SCJ2P 61% Pass - There is hope for slackers...

Hi everyone,
I wrote the SCJ2P today and just squeaked by with exactly 61%.
I have a few observations.
1) Comparing the real test against the sample tests which I did as part of studying, it appears to me that people with real world programming experience ( regardless of computer language ) should actually do better on the new test since there was a fair amount of figuring out what sample code does.
2) You do not necessarily have to study for months and months to pass.
My background is 20 years of programming experience starting with mainframe Cobol and doing lots of Borland Delphi in the last 5 years.
My self-training was reading through "Sams Teach yourself Java 2 Platform in 21 days" in early August and then last week working thru "Java 2 by Example" and doing a few days of coding examples and mini-projects. Interspersed with that was about 8 sample exams. I passed the Brainbench Java 1 exam on the second try so it's a good one to work thru just before writing SCJ2P. One warning -- its objective are somewhat different the SCJ2P.
Bottom line is I spent about 11 days full-time of preparing / studying so a note to you SCJ2P candidates - it is possible - even with rushing it.
However, I will be the first to admit that my first few "real world" Java projects will be slow and painful as I still need a lot more practice.
Brad

Congrats Brad,
Aruna

Congrats Brad. I too barely passed with a 64%. I kind of rushed it myself. I read the RHE book and the Mughal book in 2 weeks!!! Took another couple of days to do some Mock exams and passed the exam. I'm a 5 yr. COBOL programmer as well and am trying to get into Java programming. Hopefully this certificate will help.

Man,
You guys are the best. All these scores give me a complex. The last thing I'm concerned about are scores though I would like more than 71% just to feel I would have cleared the old exam too.
Cool, guys. Keep up the spirit. Lets all move forward with the times and pull each other along.

Hey...that is great

congrats!
-Deb

Congrats Brad that brightens my spirits up .
cheers
Shankar.