Value of SCJA?

What is the perceived value of this certification?

Just wondering...

Originally posted by Tim Weide:
What is the perceived value of this certification?

Just wondering...

depends on who you ask. you knew you'd get that response, right?

i think the difficulty of the content is directly proportionate to the value. while the content may help you in an interview for entry level employment, without a degree and/or more difficult certs, it's not going to impress anyone.

in all, the cert is not considered difficult to obtain, but still my perception is that it's worth more than not having it. considering this, i says get it and aggressively pursue scjp, or more work related exams like mcts.

IMO, its value is very little.

I took SCJA in the Beta period, because it's free. If I have to pay, I won't take it.

It's valuable for entry-level programmer, project manager who works in java project, and every person who appreciate the precense of the Big-IT-Company's certificate. The valuable of a certificate is depend on who release that certificate. After all, all Sun certification is valuable.

Jeffry Kristianto Yanuar
SCJP 5.0
SCJA

Product Description

The Sun Certified Associate for the Java Platform, Standard Edition, Exam Version 1.0 certification exam provides an ideal entry into an application development or a software project management career using Java technologies. This worldwide credential validates basic knowledge of Object-Oriented Concepts, UML representation of OO concepts, the Java programming language, and general knowledge of Java Platforms and Technologies.

Candidates for this exam include:
entry level Java programmers,
students studying to become Java programmers,
project or program managers working with Java technology in the software development industry.

Just took the Product Description out of the Sun's website......

Do you belong to any of the above mentioned category take it...... or skip it and take up SCJP or any other certification.

Anyways an extra Certification from Sun on your Resume will not hurt.

~Arundhati

Anyways an extra Certification from Sun on your Resume will not hurt

True, having 2 certificates is better instead having only one. This is one of my reason to took SCJA even I already get certified in SCJP.

Jeffry Kristianto Yanuar
SCJP 5.0 -> 27 August 2007
SCJA -> 04 January 2008

but I dont think it has any value at all

but I dont think it has any value at all

By seeing your certificates, it make sense. the value of SCJA certificate will decrease if it taken by expert programmer.

Jeffry Kristianto Yanuar
SCJP 5.0
SCJA

By seeing your certificates, it make sense. the value of SCJA certificate will decrease if it taken by expert programmer.

Jeffry....... you are absolutely correct......

Why do expert programmer have to take up this certification.......And say its easy to obtain....It has no value n all..........You don't come in the candidates list in the Sun's website.....

Sun clearly mentions in it's website that its for novice programmer....

Or people who are related to technology like manager's n all.......

If you are a Programmer start with SCJP n all.........

BTW I think every certification of any kind has been made with a purpose..... so is this........

I just took the exam this morning, and passed but just barely. I didn't study, didn't review. I took it for granted that this would be a slam dunk. It almost wasn't, and had I not passed, it would have been extremely embarrassing.

To me, it had value:

1. It was humbling.
2. It "shocked" me into preparing better for the SCJP exam.

I'm not expecting it to get me a better job or a promotion. It is a stepping stone.

I found the SCJA useful as a means of focusing my study of the initially confusing world of Java.

I have 20 years experience as a developer (in the MS world), but more recently as a PM so to get an overview of Java I found the SCJA gave me enough to familiarise myself with the environment.

The knowledge gained is very �top-level� but covers a broad range of topics which is good when you are �new to subject�.

For more depth, I am now studying for the SCJP.

Originally posted by Billy Tsai:
but I dont think it has any value at all

yes. no value at all if you're not a fresh grad. but all things being equal, i'd prefer someone who have it.

In a meeting this week I told my boss that I took and passed the SCJA exam. I did this on my own time, "under the radar" and paying for it with my own money. I had kept him in the dark. The next exam SCJP exam is more expensive, I said, and would it be okay to expense it (get reimbursed)?

His reaction just about knocked me off my chair. He could not contain his enthusiasm. Not only would he pay for my SCJP exam, but he also wanted me to submit for reimbursement of the SCJA test I just took.

This thread topic is "Value of SCJA?" Well, my boss values it more than I knew!

Definately SCJA has its value!

For novie programmers, Fresh graduates who will be joining for Software Development jobs, SCJA is a must. It focuses on the Java Technology as a whole which enhances the ability to absorb & sustain the future corporate trainings.

SCJA is the first step before SCJP although it is not necessary to get certified in SCJA before take SCJP.