which certification to start with: SCJA or SCJP?

hi,

I want to clear some java certifications. I saw the website and found out about this SCJA, which is new to me. I was always thinking of SCJP as the first step.. anyways, so, what I wanted to know is that in the current scenario, which certification would be better to start with, SCJA or SCJP?

Thanks

For an experienced java programmer the OCAJ has little value. But if you are new to java (and/or are a RPG developer who wants to make a switch to another programming language) the OCAJ is a good first step.

Please note that if you want to take SCJP 6 you don't need any prerequisite (so no other certification is necessary). But if you want to take SCJP 7, you first need the OCAJ 7 (more info about this on Oracle's official certification pages)

Hope it helps!
Good luck with your certifications!

The SCJA certification was introduced really to provide a stepping stone into the Java certification world for people just like yourself. The SCJP exam tests a developer on some real intricacies of the language, and you need to know some really peculiar nuances of the language to pass the exam. It's certainly worth studying for, but should it be your first exam?

SCJA doesn't go as in depth on language semantics as SCJP. But it is much broader. SCJP doesn't cover anything about Java EE, micro devices, servlets, MOM. I can't even remember if UML is covered by SCJP. But it is by SCJA. Basically, if you pass the SCJA exam, you can demonstrate a really well rounded knowledge of Java technology, which I think is pretty darned important when you're going for your first job.

The OCAJP for Java 7 has gone out of Beta and will soon be released. I'm keeping track of OCAJP news and updates on this JavaRanch thread. It might look pretty impressive to be the only person in the pile of resumes to have Java 7 certification on their CV!

Thanks Roel and Cameron.

I think I got the information which I required. I am programmer with around 2 years of experience ( 1 year in j2ee and 1 year in java MOM technology), and it looks like SCJA might seem to showcase more of my skills.. But being a new certification, will it hold much credit as SCJP has?

Thanks

Depends on your needs:
- Use SCJA for the broad knowledge of the Java eco-system
- Use SCJP for the deep knowledge (and understanding) of the Java (programming language) API

For me personally each java programmer/developer should be SCJP certified, because if you take it seriously (and use it as a learning experience, not just to impress a future employer) you'll gain a lot of knowledge about Java doing this certification.

Use SCJA for the broad knowledge of the Java eco-system

Roel, I find that comment much more pleasant that the "the OCAJP has little value" one. :P

will it hold much credit as SCJP has?

I'd say there is definitely a hierarchy with regards to Java certifications, and for sure, SCJP is regarded more highly than SCJA, and SCJD is regarded more highly than SCJP, and the architect exam is IMHO at the top of the strata.

But one thing is for sure, SCJA/OCJAP looks a better than no certification at all.

Its not that I am trying to skip SCJP, that has been my goal for the last 3 years. But never got the time to actually go for it.. I am taking SCJA as a simpler certification and a preperation ground for SCJP. I have thought of some time frame for SCJA, then I will plan for SCJP..

I think the SCJA is a good idea to refresh any lost skills or ease your way into the Programmer and Developer certifications. The last Java certification I took/passed was the Programmer exam for Java 2. I'm going to sit and take the Associate exam as a stepping stone in my preparation for the Programmer certification.

I just want to bring out some important points that seems to be getting a bit lost in the shuffle here:

The new OCA exam is MUCH DEEPER than the old SCJA exam. I'd make a rough equivalency:

The new OCA == 60% of the SCJP 6 objectives.

Further, of the 60% of the SCJP 6 objectives covered, the new OCA covers them as deeply as the SCJP 6 exam.

This is VERY different than the SCJA exam that's been around for many years. The SCJA exam doesn't cover objectives anywhere near as deeply.

hth,

Bert