Sun Certifications

I often received a private message or an email from JavaRanch users. Most of them were asking me how I managed to get good results for my Java certifications. So far, I have taken two Sun certifications. They are Sun Certified Programmer for the Java Platform, Standard Edition (SCJP) 1.4 (CX-310-035) and Sun Certified Web Component Developer (SCWCD) 1.4 (CX-310-081). I got 95% and 94%, respectively.

Basically, it is easy to get good results for Sun Certifications. Following are the steps that will guarantee you to grab it:

1. You must read the books specifically written for the tests. For SCJP 1.4 or above (the most recent version is SCJP 6) you can use O’Reilly Head First Java (Kathy Sierra, Bert Bates). For SCWCD 1.4 or above (the most recent version is SCWCD 5) you may use O’Reilly Head First Servlets & JSP (Bryan Basham, Kathy Sierra, Bert Bates). Those are the most recommended books for every future exam takers. In addition, you may also use Mikalai Zaikin’s study notes. It helps a lot.
   
2. After reading the books, you can start practicing your knowledge by doing mock exams. The most recommended mock exams are Enthuware JQPlus (SCJP) and Enthuware JWebPlus (SCWCD). Why do I recommend those exam simulators? Because lots of questions in the real tests were exactly the same as the questions appeared in the simulators! That’s true! I am not bluffing you!
3. Each time you finished one of the exams in the simulator, you must review your failed answers by rereading the related topics in the book.
4. Repeat 2 and 3 until you finish all the exams in the simulator!
5. Usually the results of the final exam in the simulator could project the real results in the real tests. For example, if you got 74% in either JQPlus or JWebPlus, roughly you will get 89% (74 + 15) in the real tests! Why do I add with 15? That's the magic constant!
   

That’s all! Should you done those steps correctly, you will get a good result!
Good luck!