ExamLab Diagnostic test advice

[Achilleas Achix]

Hello,
i just finished my first full-length test, the diagnostic test from Devaka's ExamLab, which consists 72 questions and the user must complete this in 03:30 hours. I finished the test in about 3 hours and did 77%. I have been studying in parallel with my job and my famly duties for two full months now, and this has been really tough. So, i would like to ask your advice on what to do next. I have heard that scoring about 60% in ExamLab is an indication that one has pretty good chances of passing OCPJP. However i do not know how representative this diagnostic test is in reference to the real tests of the same exam suite (practice 1,2,3 and final from ExamLab). Taking into account, that this has gotten really tough, (i started being rude to my kids whenever they do noizes or open up the TV, etc...) what is your advice as to do next? Taking full-length exams is not easy, cause i cant do it neither in the morning (due to job) nor in the night (because of decreased performance)... I am tempted to just go and take the test.. but...
Thanks for any thoughts...

[Ikpefua Jacob-Obinyan]

Hello Achilleas,
you have NO cause to worry, with 77% on examLab, you will pass the real exams, I have been dialoging with you in this forum and I know how intelligent you are. Now talking to you based on MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE WITH THE REAL EXAMS. I know that you will pass without problems. Go through the K & B book 'Self-Test' questions ONCE MORE, same as the 'Exam-Watch' and 'Two-Minute-Drills', the information there are INCREDIBLY close to the real exams!.
If you can afford the Oracle mock exams (REMEMBER That Oracle are now the owners of java) They are also INCREDIBLY close to the real exams!. Funny enough examLab is MORE difficult, than these last I just mentioned. I AM SURE YOU WILL PASS, because like I said before I 'somewhat' know how intelligent you are based on our 'flow' in this forum.

So cheer up, go for it and get-the-job-done !.

PS: I Am A Father Of Two Children, I Know EXACTLY How Your Situation Is.

[Achilleas Achix]

I was just wondering how the diagnostic test of ExamLab are close to practice 1,2,3 and final.

Thanks man, i thought you are younger, all the best.

[Ikpefua Jacob-Obinyan]

Achilleas Achix wrote:
Thanks man, i thought you are younger, all the best.

Java is ALSO made for familly men like us NOT only young people.

[Tommy Delson]

I wouldn't take the SCJP if I feel I'm not really regardless what mock test scores do I got.

The IMPORTANT questions that I'd ask are:

Am I ready for the exam and master all topic that maybe on the exam?

Is there any area or weakness do I need to reinforce ?

In summary, ready or not depend not on the mock test scores, but depend on how much knowledge and strength do you have on the Java language. Some got a very good score on the mock test, but when they take the Final SCJP Exam they fail miserably. Here you just done a DIAGNOSTIC test, it's just a scratch on the surface of what actually will be cover on the Final Exam.

The difficulty of the first test or attempt is not difficult like the ExamLab, but second time or more the difficulty will go up as you notice K&B stated in this forum. Most passing in the first attempt stated that it's easier than the mock tests, that's true. That's true depend on they got questions tested on topics they're good and strong at, otherwise, it won't be easy if they encounter questions that not in areas they're strong at.

If you don't mind to retake the Exam if the first attempt not pass then feel free to take the Final Exam any time you want. The IMPORTANT question to ask is whether you're ready or not.

I think you'll do just FINE, just study and do a lot of practice mock test, and learn from there then you're good to go for the Final Exam.

Good luck....Have confident, Keep trying and Don't ever give up!

[Achilleas Achix]

thanks tommy... i'll tell you what the problem is with the whole process. You need (at least I) to have a certain amount of momentum in order to make it through. It is like you have to climb a hill with a car, and you cannot do that "slowly", you have to have developed a minimum speed before you even reach the hill. Same with SCJP, I think. There is a "window" in memory in which you must stick all these information, and if you spend more time re-studying, then some of the previous gained info will get thrown out of this memory window.

So the question, was merely what to expect from the rest of the exams. The diagnostic test from examlab already had 72 questions, it could cover as much as any test would (the current one from oracle has only 60). So my question was if the diagnostic from examlab is sooo much easier than the other ones in the same suite.

[Tommy Delson]

Achilleas Achix wrote: There is a "window" in memory in which you must gather all these information, if you spend more time re-studying, then some of the previous gained info will get thrown out of main memory.

