Question on exam prep rationale

Im an SCJP with about a year experience in core java, never worked on EJBs before .. pursuing my masters (=some free time) and have a basic question does it make sense to study the spec & the books try out some 'real' projects and give the exam a shot OR wait till i get some solid work ex first? Does the cert hold water without work ex or is it just an outcome of rote (from my study)??
Best,
Anand

SCBCD w'd be of great help when you start work on a project involving EJBs. So dont wait for Work-ex, instead get SCBCD which in turn will make sure that you have understood the concepts/basics.
Ofcourse you will run into many practical problems when using EJBs, which can be learnt only through experience. But then if the basics are strong, solving problems s'd get relatively easier.

If the employer has to choose between

a person with no real world experience who has the SCBCD

a person who has loads of real world experience but no SCBCD

and everything else is equal (both people asking for same pay, same job) then chances are they will go for person number 2.
But there are lots of places where they do not really want an EJB programmer with lots of experience. They may want an all rounder. Or they may want to hire a junior and get them to grow with the company. In these sorts of circumstances, having the SCBCD will help you get the job.
In the first case, if you have SCBCD and SCWCD and SCJD then you can show that you are familiar with lots of different ways of using Java - you are not one of those people who can create great EJBs but don't know how to write a standalone application.
In the second case the employer does not have to worry about spending a few weeks training you on EJB basics. And they know that you are familiar with most facets of EJBs, not just the subset of EJBs that the company is using today.
And the other great thing about certifications - it proves that you have committed yourself to learning the language properly. You have not simply learnt the bare minimum to get your current job done.
What I believe it comes down to is how you sell yourself to your potential employer. The certifications on their own will not get you the job. And acting as though you know everything because you have the certification will only get you in trouble and create friction between others in the company. But the certification can certainly be used as the differentiator between you and the next person, to get you that foot in the door.
Regards, Andrew

thats so true Andrew Monkhouse
I have seen this friction of feel of haveing a over all know how and person having subset know how of the things. To my interview exp no one is exatly using EJB but they need person to have know how of whats happening. As in this market no one hires a expert in a particular field.

SCJP exam Q are asked over and over again even if one is certified.
Steve