OCAJP 7 exam preparation help

[Indu Acharya]

Hi All,

This is my first post in coderanch.

I am planning to take OCAJP 7 exam in one month.  

Could you please suggest which book to refer?
I have SCJP 6 written by Kathy Sierra and Bert Bates

I am confused between these 2 books, not sure which one to buy

1. OCA/OCP Java SE 7 Programmer I & II Study Guide (Exams 1Z0-803 & 1Z0-804) (Certification Press)  by Kathy Sierra and Bert Bates
2. OCA Java SE 7 Programmer I Certification Guide: Prepare for the 1ZO-803 exam by Mala Gupta


and also is it mandatory to buy a exam voucher from oracle before taking exam?


Thanks in advance :-)

[Rohit K umar]

Hi Indu,

My thoughts on this are as follows:

I'm taking the exam in a month too and am reading OCA/OCP Java SE 7 Programmer I & II Study Guide (Exams 1Z0-803 & 1Z0-804) (Certification Press)  by Kathy Sierra and Bert Bates.

I chose this book over Mala's as I had a quick look at both and decided that for my level of understanding so far, Kathy and Bates book is the better one. Mala's book is great too if you're new to Java, but K&B is for someone who knows Java a little bit and who can write some rudimentary code.

Once I'm done with the book and the exams it offered, I'll take some mock tests and take the exam.

May I ask you what your background is in Java?

[Rohit K umar]

I'll read Mala's book for the OCP exam I will be taking after the first one since I liked the way she wrote some concepts and the depth in which she explained.

I will be purchasing the exam voucher once I'm confident after taking the mock exams.

[Narayana Bojja]

Hi Indu Acharya

Warm welcome to coderanch.

is it mandatory to buy a exam voucher from oracle before taking exam?  

No. It is not mandatory to buy exam voucher from Oracle . You can directly register for the exam at the Pearson VUE website using credit card. You can also buy voucher from oracle and use it in Pearson VUE website when your making payment. Pearson VUE  is conducting the Java certification Exams.

I am confused between these 2 books, not sure which one to buy  

I recommend you to buy OCA/OCP Java SE 7 Programmer I & II Study Guide (Exams 1Z0-803 & 1Z0-804) by Kathy Seira and Bert Bates because it covers both OCAJP 7 and OCPJP 7.

OCA Java SE 7 Programmer I Certification Guide by Mala Gupta is also good book. If you want to know  details about other available books for OCAJP 7 , please go through this link
OCAJP7_Books

Hope it helps.

[Indu Acharya]

Thanks Rohit and Narayana for answering my questions.

I have pdf version of Mala Gupta'sbook. I will buy 'OCA/OCP Java SE 7 Programmer I & II Study Guide (Exams 1Z0-803 & 1Z0-804) by Kathy Seira and Bert Bates' book.


Rohit- I am familiar with Java concepts and can write some rudimentary code.

[Rohit K umar]

Indu, that's Great. Good luck for prep and test!

[Indu Acharya]

Rohit K umar wrote:Indu, that's Great. Good luck for prep and test!

Thank you :-) Good luck to you as well!!