How long on average to work through all Enthuware OCA tests

[Steffe Wilson]

I have read the OCA section of K&B7 and Mala Gupta's OCA book and I've done all the tests in those books averaging 70%. I've also written lots of short example programs.
I feel ready to begin the Enthuware OCA tests - any thoughts how long this should take me for all tests including analyzing answers and working through any weak areas.
Is there an average timescale? A week? Two weeks? Longer? Or is it very variable? I can devote plenty of time currently as I am between contracts.

I am asking because I would like to book my OCA exam to take advantage of the 20% voucher code.

TIA

[nick woodward]

i would just take the first test, work through the answers, and then multiply the time taken by 6.

it's pretty hard for people to give you an idea, because it all depends on how much you do/don't understand, and how long you work for.

i would suggest that 1 a day, whilst working through the examples is possible - but it might not be ideal.

Regards,

Nick

[Roel De Nijs]

Steffe Wilson wrote:Is there an average timescale? A week? Two weeks? Longer? Or is it very variable? I can devote plenty of time currently as I am between contracts.

I agree with Nick on this one. It's very hard to tell, it depends on many factors. Probably the most important one: your current Java knowledge. If you have a good, solid understanding of all concepts you can take the first mock exam, work through the answers and repeat some of your weak(er) points again. And the next day you are ready for your next mock exam. But if your understanding is not good enough, you need to start studying again and repeating all concepts again for 1-2 weeks before taking another mock exam.

So in your situation, I would just take the Assessment (Starter) Test and the first mock exam. And based on your scores, you'll know what to do. Do not rush through your mock exams if your score is (too) low. If you are missing the understanding of some concepts, taking more exams will not increase your score drastically. If you have +80% (or even +70%) you can improve your score by taking more mock exams, because then it's more about test taking techniques (spotting compiler errors more easily, how to evaluate a code snippet more quickly, and so on).

Hope it helps!
Kind regards,
Roel

[Suhasini Na]

For me I booked the exam on the 22nd day. I used 3 days for a single mock exam and had plans to postpone the exam incase I cannot pass the exams. However it worked out fine and I passed the exam on the 22nd day.
I took the mock exam on the 1st day. Reviewed the answers and made my notes on the 2nd day and finally re-reviewed all the past tests the 3rd day. Repeat this all over again.. Worked out very effective for me.

Good luck with yours as well.

[Steffe Wilson]

Thanks for all the replies. Its unfortunate timing really because my local test centers are going to be closed for 3 to 4 weeks over xmas and new year. So if I start doing the enthuware mocks now and I'm not ready by 11 Dec (date of last available exam sitting) then I'll have a long gap before the exam in January and I won't be at peak fitness ;-) I was not expecting them to be closed that long, I thought they'd be open at least a week longer. I guess they might be fully booked rather than closed but seems less likely.

[nick woodward]

yup, i'm in the same position.

I've just decided that it's not worth worrying about the £35 saving. What if you're ill on that day, or can't make it? What if you aren't ready? You can't reschedule. And you'll be out of pocket £180.

I take your point about peak fitness - but if you know your stuff I think youll be fine with the gap. Or you could take the 1st mock and see how you fair

Regards,

Nick

[Steffe Wilson]

nick woodward wrote:I've just decided that it's not worth worrying about the £35 saving.

Agreed, the 20% discount is of little consequence compared to giving oneself the best chance of success.
It did occur to me that maybe everywhere is booked up because theres a race to beat the end of year deadline.

nick woodward wrote:What if you're ill on that day, or can't make it? What if you aren't ready? You can't reschedule. And you'll be out of pocket £180.

I believe you can cancel and get a refund so long as you give at least 24 hrs notice, that's what Pearson told me a couple days ago via their support chat client.

nick woodward wrote: Or you could take the 1st mock and see how you fair

EDIT> Which mock are you referring to, an enthuware test? Yeah I guess you mean take the first of the enthuware mocks, review answers, see how long that took, how good/bad it went and then decide. Sounds like my best option.

Cheers

[Roel De Nijs]

Steffe Wilson wrote:

nick woodward wrote:What if you're ill on that day, or can't make it? What if you aren't ready? You can't reschedule. And you'll be out of pocket £180.

I believe you can cancel and get a refund so long as you give at least 24 hrs notice, that's what Pearson told me a couple days ago via their support chat client.

