SCJA worth it??

Hello:

I already have 5 Java certificates including SCJP, SCWCD, SCBCD, SCMAD, SCDJWS. I need some suggestion if I should take SCJA as another Java certificate.

Thanks.

Well, there is one missing there, isn't there?a

If someone else is paying for the sitting, I'd say yes. If it's money out of your own pocket, I might think twice.

Impressive resume.

-Cameron McKenzie

"Sailormoontw,"

Welcome to JavaRanch!

Please revise your display name to meet the JavaRanch Naming Policy. To maintain the friendly atmosphere here at the ranch, we like folks to use real (or at least real-looking) names.

You can edit your display name here. Thank you for your prompt attention!

With respect to your question: You already have a considerable number of certifications, so I expect you have a sense of what benefits these might bring. You could probably pass the SCJA exam with little or no preparation, but you obviously don't need this certification... So I really don't know. Why exactly are you interested in this exam?

I don't think you need it, there is no objetive in it you haven't fave in the others certifications.

But if you want to say I have them ALL, then do it, I would prefer to take scjd o scea first.

Display name edited

I think you will have the answer if you ask yourself why you took so many other certifications

Was your purpose solved by taken them? Did they help you anyway? Did they make you feel good? Did they help you in getting a job? Did they help you in your job?

Also, think about what is your expectation after you pass the exam?

Originally posted by Chih-Hsien Wang:
Display name edited

Thanks!

I think most of the responses here are saying the same thing: Given your other certifications, the SCJA certification probably wouldn't be worth it to you at this point professionally, but you might have personal reasons to add another certification to your list. If that's the case, then you are the only one who can say whether it's worth it. It's not an expensive exam, and it might be interesting...

I personally advice you to go for SCJD Certificate.
But if you decide to go for SCJD you will have to face the possibility that
you will never get your grade as happened with me. I have been waiting for more two months and there is no grade till this moment

Your frustration is noted. Everyone has a right to vent a little.

SCJD is a good certification - very involved.

Be patient. Sun is a big company, and sometimes, despite everyone's honest efforts, things do fall through the cracks. Politely get back to Sun about the delay, and you'll find someone that'll take your concerns seriously.

Cheers!

-Cameron McKenzie

The SCJA is a good starting place for all of the many resources in Java 5 ME, Java 5 SE, and Java 5 EE. I started studying the SCJP 4 and then started over with the SCJA which is Java 5. I'm glad that I did.

The SCJA is an overview and it helps to get from being overwhelmed, but since you have so many advanced certifications, you probably don't need the certification, but the book is good reading to see the "big picture".

Kaydell
[ April 03, 2007: Message edited by: Kaydell Leavitt ]

I think I'd going to prepare the exam, considering it's not as expensive as others. Maybe I can prepare it as the same time as taking SCJD.

Originally posted by Khaled Mahmoud:
...if you decide to go for SCJD you will have to face the possibility that you will never get your grade as happened with me. I have been waiting for more two months and there is no grade till this moment

I can't speak for Sun, but I understand there is often a delay in getting SCJD results, and I've heard that Sun is working to improve this. So patience is probably the best thing for now.

I just passed SCJA yesterday.
Thanks for everyone ^_^

Complete and total congratulations!!!

-Cameron McKenzie

I have to thank Cameron the most because the free exam is the only thing I prepare for the SCJA exam, and I am a bit sorry to him because I didn't buy his SCJA book. However, I bought the head first OOAD, but didn't have the time to read it. I still need to read it some time for a stronger knowledge of UML design.

Thanks for the vote of confidence.

Don't fret about the book. The whole point of the free resources is to help out everyone, regardless of how deep their pockets are. It's just great to know they were helpful.

When you're a rich and famous Java Project Manager, maybe you can charge a few copies to your corporate credit card.

-Cameron

Hi, I'm a new member of this forum. I registered mainly because I have heard this forum may have useful information about Sun Sertifications. My main target is SCJP but should I do the SCJA before it?

Does it help a bit when doing the SCJP?

The SCJA is a tough exam, that covers a large amount of material, and looks great on a resume. It is the new entry level exam from Sun, so it can be considered a bit easier than the SCJP exam, where there is great stress on syntax and the minor nuances of the language. Having said that, SCJA pulls from a broader range of topics than any other Java related exam on the market.

SCJA is not a prerequisite for SCJP, but it is a great stepping stone, and if you're new to Java, or just want a good confidence builder, not to mention another set of initials on your resume, it's a great exam to go after.

Good luck!

-Cameron McKenzie

Jussi,

Welcome to JavaRanch! How far along are you in learning Java? Do you have any other programming experience? What do you want to do with these certifications?

Congrats on passing your exams.

As far as exams and certifications, sometimes you can go overboard on getting certifications. If it's more about having another bullet point on your resume instead of expanding your knowledge, it won't mean much.

Some potential employers will start to wonder if you actually do anything other than prepare for tests.

> Some potential employers will start to wonder if you actually do anything other than prepare for tests.

I don't mind what other employers think. To tell the truth, I don't need to do more than what I am paid.

"To tell the truth, I don't need to do more than what I am paid"

That's a bad attitude to have for a career in IT. Heck, for any career for that matter. While you can go overboard with doing too much and not getting anything in return, the fact is, in today's world, it is a bad bad thing to have the attitude of "This isn't in my job description so I won't do it."

I think we all feel like that once in a while.

Sometimes I don't even want to do the stuff I am paid for.

-Cameron McKenzie