SCEA Certification test simulator - Joing effort by Ian Anderson and Sanjay Raghavan

[Sanjay Raghavan]

All,
In the past, several people have indicated that they have found our SCEA mock tests useful. There were also suggestions that Ian and I should get together to create a superlative set of tests.
Well, when Whizlabs, a leading eLearning software company, asked us team up and author their SCEA test simulator, for Ian and I, that was the perfect opportunity.
The result - SCEA@Whiz. This is going to be a comprehensive set of six full tests (with a lot of emphasis on deescriptive and scenario questions), detailed explanations and exhaustive technical tips.
The trial verion (a set of 30 questions, distributed across all topics), with detailed answers and some tips, is out and is available for free download.
Please download it at your convenience. If you have any suggestions for improvement, please let us know. The simulation tests are based on the EJB1.1 (like the exam.) When SUN updates the exam, our tests will be updates as well.
We are putting a lot of effort into these tests. Both Ian and I want it to be a world class product, something that will make a positive difference to the people preparing for the SCEA.
You can download the trial version at:
http://www.whizlabs.com/jwhiz.html
Thanks.

[Keithy Jones]

Wow!!! What can be better than this??
I've had a look at the Trial Version and its REALLY superb as expected. After all you two guys have made it.
Thanks a lot guys. Now we can be assured of our success in Part I atleast.
When do you people launch the actual version?? Also do you have any plans for Part II and Part III.

[Ian B Anderson]

Hello Keithy,
Firstly thanks for the kind comments.
The actual version will be launced at the end of this month. And yes we are both looking at different ways of providing study aids for parts II & III.
Good luck with part I
Ian

[JiaPei Jen]

I went to this site http://www.whizlabs.com/jwhiz.html
but was unable to find the trial version to download. Did I do anything wrong?

[Ian B Anderson]

Hello JiaPei,
If you go to:
http://www.whizlabs.com/jwhiz.html
Then select SCEA@whiz. At the scea@whiz page select try and you will be able to download the trial. The url for this page is:
http://www.whizlabs.com/scea/try.html
Ian
[ August 14, 2002: Message edited by: Ian B Anderson ]

[Sudhir Bangera]

Hi JaiPei,
I just downloaded the test stimulator from this site and it worked fine for me.
After you click on the above link :
1. Select SCEA@whiz link (the first one)
2. The next page displays information about this product. On the left side bar click on "TRY" (it shows a CD graphic next to it)
3. You will be asked to enter your name and email....and click the download button.....it should take you a few seconds to download it to your desk top.
4. And dont forget to thank the great guys who have made this possible for us to download

HTH
Regards...
Sudhir
SCJP2
SCWCD

[Spin Citizen]

Thanks, guys. This is a great news.

[JiaPei Jen]

I have successfully downloaded the test simulator and it is working fine. Thanks a lot to Ian and Sanjay.

[Brian Glodde]

Fantastic! This will be a valuable tool just as it was for my other certs.
[ August 14, 2002: Message edited by: Brian Glodde ]

[Sanjay Raghavan]

All,
Thank you for your kind remarks.
Best regards,

[Jacob Martin]

Terrific News.
The product looks really good, specially the Scenario based questions. Hope to see more questions in the main version.
When can I buy this?

[Ian B Anderson]

Hello Jacob,
The full product will be released at the end of August.
Regards
Ian
[ August 16, 2002: Message edited by: Ian B Anderson ]

[Sanjay Raghavan]

Shyh,
Thanks for your feedback.
>>The mock exam (trial version) is pretty good.
>>Originally I plan to take Sun's Part I test within a week. Now I have changed >>my mind that I won't take Sun's test until I have practiced your final >>product. You Have Done a Great Job!
&&Sanjay - Thanks. Ian and I want to create a superlative product that would make a positive and significant change in the SCEA takers community.
>>The following are my comments about your trial exam:
>>- The patterns questions in your mock exams are pretty tough (at least to >>me). Are the real questions as tough as these? >_<
&&Sanjay - The exam only covers the basics of patterns. However, you will definitely use them in Part 2 (mostly Core J2EE patterns, however a clear understanding on GoF is always very helpful.) With tougher questions (unlike just definitions), we are hoping that the candidates will be able to apply what they have learnt in a more effective fashion.
>>- Qustion #3: The "1.2/arrow" on the image is confusive although it doesn't >>matter with the correct answer.
&&Sanjay - I'm not sure if Poseidon will allow me to change the arrow's direction. We will give it a shot anyways.
>>- Question #10: Choice (C) is incorrect.
>>Please see EJB 1.1 Spec Section 8.3.2 "finder methods" (3rd paragraph):
>>The home interface of every entity bean includes the >>findByPrimaryKey(primaryKey) method......
>>its return type is the entity bean's remote interface. So, (C) is incorrect.
&&Sanjay - Great catch. Thanks. The question should refer to findByXxx instead of findByPrimaryKey. We Will make the necessary correction.
>>- Question #21: A typo: choice E should refer to D instead of itself.
&&Sanjay - Yes, that's a typo. We'll fix it.
>>- Question #29: The explanation for "why (B) is incorrect" is pretty >>confusive, because it sounds like (B) is correct.
&&Sanjay - We'll try to elucidate it further. The point being conveyed is that Messaging being inherently asynchronous in nature is not a suitable technology in this case. However, if messaging was the only alternative, Point to Point allows you to mimic a synchronous operation and would therefore be a possibility. We will make that clearer.
>>- Do you need any tester for your final product?
>>I would love to do it for you for free, and it could be done in a week.
&&Sanjay - Thanks for the offer. We really appreciate it. Beta evaluation decisions are however made by Whizlabs. Please feel free to contact them about it.
Once again, thank you for the excellent feedback.

