Hi to all ranchers
I would like to take this time to share my experiences and preparations of the OCA
Java Programmer I certification.
I am a young man (19 years young) from South Africa(Africa).I finished my matric(high school) in December 2016 and I was planning to study ICT in China for 2017. I met someone who said he would mentor me in becoming a software developer and mind you at that time I did not know anything corncening Java.
I was afraid at first because I did not how things would turn out to be or what I was engaging myself into. I started learning about Java in March 2017.I had
alot of videos about Java from Youtube (my best friend). At first I was very curious about what this 'Java' is and what is does. Without any prior experience to Java or any other programming language, I thought things where going to be easy. BUT, eventually realised that I had alot of work to do.For the first 2 months or so in my preparation I would study approximately 6 hours a day. It was alot to take in for as I was coming into the Java world and beyond. I knew that nothing could come easy for me. I gave it all I had, day and night. I increased my study time to aproximately 12 hours a day. Thanks to my mom, dad and 2 siblings for all their support.
On the third month of my preparation I found out that I could never know everything about Java because the more I studied the more I found out new corncepts. It was generally hard for me. I took time to study the EBook by Jeanne Boyarsky and Scott Selikoff. Wow this book is amazing. It went straight to the point and taught me concepts I really need to know and understand. Its like I could hear audibly the voices of the two authors as I read the book.
These were my results after taking its Sample Exam Questions
Oracle Certified Associate Java SE 8 Programmer I Study Guide: Exam 1Z0-808� by Jeanne Boyarsky & Scott Selikoff
Chapter 1 - 70%
Chapter 2 - 85%
Chapter 3 - 61%
Chapter 4 - 45%
Chapter 5 - 45%
Chapter 6 - 55%
I re-read the book without checking the answers and these were my second attempt results
Chapter 1 - 83%
Chapter 2 - 85%
Chapter 3 - 61%
Chapter 4 - 62%
Chapter 5 - 65%
Chapter 6 - 55%
Then I wrote:
Assessment
test 65%
I also studied the OCA EBook by Mala Gupta
OCA Java SE 7 Programmer I Certification Guide�, Mala Gupta, Sample exam questions:
Chapter 1 - 66%
Chapter 2 - 80%
Chapter 3 - 80%
Chapter 4 - 67%
Chapter 5 - 60%
Chapter 6 - 70%
Chapter 7 - 40%
Then I wrote the complete:
Mock Test - 55%
I finished my prepations with The Enthuware Standard Tests
Foundation Test - 78%
Test 1 - 70%
Test 2 - 66%
Test 3 - 79%
Test 4 - 74%
Test 5 - 74%
Test 6 - 85%
Last Day Test - 71%
Unfortunately, after finishing all my preparations that is when I found out about this forum (very sad). If I knew it earlier during my prepations I would have been very happy because its very helpful and encouraging.
It took me 6 months to fully prepare for the exam. On the day of the exam (4 September 2017) I had mixed feelings. But was very sure that I will either get 65% or 100% in other words, I knew I was going to pass.
Real Exam I earned 72%. I was very glad I gZot that marked and would'nt have wished for a better or lesser mark.
Shout-Out to Kizito (Java mentor) and my family and Thank you guys for welcoming me in this forum. I am currently studying for Oracle Certified Professional Java SE 8 Programmer II.
4
Now it's time to relax a bit and have a (well-deserved) 
(or 2 or 3). And if you want to spoil yourself have a Belgian beer, our beers are the best of the world 
