Mark Rubin

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since Jun 02, 2001
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Recent posts by Mark Rubin

Email it to me and I'll convert it for you. . Ignore the fact that I haven't passed the test yet.
If you believe that, I've got a bridge to sell you too.
Mark
22 years ago
Congrats Ken. I second the vote for you to put up a mock exam.

Mark
In a previous post, a bartender generally stated that one of the best parts of the Sun certification is that the questions have not been released all over the Internet. Some other exams, like the MCSE, have "BrainDump" sites all over the Internet. It takes away from what you're supposed to get from the exam. If you're studying for the exam in general, you're getting knowledge. If you study the questions, all you're learning is the answers to those questions.
Mark
Thanks for the link. Does anyone disagree with the ratings? Is it important to get the one book that covers jsp 1.2?
Mark
22 years ago
Congrats. Why did you look into certification and what can/will you do now that you're certified?
mark
22 years ago
I think the answer to your question is that trim IS a valid method for a String object.
I copied this from the sun doc pages on strings:
*************
trim
public String trim()
Removes white space from both ends of this string.
If this String object represents an empty character sequence, or the first and last characters of character sequence represented by this String object both have codes greater than '\u0020' (the space character), then a reference to this String object is returned.
Otherwise, if there is no character with a code greater than '\u0020' in the string, then a new String object representing an empty string is created and returned.
Otherwise, let k be the index of the first character in the string whose code is greater than '\u0020', and let m be the index of the last character in the string whose code is greater than '\u0020'. A new String object is created, representing the substring of this string that begins with the character at index k and ends with the character at index m-that is, the result of this.substring(k, m+1).
This method may be used to trim whitespace from the beginning and end of a string; in fact, it trims all ASCII control characters as well.
Returns:
this string, with white space removed from the front and end.
*************
Mark
I can answer the "adaptive format" question. This format is used in many college level entrance exams (when I took the GRE, it was adaptive).
This is a very broad description of an adaptive format test copied from the FAQ on the GRE website (http://www.gre.org/faq.html#aboutcbt):
Q. How does the computer-adaptive General Test work?
A. A computer-adaptive test is tailored to your performance level and provides precise information about your abilities using fewer test questions than traditional paper-based tests.
At the start of the test, you are presented with test questions of average difficulty. As you answer each question, the computer scores that question and uses that information, as well as your responses to previous questions and information about the test design, to determine which question is presented next. As long as you respond correctly, typically questions of increased difficulty are presented. If incorrect responses are entered, typically the computer presents questions of lesser difficulty. Your next question will be the one that best reflects both your previous performance and the test design. This means that different test takers will be given different questions.

As for scoring, each question has a point value associated with it according to difficulty. The more difficult questions you answer, the higher score you'll get right. In these tests, how you do on the first 3/4 of the test determines the majority of your score.
Mark
Also, the multiple choice questions consist of questions where this is only one answer, and questions where there can be multiple correct answers (I call them "multiple multiple choice"). In the case of "multiple multiple choice" you will be told how many answers will be correct for the question (ie, this question will have 3 correct answers).
Good Luck,
Mark
Krutika,
It's good that you're a perfectionist. According what I've read on these boards, the scores that you're getting in the practice tests are close to what you will get in the real test. Since you only need a 61% to pass, you're way ahead of the game. If you try too hard, you might end up short circuiting your brain. Keep doing the practice tests and try to spend some time getting nights of good sleep.
Marcus,
Although I realize this post is quite dated. I'd like to comment on your statement about the hassles of permits. According to a UK Government website and several recruiters that I spoke to, if you're on the skills shortages list located at http://www.workpermits.gov.uk/guidance/business/application/index.shtml (if you do Java, you are), then the permit process is extremely easy and costs the employer no money.
FYI
22 years ago
Johan,
What do you plan on doing now that you have passed? Is this for a current job or to get a new one?
Mark
22 years ago
JavaRanch now has an updated FAQ too:
http://www.javaranch.com/certfaq.jsp
Mark
I haven't taken the exam yet, but I have taken several other exams at my local Sylan Prometric center and they always had pencils and paper. If you think you will need paper, when you ask for it, ask for several sheets. It's very easy to lose your concentration when you have to stand up and go get more paper.
Mark
Junilu and Jane,
Thanks for your advice.
Mark