Passed SCJP

[mo odunaiya]

Hi everyone,.......
I took the SCJP exam, and passed with a 64%.Though I just barely made it, I can't wait to see my boss's face tomorrow, when I hand her a copy of my results. She never did believe I would pass, especially when my field of study is Business Administration, and Java is my first programming language!!
I wish to thank all those who have participated directly or indirectly in helping me pass the exam. Thomas Paul, you have been a great help, you really did clear some mis-conceptions I had on the fundermentals of Java Programming.
*************
Tips on passing the exam
*************
1) Buy a good programming book, I recommend the Java 2 Exam Cram, Second Edition by Bill Brogden
^^^ about 3-4 questions from his book appeared on the exam^^^
2) Do lots of mock exams and practise code.
^^^playing around with java codes helps, majority of the
questions asked aren't that complex, it only tests your
basic knowledge on Java. JQPLUS will definitely help.
I think, about 7-8 questions were from JQPLUS^^^
3) Make sure you visit Javaranch with any questions you may have or at least, view other people questions and try answering them by yourself.
^^^Javaranch helps re-assure your know-how in java or will
clear mis-conceptions on the principles of java^^^

[This message has been edited by mo odunaiya (edited July 31, 2001).]

[Mini Pilla]

Great!!!
Congrats!!!
Rajani

[david hu]

where can I get jqplus?

[Thomas Paul]

Originally posted by mo odunaiya:
I wish to thank all those who have participated directly or indirectly in helping me pass the exam. Thomas Paul, you have been a great help, you really did clear some mis-conceptions I had on the fundermentals of Java Programming.

Wow! I got a mention! Congratulations!

[Thomas Paul]

I'm moving this to Cert Results.

[Vanitha Sugumaran]

Congrats!
Vanitha.

[Jane Griscti]

Congratulations Mo
------------------
Jane Griscti
Sun Certified Programmer for the Java� 2 Platform

[Nikhat Jahan]

Hi, Please accept my hearty congratulations. I am also working with jqplus and find it very challanging. Can you tell me how tough it is with respect to the actual exam?
thanks,
Nikhat.

[mo odunaiya]

The exam wasn't all that hard itself, but you have to be very careful about how you go about answering questions!!
Majority of the questions are Java source codes which ask you what an output will be when compiled or whether compilation of a code will generate a compile time or runtime error!
Basic underlying principles such as access control, passing object references as valus....etc will definitely be in the exam.
The trick is, if you aren't too sure about the answer to a question, look at the options given on the test and eliminate wrong answers to get to the right one!!
You are on the right track by using JQPlus, if you don't understand a concept, you could always bring the issue up in JavaRanch or direct your inquiries to JQPlus assistance, they will be more than willing to help out!!
Best of luck,
Mohammed Odunaiya
SCJP

[Ashik Uzzaman]

Congrats Oduniya!
I m appearing this month and happy to hear ur suggestion!
Muhammad Ashikuzzaman

[mo odunaiya]

please get a copy of the following, and the exam should be a breeze through !!
1) JQPLUS
2) Bill Brodgen's Exam Cram book
3) Visit JavaRanch everyday for more insights into basic java code programming language and concepts/inquiries posted .
4) go through the following mock exams listed below, if you get average of 75%, then you're ready.
*****************************************************************
If you have any other questios on preparation of the Java 2 exam please review previous postings I have made on Javaranch, .....
Thank you
*****************************************************************

http://www.lanw.com/java/javacert/default.htm
http://www.jchq.net/mockexams/exam2.htm
http://www.javacaps.com/scjp_mockexams.html
http://www.javacaps.com/scjp_mockexams2.html#test2 http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Orchard/9362/java/javacert
http://www.javaranch.com/maha/_Mock_Exams/_mock_exams.html
http://www.jdance.com/javacertmockexams.shtm
http://www.eng.auburn.edu/~meghana/mock.html
http://www.levteck.com/#Practice Exams

[George Pincharoen]

Congratulations Mo

[Greg Georges]

Congrats Mo! Much success in your future career!
------------------
Greg Georges
Sun Certified Java Programmer for the Java2 platform (SCJP)

[shailesh sonavadekar]

congratulations. all the very best for the future.
your friendly bartender
Shailesh.

