Hello,
I just passed the SCWCD with 84% yesterday. Compared with some high flying score in the site, mine is just so so. I would like to share my experience on it with you guys:
1. my background: I have a Mechanical Engineering BS degree and a Computer Science MS degree. My IT experience is about two and half years.
Java experience is about one year.
2. My certificate history: I have
SCJP (06/2000),
SCJD (08/2001) and now SCWCD (11/2001).
3. Time investment for the SCWCD: The total hours I have put for this (including download study notes, study notes, take mock tests, read books) is about 95 hours. Prior to that, my
servlet and
jsp experience is about one month work experience, very basic and very limited. Thus my next plan is to enhance my real work experience with servlet/jsp.
4. Suggestion on preparing for the SCWCD: Use the Miftah Note !!
It is excellent. Ken's notes is good too. I also briefly go through the specifications, but just briefly. Read some books like "Java Servlet programming", "Java Server Page" by O'Reilly, I also read "Core servlet and JSP"'s tag lib chapter.
Practice some short sample codes will be helpful. But when you read books don't overdo it. The best approach is: For each part of the Miftah note, find the corresponding chapter in one or two books and read them, cover everything that is in the note, practice few sample codes. then read the notes carefully again.
Afetr that, take mock tests is very important, both JWebPlus and JWhiz are the best so far though they have some error..
You should take the mock tests before going to the real one. If you happen to take Edocobian's mock
test, keep in mind it is much more difficult than the real one so don't be discouraged.
5. Other comments: It is just a certificate, no need to grasp 100% to take it. Saving more energy and time on real projects will be wise. I mean when you feel you can pass with a >75% score, don't need to suffer another month to get a 95% to please yourself, use that time to work on real projects.
If you have more questions, I would like to answer as long as I can.
Ian Yang
SCJP, SCJD, SCWCD
