but this time he seems to be so because he did not give you his site url!
The biggest collection of freely available information on this topic on the planet.... probably.
 
stable boy
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I agree with the above, it comes down to coding-testing-testing-discussing-coding-testing and more of that, the only thing you can do to ensure you know the required objectives is by practising.
You just need to love what you do!
Thomas De Vos
http://www.javacertificate.com
 
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Dave -
If it's at all possible TAKE THE 1.4 !!!
The 1.2 is on its way out.
-Bert
 
Dave Johnson
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I've bookmarked those URL's.
Many thanks to you all again, Dave.
 
Greenhorn
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Hi Dave
Like you 5 weeks ago I got 57% at computeach, After 5 weeks of re reading, and going through Bill Brogdens exam cram guide (only because it was in the cheap book shop!), www.javaprepare.com here at java ranch. Look at the areas that you were light see the score sheet given to you at computeach. They will probably ask you to submit an exam study plan. When they are happy they will authorise you to re take and then you clainm back the costs!!
I passed today not by much but still a pass, i hope that helps.
Paul
 
Roger Chung-Wee
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U mentioned on collection,assertion, etc. What would you recommend for 1.4 exam ?


Check this out for Collections: https://coderanch.com/t/241674/java-programmer-SCJP/certification/somebody-suggest-some-free-study
For Assertions, you only need this: http://java.sun.com/docs/books/jls/assert-spec.html
[ May 27, 2003: Message edited by: Roger Chung-Wee ]
 
Dave Johnson
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Many thanks, yet again. It is brilliant that so many people help like this.
Besides everything you have all really cheered me up, I guess I'll have to get some work done now.
Cheers my friends.
 
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