Thanks to JavaRanch resources, 91%

[Phil Young]

This group really helped point me in the right direction to pass this test... I really appreciate all the notes and links.
I'm trying to break into the Java market after doing a couple of years of Windows only dev work... This seems like a really good way to learn. Now I need to find a server side Java job, which I imagine will still be tough here in the Bay Area considering the state of the industry.
Does anyone have an inspiring story of how their SCWCD certification got them a dream job?? Especially coming from a primarily non-Java programming background?
-Phil
SCJP
SCWCD

[Sudhir Bangera]

Hi Phil, Congratulations .. I know what you mean by it being tough in the bay area (i am here too) but believe me, when the economy turns around, this area will be again hot with oppurtunities.
Enjoy your day and all the best to you...
Sudhir
SCJP2

[deepak adlakha]

congrats ..............on your success

[Sreenivasa Majji]

Congrats.
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Sreenivasa Kumar Majji
Sun Certified Java Programmer
SCJP Mock Test

[Fei Ng]

Congratulation!!
Happy for you.

[Phil Young]

Thanks dudes!
About the test, and a few of issues which have been brought up in discussion here at JavaRanch before...
- I encountered no "mapping" questions
- no filters
- there was a survey before the test which asked about Java experience, much like after the SCJP. Then some sort of code 5-10 chars long appeared centered on the screen for a second and the application paused. I really doubt Sun would alter the questions based on the survey. I did notice this and thought of the earlier thread on this board though.
As far as the test's difficulty with respect to the mock exams, from what I remember:
JavaRanch mock, 10 days before test: 80%
Average of 3 JWhiz mocks within 5 days of test: 77%
I did do a fair bit of cramming the last couple of days which I think is the way to go. First read a book (I read Inside Servlets and highlighted cover to cover), then once you understand the big picture well enough, cram with the APIs and Miftah and Ken's notes (a thanks to them so much).
There were a fair number of questions that seemed knitpicky(sp?) on JSP & DTD/TaglibDescriptor syntax like whether its tag-lib or taglib etc. This kind of irked me, but at least 50% of your score is bigger picture issues.
Lastly, in case anyone else is planning on taking the test in Oakland near the airport anytime soon (there are two testing sites I know of there), there is a lot of construction going on around there so give yourself a little extra time to find the place.
L8r

[Carl Trusiak]

Great Score! Congratulations

[Ashik Uzzaman]

Congrats Phil, what a score man! Just curious to know ur SCJP score also....
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Muhammad Ashikuzzaman (Fahim)
Sun Certified Programmer for the Java� 2 Platform
--When you learn something, learn it by heart!

[Paul Anilprem]

Congratulations, Phil! Very good score.
Best of luck for your future,
Paul.
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SCJP2, SCWCD Resources, Free Question A Day, Mock Exam Results and More!
www.jdiscuss.com
Get Certified, Guaranteed!
JQPlus - For SCJP2
JWebPlus - For SCWCD
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[Rachel White]

Good score man. Congratulations.
Whats now?

[Poonam Akash]

Hi Phil,
Congrats man!! GR8 SCORE!
Will u plz tell me which books did u read 4 servlet n jsp??and also tell me from where u prepare 4 "design patterns"?
How was the toughness of paper compared to whiz software n jweblus?
Plz answer my queries as i am going soon 4 it!
Thanx in advance,
Bye,
Poonam.

[Phil Young]

I am pleased to answer any questions to help others prepare:

Just curious to know ur SCJP score also..

I got a 91 on SCJP as well.

Will u plz tell me which books did u read 4 servlet n jsp??and also tell me from where u prepare 4 "design patterns"? How was the toughness of paper compared to whiz software n jweblus?

I read Inside Servlets, then also have the two O'Reilly books "Servlets" and "JSP". The Inside Servlets is great overview which is written really well. The O'Reilly books are more detailed, and cover Design Patterns and J2EE better. Miftah's and Ken's notes are enough for this.

Whats now?

I NEED a job!! My specialty is GIS (Geographic Information Systems), but I'm looking for anything at this point and can only hope for a job which allows me to use my new found Java skills.
-Phil

[Phil Young]

Forgot one more question:

How was the toughness of paper compared to whiz software n jweblus?

I used JWhiz, didn't try jwebplus, but from what I've read here at JavaRanch it's good too. JWhiz is a good program, and simulated the difficulty adequately. Pick one, and if you feel like you need more practice get the other.

[Madhav Lakkapragada]

Congrats.
- satya

[Muhammad Farooq]

Congrats Phil, its really a great score.

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Muhammad Farooq
Sun Certified Programmer for Java 2 Platform

[anders eriksson]

Congratulations!
You mention there where no questions about "filters", but it can't be any, can it? It is not listed in the objectives.
/anders

[Tim Duncan]

Originally posted by anders eriksson:
no questions about "filters", but it can't be any, can it? It is not listed in the objectives.

True, but it is a question that gets asked here regularly, and there have been reports of questions (about patterns) which are not on the objectives ....

[Poonam Akash]

Thanx Phil for ur reply...
it will really helpful to me...
have a good day...
Bye,
Poonam,
SCJP2.
[This message has been edited by Poonam Akash (edited November 06, 2001).]

[Rahul Mahindrakar]

Congrats Phil.
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Mahindrakar
IBM Application Server Forum Moderator
Consultant - Zensar Technologies ,Pune India.
SCJP2, SCJD2 & SCJEA (Part I)
[This message has been edited by Rahul Mahindrakar (edited November 06, 2001).]

[Narasipur]

Congratulations!!
~s

[Gagan Indus]

Congratulations Phil !
nice job done ... way to go
Good luck for your job-search and switching
with the kind of commitement and interest i can smeel from your post , sure you will find nice java jobs too
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Gagan (/^_^\) SCJP2
Die-hard JavaMonk -- little Java a day , keeps u going .

[Marcos Maia]

Congratulations Phil, great score.
regards.

[Pradeep Kanwar]

Cool man, great score
Now what???