Should I take SCJP6 or OCA7 before OCP7?

[Min Naing Oo]

I know this question is asked a lot when I searched google but they are from 2011,2012.. But it's in the middle of 2015 and SCJP 6 certificate seems to be little bit outdated?
I was thinking to sit SCJP 6 (1Z0-851) because I have already collected study materials and started reading "SCJP Sun Certified Programmer for Java 6 Study Guide" by Bert Bates and Kathy Sierra a while ago. I have 2 years Java experience but Java 7 is new to me. I want to pass as soon as possible (end of September target). So, as Java 6 is not new to me, I think taking SCJP 6 is the fastest way. But I also worry about being too late for SCJP 6...

Please guys I would like to know your opinion on which one I should take. SCJP 6 or OCA 7? Are they much different? Which exam have more objectives?

[Paul Anilprem]

Min Naing Oo wrote:I know this question is asked a lot when I searched google but they are from 2011,2012.. But it's in the middle of 2015 and SCJP 6 certificate seems to be little bit outdated?
I was thinking to sit SCJP 6 (1Z0-851) because I have already collected study materials and started reading "SCJP Sun Certified Programmer for Java 6 Study Guide" by Bert Bates and Kathy Sierra a while ago. I have 2 years Java experience but Java 7 is new to me. I want to pass as soon as possible (end of September target). So, as Java 6 is not new to me, I think taking SCJP 6 is the fastest way. But I also worry about being too late for SCJP 6...

Please guys I would like to know your opinion on which one I should take. SCJP 6 or OCA 7? Are they much different? Which exam have more objectives?

Java has changed a lot since Java 6. IMHO, there is absolutely no point in taking SCJP 6 any more (unless your current job requires you to have some certification asap.) If you see yourself facing interviews in near future, it is even more important to go for Java 8 (not even 7). I would be surprised if you are not asked any java 7/8 related concepts in the interview. Preparing for the new version of the certification will help you with that.
In fact, if I come to know in the interview that a potential candidate has achieved Java 6 certification recently when Java 8 was available, I would not be too pleased.

[Min Naing Oo]

Paul Anilprem wrote:

Min Naing Oo wrote:I know this question is asked a lot when I searched google but they are from 2011,2012.. But it's in the middle of 2015 and SCJP 6 certificate seems to be little bit outdated?
I was thinking to sit SCJP 6 (1Z0-851) because I have already collected study materials and started reading "SCJP Sun Certified Programmer for Java 6 Study Guide" by Bert Bates and Kathy Sierra a while ago. I have 2 years Java experience but Java 7 is new to me. I want to pass as soon as possible (end of September target). So, as Java 6 is not new to me, I think taking SCJP 6 is the fastest way. But I also worry about being too late for SCJP 6...

Please guys I would like to know your opinion on which one I should take. SCJP 6 or OCA 7? Are they much different? Which exam have more objectives?

Java has changed a lot since Java 6. IMHO, there is absolutely no point in taking SCJP 6 any more (unless your current job requires you to have some certification asap.) If you see yourself facing interviews in near future, it is even more important to go for Java 8 (not even 7). I would be surprised if you are not asked any java 7/8 related concepts in the interview. Preparing for the new version of the certification will help you with that.
In fact, if I come to know in the interview that a potential candidate has achieved Java 6 certification recently when Java 8 was available, I would not be too pleased.

Thank you! Can you please explain some of my doubts?
Is SCJP6 (1Z0-851) same difficulty level and similar exam topic with OCA7 (1Z0-803)?
Or SCJP6 (1Z0-851) == OCA7 (1Z0-803) + OCP7 (1Z0-804) on difficulty and exam topic?

And if I take 1Z0-803 instead of 1Z0-851, do I have to read new ocjp 7 book (by Kathy Sierra and Bert Bates) all over again? Thanks again!

[K. Tsang]

If you are to compare
OCPJP6 with OCAJP7 then v6 exam is harder and cover more material
OCPJP6 with OCA+OCPJP7 then v7 exams together tend to be harder and OCPJP7 covers some new topics v6 exam doesn't have
OCPJP6 with OCPJP7 then v7 exam tends to be harder

The difficulty level may differ among people depending on your background, experience, comfort etc

If you do go for OCAJP7 and you are using v6 study guide, then don't worry because OCA7 is basically a subset of OCPJP6 exam plus some Java 7 new features.

You can check out the similarities and differences here

As for what version to take, I recommend you go for v7 rather v6.

[Min Naing Oo]

K. Tsang wrote:If you are to compare
OCPJP6 with OCAJP7 then v6 exam is harder and cover more material
OCPJP6 with OCA+OCPJP7 then v7 exams together tend to be harder and OCPJP7 covers some new topics v6 exam doesn't have
OCPJP6 with OCPJP7 then v7 exam tends to be harder

The difficulty level may differ among people depending on your background, experience, comfort etc

If you do go for OCAJP7 and you are using v6 study guide, then don't worry because OCA7 is basically a subset of OCPJP6 exam plus some Java 7 new features.

You can check out the similarities and differences here

As for what version to take, I recommend you go for v7 rather v6.

Thank you very much. One more question.... Is upgrade exam (v6 to v7 upgrade) easier than OCP7 exam?

[K. Tsang]

Min Naing Oo wrote:Is upgrade exam (v6 to v7 upgrade) easier than OCP7 exam?

I can't say it's easier. But definitely cover less topics than the full OCP exam.

[Min Naing Oo]

K. Tsang wrote:

Min Naing Oo wrote:Is upgrade exam (v6 to v7 upgrade) easier than OCP7 exam?

I can't say it's easier. But definitely cover less topics than the full OCP exam.

Thank you! I got a lot of good informations from you.