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Need help to score better in mocks!

 
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This is a little story about my SCJP-journey.

I got 45% at the first diagnostics test in Wizlab. Got about 65% in the Wizlab exam 2. I was thrilled and thought this would be a walk in the park. Then I got 50% in the third exam. 53% in the fourth and 57% in the final exam. Did the master exam from K&B and got 60%, did the bonus and got only 50%.

I have read K&B and answered the questions. When I read each chapter and did the questions I got between 40-70%. Often around 50-60%. I have re-read the two-minute drill afterwards. I have written about 200 own questions on what I have done wrong on my mock-exams but when I take a new mock, nearly nothing of the new things I have learned earlier are repeating. Especially for things like IO, Date & Locale-question, regex etc. I have coded about 50 small program to practice some.

I have studied this above mentioned for about 12 weeks, maybe 20h per week.
The things I fail on in the mocks are often the tricky questions that almost fool you to look at one thing and then the code doesn�t compile for some silly reason. I also tend to fail API-questions. I feel that I know the basics pretty good but fail on pity things.

My experience of Java before attempting to go for SCJP are 2 courses at the university. Not much coding, just the basics. The last one was about design patterns so no focus on the language. I feel that my coding experience is probably what I�m lacking.

I need some help to get on. I would like to take the test in one or two weeks time and need some help to score 5-10% better at the mock-tests.

What can I do to strengthen my knowledge? Why doesn�t I perform better at the mocks when I feel that my knowledge is far greater than it was when I started to study?

Someone that maybe have been in a situation similar to this one? What are the chances to pass if you score about 60% in mocks?

Radfe
 
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Hi,

First of all great effort you are putting cheers for that.

Now here are some point switch helped me it may be of no use to you but worth trying:

1) Do remember whats written in the question are they asking about compile time or run time.
2) If they are asking about the output remember the answer can be compile time exception.
3) You can look the option after reading the question and try to read the question again keeping eacch option open to you e.g. if there is a option of compilation error look carefully in the code is some ; is missing compile time exception caught or not about keywords etc...

4) Above points will help and convert code snipplets into programs and try to run them with different permutations and combination and if you dont understand why the o/p like that post it here.

All the best buddy.

Will is their so way is very near to you .
 
Per Radfe
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Thanks Subodh,

I will keep your advices in mind! I think point number 4 is probably what I need to do the most.

Anyone passed the test when scoring around 60% in mocks?

Radfe
 
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Hey, I was in the exact same situation as you. In fact I think you are scoring a little higher than me. I personally believe you are ready to go. I am predicting you will get between 70%-85%. Read this post to help you out:

https://coderanch.com/t/142206/sr/certification/tamed-tiger-Barely

good luck.
 
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Originally posted by Per Radfe:
This is a little story about my SCJP-journey.

I got 45% at the first diagnostics test in Wizlab. Got about 65% in the Wizlab exam 2. I was thrilled and thought this would be a walk in the park. Then I got 50% in the third exam. 53% in the fourth and 57% in the final exam. Did the master exam from K&B and got 60%, did the bonus and got only 50%.

I have read K&B and answered the questions. When I read each chapter and did the questions I got between 40-70%. Often around 50-60%. I have re-read the two-minute drill afterwards. I have written about 200 own questions on what I have done wrong on my mock-exams but when I take a new mock, nearly nothing of the new things I have learned earlier are repeating. Especially for things like IO, Date & Locale-question, regex etc. I have coded about 50 small program to practice some.

I have studied this above mentioned for about 12 weeks, maybe 20h per week.
The things I fail on in the mocks are often the tricky questions that almost fool you to look at one thing and then the code doesn�t compile for some silly reason. I also tend to fail API-questions. I feel that I know the basics pretty good but fail on pity things.

My experience of Java before attempting to go for SCJP are 2 courses at the university. Not much coding, just the basics. The last one was about design patterns so no focus on the language. I feel that my coding experience is probably what I�m lacking.

I need some help to get on. I would like to take the test in one or two weeks time and need some help to score 5-10% better at the mock-tests.

What can I do to strengthen my knowledge? Why doesn�t I perform better at the mocks when I feel that my knowledge is far greater than it was when I started to study?

Someone that maybe have been in a situation similar to this one? What are the chances to pass if you score about 60% in mocks?

Radfe




chances or low-moderate i think. of course that nearly a completely unfounded statement. ;-)

if you got the bucks, and are sick of studying, just take the real test and see if you pass. good luck!
 
Per Radfe
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I did the exam today and passed with 75%

Thanks for feedback!
 
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Hi

What are these mock exams? are they online versions?

thanks
 
Don't get me started about those stupid light bulbs.
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