Java 8 certification

[Eanas Elm]

Hello,
I'm planning to get a java 8 SE certification. Can I get the OCP without passing by OCA?(I'm new in the programming field)
Also, is "head First Java " book by Kathy Sierra and Bert Bates will be a good start to java even it's covered java 5.0?

Thanks for your help

[Liutauras Vilda]

Eanas Elm wrote:Can I get the OCP without passing by OCA?(I'm new in the programming field)

You can go and sit OCP exam prior OCA if you want, but in order to become OCP certified, you'll need to pass both certificate programs.

And since you are beginner not in Java but in programming at all, why do you even consider such options?
OCA can be challenging enough - don't think that far yet. And even OCA can be too early if you a very new in this field.

Eanas Elm wrote:Also, is "head First Java " book by Kathy Sierra and Bert Bates will be a good start to java

Some people like, some don't, in general - it is very popular and I'd say good book. Now, it isn't certification preparation book, but as for a new in this field, probably quite a good start.
For certification you'll need to read some other dedicated books.

[Liutauras Vilda]

And welcome to the Ranch

[Eanas Elm]

Thank you for your respond.

So, here's my plan, I will read this books:
1st-"head First Java " book by Kathy Sierra and Bert Bates
2nd "OCA Java SE 8 Programmer I Certification Guide" by Mala Gupta
3rd "OCA: Oracle Certified Associate Java SE 8 Programmer I Study Guide Exam 1Z0-808" by  Jeanne Boyarsky Scott Selikoff.

Is This the right path to follow to get the OCA?

[Liutauras Vilda]

Sounds quite good. You just would need to incorporate "Practice" in between each of the books.

[Roel De Nijs]

Eanas Elm wrote:Is This the right path to follow to get the OCA?

That's definitely a reasonable path to follow to get OCAJP certified! Let me provide some additional information and advice.

In the OcajpFaq (besides other very useful information) and this thread you'll find an overview of all available (free and commercial) resources (study guides, mock exams, video courses,...) 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).

If you use the search function, you'll find plenty of topics with advice to prepare (and ace) the OCA exam. Here are a few:

Studying so hard just to fail(1z0-808)

Failing Java SE 8 Programmer I

Bad Experience with OCA 7 exams

Any tricks about how to manage the 120 min for so many question?

second failed OCAJP

Need some advice after failing the exam

Hope it helps!
Kind regards,
Roel

[K. Tsang]

Both OCA study guides (Mala & Jeanne) basically cover the same thing. They should supplement each other.

I suggest you use one of these as your primary study guide. Do the exercises, practice questions/exams from both. And of course lots of programming.