So the question, was merely what to expect from the rest of the exams. The diagnostic test from examlab already had 72 questions, it could cover as much as any test would (the current one from oracle has only 60). So my question was if the diagnostic from examlab is sooo much easier than the other ones in the same suite.

You're welcome Achix...based on what you telling me is I think you're NOT ready for the exam. Have you asked yourself what if some of the "previous gained info will get thrown out of main memory" appeared on the Exam? If you not tried to reinforce these topics then can you take the Exam even thought you don't know for sure whether these topics appear on the exam or not? Well, the CHOICE is your...take it or not is your decision....like I've mentioned before, if you're feel you're READY then GO for it.


The ExamLab is just a simulation to test taker's knowledge in some degrees, simulate the test environment, and prepare for the actual Exam. It's not a STUDY GUIDE that expect appear on the Actual Final Exam.

On the Actual Exam, the degree of questions are some what different or similar, but don't expect it will appear similar like that. The Actual Exam questions are far most different and twisted beyond the book, and mock tests that we've have experience. If you understand the concept, know how it works, and aware of the trick then any surprise question come up on the Actual Exam you able to tackle it.

It's take time, patience, a lot of coding practices, and a lot of study to be ready for the Actual Final Exam. If anyone based on the mock tests alone to determine readiness for the Actual Final Exam then I think no one bother to come in this FORUM for discussion.


One important POINT that I'd like to point out is UNDERSTAND the concept and KNOW how it works not in one way, but in many ways (i.e TreeSet methods PollFirst, Ceiling, Floor, PollLast etc.).

[Achilleas Achix]

tommy i've been writing in java for 12 years, and have been studying the K&B material for over two full months, having passed through the book two full times. AND I REALLY CANNOT SEE ANY OTHER WAY OF ONE KNOWING IF HE IS READY OR NOT THAN TRY THE MOCK EXAMS. So if you know the answer to my very specific question (i don't feel like repeating it for a 3rd time), please feel free to share it.

PS

COME ON MAN!!! do not tell me that :

Integer I = 10;
Integer J =10;

then

I==J // is true

but when

Integer I = 1000;
Integer J =1000;

then

I!=J // is true

you will remember such details 2 months after you take the exam, let's not be kidding here. This is a java idiomatism, which is not guaranteed to be there in java 7 (most probably will be, for compatibility), yet someone is supposed to still KNOW it.

[Ikpefua Jacob-Obinyan]

Achilleas wrote:
I've been writing in java for 12 years

Hello Guys,
@Achilleas, I earlier suspected that you have a lot of experience in java and the above statement has just proven that, I am ONLY 20months in java. (I said 'only' compared to you).

I entered into the java world without any kind of programming experience, at the beginning the ONLY tools I had were the K&B book and this forum and later I started consulting JLS and API.
However I have written more than 2000 programs, at a time I sent my kidds to their grandma in Canada, and I had time to profound and study 10 hrs per day, now they are back and I am suffering the same as you, as soon as they return from school, television, noise, cartoons, playing, fighting, crying etc.
However one of the most beautiful gifts on earth is precisely the kidds.

Back to business... For the purpose of the exams based on my 'TWO-TIME' PERSONAL EXPERIENCE, most of the questions will come as follows:

1.Object Orientation(Chapter 3 K&B) AND Generics & Collections(Chapter 7 K&B) are the blockbusters!, they will have a MINIMUM of 25 questions COMBINED.

2.API Contents which is same as(Chapter 6 K&B) will have lots of questions btw 8 to 12.

3.Flow Control (Chapter 5 K&B) has lots of questions too lets say 8 to 12.

4.Declaration-Initialisation-Scoping, Threads, Fundamentals will have their little share of the cake.

You may have ONE or TWO questions that will DIRECTLY test your knowledge on syntax to instantiate an inner class AND a static nested class respectively.

Fundamentals will UNFAILINGLY test your knowledge on how to locate classes declared in package using javac and/or java commands, likewise locate those stored in .jar files.

IMHO all those logics of 'Runtime-Polymorphism-examLab-Sintaxis' about inner classes I did NOT encounter any of them in both exams. However I want to mention that examLab is a fantastic 'brain-stimulator' towards your preparations.

