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Interested in Java Certification again - what is the new route? I have SCJP

 
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Hi all,
I received my SCJP from 2005/2006 and I have about 5-6 years experience in Java development. Recently I am thinking of getting some Java certifications under my belt and I am wondering what is the best route for it now? The oracle site was a bit overwhelming but I think I need an upgrade test first? And I am assuming I can't skip levels right? thanks!
 
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Since you already have SCJP, you can do any developer certs. Of course you can also do upgrade JP first

For JP upgrade, you can consider going for v7 or v8 (depending what version of JP you have). JP8 upgrade for SCJP6 or before cover more material than the JP8 upgrade for JP7.

What cert to do depends on your interest. Oracle practically covers all areas of java certs:
web = web component developer
EJB = EJB developer
JPA/persistence = JPA developer
web services = web services developer
mobile Java ME = mobile app developer
desktop gui (swing) = java developer (require mandatory training)
architect = enterprise architect (no prereq and require mandatory training)

 
alex jamison
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K. Tsang wrote:Since you already have SCJP, you can do any developer certs. Of course you can also do upgrade JP first

For JP upgrade, you can consider going for v7 or v8 (depending what version of JP you have). JP8 upgrade for SCJP6 or before cover more material than the JP8 upgrade for JP7.

What cert to do depends on your interest. Oracle practically covers all areas of java certs:
web = web component developer
EJB = EJB developer
JPA/persistence = JPA developer
web services = web services developer
mobile Java ME = mobile app developer
desktop gui (swing) = java developer (require mandatory training)
architect = enterprise architect (no prereq and require mandatory training)



Thanks for the informative reply! I am pretty sure my SCIP was V5 - so do I pretty much need to upgrade to V8/V7 before taking any other tests - or I can do some self study without spending money to get another cert?
As for SCJD, I guess the model really changed from Sun's because I recall the SCJD was another level up then the specific interest areas expand(but then again it is ~10 years ago..).
In terms of my experience I have exposure to Web, EJB, Persistence, Web services, Swing - which of these area is "easy" to knock off?

Also to add some more context to my current position - I am more of a consultant now than a "coder" - I don't really code for my job anymore BUT I am working with developers and java designs and such so being more knowledgeable in Java world is something I desire. In that vein, are there any certs that kind of matches what I am currently doing and will be doing in the future? The Architect *seems* to make sense, maybe web services? If you can maybe rank the top 3 certs I should get for personal/professional that would be much appreciated!

Thanks!
 
alex jamison
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for the architect, do you mean Oracle certified master J2EE 5/6 enterprise architect? It is up to 6 months and seems quite time consuming. It does seem very interesting though.
 
K. Tsang
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alex jamison wrote:for the architect, do you mean Oracle certified master J2EE 5/6 enterprise architect? It is up to 6 months and seems quite time consuming. It does seem very interesting though.



Yes the architect cert is the OCMJEA. Given your background, the architect seems the route.

The architect is a 3-step process, 4 steps if you include training.
1) MC exam
2) design project (UML)
3) essay

The project and essay together need to be done in 6 months, which isn't that long ... time flies especially you got full time job.

If you want to learn the tech, the architect is good. The only difference is you "may" not need to know all the low-level details like a coder. But able to implement what you design is good. (eg you know what you are talking about)
 
alex jamison
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K. Tsang wrote:

alex jamison wrote:for the architect, do you mean Oracle certified master J2EE 5/6 enterprise architect? It is up to 6 months and seems quite time consuming. It does seem very interesting though.



Yes the architect cert is the OCMJEA. Given your background, the architect seems the route.

The architect is a 3-step process, 4 steps if you include training.
1) MC exam
2) design project (UML)
3) essay

The project and essay together need to be done in 6 months, which isn't that long ... time flies especially you got full time job.

If you want to learn the tech, the architect is good. The only difference is you "may" not need to know all the low-level details like a coder. But able to implement what you design is good. (eg you know what you are talking about)



how difficult is it? I read some saying it is entire system needing experience with scripting, servers and others. it is a challenge for sure but kinda wanna know what I will be getting myself into...
 
