OCA Java SE 5/SE 6 VS OCA Java SE 7

[khurshid khan]

Dear fellows

I have had OCA Java SE 5/SE 6 almost two/three years ago but left the certifications because I got a job.
Now I am thinking of coming back again to certifications but my aim is to go for Enterprise certifications, obviously for which I have to do the OCJP 6/7.
My question is that in order to do OCJP 7, do I need to go for associate exams (7) again? is it possible that if I do OCJP 6 and then an upgrade to OCJP 7? which option is better because I already had OCA SE5/6 and don't want to repeat it...

Some one told me that "If your ultimate goal is to get OCPJP7 then it will take 2 exams no matter what. OCAJP7 + OCPJP7 or OCPJP6 + upgrade. So it depends on your comfort and knowledge"
I am good with programming but bad with theory...
Which option is best?

[Roel De Nijs]

OCAJ 5/6 is intended for non-technical people (like managers). OCAJP7 is the entry level certification for programmers/developers. Although both are defined as OCA, they can not be compared at all: for OCAJ 5/6 you almost need no knowledge about the java programming language (but more about the java eco-system), for OCAJP7 you'll fail without a good knowledge about the basics of the java programming language and object-oriented development (inheritance, polymorphism,...). The OCPJP7 certification exam covers more advanced topics from the java programming language (jdbc, concurrency, nio2, localisation,...).

If you want to become an OCPJP7, you can take to paths:

first OCAJP7, then OCPJP7

first OCPJP6, then take the OCPJP7 upgrade exam

At this moment there are books available on both OCAJP7 and OCPJP6, as far as I know there are no available books on OCPJP7. Based on your current situation I would opt for the 1st option.

Good luck!

[khurshid khan]

Dear Roel
Many thanks for the suggestions. on the basis of my circumstances I will go for OCJP 6 and then I will do the upgrade exam for 7 because I already got books for OCJP6 and I had studied it in past as well and know the examsl.

Thanks again for taking your time to advise me.