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Passed SCJP 5 with 76%

 
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Hello,

I passed the SCJP 5 today with a 76%.
Here are the steps I took - I hope you Ranchers find it useful.

------------------------
Start: December 1, 2006

1. Study the K&B book:
Studied 1-2 hours every weekday morning at my favorite coffee shop.
(the coffee shop gig helped a lot with motivation - it became my routine.)
Studied about 8 hours total on weekends.
- Took notes.
- Made "flash cards".
- Experimented with most of the code examples in the book.
- Made LOTS of drawings - tried to illustrate ideas.

I hoped I would do a chapter a week, but it didn't turn out that way. It was more like a chapter every 1.5-2 weeks.

2. Turn to Java Ranch for information, answers to my questions and general motivation. I REALLY liked the articles about the cups and "getting to know your inner class" on Java Ranch. The cups one helped me immensely - illustrating a fundamental idea.

3. After I finished the K&B book (its probably the biggest book I've ever read!) I did the practice test that came with the book - failed it with 51%.

4. Purchased the Enthuware software.
(In retrospect I should have purchased this a whole lot earlier, while I was still reading the K&B book)
This has some great questions and the exam format was good to practice. I took 3 of these practice tests. Failed the first, passed the second, failed the third. Reviewed all the questions I got wrong. Enthuware has great question explanations.

5. 3 days before the exam - went through the check lists in the K&B book.
(In retrospect I should have been going over these everyday before I began my normal study routine)

6. 1 hour before the test - stopped all liquid intake and took a brisk walk.

I also went over my flash cards at night every now and again during my studies, just when I felt like it.

Exam Passed: April 25, 2007
------------------------------

It was difficult to know what to concentrate my energy on. There's alot of information to retain. Memorization is not my strong point. Going over things again and again - coming up with songs and sayings is entertaining and helps quite a bit.

What did I get out of it besides a nice lapel pin (we do get a lapel pin... right?) and a piece of paper? I think I got a deeper understanding of the language. I'm a professional Java Developer (5 years now) and before I began studying, I definitely took the language for granted. Now I have more confidence and a better understanding in what I do - this means I'll write better code, right?

I wish my score was a little higher - but I kinda got sick of studying.


Thanks Java Ranch for your support!
Thanks Bert and Kathy for your awesome book!
Thanks Enthuware for your great product!

Richard
[ April 25, 2007: Message edited by: Richard Parker ]
 
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Congratulations, Richard! Glad to hear that our product was helpful. Thanks for the appreciation!

-Paul.
 
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Congrats Richard!
 
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Hi Paul,
How to get the Enthuware. Is online download is the only mode of
purchasing. I want to take it in 2-3 days.
I am from Bangalore, India;


Does anybody know how to purchase that!


Thanks,
cmbhatt
 
Richard Parker
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Chandra,

I just went to the Enthuware site: http://www.enthuware.com/jqplus/
and downloaded the product. I think it cost me $25 US dollars.

Thanks,
Richard
 
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Congratulations
 
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congratulations Richard
 
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