I will tell you ONE MORE TIME if you need mock exam/tests whose 'characteristics-tactics-difficulty' are CLOSEST to the real exams then stay with the k&B books 'Self-Test', 'CD-Mock-Exam' And Take-Special-Note of their 'Exam-Watch' warnings!.

I REPEAT, if you can afford (I have just bought it and it cost me 60Euros/ 80USD Approx) for the Oracle mock exams it is worth the investment, the questions are INCREDIBLY close to the real exams.

Now how come I FAILED both attempts??? Good question.
Answer:
Precipitation, I went the first time when I was six months in java, I suspected I was going to fail, but I wanted to gain the experience and reduce my confusion/worries.

I failed the second attempt this January, by just ONE POINT...Now that really sucks but I was very 'silly' the ONLY tests I took were the 'Self-Test' in the K&B book and NOTHING more. After that, I knew the third ATTEMPT which comes up in two weeks from today, I will surely pass with good scores! because I found out my GRAVE mistake of NOT doing the CD mock exams and that of Oracle. The 'Strategy-Characteristics' related to what your knowledge is being tested on are just carbon copies!.

My dear friend go back to those self-test-cd-mock-exams-exam-watch-notes EVEN IF YOU HAVE DONE THAT TEN TIMES BEFORE... This time arround CONCENTRATE on what your-knowledge-is-being-tested-on from each question.
This is the FOURTH time I have SERIOUSLY advised someone in this forum, and the last three have done their exams, passed successfully and have written me special-thank-you letters, I know you are the next.

ONCE AGAIN, I know you are next, because I have debated some core java concepts with you that left me AMAZED at your intelligence and knowledge levels.
Just go and get-the-job-done!.

Regards

Ikpefua.

[Ikpefua Jacob-Obinyan]

Achilleas wrote:
There is a "window" in memory in which you must gather all these information, if you spend more time re-studying, then some of the previous gained info will get thrown out of main memory.

@Achilleas...this is another BIG problem I had that I think ALSO contributed to my failing the second attempt. I had to resolve it in a very SPECIAL way.
I wrote down EVERY piece of information -I am afraid I will forget- in sheets of papers and spread them all over the visitors room of my house(obviously kept the door locked because of the kidds) and I spend between 30mins and 1hour everyday looking at the papers like 'strip-tease' calenders on the wall.
My father always said: "when-there-is-a-will", "there-is-a-way".

[Achilleas Achix]

^^
totally agree, writing down what you learned, helps in solidifying the knowledge.

Anyway, i think i will go with "Enthuware" as this is supposed to be the "official" here...

+ the book CD exams....

THANKS FOR ALL YOUR INFO AND EXPERIENCE MAN!!!

OTOH, if you take all CD tests, ExamLab alone you need ... 24.. CONSECUTIVE hours of doing tests!!!
man, THERE IS NO SUCH TIME!!

[Tommy Delson]

Achilleas Achix wrote:tommy i've been writing in java for 12 years, and have been studying the K&B material for over two full months, having passed through the book two full times. AND I REALLY CANNOT SEE ANY OTHER WAY OF ONE KNOWING IF HE IS READY OR NOT THAN TRY THE MOCK EXAMS. So if you know the answer to my very specific question (i don't feel like repeating it for a 3rd time), please feel free to share it.

PS

COME ON MAN!!! do not tell me that :

Integer I = 10;
Integer J =10;

then

I==J // is true

but when

Integer I = 1000;
Integer J =1000;

then

I!=J // is true

I've programming with Java on and off for about 3-4 years and developed several web applications and GUI. Most of the materials covered in K&B book are NEW or Familiar to me such as Generic, Autoboxing, Collections etc. With respect to your background I've so much to learn from you, but talking about the SCJP I've to say what really important is how much and how strong we know about the Java language not how long we're in the field. For that reason, we need to FOCUS on the Exam and try to pass it rather than counting on something else.

Alright, this isn't a challenge question, but I can answer it and correct me if I'm wrong.

Integer I = 10; //Autoboxing
Integer J =10;

I==J //true, simply literal "10" of both I & J are in the maximum range of 127.
---------
Integer I = 1000; //Autoboxing
Integer J =1000;

I!=J // is true, simply literal "1000" of I & J are beyond the maximum range of 127.

Try this first without compilation: True or False and why ??

Integer iInt = null;
int myI = 8;
System.out.println(myI == iInt); //  ???

