ok so when are you planning to take test and may i know how you are starting up preparing because iam still in search of good resource(books)and how to start with.
Going for 1.4 or 1.5 is your choice. You have gone for basic programming in which version 1.4 or 1.5? that too can help you to decide or you can start afresh once again. You can get the SCJP practice books co-authored by Kathy Sierra and Bert Bates or you can have Khalid Mudghal. Or if you are having just little elementry knowledge then go for the text book first (i would recommend HEAD FIRST JAVA 1.5) and then go for SCJP practice books as mentioned previously.
Exam objectives: Several important new language features have been added, including enums, generics, static imports, and autoboxing/unboxing. API features added to the exam include java.lang.StringBuilder, java.util.Locale, java.util.Formater, java.util.Scanner. java.util.regex.Pattern, and java.util.regex.Matcher. Java IO features have been added, including File, BufferedReader, BufferedWriter, FileReader, FileWriter and PrintWriter. Concepts such as loose coupling and high cohesion have been added, as well as greater emphasis on encapsulation as it relates to JavaBean conventions. Bit manipulation (e.g., shifting) has been dropped. *Number of questions: 72 (increased from 61) *Time: 175 minutes (increased from 120 minutes) *Passing score: 59% (increased from 52%) *Level of difficulty: The concensus is that it is more difficult. *Format of questions: As before, you will always be told how many options to choose. No credit is given for partial answers.
But its advisable now to go for SCJP 1.5 and for preparation SCJP 5 by kathy sierra is good.Its totally according to the syllabus og 1.5
I am planning to give SCJP after 2 months,i thing that much time is enough. But there are 2 books of K&B 1-head first java 2-certification book,i thing 2nd one is good if you know some basics about java programing.