Can I still give the exam for OCA 7 instead of OCA 8?

[Priyavrat Kumar]

As you know Java se 8 has been released, can I still give the exam for OCA 7 instead of OCA 8?

(This post originated in this topic)

[K. Tsang]

Which java version are you more comfortable with? Will learning the java 8 new features (lambda, stream etc) hinder your progress?

Go through the OCA exam objectives and see what areas you already know/don't know and decide from there.

[Jose Lara]

Hello Priyavrat,

You can actually go even for Java SE 5 and 6, Certified Associate 1Z0-850.

As K. Tsang said, which version you feel more comfortable with?

In my case I just decided to go for Java SE 7 because this is the version that I've been using last years and that I know his features and also because I was able to find more documentation than Java SE 8.

In a professional way I don't think it will be really relevant. I think that if you are able to get the SE 7, you would just need to study a bit to know the new features from the new version and that's all. I don't think a campany is going to care so much which version you have if you were already able to get the certificate. For example, I was working as a Network Engineer and I can tell you that companies didn't care so much if we have an expired CCNA/CCNP for example. If someone is able to get it, it means that is able to learn anything in a same level. I don't know if you will get my point...

In any case, good luck with your certificate =)

Best regards!

[K. Tsang]

Jose Lara wrote:
You can actually go even for Java SE 5 and 6, Certified Associate 1Z0-850.

Don't bother with that exam if you want to be Programmer because that exam isn't meant for programmers.

[Jeanne Boyarsky]

As Tsang said, don't take the OCA 5/6. They are deprecated and don't feed into the OCP exams. Also, don't take the Junior Associate exam as it doesn't feed in either.

The OCA 7 or OCA 8 are both fine choices as starting points.

[Roel De Nijs]

Hi Priyavrat Kumar,

First of all, a warm welcome to CodeRanch!

Priyavrat Kumar wrote:As you know Java se 8 has been released, can I still give the exam for OCA 7 instead of OCA 8?

That's probably one of the most asked questions in this forum So using the search engine you'll find plenty of topics about the same topic.

Since Java 7, Oracle has split the certification in 2 parts: the OCA one is the entry-level exam and covers java and OO basics. The OCP is the more advanced exam and covers a lot of advanced topics (generics, threads, concurrency, jdbc, file i/o, nio2.0,...). So you need to pass 2 exams to become OCPJP certified. Before Java 7 you only needed to take just 1 exam (OCPJP6) to become OCPJP certified, but this exam (of course) covers both java and OO basics and the more advanced topics (generics, threads, file i/o,...). So it's harder to pass for the OCPJP6 than it would be for the OCAJP7 or OCAJP8.

If you want to become an Oracle Certified Professional, Java Programmer, you can currently choose between 3 paths: OCPJP6 or OCAJP7+OCPJP7 or OCAJP8+OCPJP8 (there are no prerequisites for either of these exams). For the first one, you only have to pass one exam (as mentioned earlier); for both other paths you need to pass two exams (an entry-level and an advanced level). In this thread you'll find an overview of all possible paths (OCPJP6, OCAJP7+OCPJP7 or OCAJP8+OCPJP8) you could take to become an OCPJP certified Java programmer. And this thread also contains some valuable information about which OCA version to choose. So I would advice to read these threads and if you still have questions or doubts, just hit the reply button and let us know! If you don't have any specific reasons, you should just go with OCAJP8 (and OCPJP8). But if you have one (or more) reasons to take OCAJP7 (and OCPJP7), just do it! You can always take the upgrade exam to OCPJP8 if needed/required.

Although it makes more sense to take the OCA first and then the OCP, it's not a requirement. You can take both exams in random order. Please note you can't combine different version certifications.

In the OcajpFaq (besides other very useful information) and this thread you'll find an overview of all available resources (study guides, mock exams,...) to thorougly prepare yourself for the certification exam. And on the OcajpWallOfFame you'll find plenty of (links to) experiences from other ranchers (including resources they have used). So it can be useful to determine which resources are useful (and which are not).

Hope it helps!
Kind regards,
Roel