Post on 13-Feb-2017
transcript
How to Get Certified as a Java ProgrammerJeanne Boyarsky4/28/16
About me
• Java developer for 13+ years• Author of two Java books• Programming mentor of FRC Team 694
• Slideshare.net/boyarsky• Blog: http://www.selikoff.net• Moderator of forums at: http://www.coderanch.com
Twitter: @jeanneboyarsky
Why get certified?
• Learn Java more deeply– Faster– Better– More accurate code
• Job hunting– Internship– Entry level job
Twitter: @jeanneboyarsky
OCJP 5/6
9/10: Sun Oracle
SCJA 5/6
SCJP 5/6
OCJA 5/6
New acronyms!
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2/12: More exams
OCA 7
OCP 7
More to learn!
OCJP 6
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1/15: Java 8 exam
OCA 7
OCP 7
Removed and new content
OCA 8
OCP 8
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3/16: Java 5 exams retired
About time!
OCJA 5
OCJP 5
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Three paths to OCP 8
OCA 7
OCA 8
I’ll start with the OCA 8OCP 7
OCP 8 *
OCJP 6 or earlier
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Java Foundationsnovice level exam
Warning! Don’t Take!
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Pause for commercial interruption
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Step 1: Create a Study Plan
Buy book
Magic
Pass Test
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Step 1: Create a Study Plan
Study 15 minutes a day no matter what.
No losing momentum!
I’ve studied for certs during competitions – minutes between each match!And this year, I took one the day after stop build day – flashcards!
Twitter: @jeanneboyarsky
Step 2: Read a Study Guide
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Step 2: Read a Study Guide
Lots of info to digest
Lots of edge cases
Not everything overlaps what you actually use in a job
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Step 3: Code!
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Step 3: Code!
How do I know what to code? • Change to break
something and see error
• Change to see what something does
• See what outputs from changes
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Step 3: Code!
What could we change here?
Step 4: Review questions
Answer?
Why?
How are they trying to trick you?
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Step 4: Review questions
Didn’t we just see this question?
Nope!
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Step 4: Review questions
Really, didn’t we just see this question?
Ok we did. Easier this time?
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Step 5: Flashcards
What are the eight
primitive types?
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Step 5: Flashcards
Make your own too
Think of key points
Spaced repetition
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Step 5: Flashcards
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Step 5: Flashcards
What flashcards could we make for Commands?
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Step 6: Practice exams
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Step 6: Practice exams
Common Problems SolutionNot enough time Code more
Drill with review questions to get fasterList what missed so look for it faster
Too low a score List what areas got a question wrong and study those parts moreList WHY got it wrong – fact? missed point? Understanding?
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Step 6: Practice exams
Do NOT take another practice exam immediately if you are not happy with your score.
There are only so many out there and you can waste your “first exposure” attempts.
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Step 6: Practice exams
Practice exams are typically harder than the real thing
Twitter: @jeanneboyarsky
More Resources
• Includes links to mock exams• http://www.coderanch.com/t/659981/Wiki/Ocajp-Faq• http://www.coderanch.com/t/659977/Wiki/Ocpjp-Faq
• Oracle cert list• http://education.oracle.com/pls/web_prod-plq-dad/
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Twitter: @jeanneboyarsky
Questions?
Wait? Robots can’t take the test? Someone
should have told me!
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