Hi all,
I am preparing for
SCJP. At present I have no rigid mindset whether to give 1.4 or 1.5. If I become highly confident with 1.4 syllabus in 1 month, then I �may� think to tam the new 1.5 features and give 1.5 exam. But it will be like over stretching my capability and taking a big risk. Because at present its certification that is what is important to me rather that the exam version.
I am reading K&B book. I finished 3 chapters from it. I agree that this book id �very�, �very� close to the real exam, because the questions in the Self Tests have a correct blend and they �properly�
test you on concepts. Other tests available on the web can give you practice but they can be at times ambiguous and irksome. Such resources can never present questions with the right blend, which is there in K&B book.
So a good deep & sound study of the K&B book plus a bit �refinement� in code analysis (when any random code is presented to you) is all that�s needed to crack the exam.
My preparation experience tells me that following is necessary to pass the exam with a convincing score-
1) Test Taking technique- This is nothing but giving each test (in K&B book or from anywhere) in a
time limit (roughly, time= 2 times the number of questions, as in 1.4 test we have 61 questions and 120 minutes). After time limit, what matters is how you �penetrate� into the exam. Tips for this are given in K&B book introductory pages. These tips must be �scrupulously� followed �exactly� as they are mentioned, no matter any mock test you are giving.
2)Alertness to identify �any sort� of bug in the code- this is what will be helpful to save time. For this the �exam watch� sections in the K&B book are quite helpful. Sometimes a person gets bogged down in solving complex loops, evaluating variables, tracking threads, and ultimately may waste time if the code has an intentional �syntax� error / �illegal� entry hidden in it.
3)Sound Concepts & a Running mind- a person studying for the programmer�s exam easily develops strong concepts by reading the K&B book, but these are of no use if you don�t posses the point s 1) and 2) above. And about �running mind� I mean how fast one can �get into� the code and arrive at the answer.
The only option to develop 1), 2) & 3) is to eat
JAVA, drink JAVA, sleep JAVA. In short �live� JAVA.
And last but not least � �a never give up� attitude which will help you to just go to the exam, mark the options and get back with a �PASS� result.
C�mon guys, lets do it.
Hope it helps all. Any comments / tips are most welcome
Regards
Niranjan (niranjan_8712@yahoo.com)
