Upgrading my Java skillset - OCAJP 7 vs. 8

[Chris J Allen]

A long time ago in a galaxy far far away, I used to visit this site regularly when studying for my SCJP 1.4 certification. For a number of years, I worked in the .NET realm but have returned home to Java (finally!). It looks like we are up to Java 8 now and I have a question. With Java 8 being out for a while now, why would one sit for a Java 7 exam? Would it be due to the environment they currently work in (i.e. their workplace has not moved to Java 8?). I see that there are lots of changes since 1.4 (many for the better!) and assume that all of the Java 8 study materials would include everything from previous exams necessary to pass the Java 8 exam but wanted to confirm. In short, is it necessary to obtain additional Java 7 exam materials to augment Java 8 exam materials? I am looking at the Java 8 study materials from Jeanne Boyarsky and Scott Selikoff as these have received good reviews on this site.

Java 8 study material

[Elana Abelev]

Hi,  add Enthuware tests to your arsenal, I'm doing them now in preparation and they're an excellent companion to the book you've mentioned (which I'm also using).

Would you mind if I piggy back on your topic and as whether Enthuware test packet for java 7 certification is significantly different from java 8, and whether it makes sense to purchase the java 7 pack to get additional practice, or is java 8 question set really java 7 with a few new questions thrown in?

[Jeanne Boyarsky]

Chris J Allen wrote: With Java 8 being out for a while now, why would one sit for a Java 7 exam?  

Good reasons would be having already bought a Java7 cert book or having already bought an exam voucher for 7.

Chris J Allen wrote: I see that there are lots of changes since 1.4 (many for the better!) and assume that all of the Java 8 study materials would include everything from previous exams necessary to pass the Java 8 exam but wanted to confirm. In short, is it necessary to obtain additional Java 7 exam materials to augment Java 8 exam materials?

No need to obtain 7 materials. The materials for Java 8 cover everything you need.

[Paul Anilprem]

Elana Abelev wrote:Hi,  add Enthuware tests to your arsenal, I'm doing them now in preparation and they're an excellent companion to the book you've mentioned (which I'm also using).

Would you mind if I piggy back on your topic and as whether Enthuware test packet for java 7 certification is significantly different from java 8, and whether it makes sense to purchase the java 7 pack to get additional practice, or is java 8 question set really java 7 with a few new questions thrown in?

A lot of questions (60-70%) are common in both the question banks. But the differences are still significant and you should not use OCA 7 question bank for OCA 8 preparation.

HTH,
Paul.

[Elana Abelev]

Paul Anilprem wrote:

Elana Abelev wrote:Hi,  add Enthuware tests to your arsenal, I'm doing them now in preparation and they're an excellent companion to the book you've mentioned (which I'm also using).

Would you mind if I piggy back on your topic and as whether Enthuware test packet for java 7 certification is significantly different from java 8, and whether it makes sense to purchase the java 7 pack to get additional practice, or is java 8 question set really java 7 with a few new questions thrown in?

A lot of questions (60-70%) are common in both the question banks. But the differences are still significant and you should not use OCA 7 question bank for OCA 8 preparation.

HTH,
Paul.

Thanks, Paul!