SCJP Courses and Exam

[Stephen Foy]

I am going to do the SCJP exam at my university. But it is recommended that i take SL-275 for preperation. This course costs alost �700 pounds. I cant really afford that. You think its really necessary to do this? Im sure theres plenty of books i could just use (any recommendations).

Cheers

[Cameron Wallace McKenzie]

Necessary? Absolutely not.

Will it help you? Maybe.

You have to figure out your own learning modality. I can't sit in a classroom unless the instructor is very entertaining. A classroon is a waste for me. Give me some software, a book and a manual, and a week off work, and I can learn more than I ever could in a classroom.

If you're an independent learner, picking up a copy of the certification guide, and then hacking out code and doing quizzes will probably be preparation enough.

-Cameron McKenzie

[Stephen Foy]

I feel the same when it comes to learning. I enjoy sitting with a good book, with pen and paper, and going through it.

[peter cooke]

I went from knowing NO java to passing the SCJP 1.2 in 1 year with out a class.

Of the sun classes. There is value, especially if you need a tax write off. But I have found more bang for the buck by reading books.

The best bang for the buck is reading the free speck of what ever technology. Note: You may spend several hundred in asprin.
[ January 12, 2007: Message edited by: peter cooke ]

[jan ter avest]

I did the SL-275, the cost/benefit is really low. Pick up the book by Kathy and Bert and start studying, do all the mocks you can get your hands on and you'll be fine.

[Marcus Green]

If you take a look at the description of the course content
http://www.sun.com/training/catalog/courses/SL-275.xml#skscontent

Note that 2 out of 10 of the listed objectives cover material that is not on the SCJP exam, i.e.

1) Create event-driven graphical user interface (GUI) using Java technology GUI components: panels, buttons, labels, text fields, and text areas
3) Create a simple Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) networked client that communicates through sockets

Also note that the description of the course mentions nothing about specifically teaching you about the exam. I am sure it is a good course, but I suspect that it would be fairly incidental to being able to pass the SCJP course.

You would be better off spending your money on resources such as Kathy and Berts book and something from

www.whizlabs.com
www.enthuware.com

and my very own

http://www.examulator.com/tamer/course.htm