Guidance Please

[Goutham Harsha]

Hello everyone. I need a little bit of advice from people over here, pertaining to SCJP Exam. This post might be a bit long, but please go through it. It's a sincere request.

A brief background of mine might be a little useful in this context :

I'm a Computer Science Engineering Undergraduate from BITS-Pilani University (India)

I am pretty much comfortable with C Programming, but I haven't done any programming in Java so far, till a month ago. So starting this month, I've been trying to get accustomed to Java and Object Oriented Programming. I've done a few basics, nothing much.
Here's the problem. The only thing standing between me and an internship in Oracle is Java. So I've got 6 months to prove to them that I can do well in Java. I feel adding an SCJP to my resume would make the point clear.

So basically I've got a college schedule where Object Oriented Prog. using Java is a compulsory course this semester and I've got 6 months time.

My questions are as follows :

1) Is 6 months enough to pass an SCJP exam given I have had no prior experience with Java Coding ? Or, how much time does it normally require ?
2) Where do I kick start my preparations with ? (Suggest some books / resources that can help me clear SCJP and get my Java fundamentals strong)
3) Considering the fact that an SCJP within 6-7 months is a must, can anyone suggest me any tips regarding how to go about the preparations ?

PS: Sorry for the query being non-technical and lengthy. But any sort of help would be greatly useful.

Thanks in advance.

Gautam.

[Hama Kamal]

Goutham Harsha wrote:Hello everyone. I need a little bit of advice from people over here, pertaining to SCJP Exam. This post might be a bit long, but please go through it. It's a sincere request.

A brief background of mine might be a little useful in this context :

I'm a Computer Science Engineering Undergraduate from BITS-Pilani University (India)

I am pretty much comfortable with C Programming, but I haven't done any programming in Java so far, till a month ago. So starting this month, I've been trying to get accustomed to Java and Object Oriented Programming. I've done a few basics, nothing much.
Here's the problem. The only thing standing between me and an internship in Oracle is Java. So I've got 6 months to prove to them that I can do well in Java. I feel adding an SCJP to my resume would make the point clear.

So basically I've got a college schedule where Object Oriented Prog. using Java is a compulsory course this semester and I've got 6 months time.

My questions are as follows :

1) Is 6 months enough to pass an SCJP exam given I have had no prior experience with Java Coding ? Or, how much time does it normally require ?
2) Where do I kick start my preparations with ? (Suggest some books / resources that can help me clear SCJP and get my Java fundamentals strong)
3) Considering the fact that an SCJP within 6-7 months is a must, can anyone suggest me any tips regarding how to go about the preparations ?

PS: Sorry for the query being non-technical and lengthy. But any sort of help would be greatly useful.

Thanks in advance.

Gautam.

hi Goutham Harsha ,,

i would like to give you a short answer, i think the follwing two points will be useful to you
1-take first two months to study java basics ,, this link will be useful webpage
2-take the remaining 4 months to study Kathy and Bert book and finally take the SCJP exam...... i hope you success..

[Tommy Delson]

I recommend take 4 months to complete K & B book, 1 month for mock tests and coding practice, and 1 month for final review and preparation.

That's really plenty of time to complete compared to mine, I have only 2 months for everything since I've experience in Java, but that doesn't help much.

My background came from C++ with little knowledge of Java, but I can proved to the employer that I can do it without prior Java certification, training, class etc.

Just got out university and on my first job I have accomplished the first client/server GUI application within short time frame 3-5 months that my colleagues with 2-5 years experience couldn't do it.

It's a will. If you think you can do it just focus and do it, a can do attitude and hard work will success.

Good luck on your Cert....

[Goutham Harsha]

Thanks for the replies @Hama Kamal and @Tommy Delson

Inputs from other users will also be of help

[Piyush Joshi]

I think without any prior knowledge of Java going directly for K & B book is NOT a good idea.
K & B book requires some basic knowledge of Java, which you can get from any beginner's book. (my suggesion is to go for Deitel Java how to program chapter 1-10) Give it 1 month to understand the basics. Then go for K & B book.
Try to finish it in 4 months. Then give last month for review and mock exams.

[Goutham Harsha]

For beginning Java,

I have "Complete Reference : Java" by Herbert Schildt and "Head First Java" by Kathy Sierra and Bert Bates.

Should I stick with any one of these (if so, which one) or do you guys suggest some other book like Deitel Java (or) Just Java 2 by Van Linden ?

[Piyush Joshi]

I suggest "Head First Java", although I havent read it but I have seen Herbert Schildt, and found it quite painful read, as material is not properly presented in sequence(honestly my opinion).
And Head First series books are really good, as I have read other head first books. So I think you should choose "Head First Java" (If you have to choose between these two)

[Goutham Harsha]

Piyush Joshi wrote:I suggest "Head First Java", although I havent read it but I have seen Herbert Schildt, and found it quite painful read, as material is not properly presented in sequence(honestly my opinion).
And Head First series books are really good, as I have read other head first books. So I think you should choose "Head First Java" (If you have to choose between these two)

Cool. Thanks Piyush ! (and Javaranch) for the help.

I'll stick to Head First Java in that case. How is Just Java 2 by Van Linden ?
Both these books have very good reviews in the bunk house section, so I am just asking out of curiosity

[Tommy Delson]

I assumed that you have some programming background regardless what language so, I think you're good to focus on the book below.

For Programmer with different background: I've red couple chapters this book and I found it's really good for the beginner in Java, despite some errors that I found like other book, but it's good for the OCJP preperation. Coding and test your codes is the only way to confirm and clear your doubt.

1) A Programmer's Guide to Java SCJP Certification: A Comprehensive Primer (3rd Edition) By Khalid Mughal, Rolf Rasmussen (For beginner)

This is a book that you really need to FOCUS on, pass or not is in the fate of this book, read every chapter over and over again until you master all the important topic.

2) SCJP Sun Certified Programmer for Java 6 Exam 310-065 By Katherine Sierra, Bert Bates (For programmer)

And here is the link for recommended books: http://www.whizlabs.com/scjp-books.html

Search the forum for tips and how to prepare for the exam, many have posted and given tips on this forum included myself.

Here again: https://coderanch.com/t/538438/sr/certification/passed-SCJP-tips#2442667

If you have any question feel free to post your question, there are many good ranchers in this forum will give their input and help.

[Goutham Harsha]

@ Tommy Delson :

Thanks man

And congrats on getting your certification. Hope I'll get to see myself writing a similar post some day