Major Difference Between SCJP 4 and 5

[Marc Dusseault]

What are the major differences?

Are there new libraries being tested on in 5.0?
Is 5.0 working with the same material but just asking harder questions?
Other?

Just curious. I'm studying from the Osbourne book and am wondering if it will be sufficient for preparing for SCJP 5.0

[Bert Bates]

Hi Marc -

There are BIG differences between 1.4 and 1.5...

Dropped topics:

-bit shifting
-math class
-keywords

New topics:

-new exceptions
-boxing
-i/o
-serialization
-java.text / formatting numbers, dates, currency
-java.util.regex / Formatter, Scanner, printf
-oo coupling, oo cohesion
- generics **** really big
- sorting and searching collections
- command line arguments
- JAR files
- classpaths

If your using the book by Kathy Sierra and me, it will, unfortunately only get you part way there

We're working on the updated book now - it should be available late August / early September.

hth,

Bert

[Barry Gaunt]

So, basically, the message is: If you are intending to do SCJP 5.0, wait a few months and then be prepared to study for quite some more time after.

[Marc Dusseault]

Wow. Nice to meet you Bert. Thats pretty cool getting a response from the co-author of the book I'm using. I like the book a lot by the way.

Thanks for the list of differences between the two exams. Its exactly what I was looking for.

I guess I'll just take the 1.4 exam and do and upgrade later.

Thanks so much.

[Bert Bates]

Thanks Barry, Thanks Marc,

Marc - I think that your path is also a good one, it's a little more money overall, but I'd recommend to everyone that they consider taking the 1.4 now and taking the 1.5 upgrade exam a little later when there are more study resources available. (Stop it you guys - I don't just mean our book... I'm sure Mughal will be coming out with an update soon too )

[Rudy Harianto]

Bert,

i wonder, what is the difference between update exam if compared to regular exam?
is it covers only on topics that has changed?
how about the number of questions?
etc.. (please provide more info if any)

thanks.

[Saurabh Patil]

yeh now a different question and a very important one has been raised : What will be the upgrade exam like? What will it cover? Only the things which are in new in SCJP 1.5? or it can ask anything?

[manisha makwana]

First i was preparing for scjp1.4 after reading all the comments in java ranch
I changed my mind and start preparing 1.5 now after reading this blog i am once again confused please help me for taking one good decision.I am preparing
from book written by Kathy SierraandBert and Whizlabs mock exam

[Divya Gehlot]

Hi Manisha,
Its better to always work with latest technology.My suggestion is to go for SCJP1.5 as its new and K& B book is also available in market and if you googled you will get lot of mock questions for 1.5 version. Last month only I have cleared my SCJP1.5 paper with good marks.

SCJP 1.4 and upgrade 1.5 -> need to give two exams
SCJP 1.5 -> need to give only one exam
Now you have to decide
Best of Luck!
[ October 26, 2007: Message edited by: Divya Gehlot ]