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Some questions about Java SE 7 OCA and OCP

 
Greenhorn
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I'm new to Java certifications, but I have some years of Java EE experience. (+ I have experience with Prometric as an MCPD EAD). I'm looking at the wiki and the web and the certification hierarchy is not clear to me. Maybe it's partially because of the SUN->Oracle transition, but the whole thing seems to be confusing to me, so I'd be happy if someone would enlighten me.
1. Is the OCP superior to OCA (so the OCP upgrade is an upgrade to an existing OCA)?
2. What's the difference between the programmer and the developer certifications?
3. Is it enough to learn on my own with a training lab (like I did with the MS Self Paced Training Kits + of course I have my work experience)? Or do I have to participate and take a course to be able to eligible to take a test?
4. How much does an exam cost (the exam alone and additional costs if I have to participate in a training for example)?
5. If anyone have MCPD certifications too: how would you compare a Java programmer/developer certification exam to a MS exam?

I want to see a clear certification path for example to a higher level (like J2EE architect).
Thanks,
Csaba
 
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Csaba Toth,

Please find my answers:

Is the OCP superior to OCA (so the OCP upgrade is an upgrade to an existing OCA)?

No.

OCA Java SE 7 is basic level certification and it is required for taking OCP Java SE 7.

Read this article about OCA Java SE 7 Certification => http://www.epractizelabs.com/blog2/?p=413

Read this article about OCP Java SE 7 Certification => http://www.epractizelabs.com/blog2/?p=413
Note that Oracle yet to launch OCP Java SE 7 Certification and it is planned sometimes in December.

Upgrade exam is only for OCP and it requires OCP Java Programmer certification (or Sun Java programmer certification) for any version.

Read this article about OCP Java SE 7 Upgrade Exam => http://www.epractizelabs.com/blog2/?p=397

What's the difference between the programmer and the developer certifications?

Programmer certification is multiple choice exam type. The exams discussed above are programmer certifications.

Developer exam is assignment type. You need to complete a Project (Step 1 of 2) and Essay Exam (Step 2 of 2) to achieve this certification.

Read more about Developer Certification => http://www.epractizelabs.com/blog2/?p=128

3. Is it enough to learn on my own with a training lab (like I did with the MS Self Paced Training Kits + of course I have my work experience)? Or do I have to participate and take a course to be able to eligible to take a test?

Training Lab is enough to prepare for your certification.


Training Lab provides enough information about certification/exam objectives
Set goals against each exam topics for your preparation
Set schedule for your preparation and measure your progress
Start your preparation from Pre Measurement Exam
Basic Sessions (e-book format) and Quiz for each Certification objectives
Advanced Sessions (e-book format) and Quiz for each Certification objectives
Take quiz exam to improve your grasping and time to answer a question
Practice mock exam questions by defined or customization based on Expert Levels
Post Measurement exam to judge your confidence for actual exam
Complete your preparation with Focus Lab
Review your progress over time and accurately assess your preparation
Tracks your goals, schedules and get recommendations


4. How much does an exam cost (the exam alone and additional costs if I have to participate in a training for example)?
Please refer Oracle's site.

5. If anyone have MCPD certifications too: how would you compare a Java programmer/developer certification exam to a MS exam?
I don't have knowledge in MCPD certification.

Please find the benefits of Java certification.

What are the benefits I can achieve after completing this exam?

• Clear evidence that you can enter into an application development or a software project career using Java technologies.
• The certification empowers in application development using Java programming language, and general knowledge of Java Platforms and Technologies.
• Being a OCAJP 7 certified developer helps you to improve your career potential, gain more respect, and boost up your job security and opportunities.
• With OCAJP 7 certified professional, you become more competitive in the job market.

What are the benefits my employer can achieve after completing this exam?

• Enables management to distinguish OCAJP 7 certified programmer as Java professionals who can develop Java applications effectively.
• Helps in deciding the best design and development APIs or Java Components based on latest Java SE APIs.
• More confidence to work on Java Code technical decisions with business partners.
• Enables project team to get best practices and guidance from a qualified Java Associate.


Good luck !!!
 
Csaba Toth
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Thanks Ganesan Ponnusamy for your detailed answer!
I looked at your links and it made everything clear. The Java certification path is really interesting, especially the master title with the assignment and the essay.

Your links are great, it may be also good to take a look at Oracle's website: Oracle Certifications
So the path which I see now:
1. Java SE7 OCA (Oracle also calls it as Java SE 7 Programmer I)
2. Java SE7 OCP (Oracle also calls it as Java SE 7 Programmer II)
3. Later with the assignment and the essay OCM (Certified Master) title is achievable

I could find some prices on Oracle website:
The Java SE7 OCA and OCP are beta exams as of now (I guess because Java 7 is new), so they cost $50 each.
The Java SE6 OCA and OCP are $300 each (!!!). Wow.
I hope I could help to others with these info.

I couldn't find Oracle at Prometric, so some other test center is in charge for proctored exams I think. In some forums I've found some company "pearsonvue" but I'll have to take another look at this.

Csaba
 
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Has the OCA SE 7 removed the need to study:
Section 5: Java Platforms and Integration Technologies
Section 6: Client Technologies
Section 7: Server Technologies
(or loosly-speaking, knowledge of : J2ME, J2EE, JDBC, RMI, JNDI, messaging, and JMS technologies, Applets, Swing, EJB, servlets, JSP, JMS, JNDI, SMTP, JAX-RPC, Web Services (including SOAP, UDDI, WSDL, and XML), and JavaMail, thin-client/thick-client etc. are no longer needed to get certified)
?
I am comparing
OCA SE 5/6 Certification page
and
OCA SE 7 Certification page

Therefore is it correct to say that you don't need to study them if your goal is to get a OCA certification, and that you can irradicate them from your study by choosing SE 7 exam over the SE 5/6 exam? (I'm not saying it's a good thing, just that it is correct.)

b]Alternative title to this post[/b] "Is OCA Java SE 7 very different to OCA Java SE 5/6?" (for search purposes)
See "Sources Referred to-date" below.

Sources Referred to-date:
1) posts above from both Csaba Toth and Ganesan Ponnusamy
2) links above from Ganesan
3) OCA SE 5/6 Certification page
4) OCA SE 7 Certification page
 
Enthuware Software Support
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The SE 7 version is in beta and the exam objectives still seem to be in a flux (they just changed a few things). So they might again add or remove topics before the final release of the exam. So while a topic may not be there today, it might come back on tomorrow
If you are new to Java programming, it might be best for you to wait rather that trying to shoot a moving target.

HTH,
Paul.
 
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Thanks Ranchers for clear explanation of Oracle Certification path.
 
tristan daly
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Am I right in saying that File I/O is not part of the OCA exam (neither of the OCA SE 5/6, or OCA SE 7 sites list this in their objectives)? Sorry, just a sanity check.
 
Don't get me started about those stupid light bulbs.
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