Hi Friends,
I have cleared OCPJP/SCJP today with 86%. It was disheartening to score below 90%.
Not a very bad score though but certainly disheartening.
Here is my story. (I was unable to put my story on
SCJP wall-of-fame so putting it here.)
Preparetion:
1. Read K&B book twice and took LDR (Last Day Revision) notes of important points/tips.
2. Did a lot of coding as part of my job (mainly in Eclipse) and little more for SCJP (in notepad).
3. I have bought Enthuware 6 and appeared for nine standard tests. Exam Labs diagnostic
test and few other mock tests.
4. Evaluated the mistakes made in the exams and took notes out of it.
5. Completed Orange belt on BlackBeltFactory.
6. Did just enough revision (not rigorous kind of revision.)
Mock Exam Scores:
Enthuware 6 standard tests:
Test 1: 80%
Test 2: 83%
Test 3. 92%
Test 4: 77%
Test 5: 90%
Test 6: 78%
Test 7: 75%
Test 8: 83%
Test 9: 80%
Exam Labs (Couple of months back)
Diagnostic test: 62%
Little about Porometric center:
My experience about the Prometic center is not so good. The white board and pen wasn't so good. (Friends, don't shy off from asking for better pen if it is not working). The attendant of the Prometric center looked irritated and frustrated with his life. He was not gentle. I didn't argue with him just to avoid spoiling my exam mood.
You would not be allowed to carry
water bottle inside.
Real Exam:
I found real exam easy (I know my score is just 86%) but I found the exam really easy. Much easier than the mock exams. And way too easier than Exam Labs. Exam questions were really designed with lot of care. No ambiguities. Code was not indented though but it was short.
Exam questions are well designed to test your concepts only. I didn't find any question that was bluffing me.
I got nine drag and drop questions.
Java Ranch and Ranchers
Well, many thanks to all the Ranchers out here. This site really rocks and discussions/suggestions helps a LOT.
Kathy and Bert
What to say? I am a big fan of yours and love your book. I love the way you explain the concepts. Even after tiring twelve hours in office I used to find reading your book not just easy but very refreshing. Hats off to both of you. I love the way you explain "Why?" (I mean, the need of concept) before getting in to "what?" (the concept is all about). I admire the hard-work you guys have put-in, to make this book such a great help for us. Bravo.
I am looking forward for your book on Java Developer Certification. (Any plans for such a book?)
Enthuware
This is a great software and they have really put in a lot of effort for it. The explanation is very helpful and really worth your money. The exams are just a bit harder than the actual exam and that's the BESTEST part. Exams questions are really very near (concept wise and difficulty-level wise) to the actual exam.
My Mom:
Last but not the least, my mom had always been real inspiration and motivation for all my good deeds in life. Apart from being such an inspiration she gave me all the support she could.
I am going to post my notes soon. Any questions/queries are more than welcome.
Cheers,
-Hrishikesh
Its a nice score. And thanks a lot for sharing a detailed approach. 