[JOSEPH BIH]

Congratulations. You did great!
Joseph

[Percy Densmore]

Congratulations Mo!
Appreciate the feedback. Writing soon. Wish you well
Percy

[mo odunaiya]

Thank you,......all this is kind of overwhelming!!
Everyone has been a great help, and I will forever patronize Javaranch for all the help and assistance given to me while preparing for my exams.
I'm looking for E-commerce/Web design entry level jobs, in the US, that will help reinforce the knowledge I have in Java, HTML, CSS and VB Script.
Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thank you once again,
Mohammed Odunaiya

[Nikhat Jahan]

Thanks for your advice. I'll be taking the test shortly. Although I am scoring ok on jqplus and other mock exams, I hope I do not panic at runtime

[mo odunaiya]

....all the best, I know you'll make it!!
Make sure you post your results at Javaranch after the exam, as
it'll help give other ranchers hope of passing the Java 2 exam.

Mo Odunaiya
SCJP

[Karen Michelle]

Congratulations, Mo! Thanks for all the great tips, as well! I'm just starting to learn Java right now; like you, I have a business degree so it inspires me to read about success stories like yours.
I'd like to ask you, how long did you have to study to learn Java? Subsequently, how long did you study/prepare for the exam itself? Thanks in advance for the help.
Good luck with your job prospects!
Karen

[Karen Michelle]

Congratulations, Mo! Your tips are a big help, as well. Like you, I have a business background/degree so hearing success stories like yours do inspire me!
BTW, I would like to know: How long did it take you to learn Java? As a follow-up, how long did you prepare and study for the exam itself? Thanks in advance!
Good luck and regards!
Karen

[mo odunaiya]

Thanks you Karen,
....it took me a good 6 months to prepare for the exam, but you could probably do it in less than 3 months, if you focus !!
Bear in mind that I had a full time job while studying ..yep, a 9-5, 40hrs a day, 5 days a week job!!
I actually did most of my studying on Saturdays and Sundays with help from my room-mate, who is a guru at computer programming.
He still curses me for those nights I would wake him up to ask why my programmes weren't compiling!!
For the first two and a half months, I wrote simple "hello world
like" programes and played around with codes. It can be very frustrating when you compile your java source codes and get thousands of errors, but trust me, once you learn why you're having the errors and then go back to correct them, you'll learn faster than any book or trainning class ever recommended!!
The next one and a half months, I spent reading the following books/online tutorials:
1) Sams Teach Yourself Java 2 Platform in 21 Days,
Professional Reference Edition
2) http://www.jchq.net/tutorial/introj2.shtml
3) Java 2 Exam Cram, Second Edition by Bill Brogden
The last months was used to practice the JQPLUS exam, visit JavaRanch, and write many more complex codes. A list of other websites I studyied at, can be viewed from previous postings at javaranch.
As for the exam, its not as hard, but very tricky. Read the questions very carefully and try to determine what the question is asking for!!
As for me, I am currently studing for my Mircrosoft Certified Professional + Internet. The books I am currently studying are as voluminous as the Encyclopedia Briticana and the context is like Chinese to me, but I do intend to pass it.
I then intend to combine both knowledge from my Java and
MCP + Internet, and work for a good reputable E-Commerce company in the US.
I guess that wraps it all Karen,
I will be praying that you pass the exam too !!
Mohammed Odunaiya
SCJP

[Ashik Uzzaman]

Oduniya,
What a pleasure to hear ur words! I m appearing 27th of this month and also a full time job holder. I have studied lot but irregularly and not only the SCJP syllebus. I m starting giving mock exams from tomorrow including JQ+. I m still a little bit scared about I/O and i need some clarifications on threads and inner classes. Otherwise i m ok now. So i'll cover them while giving mock exams. But do u think that 3/4 hours daily will suffice for the next 12 days to appear the exam?
I have a plan of gining MCSD 2/3 motnhs later also.

------------------
azaman

[mo odunaiya]

I do apologize but, it's only you, who can tell, if you are ready for the exam or not!!
If you've covered all other topics meticulously, you should do fine. Make sure you cover topics on language fundermentals, definig classes, threads, Utility Classes and inheritance before taking the exam.
I think only two or so questions came from I/O.
Please make sure you practice mock exams from now on, till the exam date. It is important you study mock exams, and know why you missed any questions you did on the test.
JQPLUS is very good, in that, you can customise the questions you do in areas where you are weakest. I suggest you do this with JQPLUS and any other mock exams you may have.
All in all, you sound like you are ready, even though you may not be conversant with I/O . Make sue you study THREADS though !!
Best of luck,
Make sure you notify me when you pass the exam!!
Mohammed Odunaiya
SCJP
PS: if you want to hook-up with me for studies with your MCSD,
please contact me after you take the Java 2 Platform exam!!

[Karen Michelle]

Thanks again, Mo!! Great advice!
More power!
Karen

[Ashik Uzzaman]

Yah, i'll contact u....
------------------
azaman