Hi All,
Till Yesterday I was reading others story how people pass it and today I am writing my own.
I passed OCPJP today with 85% (I got lesser then what I was expecting. I was not 100% confident still I go for it due to time constraints I have).
How I prepared?
I read
SCJP Sun Certified Programmer for
Java 6 Study Guide (Kathy sierra) thoroughly. At-least 2 times. Took all self
test given after each chapter. (Average score there was 50% to 60). I find this book very interesting and I enjoyed reading it.
Mocks:
With each mock I started running sample codes on weak areas. I wrote more than 100 small practice program. ( This is very important. You learn when you code. I use notepad++ and DOS base java compilation nothing else no IED)
I took my first mock test on scjptest.com. (without any revision one day just go there take test and pass it with 70% it was easy).
Then I started mock from Kathy Sierra practice test book.
First Full Test : 22/60. At the time I felt like I was far far away of getting this certification. Prepared notes of mistakes as well as weak area and read again.
2nd Full Test : 28/60. Once again fail with little improvement. (Every time test come out with new twisted question or some concepts that you will miss)
Then I try
examlab diagnostic test 55%. Read Devaka's comment on exam score there. It bring some hope in me that yes I can do it because this mocks are difficult than actual exam.
1st Sample Test on exam lab score 56%.
3rd Full Test of K & B : 32/60. This time I was close to passing. With each exam my notes of concepts was growing.
4th Test of K & B : 30/50. I managed to attempt 50 only due to complexity of some question they took lot of time.
Exam day : I just read notes prepared while solving these mock exam. I went through 2 minutes drill section once of each chapter.
How was the actual exam.?
If I compare it with K & B Practice test or examlab actual exam was easy.Highlights of it.
1) No drag and drop
2) No serialization
3) question length. You will not find too big questions or lengthy code like K&B practice test.
4) Few tricky one in between.(That will not let you reach easily to 90+)
5) Time : I was able to complete whole test in 2 hours. I spent last 30 minutes reviewing my answers.
I would like to Thank K & B for writing masterpiece for exam preparation and K & B practice test are prepared to make you bulletproof (Question in this book are like bullets they will hit you but you will learn from it) I would also like to Thanks Devka for free exam simulator examlab.
That's All..!! Thank you..!!
