Java 1.5

Has anyone heard anything about if & when the exam will be updated for 1.5?
Just given the number and scope of changes, I'm sure it will happen. I'm just hoping for some way early warning for folks that have been studying for the current version.
(Not to mention we are still only on 1.3 anyway...)

Welcome to the ranch Mary.
I think it'd take at least a year for the exam to be updated.
Not to mention we are still only on 1.3 anyway
what do you mean? the exam is for 1.4!

Sorry, only meant that where I work, we're using WebSphere & version 1.3 of the JDK.
So, even though I passed the exam for Java 1.4, I don't get to use the cool new stuff yet. With even more cool new stuff coming in version 1.5...

I'm trying to get a group of folks I work with through the 1.4 exam, but there are a few whose busy schedules are getting in the way. I'm hoping for some advance warning to pull them through before they have to start studying more "new" stuff.

1.4 just came out last year, so I wouldn't expect a 1.5 exam anytime soon. BUT -- there will be plenty of advanced warning if and when it does come out. Sun goes through a pretty long BETA process and what not.
So basically, I wouldn't hold off studying for the 1.4 exam in hopes of a new 1.5 exam -- you might be waiting a while.

I think at a minimum, a 1.5 exam wouldn't come out until sometime after JDK 1.5 has its production release, which would be something like six months after its beta release, which hasn't happened yet (but will hopeully be sometime later this year). I'd guess that midway through next year is the earliest you might see a new exam for 1.5. And like others have said, there will be plenty of warning. I'm sure you'll see lots of messages here if/when there's any news. Also note that even now, it's possible to take either 1.2 or 1.4 - they're not going to stop offering those when 1.5 becomes available. And any version of SCJP is good enough as a prerequisite for any other certifications you may be interested in.