Passed OCA exam (84%)

[Naz Harvat]

Hi everyone! Today I did the exam and, as the title says, got 84% I will share my preparation experience now.

I first started learning Java because I needed it for my final degree (Aerospace Engineering) project, one year ago more or less. Then, I decided that I should try to certify my knowledge, so I first got the book "Java, The Complete Reference" by Herbert Schildt, not only to start getting prepared for the exam, but to improve my knowledge in general. I think this was a good decision because this book covers simple and advanced topics, so it can be really useful even for the OCP exam.

Then I got the "Practice Tests" from Scott Selikoff and Jeanne Borasky. I decided not to get the study guide because I thought this book would be enough, but after getting these scores, I reconsidered it, as I realized there were too many things I didn't know and I needed to get more preparation:

Chapter 1 - 78%
Chapter 2 - 66%
Chapter 3 - 64%
Chapter 4 - 74%
Chapter 5 - 92%
Chapter 6 - 76%
Chapter 7 - 74%
Chapter 8 - 72%
Chapter 9 - 72%

Test simulation - 81.25%


Then in the OCA study guide I got:

Assesment test - 63% (didn't get enough sleep that day   )
Chapter 1 - 87%
Chapter 2 - 80%
Chapter 3 - 70%
Chapter 4 - 71%
Chapter 5 - 80%
Chapter 6 - 70%

I know I followed kind of an unusual path during my preparation and I probably should have get more prepared considering these results, but I felt quite confident. And here I am... Next step will be the OCP exam, but for now, the job is done!

[Jeanne Boyarsky]

Naz Harvat wrote:Then I got the "Practice Tests" from Scott Selikoff and Jeanne Borasky. I decided not to get the study guide because I thought this book would be enough, but after getting these scores, I reconsidered it, as I realized there were too many things I didn't know and I needed to get more preparation:

Congrats. You got to learn that the practice tests book is meant to supplement a study guide rather than replace it.

[Paul Anilprem]

Congratulations!!

[Naz Harvat]

Jeanne Boyarsky wrote:

Naz Harvat wrote:Then I got the "Practice Tests" from Scott Selikoff and Jeanne Borasky. I decided not to get the study guide because I thought this book would be enough, but after getting these scores, I reconsidered it, as I realized there were too many things I didn't know and I needed to get more preparation:

Congrats. You got to learn that the practice tests book is meant to supplement a study guide rather than replace it.

Didn't expect to receive a reply from one of the authors, thank you! I am aware of that... The fact is that I didn't know how prepared I was for the exam, but let's say I thought I had more knowledge than I expected, that's why I decided to get the tests just to get some practice and do the exam in a short period of time. As I say, fortunately I realized I needed the study guide too.

[Pete Letkeman]

Naz Harvat wrote:Didn't expect to receive a reply from one of the authors, thank you!

Yeah, it pretty cool that the authors take the time on this site not only to say hello, but to help the community out.

Now that you have completed this challenge please take a few minutes and add yourself to the OCA Wall Of Fame
https://coderanch.com/wiki/659980/Ocajp-Wall-Fame

If your next challenge is the the OCP exam then I suggest you look at the OCP Wall Of Fame
https://coderanch.com/wiki/659976/Ocpjp-Wall-Fame
This could help save you frustration, time and money as you learn how others have prepared and what resources they used.

[O Shea]

Congratulations Champion great score Now take a bit of relax and then move to your next target.
Once again many many congratulations for your big success