How long should I prepare for SCJP?

Question

Ok I know this might sound a bit silly, as it depends on the person, but on average how much time should I spend on preparing for SCJP? I already have some experience with Java (a few small and medium projects for my university, from implementing a simple "ships" game to some client-server stuff).

I was thinking about taking it around jun-july '10 so I'd have around 7-8months, is it enough/too much/not enough?

Also I've been looking for a good book, is there anything better than: "Sun Certified Programmer for Java 6 Study Guide" by Kathy Sierra and Bert Bates? And what about some practical questions (like "implement this and this" or "write a piece of code which does...")?

Ah and is it really worth it (I'd spend my own money). I'm not asking if it will make me a better programmer (as I've seen such a thread on stackoverflow alread) but do the employers even care about it?

Answer 1

I've never known being certified to help greatly but I don't live in the US or a hot bed of the IT industry. Someone else may be able to shed more light on this topic, but I can only assume that in a more vibing city for IT such as Silicon Valley or perhaps NY, it may look a little more impressive if two or more candidates are evenly matched. But if you're weak in interviewing skills or thinking on the spot etc, being certified might not help too greatly.

The book you mentioned sounds good and will probably be sufficient. I've always enjoyed the head first series too and in your case perhaps the Head First Java might be worth a look (also Kathy Sierra and Bert Bates).

Some other posts relating to SCJP may be of help too:

Does scjp help

is an scjp certificate worthwhile

Answer 2

From the Sun Certified Professional Wikipedia page, I understand that SCJP is a prerequisite to a number of the other Java-related certifications, so indeed I would say it really is worthed. Not only it will look good on your resume, but it will open a path of new certification opportunities and allow you to gain better chances of employment in the long run, not only due to certification, nut also due to the experience you will gain.

For an extensive discussion upon this matter, you could take a look at this forum post.

Answer 3

Although it took me a long time to prepare for the SCJP exam (because I was working during the day that time), I think 7 months is long enough and perhaps too long depending on your mad skills.

The only resource I had that time was Sun Certified Programmer for Java 5 Study Guide by Kathy Sierra and Bert Bates. I think it was all the resource I needed. Although I have to admit that I had to read the chapters again and again and answered the quizzes and practice exam multiple times to make sure I got it in my head.

As far as I know, questions such as "implement this and this" or "write a piece of code which does..." is for the SCJD exam, not SCJP. This is also mentioned in the book by Sierra and Bates, together with other information about the exam.

Answer 4

I prepare it for about 3 Months for 1.4 Java Version SCJP with an O'Reilly book (not an Head First sadly) I think that the SCJP Exam for the 1.5 specification is harder thank's to generics.

Anyway, the most important is to focus during the test, almost all questions have a trick,as you could see on the preparation book mock test.

Answer 5

Depends on your own experience. If you've done Java only 1 year, I'd spend months to learning. If you've done Java 5 years, one month may be enough. If you've done Java 10 years, just doing some mock exams in a day may be enough.

Answer 6

If at all possible write actual programs containing those things you know will be in the test, as this is most likely the most efficient way to learn how to use them correctly.

Answer 7

It really depends on what you're doing the certification for. If you just want to pass the exam you could probably do it in around three months.

However, if you're studying to really get an in depth understanding of the JDK and the intracacies then I'd say more like six to nine months.

The book you mentioned should be fine, but make sure you do example programs and really explore the concepts presented to you in each chapter. One site I would definitely recommend is JavaCertificate.com:

http://www.javacertificate.com/

It's worth spending the money to do the practice questions and the mock exams, but don't do this too early on.

I highly recommend doing the SCJP, it will put you ahead of most of the mediocre Java hackers out there. Unfortunately, most employers I know of are not that aware of the certification - nor it's benefits. I really wish Sun would grade the certification you get in the end - 90% and plus would be Level 1, 80 - 90% would be Level 2 etc...

Answer 8

In the Parachute book, the author tells of how he likes showing off résumés to his friends, who remark that "This résumé will never get anyone hired!", to which he responds "Oh, but it already did!". The lesson is that every employer is different.

So the real question is not whether the SCJP will help you get a job, but whether it'll help you get a job at one of the places you want to work. Google has a lot of pretty smart programmers who use Java, for example, and of all the people I know who work there, zero have taken the SCJP, so it's probably not a big concern there.

Now, some more personal (i.e., less universal) feedback:

It would not help you if you were to interview at my company, and in fact might hurt (especially if you call attention to it), if it looks like you're only a Java programmer. We need good programmers, not good Java programmers.

I've not taken the SCJP, but I suspect it's like every other standardized test: it's as much about your SCJP-taking ability than your Java ability. When you interview, we're going to look at the code you've already written (open-source projects are great), and the code you write during the interview. What Sun thought of you is not our concern. (We can't exactly call up Gosling in a year and say "Dude, you told us this loser knew Java! You totally owe us one year of dev time".)

Some people have suggested that it'll make you look good over another candidate, if all else is equal. First, all else is never equal when it comes to interviews. In fact, I've rarely interviewed somebody and been neutral: it's either an immediate "No" or an emphatic "Yes". Second, unless it's a really tiny company, everybody needs more great programmers, so if two "Yes"s walk in the door at the same time, we'll hire them both. Yes, even today, in this economy.

So figure out where you want to work (a specific place, or a type of place), and see if the SCJP will help you there. There are lots of other ways to get good at Java in the time you might save. First of all, writing real Java programs. :-) Bonus if you open-source them so everybody can see the cool stuff you've done. Double bonus if you write a blog about all the gory details. Second, learn something other than Java. If you spend 6 months learning Haskell, for example, I guarantee it'll significantly help your Java.

Answer 9

Views on certification certainly seem to be a mixed. Some employers say they won't hire if you don't have one; others don't care; and others seem downright hostile toward certs. So, having one could help, but not necessarily. My viewpoint is that if you're using it to improve your skills then get it. If your skills are already at a point where the certification is easy, then it's only worthwhile if you're convinced it will help you get the sort of job you want... or if your employer is requiring you to get it.

As for the time to spend on preparing, this varies also. Some factors:

• How much you already know
• How much time you have
• How well you want to perform on the test

I'd think 3 - 6 months of studying should be adequate to pass, probably less if you're already good with Java. From my own experience, I had only a passing familiarity with Java, but studied toward an SCJP a couple times. I had no deadline and wanted to "ace" the test, so was thinking 6 - 8 months of study time. However, life would present distractions and I'd suspend studying for a bit. I wasn't using Java regularly, so I would have to start over somewhat when I resumed. Eventually life presented the ultimate distraction (a child) and I still haven't gotten that SCJP. (However, I'm starting to use Java regularly, so that may change.)

JavaRanch is another good site to use for SCJP preparation.

Answer 10

Study for SCJP..http://kamoor.com/javainterview/blogcat/certification