Can you pass SCBCD5.0

[jibs parap]

The plan of preparation for SCBCD 5.0 is:
- EJB3 in Action
- MZ notes
- Enthuware test

I know it will be good to add Oreilly and Apress books plus specs to the above list. But, I think you can get a pass with the above plan of preparation, Does anyone disagree?

Thanks

[Reddy Kumar]

I haven't gone through EJB 3 in Action and have not purchased Enthuware exams but, here's my input.

I thoroughly went through the O'reilly book, MZ notes, and took the Sun's free sample exam before taking the actual exam. And guess what....I failed. Got 49%, where 59% was required to pass. The LEAST EXPECTED OPTION IS CORRECT ANSWER MOST TIMES.

I did not go through the specs assuming that what I read was enough, especially after considering the fact that the specs were close to 1000 pages.

I was a bit disappointed but, said to myself that I need more preparation.

My experience after the actual exam is, SPECS are a MUST. Both CORE and PERSISTENCE.

I'm not giving it up. I have my retake scheduled tomorrow. Will let you know after I take it.

All the best to all test takers.

[Steven Young]

I'd have to agree with Reddy.

I'm taking the test in a few weeks time. I've not felt comfortable with my performance in mock tests and Sun's prep test. Once I started reading the specs, I've felt a lot more comfortable.

MZ's notes are based on the specs, but I think it's well worth reading the specs carefully first, making sure you understand them fully and then using MZs notes as a refresher.

I've found EJB3 In Action to be an excellent book for learning EJB3. Once you have grasped the concepts, then the specs are actually not too bad to read. The specs will fill in all the gaps - very comprehensive.

I have needed to use Apress Pro EJB for its fantastic coverage on Transactions and Persistence Context. I've found that area so confusing and fustrating. So many different permutations of bean vs contrainer transaction demarcation, JTA vs Resource Local transactions, whether or not persistence context is propagated, when to use JoinTransaction(), what happens when you encounter application vs system exceptions ... aagggh. It's still not 100% clear to me, I expect to get the odd question wrong in this section.

Since I'm a Business Analyst and not a programmer, it's more important that I understand the general concepts. I'm happy just for a pass, and I know my development team will appreciate my efforts to better understand their world (they better ... it's been really hard work !)

Steven
OCUP Advanced
SCJP5

[bernard savary]

Hi ,

I just downloaded the 3 specs and I found there is a lot of material related to EJB2 that may not be useful for SCBCD5, besides, without having experience with EJB2 its rather confusing to read the specs . I also went through MZ notes and I found it is very specific to EJB3 and contents are almost from the specs . So my question is if I read MZ notes thoruougly is it safe to say I have read EJB3 specs for the exam ? Please comment .
Ofcourse I will read EJB3 in action to learn the concepts .