[Sandeep Lodhia]

Guys...its not working with me.I have jdk 1.4 .
Following is the error :
java.lang.NoClassDefFoundError: javax/swing/JProgressBar
at
at com.zerog.lax.LAX.launch(Compiled Code)
at com.zerog.lax.LAX.main(Unknown Source)

Help me out.
Sandeep

[Pradeep Chopra]

Dear All,
Firstly I would like to Thank Sanjay and Ian for joining us in this exciting product on SCEA Certification Exam.
We've got amazing feedback on the launch of Trial Version and we are confident of continuing it in the Main Version.
Thanks to all you JavaRanchers for your support and encouragement. Your feedback and suggestions are highly valuable to us.
Sandeep: From the error message: java.lang.NoClassDefFoundError: javax/swing/JProgressBar it seems the problem is due to the older version of JRE/JDK as JProgress bar is the first class of Swing used in our product. As you said you've JDK 1.4, you probably have multiple JRE/JDK's on your machine and the older one is being used. Please do check out the PATH variable.
Also please do write to [e-mail] for zipped version, which would work fine.
Hope this helps.
Once again thanks for your support and valuable feedback.
Regards and best wishes
Pradeep

[Terry Wang]

do you have a time frame when the final version will be out? thanks!

[Lipman Li]

HI guys,
I guess the final version will not be free, you have to buy it.
scjp2, scjd2, scea

[Rajat Singla]

Sanjay,
The demo version is terrific. Will there be similar questions ("Scenario Based") in the main version. How many tests are you giving in the main version?
Also are you planning to provide tips like the trial version?
Best wishes
rajat

[Sanjay Raghavan]

Rajat,
The final version will have 6 full tests. We (Ian and I) are modeling them such that they cover all kinds of questions - simple multiple choice 1 selection to descriptive and scenario based with multiple answers.
I believe that the final version will also allow the candidate to take section tests, if he/she wants to improve in specific areas.
There will be detailed explanations for the answers and also a more comprehensive tips section.
We are hoping that this will become a comprehensive and useful tool for SCEA aspirants.
As a strategy I would recommend that candidates take 1 test as a diagnostic test to assess their strengths and weaknesses and then systematically work toward addressing their shortcomings.
Best wishes.

[Rishab Narula]

Hi,
How many questions in all you will give? Will you also give certification guarantee?
Thanks
Rishab

[Del Edwards]

I had real problems with the first release of whizlabs SCWCD prep (many months ago). Still, after seeing info about the new SCEA prep I was interested and thought I would give the whizlabs "free trial" another try. I had problems at first trying to access the sample questions. With advice from another poster, I was finally able to access the questions. The content seemed much better - even though there seemed to be a couple of problems (bugs) with the (sample) software. Days went by. I read more and more "favorable" post concerning the SCEA prep software (in particular, the scenario based questions) and decided to buy it the week before sitting for the exam.
I'm still waiting to be able to "activate" my software (thats a whole 'nother story!)- so, in the meantime, I decide to visit JavaRanch - to see if anyone else has had similar problems or has a solution at hand. I notice 2 things reading through "whizlabs" related posts:
1) Many people experience the same "glitches" in the final/full version of the SCEA prep (I'm still waiting to experience this for myself...) and
2) Its always the SAME people posting favorable reviews for whizlabs - in every topic......

I would love to see posts from other members who have used this software and have had problems either with the software or with whizlabs/whizlabs related support.
If my criticisms or willingness to criticize seem harsh or rushed - this is after all, not my first time feeling let down by whizlabs. My time is valuable to me and should not be spent sending email into an empty void. and 50 bucks is 50 bucks. I could sure find something better to do if I could stop thinking about the money I spent that is potentially about to wasted as my intended examination date draws near. Could be studying. Could be watching TV. But instead I'm online trying to find out if anyone else has had trouble with this company (and isn't too embarrassed to admit it).

[Shakti Sharma]

Is whiz lab is planning to add new tests in there SCEA package.