Java 2 Certification - how long to study for it?

[Cycloneous Echevarria]

Hello Java Newsgroup,

I have just begun studying for the Java 2 Certification. My level of
expertise is very broad with Java; meaning that I know the basics
programming JSP, IO, Networking, Swing, Threads, etc.

My question to group is:

What is a good time frame to study for the exam? I am free mostly nights
and weekend nights.

Secondly, what book/site/software do you recommend to use for studying.
Currently, I have:

The Complete Java 2 Certification Guide (c) 1999 along with the CD they
provide(sampe exams, code, etc).

Lastly and study tips?

TIA,

Orlando

 

[William Brogden]

Hello Java Newsgroup,

I have just begun studying for the Java 2 Certification. My level of
expertise is very broad with Java; meaning that I know the basics
programming JSP, IO, Networking, Swing, Threads, etc.

My question to group is:

What is a good time frame to study for the exam? I am free mostly nights
and weekend nights.

Secondly, what book/site/software do you recommend to use for studying.
Currently, I have:

The Complete Java 2 Certification Guide (c) 1999 along with the CD they
provide(sampe exams, code, etc).

Lastly and study tips?

TIA,

Orlando

If you really are well versed in Java a month or so of reviewing the basics
and taking mock exams on the net should be enough. However, be aware
that your1999 book is two generations out of date. The exam has changed
a LOT since then.

http://www.javaranch.com/ is a great place to learn how people
are currently studying for the exam.
Bill

 

[John O'Conner]

Hello Java Newsgroup,

I have just begun studying for the Java 2 Certification. My level of
expertise is very broad with Java; meaning that I know the basics
programming JSP, IO, Networking, Swing, Threads, etc.

My question to group is:

What is a good time frame to study for the exam? I am free mostly nights
and weekend nights.

I believe there are about 8 chapters that cover the Programmer
Certification in that particular book. So, if you really want, you can
cover one chapter every 2 days and be ready in about 2.5 weeks.

I just took the exam myself...you're knowledge of JSP, Networking, and
Swing probably aren't going to help you much. The exam primarily tests
your knowledge of the language itself and not of a particular API.

Regards,
John

 

[Tom Adams]

Hello Java Newsgroup,

I have just begun studying for the Java 2 Certification. My level of
expertise is very broad with Java; meaning that I know the basics
programming JSP, IO, Networking, Swing, Threads, etc.

My question to group is:

What is a good time frame to study for the exam? I am free mostly nights
and weekend nights.

I took the exam a few years ago and it has changed a bit. I think you
had to be a bit more of a human compiler for the earlier versions.

Prep time depends on how to do on tests. Some experienced folks have
some difficulty on tests of this sort.

I think the best thing to do is to take a mock test and diagnose your
weak areas. If you are close to passing already then your prep will
not take
long.

If you are close to passing, then I would go ahead and schedule the
exam for a date a few weeks in the future at the time of day when you
are at your best. Then make a study sprint to get over the top. I
found that the detailed knowledge did not stick in my brain for long,
so don't let your preparation go stale.

Secondly, what book/site/software do you recommend to use for studying.
Currently, I have:

The Complete Java 2 Certification Guide (c) 1999 along with the CD they
provide(sampe exams, code, etc).

Get the most recent edition, Looks like edition 4 is the most recent
from the Amazon site

Lastly and study tips?

As I said earlier, use mock exams to identify your weak areas and to
gauge your progress and estimate when you will be peaking.

The updated edition of the book you have (Heller and Roberts) is the
best, IMO.

I seem to recall that they had end of chapter quizes, you might use
those to diagnose your knowledge, saving the mock exams till you are
almost ready.

If you run out of mock exams, there are some online and in other
books.