String myStr = new String("1000");
String yourStr = new String("1000");
System.out.println(myStr == yourStr ); //  ???
System.out.println(myStr.equals(yourStr)); //  ???

Integer myInt = new Integer(1000);
Integer yourInt = new Integer(1000);
System.out.println(myInt == yourInt ); //  ???
System.out.println(myInt.equals(yourInt)); //  ???


Integer kkk1 = 128;
int kkk2 = 128;
System.out.println(kkk1 == kkk2); // ???

Integer w1 = -128;
Integer w2 = -128;
System.out.println(w1 == w2); // ???

Integer m1 = -129;
Integer m2 = -129;
System.out.println(m1 == m2); //  ???
		
int mm1 = -129;
Integer mm2 = -129;
System.out.println(mm1 == mm2); //  ???

------------------------------------------------
Here are some more (Try to answer first, compile and see how they work later):

Integer[][] arr1 = { { 1, 2 }, { 3, 4 } };
Number[] arr2 = arr1[0]; 
int x = 1;

System.out.print(arr1[0][0] == 1); // What is the result and why?
System.out.print(arr2[0].toString()); // What is the result and why?
System.out.print(arr2[0] == x); // What is the result and why?
System.out.print(x instanceof Integer); // What is the result and why?
System.out.print(arr1[1][0] > (Integer) arr2[0]); // What is the result and why?

No Sweat, I'm sure you'll PASS the Exam, just FOCUS and have a complete PREPARATION you'll do just FINE on the Exam.

I've passed the EXAM so, what I'm doing here in this forum is try to help others and strengthen my Java skills. :-)

[dennis deems]

Achilleas, may I just say that 77% for your first full-length practice test seems a VERY good score to me. I did mine a couple weeks ago and it was only 50%.

[Achilleas Achix]

Dennis Deems wrote:Achilleas, may I just say that 77% for your first full-length practice test seems a VERY good score to me. I did mine a couple weeks ago and it was only 50%.

This was the diagnostic test, and i was in a good condition. I tried the first practice exam and finished it just half an hour ago, and got 61% but i was in a bad condition, full stomach, sleepy, tired, etc... (i must say here that condition maybe more important than actual study). Tomorrow morning i'll do some homework on this exam, and tomorrow afternoon i;ll do the 2nd practice exam (in a better condition).

Denis, did you pass the actual SCJP or just preparing still ?

[Suhas Mandrawadkar]

I passed The original exam with high percentage just by going through KB Book Exercises, CD examples, Cert Pal Mock tests (1,2,3) and the Java Ranch Rules Round-up Game :P
I believe ExamLab is much tougher than the original from what I have read on this forum.

[dennis deems]

Achilleas Achix wrote:
Denis, did you pass the actual SCJP or just preparing still ?

Still preparing. I plan to take the exam late June/early July.

[Achilleas Achix]

Just did practice exam #3 from ExamLab with 62%. It was *HARD*, i was in perfect condition, but the test was so hard that i was reviewing answers even 2 minutes before the expiration time. It was the toughest test i took so far. If i manage to do an equal ~ 60% on ExamLab Final Exam i'll be more than happy. That said, some questions were REALLY tricky.

I am taking the actual OCPJP test on Monday. Would you advice spending today and tomorrow studying and then taking examlab final on Sunday? Or Just go for the examlab final tomorrow and trying some Enthuware on Sunday?

Thank you

[Achilleas Achix]

Just finished examlab final with 70%.
Tomorrow is the big day. Wish me luck!

[mahlatse makalancheche]

Just took a week to prep for the exam, and if you dont believe it yet, that K&B study guide is really good, was able to go through most of the book in a week of nothing but that book (was supposed to be on 3 days anual leave and public holidays i was owed from work).

Was not able to practice past chp 3, was not able to finish any practice exam before the exam.
Just wrote today, and i got 58%, pass mark 61%, with the amount of prep i had done, that tells me the study guide is very good (plus experience of course).

Will be continuing to finish of practicing for the rest of the study guide, redo it, do a couple of practice exams and attack that exam in about 2-3 weeks (only issue is that i'm back at work so ya....)

Had one question in the exam which i'm sure would not compile, and "Compilation fails" was not an option, the number of braces didn't seem to match at a quick glance, and i counted them, they didn't match, had to work with the assumption that nothing was wrong.