You might search in this forum, and you can get the answers.
1. What is the real purpose behind this new exam?
It aims to provide an entry exam for
Java beginner, or high level designers for Java applications.
2. In what way it is different from SCJP 1.4/1.5 ?
SCJP focus on programming in Java, while SCJA focus on high level for all Java technologies, J2SE,
J2EE, J2ME, Web Services, OOAD & UML.
3. Is this going to be a pre-requisite to take SCJP 1.4/1.5 in future?
Yes or No, depends on how SUN's direction. Basically, SCJA covers much more than SCJP required.
Nick
SCJP 1.2, OCP 9i DBA, SCWCD 1.3, SCJP 1.4 (SAI), SCJD 1.4, SCWCD 1.4 (Beta), ICED (IBM 287, IBM 484, IBM 486), SCMAD 1.0 (Beta), SCBCD 1.3, ICSD (IBM 288), ICDBA (IBM 700, IBM 701), SCDJWS, ICSD (IBM 348), OCP 10g DBA (Beta), SCJP 5.0 (Beta), SCJA 1.0 (Beta), MCP(70-270), SCBCD 5.0 (Beta), SCJP 6.0, SCEA for JEE5 (in progress)