Hi All,
Passed Java SE 8 Programmer-1 today. My score is 94% I have more than 2 years experience in Java based Test Automation. But had to take a break in my career, long 6 years. When I decided to start over, OCA was the number one in my to-do list. Now this good score gives me confidence to resume from where I paused
Big thanks to Coderanch Forum members to share all info about your experiences, study materials, mock exam sites and result.Here is my story.
Daily at least 4 hours for nearly 2.5 months.
->Started preparing with SCJP Java 6 Study Guide by Kathy Sierra, Bert Bates(Bought it long back , its a wonderful book, lot of information )
->Moved to OCA Java SE 8 Programmer I by Jean Boyarsky and Scott Selikoff
->Enthuware OCA Java SE 8 Programmer I mock exam full version
Preparation:
Whole 1 month preparation with Jean Boyarsky and Scott Selikoff text.
Prepared notes
Tried almost all concepts in Eclipse
Review Questions (score range 65%-80%)
another one month again reviewed all my notes
Review Question result range improved(75%-90%)
Practice Exams from same book in Sybex(score 70%-80%)
Enthuware Mock exams
7 days - nearly 6 hours daily
Trial version - Sample Test (score 48%) many concepts where new to me.Reviewed reasons and did a second attempt. As expected score improved
Without second thought bought full version
Foundation test- 79%
Test 1- 87%, Test 2- 84%, Test 3-80%, Test 4-87%, Test 5-70%, Test 6-86%, Test 7-84%
Reviewed explanation for each and every questions(very informative) and added new points to my notes.
Most missed and Very Tough tests where also done(repeated questions)
Went through my notes on Saturday
Last Day Test on Sunday - score 81% I made lot of silly mistakes. I was tensed as if I was writing real exam.
Anyway helped a lot to lessen my pressure.
I was almost confident about passing with decent score
On the day of exam- Monday
Reached exam center 25 minutes early. Signed in, Signed Test center agreement, stored personal items in the locker, received 2 scribble pads(laminated) and marker.
Directed to Test Room.
Accepted Test Agreement and started exam
Most of the questions were similar to Enthuware questions and simple when difficulty level is compared.
Many questions on arrays, polymorphism, constructors and control structures. Some questions from access levels, strings, overloading, static vs instance variable modifications.
2 questions from formatting Date and Time(results in exception due to passing invalid value, parsing invalid string ) , 1 from Lamda(compiler error - variable in lambda accessed outside)
Only 6 questions confused me, marked it and revisited
The exam resembled enthuware test screen.
All done, and 15 more minutes.
Again went through questions from 1 and even spotted one mistake.
Finished 2 minutes before end time.
After Exam:
In the test screen - "Exam results will be available through mail......... ......."
Within 15 minutes got a mail, checked result in CertView.
The Feedback on the performance is also included in the Test Report.
I succeeded to prove myself that long career break have not drained my ability to excel.
Hope this information help to improve your confidence.
All the very best everyone
Regards,
Nitha
Passed Java SE 8 Programmer-1 today. My score is 94% I have more than 2 years experience in Java based Test Automation. But had to take a break in my career, long 6 years. When I decided to start over, OCA was the number one in my to-do list. Now this good score gives me confidence to resume from where I paused
Big thanks to Coderanch Forum members to share all info about your experiences, study materials, mock exam sites and result.Here is my story.
Daily at least 4 hours for nearly 2.5 months.
->Started preparing with SCJP Java 6 Study Guide by Kathy Sierra, Bert Bates(Bought it long back , its a wonderful book, lot of information )
->Moved to OCA Java SE 8 Programmer I by Jean Boyarsky and Scott Selikoff
->Enthuware OCA Java SE 8 Programmer I mock exam full version
Preparation:
Whole 1 month preparation with Jean Boyarsky and Scott Selikoff text.
Prepared notes
Tried almost all concepts in Eclipse
Review Questions (score range 65%-80%)
another one month again reviewed all my notes
Review Question result range improved(75%-90%)
Practice Exams from same book in Sybex(score 70%-80%)
Enthuware Mock exams
7 days - nearly 6 hours daily
Trial version - Sample Test (score 48%) many concepts where new to me.Reviewed reasons and did a second attempt. As expected score improved
Without second thought bought full version
Foundation test- 79%
Test 1- 87%, Test 2- 84%, Test 3-80%, Test 4-87%, Test 5-70%, Test 6-86%, Test 7-84%
Reviewed explanation for each and every questions(very informative) and added new points to my notes.
Most missed and Very Tough tests where also done(repeated questions)
Went through my notes on Saturday
Last Day Test on Sunday - score 81% I made lot of silly mistakes. I was tensed as if I was writing real exam.
Anyway helped a lot to lessen my pressure.
I was almost confident about passing with decent score
On the day of exam- Monday
Reached exam center 25 minutes early. Signed in, Signed Test center agreement, stored personal items in the locker, received 2 scribble pads(laminated) and marker.
Directed to Test Room.
Accepted Test Agreement and started exam
Most of the questions were similar to Enthuware questions and simple when difficulty level is compared.
Many questions on arrays, polymorphism, constructors and control structures. Some questions from access levels, strings, overloading, static vs instance variable modifications.
2 questions from formatting Date and Time(results in exception due to passing invalid value, parsing invalid string ) , 1 from Lamda(compiler error - variable in lambda accessed outside)
Only 6 questions confused me, marked it and revisited
The exam resembled enthuware test screen.
All done, and 15 more minutes.
Again went through questions from 1 and even spotted one mistake.
Finished 2 minutes before end time.
After Exam:
In the test screen - "Exam results will be available through mail......... ......."
Within 15 minutes got a mail, checked result in CertView.
The Feedback on the performance is also included in the Test Report.
I succeeded to prove myself that long career break have not drained my ability to excel.
Hope this information help to improve your confidence.
All the very best everyone
Regards,
Nitha