I need some advice regarding which test to take.

[Blake Edward]

Hello,

About 20 months ago I dedicated myself to learning Java as a goal at work. There was a lot of hope on my part that they would see my interest and give me some help. I have spent some money and lots of time on studying. I created a desktop app (simple) and an Android app (based on a tutorial) with some personalization to it. I have spent lots of time making small programs and I don't feel like I don't get it but some things are still cloudy. At work we use Adobe's CQ5 or recently renamed as AEM as our content management system and there is some opportunity here to get involved using Java EE. Problem is twofold: 1. My company doesn't seem to care about my interest nor can/will provide any mentorship. 2. I might have initially set the bar too high as a beginning developer when I said I would study and pass the the 1Z0-803 exam. I was under a lot pressure to study, ramp up and pass this exam and I failed it. I came to a point where there was some burn out and now I want to continue this process for myself as a matter of pride and because after all of this it's still what I want to do. I feel ready to get back into the ring and move towards a goal. I am a lead web developer (html, css, javascript), slightly older guy looking for a way to move my career ahead and this is how I want to do it.

QUESTION: Should I take a step back, quit shooting for 1Z0-803 exam and take this one instead (the 1Z0-850) first. I need a goal I can accomplish and a milestone in my development as an associate level java programmer. Any and all advice welcome and needed. Thanks!

Sincerely,

Blake

[Roel De Nijs]

Short and clear answer: No! This one is not intended for a programmer and has no added value. So don't spend your time nor your money. It's more for people on a higher level like managers, business analysts,... who want some notice about java.

[Blake Edward]

Thanks for the concise answer. Onwards I go towards the 1Z0-803. Wish me luck and I will check in periodically and hopefully down the road I will have some good news and a brighter future.

[Roel De Nijs]

If you have any questions or doubts, just post them in the OCAJP7 forum and you'll normally get a swift reply.

Good luck!

[Jack Moore Iii]

I was under the impression that regardless of skill level, everyone had to pass the associates exam before they could take the programmer exam. Is that outdated info?

[Roel De Nijs]

 

Jack Moore Iii wrote:I was under the impression that regardless of skill level, everyone had to pass the associates exam before they could take the programmer exam. Is that outdated info?

It depends

If you want to be a OCPJP6 certified developer, there are no prerequisites. So you don't have to take any other certifications. You can study K&B6 and go to the testing center to take the OCPJP6 exam.

If you want to be a OCPJP7 certified developer, you'll first have to take the entry-level OCAJP7 certification before taking the OCPJP7 exam.

The OCAJ 5/6 certification isn't meant for java developers. It's more appropriate for less technical profiles (like project managers, business analysts,...)

Good luck!

[Jack Moore Iii]

Which is the certification where you put it on your resume and you actually do the coding work? I'm looking to get an entry level job with something official as my certification, and I'm taking too long to do it.

[Roel De Nijs]

 

Jack Moore Iii wrote:Which is the certification where you put it on your resume and you actually do the coding work?

Then you have 2 choices: OCPJP6 or OCAJP7.

If you want it on a very short notice then OCAJP7 is your thing. It's entry-level and focuses on java basics (control flow, inheritance, polymorphism, overriding, overloading,...). OCPJP6 is harder: more to know, more advanced topics. So will require also more time to study. But on a resume it will look better than OCAJP7. So it's up to you.

[Jack Moore Iii]

So OCPJP7 is only after I take OCAJP7 and it looks better than OCPJP6? Or is 6 just superior?

[Roel De Nijs]

OCPJP6 is (much) harder than OCAJP7. OCPJP7 is (much) harder than OCPJP6.

If you want to become an OCPJP7 certified java programmer you have 2 options:

OCPJP6 + OCPJP7 upgrade exam

OCAJP7 + OCPJP7

So you'll always need 2 exams. The latter one is the more easy path, because the 1st exam is an entry-level certification, so it's not too hard (compared to the other ones of course).

If you are satisfied with a certification for the previous Java 6 versio, you just have to pass 1 exam (OCPJP6).

[Jack Moore Iii]

Ugh, maybe I'll just check with the programming department and see which one they'd prefer to see. It's looking like OCAJP7 is more my speed with the attention span I have. I'd be more prepared for the second test if I was actively programming every day instead of endlessly reading books about it. Thanks for the info.

[Roel De Nijs]

 

Jack Moore Iii wrote:I'd be more prepared for the second test if I was actively programming every day instead of endlessly reading books about it.

That sounds like a great, solid plan!

Good luck!