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There's no coding on the Architect exam so you definitely don't need experience scripting.

How difficult you'll find it depends on your experience. Have you done an system design before?
 
alex jamison
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Jeanne Boyarsky wrote:There's no coding on the Architect exam so you definitely don't need experience scripting.

How difficult you'll find it depends on your experience. Have you done an system design before?



I did some but not a lot. I do have experience with UML design with class diagrams sequence diagrams etc. But if it is a whole system not too much.
BTW I also read the SCEA FAQ as well. I have never really taken live classes for my certs before (unless required) - how important is taking a live class for this one or it is mostly depending on the experience? Any other pointers in terms of resources to use etc? thanks. It seems the only decent book out there is the Bambara one?

In addition to that, how much detail should I know about other oracle technologies associated with this exam - JSF, Structs etc.? Is it more general knowledge I can learn from the study guide and it will be "good enough" or I need some in depth knowledge?
 
K. Tsang
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For the architect cert, you do need to know a vast area of knowledge from architecture to web/EJB tiers to security and patterns

There are a few study guides out there but I personally don't rely on them for the architect cert. Instead read a book in that particular topic will get you more depth than actually needed for the architect MC exam because no API is needed.

All in all the architect MC exam (anyway) is testing the following:
what this tech/API is
when to use such and such technology
pros and cons of tech
NOT how to use it, yet knowing this do help

To start you off you the references I used during my prep was:
Head First Servlets & JSP 2e
EJB3 in action
Head First Design Pattens
Design Patterns (GOF)
Core J2EE Patterns 2e
Web Services Up and Running
Java Security 2e
JMS 2e
JSF in action



As for the training, it's mandatory and Oracle won't give you the cert unless you do training.

Purpose of training is just to demonstrate you have hands-on training. The course does not need to relate to architecture per se. As long as those courses is in that list Oracle provides.
 
alex jamison
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K. Tsang wrote:For the architect cert, you do need to know a vast area of knowledge from architecture to web/EJB tiers to security and patterns

There are a few study guides out there but I personally don't rely on them for the architect cert. Instead read a book in that particular topic will get you more depth than actually needed for the architect MC exam because no API is needed.

All in all the architect MC exam (anyway) is testing the following:
what this tech/API is
when to use such and such technology
pros and cons of tech
NOT how to use it, yet knowing this do help

To start you off you the references I used during my prep was:
Head First Servlets & JSP 2e
EJB3 in action
Head First Design Pattens
Design Patterns (GOF)
Core J2EE Patterns 2e
Web Services Up and Running
Java Security 2e
JMS 2e
JSF in action



As for the training, it's mandatory and Oracle won't give you the cert unless you do training.

Purpose of training is just to demonstrate you have hands-on training. The course does not need to relate to architecture per se. As long as those courses is in that list Oracle provides.



Hmm from what you have listed I think I would need to read most of them with couple of topics I could skim over. In terms of the design piece, I would imagine it to be much more difficult since I would need to know the ins and outs of the different technologies or is Part 1 the exam harder? The essay seems to be tied to the solution for part 2...


I am still in the "exploratory" phase since I don't know if my company will sponsor it (seems to be ~1k all said and done) but it would definitely look good on my resume - just not sure if it will add any short term value to it to be on my priority list. Is there anything else I could do to see if I should take this? Would it just be basically reading all those books you mentioned and try some mock exams and see how I feel about it? Basically "prep" for the exam without registering?
Thanks!
 
K. Tsang
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Actually you don't need to read all those books. But it wouldn't hurt if you have the time.

First you should get familiarize with the objectives for v5 or v6 whichever one you planning to do.

Then decide which areas you need to learn and which areas need to refresh up/ skim through

I did the v5 exam because there tends to be more study material and references about it.

The meat of the architect cert is part 2/3. Having a strong grasp of the key tech from part 1 will indeed help you in part 2 when you need to decide what design approach to take blablabla
 
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