Is an SCJP certificate worthwhile?

Question

The SCJP exam tests only the concepts of java and not the programming ability of the individual in java. A person who scores more in SCJP may have less problem solving skills. In real-life programming, both java skills and programming skills should play equal parts. So can we say that someone who holds a SCJP certificate is fit to do real-life programming?

Answer 1

I've never seen much value in certification, to be honest. The only thing I can see it doing is giving your CV a better chance of getting past an HR department which can't understand the rest of what you're telling them.

On the side of someone hiring, I wouldn't put any store in it, basically. I suspect I can get a much better idea of whether someone's likely to be any good or not based on a 10 minute phone screen than based on their certs.

Answer 2

This may help

http://stackoverflow.com/questions/209045/technical-certifications-improve-programming-skills

Answer 3

Evidence of real life experience is much more important to quality employers than any certification will ever be.

Having said that, in a lot of places, having a cert. can get you passed HR and in for interview.

Answer 4

The SCJP is mandatory to attempt other sun's certificates. So yeah, in some way, it has its value.

Answer 5

The ability to get the SCJP qualification tells you almost nothing about someone's skills. I've seen people with the qualification who can't even launch a Java program, let alone write one. Because of the nature of the certification, it's easy to pass it with an understanding of the test, not the language.

The other side, of course, is that being unable to get the certification does say something about a developer. You could probably get the same level of weeding out of dross by asking people to spell 'JDK', but at least it's something...

To answer the last part of your question, though, we most certainly can't say that someone with SCJP is fit for real development work. SCJD comes a lot closer, as it requires some actual programming work, but I'd rather talk to someone in person or look at their prior experience than trust their certifications.

Answer 6

Although passing the exam doesnt mean you are a good programmer, it shows that you are serious about your career and also that you at least know the core libraries, features, principals etc of Java.

Answer 7

SCJP is quite pointless from a technical perspective. It proves that you were able to cram for the exam and probably picked up a good study guide. It is by no means a valid way to measure your ability in the language.

That being said, we, the technical people, know that...sadly, HR and Management often don't. So, you may need it to even get the interview.

The only employer I've ever had require it was Sun (big surprise) and even they seem to require it simply because it would seem dumb if their own Java developers didn't have it. They didn't seem to think it actually meant anything about the quality of their technical staff.

Answer 8

That's true, but it is a very good way to get a solid foundation of the platform.

So it may not be so relevant for the employer but it certainly helps to solve strange bugs, and allows you to get to know the platform you're working on.

Actually I think that SJCP is far more imoprtant than SJWCD o SCA, because in those experience is more valuable.

So, it is valuable for the developer.

Answer 9

It a very good indicator of your technical skills and really matters when appearing for an interview.

Answer 10

This certification exam gives details about your strength in java.This is the exam to prove our technical knowledge in java to others.

Answer 11

Scjp is more important because it shows your knowledge in all concepts of java rather than attending an interview to reveal your knowledge.

Answer 12

So can we say that someone who holds a SCJP certificate is fit to do real-life programming?

No, in general we cannot say that for certain; the certification does not guarantee anything like that.

On the other hand, I know several really good programmers who do real work with Java, and when they got their SCJP, it certainly did not hinder their ability to do their job. On the contrary; all of them learned a good deal more of Java because of studying for the exam.

(Also, their results roughly corresponded to my perception of their skills and experience - that really bright guy with the best overall problem-solving abilities in the team scored near 100%.)

Answer 13

I think it's worth to take that exam. You may hear some guys tell it's worthless since they don't need it but can still programming. But once you passed, you can understand clearly about Java, write code smarter and less errors.

I passed the exam and preparing myself for SCWCD although I daily works with frameworks which nearly hide things from JSP/Servlet, but I feel confident to write code when understand clearly about the technology and container.

BTW, I'm a certificate hunter :D and the answer is up to you.