Is it normal?

I'm working my way through the K&B book. I'm on chapter 5 right now.
I study and go through the exercises. I think I understand the concepts quite well until I get to the "Self Test" at the end of each chapter.
I review the answers, re-read the chapter, and try the "Self Test" again and I still get some wrong. (Chapter 3 was the worst so far.)
Is this normal?
I don't want to try the mock exams until I've finished going through the whole book.

Any suggestions?

Barbara,

You are not alone to experience this , welcome to the club.

I am currently at the second pass of reading of the book.

There are people who have said that they read the book 3 times before getting to complete mock tests
& then over to the exam.

So it is perfectly OK to get them wrong , but more important to get to know
why were you wrong & then burn the concept in.

Hope this helps.

Best of Luck & keep posting ...

For your next post you can go through the FAQ's first

Choose a meaningful Subject Line

Thanks for the quick response.
It's good to know that I am not alone.

And I'll try to use a more meaningful subject line next time.

What's "normal"?

David Newton wrote:What's "normal"?

Is anybody on this website normal?

Campbell Ritchie wrote:...Is anybody on this website normal?

There was that one guy, who posted by accident in 2003. Otherwise...

Barbara, yes, that's normal. Getting questions wrong will help you by showing where you need to focus more attention. So use that as a learning tool, and don't be discouraged.

Thanks for your encouragement guys.
It sounds like I just need to keep on doing what I've been doing.

Hi Barbara, can I ask you what kind of book are you talking about?
Thank you.

I'm taking about the the Sun Certified Programmer for Java 6 Study Guide by Kathy Sierra and Bert Bates.
Folks on this site like to refer to this study guide as "K & B" as in "Kathy and Bert"
Apparently it is the definitive prep tool for the SCJP exam.

Ah, ok, I see. One more question, if you would. Can it be used for Java learning (from a scratch) or just for kind of exams preparation once you know something?

Don't worry about it Barbara, its OK

I've got a similar habit of reading a chapter, understanding it, then the next day I can't remember anything and fail the mock exams.

I'm on my first pass of the SCJP book but will probably make 3 in total before I attempt the exam, to be sure ;)

Some things I can recommend, grab a copy of "Head First Java" if you can, its by the same authors. Its easier to read and has good examples, so you might remember things better and do the self-tests better.

Also try and play with some code as you go, that makes it sink in a little better

Don't be put down by some failed self-tests, its going to take time/dedication to get it right, just like anything!

You Gin Today 5:23:57 AM Subject: Is it normal?

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Ah, ok, I see. One more question, if you would. Can it be used for Java learning (from a scratch) or just for kind of exams preparation once you know something?

The book I was referring to is for SCJP exam preparation.
There are other books for learning Java.
The folks on this site recommend "Head First Java".
I used a different book when I took some Java classes at a local community college.

James Elsey Today 6:31:21 AM Subject: Is it normal?

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Don't worry about it Barbara, its OK ...
Don't be put down by some failed self-tests, its going to take time/dedication to get it right, just like anything!

Thanks for the encouragement, James.
You are absolutely right! Anything worthwhile takes time and dedication.
When do you plan to take the exam?

Barbara Flink wrote: . . . The folks on this site recommend "Head First Java".
I used a different book when I took some Java classes at a local community college. . . .

You should recommend the book you found helpful (or otherwise warn against it).

Campbell - I can tell you take your job as "Sheriff" very seriously.

Okay... for what it's worth...

The textbook I used is "Java How to Program ... Eight Edition" by Paul Deitel and Harvey Deitel
It's HUGE!!! Plus it has a CD that comes with it. (The thing weighs over 5 pounds.)
It's probably more expensive than other similar books.
It seems to be quite thorough.
Overall, I suppose I'd recommend it (but not an overwhelming endorsement).

(Personally, I find the D&D book too big to be useful. I think it started off okay despite a focus on GUI aspects--don't know if it's still like that--but grew to cover too much of Java.)

Very well put David.

I'll check those books also, thank you guys.

David Newton wrote:(Personally, I find the D&D book too big to be useful. I think it started off okay despite a focus on GUI aspects--don't know if it's still like that--but grew to cover too much of Java.)

It has optional GUI sections at the end of each chapter near the beginning but i think those are for people who are impatient. I skipped those GUI sections until the main GUI chapter.

I've got to admit i'm surprised the book hasn't got more praise. I mean compared to other tutorials i've read it just makes everything seem so clear. And has loads of code examples and LOADS of exercises. I love it. It's the first book i've read where i feel like i'm actually being taught

Edit: I should say the first book regarding Java that i feel like i'm being taught.

. . . and you can probably get the 6th edition of Deitel for a lot less, for example at Amazon. Don't use the 5th or earlier editions.

I personally like the Deitel style, but I know there are people who absolutely detest it. I have not met anybody who is indifferent about Deitel books; you either love them or hate them

well in my case I forget things and this really makes lot of problem with me I understand the concept very well but after sometime I forget it..It is better to brush your knowledge and keep it update as much as possible...

Thanks Kaustubh!
I am trying to go through the book slowly so that I will be able to retain what I am learning.

All the BEST ..

Well Posting ......
Very helpful thread for beginners.......

Thanks!