not quite sure where to do next

[mark juszczec]

Hello all

I've been trying to prepare for the SCJP for the last few months and am unsure how to proceed.

I bought the Sierra & Bates SCJP 6 Prep book and read it.

I've taken 2 sample tests from the CertPal Testing Engine and gotten a 60% and 40%.

I believe the 60% was due to familiarity with the questions from repeatedly taking the quizzes that went along with that practice test.

After identifying the places I was weak based on the 60% test, I assembled a list of notes from http://www.javacertifications.net/ and reviewed those in preparation for the 2nd test - on which I got 40%.

I'm beginning to think I might benefit from some directed study. I have found a guided self study kit at http://www.whizlabs.com/

Does anyone have any familiarity with this product? Is it worth the money? Is my suspicion that guided study may be necessary a reasonable one.

It seems as though I've been studying for months (on top of having written Java professionally since 2000) and I'm not seeing the results I want to see.

I can't keep wasting my time with inefficient preparation. I need to get ready, take the test and pass it. I'd like to do this by the end of the year at the latest and my goal is at least a score of 80%.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I feel like

Mark

[Prithvi Sehgal]

Dear Mark,

Don't get discouraged. It happens. I would advice go for Enthuware rather then Whizlab. It's a great learning Software and
now more then theory, prepare more mocks. You will definitely complete your certification by end of year.

BR,

[mark juszczec]

Prithvi

Have you used either Enthware or Whizlab prep software?

Thanks for the encouragement. I know at some point I'm going to take the exam, pass the exam and then



but either I overestimated my abilities or underestimated the difficulty of the test or both.

Mark

[dennis deems]

Mark, have you taken the LearnKey exams that come with the Sierra/Bates book? Of all the preparation materials I've seen those questions really are closest to what you'll encounter on the actual exam.

Have you been writing code to support your reading? In studying for the exam I wrote about 300 small programs. Focus your study time on a specific concept, and write code that tests what you know, and think you know, about it.

[mark juszczec]

Dennis Deems wrote:Mark, have you taken the LearnKey exams that come with the Sierra/Bates book? Of all the preparation materials I've seen those questions really are closest to what you'll encounter on the actual exam.

Are these the quizzes at the end of each chapter or the full blown exams on the CD?

No, for some reason I haven't been.

Have you been writing code to support your reading?

Yes, but probably not enough.

Focus your study time on a specific concept, and write code that tests what you know, and think you know, about it.

My problem seems to be identifying the specific concepts. That's why I'm considering some kind of guided self study. I keep hoping I can find a software package that analyzes the questions missed and says "Oh, since you got this wrong, you need to learn this about Comparable"

I've been studying ALL of Java and need to quickly zero in on what I don't know so I can take the exam before they switch to Java 1.7

Mark

[Tommy Delson]

I've tried Whizlab's Live Demo Online Training session and I found they're really good and you'll learn from the best of the best. These guys definitely will help you focus on study and get the cert, if you paid for the training package they'll paid you for the retake if you fail.

What really good about them is they guaranteed to help you pass the exam and allow you to retake the exam for no charge.


If you don't mind spend your money then go for it otherwise save your $$$.

I think JavaRanch is good more than enough for anyone would like to pass the exam. Just post any question that you have, there will be many ranchers here to help you included me. :-)

I've given some advices how to pass the exam on my last post, you can check here find out for more info.
[url]
http://www.coderanch.com/t/538438/sr/certification/passed-SCJP-tips[/url]


Topics that you really need to focus on are OOP, Generics & Collections, Threads, Declarations & Access Control, Flow Control etc. More importantly, coding, coding, coding, coding, coding, and coding not in one way, but in many different ways like I always advised.

This technique not only help you reinforce your weakness, but also help enhance your skills.

Good luck and hope it help..