Finally sat SCWCD exam on Tues 30th November 2010 and passed 78%. Wanted a higher mark, but its a pass so I shouldn't complain.
How I prepared:
Attended the Web Component Development with Servlets & JSPs, Java EE 6 course November 2009. This was ok, but didn't cover a lot of the objectives on the exam. I realised that they suggest you attend Developing Applications for the Java 6 EE Platform (FJ-310-EE6) first. :-(. My company would only pay for one course.
Exam was booked for 16th Dec 2009. :-|
Used Java Ranch mock exam to get use to the type of questions. Realised that I really needed to study the bits that weren't covered on the course (mainly Security, Filters and Custom Tags).
Read a few chapters of the Java EE 5 Tutorial guide avaibale on Sun website (now Oracle), and Head First Serlets and JSPs book. Used Sun ePractice exam. Got around 83% on mock tests, but didn't feel confident enough to go for exam so postponed till a later date.
...Took a very long break away from studying....and kept rescheduling the exam date. Lol. (Well the voucher was valid for 1 year).
Finally Restarted studying for exam in 25th October 2010 and rescheduled exam for end November (Voucher runs out soon. Lol):
Started using Java Ranch Mock exam to see what I could still remember. Made a list of the categories I needed work on.
Read certain chapters of Head First book again and also some chapters of the Java EE 5 Tutorial guide avaibale on Sun website (now Oracle).
Used javaprepare.com, javacertificate.net
Read more Head first chapters and Final Mock exam at the back of book
Found Marcus Green's examulator.com and did every objective test.
Read a Study Guide document from Java ranch
Signed up for Whizlabs trial test (15 questions)Did a final summary test on examulator.com.
Went for exam on Tues 30th November 2010. It was very hard to concentrate for 2.5 hours. Found the exam hard. But I passed :-).
Thanks JavaRanch for all the resources.
My advice to people going for this exam: Read the Head First book from cover to cover twice, do mock tests, then go back and read certain chapters you need more time with. I should have done this to get a higher mark.
Future Plans
Next I plan to study for
Java Enterprise Edition 5 Web Services Developer Certified Professional Exam, as we use web services at my company. Hopefully it won't take me so long this time.
May be
Oracle Certified Professional, Java ME 1 Mobile Application Developer too as these area seems interesting, but we don't use any of this at my company so will be for personal skills development.
Then hopefully study for
Oracle Certified Master, Java EE 5 Enterprise Architect in a few years.
Good luck everyone :-)