From the Oracle Certification Program Policies (shown during the booking process of a certification exam)

Oracle Certification Program Policies wrote:Cancellation Policy
If you wish to cancel your exam, you must contact Pearson VUE one business day prior to your exam appointment. Canceling an exam less than 24 hours before scheduled exam is subject to a same-day forfeit exam fee. Exam fees are due for no-shows.

Steffe Wilson wrote:Yeah I guess you mean take the first of the enthuware mocks, review answers, see how long that took, how good/bad it went and then decide. Sounds like my best option.

Yeah, take the beginner/starter test, so you get some practice in test taking and with the user interface. Then take the first mock exam. You should of course take this mock exam in exam mode, so don't use any other resources than some paper and a pen and make sure to finish the mock exam within the time limit. Your score on this first mock exam will provide a good objective indicator of your current Java knowledge and your readiness for the actual exam. You won't be the first one who thought he/she was ready for the exam, but failed the first mock exam...

Best of luck!
Kind regards,
Roel

[nick woodward]

just to emphasise - the cancellation policy is worth being wary of if you've booked with the 20% discount - you'll be unlikely to find another slot this year, and you aren't allowed to reschedule to 2016 unless you've paid the full exam fee, not the reduced amount. I assume this means you lose the £150 fee, unless they're happy to refund what is effectively an invalid exam voucher.

regards,

Nick

[Steffe Wilson]

Thanks Roel.

Nick, I agree the 20% discount would be lost but my understanding is you can cancel with at least 24 hrs notice and have your money refunded; obviously you will be refunded what you actually paid, and this will not include the 20% discount. You can subsequently book a new exam say for January but this time you would pay the full fee as the 20% discount offer would have finished.

[Roel De Nijs]

I think there is indeed a big and important difference in cancellation policy and getting a refund depending on how you paid for the exam.
1/ If you have used the promotional code and paid directly to Pearson Vue (using a credit card), you'll get a refund for the amount you have paid (if you cancel one business day prior to your exam appointment).
2/ If you have used the promotional code and a voucher, you'll probably have to reschedule your exam before December 31, 2015; otherwise the voucher will become void and you won't get any refund at all. And that's clearly mentioned in Oracle's Voucher Policies

Voucher Policies wrote:OCP Exam Vouchers (i) can be used by one person, one time, for one exam discount/fee only in the country of OCP Exam Voucher purchase (ii) are not valid after the expiration date, (iii) become void if altered or revised in any way, (iv) may not be canceled or redeemed for cash, credit or refund, and (v) may be used by the Purchaser only, except as permitted by a valid Oracle reseller agreement.

[Roel De Nijs]

nick woodward wrote:you'll be unlikely to find another slot this year

I had a look at the available slots in my first choice testing center and there are plenty available, even on December 24 and Decemeber 31 (although very risky). So I think it really depends on your area and the test center availability. Luckily you can verify on Pearson Vue website if the testing center is fully booked or you have some/plenty opportunities to reschedule.

[Steffe Wilson]

Roel De Nijs wrote:I think there is indeed a big and important difference in cancellation policy and getting a refund depending on how you paid for the exam.
1/ If you have used the promotional code and paid directly to Pearson Vue (using a credit card), you'll get a refund for the amount you have paid (if you cancel one business day prior to your exam appointment).
2/ If you have used the promotional code and a voucher, you'll probably have to reschedule your exam before December 31, 2015; otherwise the voucher will become void and you won't get any refund at all.

Fortunately I am (or rather I will be) in category 1/
As an aside, what is the benefit of vouchers? Are they cheaper?

[Roel De Nijs]

Steffe Wilson wrote:As an aside, what is the benefit of vouchers? Are they cheaper?

No, definitely not cheaper There are a bunch of reasons why you could/would use a voucher:

you can purchase a certification package from Oracle University to prepare for a certification exam and sometimes a voucher is included in that package, so after following the courses and training, you can take the certification exam using the voucher

if you don't have a credit card, you could pay for a voucher using a wire transfer

a company could pay for e.g. 10 vouchers for their employees at once and the employee can register and pay for the certification exam

you can purchase a voucher at your local Oracle University representative, so you can get an invoice and that's much more convenient for tax purposes than an invoice of a foreign country

[Steffe Wilson]

Thanks Roel.