You should make choose what version of java OCA you want.
Because you new - i recommend choose
Java 8 (most actual for now)
for it there are books to study already
OCA: Oracle Certified Associate Java SE 8 Programmer I Study Guide: Exam 1Z0-808 (also you can check some reported Errata when read it:
http://www.selikoff.net/java-oca-8-programmer-i-study-guide/ many study book has mistakes don`t worry)
more you can find here
OCA 7/8 study materials
read it from begin to end several time, try code from it. (Some people recommend use notepad without syntactics highlighting - this will help to you see minor mistake in code that lead to compilation error, and you will not forget to do import in right place)
next good thing is mock
test there are several of it, but i like
JA+ V8 for Oracle Certified Associate - Java SE8 Programmer I because it cheap and good to train
when you use it don`t hurry up:
when you pass one test:
1. Read whole test for explanation (because you can make mistake and answer right - you must understand every concepts of every question)
2. Make conspectus where you was wrong.
3. Reread chapter that for this topic (if need make conspectus)
4. Before trying nest text repeat refresher from book and this conspectus.
additional:
1. make flash
cards - paper electronic - make and learn it.
https://coderanch.com/t/648314/ocajp/certification/Flash-Cards-Anki-pc-android - this is one way to do this.
2. Read additional study guide and material
Oracle online tutorial: Programmer Level I Exam
3. Read
The Java ® Language Specification Java SE 8 Edition - this is very hard to read and understand but it very helpful - topic that not on exam just skip. I conspectus every that contain compilation error, example of code, or concepts that i don`t know. this source not mandatory, but still good.
if you study process go fast you can read how safe some money
20% off all oracle certification exams through end of 2015
if you not ready don`t safe 20% and lose 80%. not ready - give you more time for preparation.
coderanch: Associate Certification (OCAJP 7/8) - this forum to ask question related to OCA - recommend this forum to active usage
coderanch: Certification Results - here you can see result of people who already pass or not exam. just find 808 or java 8 oca or java 8 programmer 1 (if you prepare for java 8 oca)( 803 or java 7 programmer 1 or java oca 7 or same for java 7 oca (for example this is
my))
when you fill you are ready go to
http://pearsonvue.com/test-taker.asp
select oracle - and register for exam you need. (you will choose center near you, you can call to it and ask what you need take when come to exam)
if any question go to
https://coderanch.com : Associate Certification (OCAJP 7/8) and ask it.
for OCA 7: (i write only changes in study guide and mock test, rest of recommendation - actual)
I recommend use 2 books as study guide
OCA Java SE 7 Programmer I Certification Guide by Mala Gupta
and
OCA/OCP Java SE 7 Programmer I & II Study Guide (Exams 1Z0-803 & 1Z0-804) (Certification Press) by Kathy Sierra & Bert Bates
if you have enough money - both. (if not - second because it also cover 804 in part 2)
and this mock test
JA+ V7 for Oracle Certified Associate - Java SE7 Programmer I
and if you will use JLS:
The Java ® Language Specification Java SE 7 Edition
p.s. Topic lists:
topic list for OCA Java 8
topic list for OCA Java 7