Passed IZ0-808 OCA 8 with 91%

[Vaibhav R Ajmera]

Passed the OCA 8  Java certification with 91%.

Kathy Sierra's book and Enthuware mock tests helped a lot.

[Ivana Kilibarda]

Congrats

I am preparing to take it in about a month. Can I ask you about enthuware tests.
Did you take them more than once, what were your scores? I took only foundation with 94% and Test 1 with 85 once, 2 weeks ago (before I finished the last of 3 books I used for preparation), and I didn't want to take standard tests again until I finished practicing objective-wise tests, because I wasn't satisfied with that 85% at all. I don't know is it a good strategy to take the tests many times (I have a month for practicing, and now my scores are 85-100% every time, but I am still "saving" Standard tests).
Did you have plenty of time to finish the test? I think I am mostly concerned about the time, that I will rush to finish it and I will miss something obvious

I appreciate any suggestion

[Paul Anilprem]

Ivana Kilibarda wrote:Congrats

I am preparing to take it in about a month. Can I ask you about enthuware tests.
Did you take them more than once, what were your scores? I took only foundation with 94% and Test 1 with 85 once, 2 weeks ago (before I finished the last of 3 books I used for preparation), and I didn't want to take standard tests again until I finished practicing objective-wise tests, because I wasn't satisfied with that 85% at all. I don't know is it a good strategy to take the tests many times (I have a month for practicing, and now my scores are 85-100% every time, but I am still "saving" Standard tests).
Did you have plenty of time to finish the test? I think I am mostly concerned about the time, that I will rush to finish it and I will miss something obvious

I appreciate any suggestion

You can take the same mock tests any number of times but ignore your score on subsequent attempts. Since you would remember the answers from the previous attempt, the scores on subsequent attempts would be very misleading. Explained here: https://enthuware.com/help/faq/112-gettingstarted/122-prepare-for-java-certification-using-enthuware

Also, read this regarding Standard Test and Objective-wise tests.

HTH,
Paul.

[Ivana Kilibarda]

Thank you Paul, yes I am aware I can take it any number of times, I try not to remember answers (and I don't for coding questions, it's almost impossible) and I do calculation each time over on a paper and then check if I have an answer that would fit my result. I also let some time to pass before taking that same exam topic again. I don't know how else to practice if I don't do these tests number of times. I also read the explanations, of course, and check if I had the same explanation why answers are wrong and right (I do this for every question, give myself explanation for each answer).
P.S. some times I don't even look at the questions and answers I got wrong, for the reason you mentioned.
Thanks for the links, I will check them

[Campbell Ritchie]

Vaibhav R Ajmera wrote:Passed . . . with 91%. . . .

Well done

I can't remember which number (808/803/809) means what, but please go here (or here) and edit the posts to add your name.

[Vaibhav R Ajmera]

Campbell Ritchie wrote:

Vaibhav R Ajmera wrote:Passed . . . with 91%. . . .

Well done

I can't remember which number (808/803/809) means what, but please go here (or here) and edit the posts to add your name.

Thanks updated my name.

[Vaibhav R Ajmera]

Ivana Kilibarda wrote:Congrats

I am preparing to take it in about a month. Can I ask you about enthuware tests.
Did you take them more than once, what were your scores? I took only foundation with 94% and Test 1 with 85 once, 2 weeks ago (before I finished the last of 3 books I used for preparation), and I didn't want to take standard tests again until I finished practicing objective-wise tests, because I wasn't satisfied with that 85% at all. I don't know is it a good strategy to take the tests many times (I have a month for practicing, and now my scores are 85-100% every time, but I am still "saving" Standard tests).
Did you have plenty of time to finish the test? I think I am mostly concerned about the time, that I will rush to finish it and I will miss something obvious

I appreciate any suggestion

Let me just tell you how a proceeded with my preparation:

1. Read thru Kathy Sierra and Bert Bates's book couple of times (took me 3 months approx.).
2. Also, attempted all the exercise questions provided after each chaper.
3. Then started with Enthuware mock tests. Like you said the first 3 tests were comparatively easy. But from the 4th test it gets a little tough - i just passed the 4th test.).
4. I would suggest - complete all the 7 tests provided by Enthuware and then the final day test as well.
5. If you scored good in Enthuware tests, then i think you are ready for the exam and just go ahead and book your slot.

[Ivana Kilibarda]

Ok, thank you

[Tony Esposito]

What about the OCP books by Jeanne Boyarsky?  They get great reviews on Amazon...

OCA: Oracle Certified Associate Java SE 8 Programmer I Study Guide: Exam 1Z0-808
OCP: Oracle Certified Professional Java SE 8 Programmer II Study Guide: Exam 1Z0-809

and also what about

OCA / OCP Java SE 8 Programmer Practice Tests by Scott Selikoff

Thanks