One thing, which I certainly noticed after Oracle's acquisition of Sun Microsystems is creating confusion around Java certifications like hell. I used to remember those days, where Java Certifications are well defined and well known e.g. SCJP, SCWCD, SCBCD etc, but currently Java certification for SE 7 is known as either SCJP 7, OCJP 7 or even OCPJP 7. By the way official name of two most sought after Java certifications are Oracle Certified Associate, Java SE 7 Programmer ( Code : 1Z0-803) and Oracle Certified Professional, Java SE 7 Programmer ( Code 1Z0-804 ). I receive lots of questions regarding Java Certifications for Java SE 6 and 7, with range of queries from how to prepare for exam, to suggestions on books, resources and mock exam simulators. One of the questions, which lot of my reader email me is about, whether taking OCAJP is mandatory for giving OCPJP or not? Many of them have doubt about whether OCA is required for taking OCP or not? Well, answer is both Yes and No. If you are appearing for Java SE 7 certification and haven't done any Java certification before than you need to first clear OCAJP and only than you can take OCPJP, but if you are upgrading from an earlier version e.g. you have already passed Oracle Certified Professional, Java SE 6 or SE 5 Programmer (OCPJP 6 or OCPJP 5) or any version of Sun Certified Java programmer exam ( SCJP) than you don't need to go through OCA path. You can directly appear for OCPJP 7. By the way exam code is different for upgrade version, you need to take 1Z0-805, Upgrade to Java SE 7 Programmer. On similar note, if you are appearing for Java SE 6 certification than you don't need to pass OCA, you can directly take Java 1.6 certification.
Well, I suggest, you should upgrade to OCP Java SE 7, if you have given SCJP 1.4, SCJP 1.5 or any older SCJP certification at least 3 to 4 years ago. Main reason for upgrade is to get yourself familiar with recent changes in core Java. Since these Java certificate exams are gone through significant changes, and lot of things are added in syllabus, which was not there earlier, they present a good opportunity to make your core Java skills stronger. They also present unique opportunity to refresh and update your existing core Java knowledge. On similar note, these exams are also better aligned with industry standard and covered a wide ranged of topics which are not present in OCPJP SE 6 exam e.g.
You can see complete syllabus on official Java certification page. Now let's see some important fact about OCP Java SE 7 exam. The exam has a duration of 150 minutes, with almost 80 - 90 questions, given if you are giving it first time code 1Z0-804 or upgrading from earlier versions of Java certifications e.g. SCJP 1.4 , code 1Z0-805. Similarly for 1Z0-804, passing score is 65%, while for 1Z0-805 passing score is 60%. Format of exam is still multiple choice questions for both exams.
That's all about this question, whether you need to pass OCAJP for taking OCPJP or not. As I have answered the question in first paragraph, you only need to pass OCAJP SE 7, if you don't have any previous Sun Certification, if you already passed SCJP 1.4 or SCJP 5, then you can directly take OCPJP SE 7 exam. That's cost saving too, So if you are already certified SCJP than no need to take OCAJP SE 7 exam again. Also if you are going to give SCJP 1.6, then you don't need to pass any OCA exams.
Should you upgrade to OCP Java SE 7
Well, I suggest, you should upgrade to OCP Java SE 7, if you have given SCJP 1.4, SCJP 1.5 or any older SCJP certification at least 3 to 4 years ago. Main reason for upgrade is to get yourself familiar with recent changes in core Java. Since these Java certificate exams are gone through significant changes, and lot of things are added in syllabus, which was not there earlier, they present a good opportunity to make your core Java skills stronger. They also present unique opportunity to refresh and update your existing core Java knowledge. On similar note, these exams are also better aligned with industry standard and covered a wide ranged of topics which are not present in OCPJP SE 6 exam e.g.- Design Patterns
- Describe the JDBC API
- Localization
- Java Concurrency
You can see complete syllabus on official Java certification page. Now let's see some important fact about OCP Java SE 7 exam. The exam has a duration of 150 minutes, with almost 80 - 90 questions, given if you are giving it first time code 1Z0-804 or upgrading from earlier versions of Java certifications e.g. SCJP 1.4 , code 1Z0-805. Similarly for 1Z0-804, passing score is 65%, while for 1Z0-805 passing score is 60%. Format of exam is still multiple choice questions for both exams.
That's all about this question, whether you need to pass OCAJP for taking OCPJP or not. As I have answered the question in first paragraph, you only need to pass OCAJP SE 7, if you don't have any previous Sun Certification, if you already passed SCJP 1.4 or SCJP 5, then you can directly take OCPJP SE 7 exam. That's cost saving too, So if you are already certified SCJP than no need to take OCAJP SE 7 exam again. Also if you are going to give SCJP 1.6, then you don't need to pass any OCA exams.
Important resource for OCAJP and OCPJP Java SE 7 Certification
Here are some of the important resources and links for any Java 1.7 certification aspirants :
Official Oracle Java Certification page
Books on OCPJP 7
OCA/OCP Java SE 7 Programmer I & II Study Guide (Exams 1Z0-803 & 1Z0-804)
OCA/OCP Java SE 7 Programmer I & II Study Guide (Exams 1Z0-803 & 1Z0-804)
Oracle
Certified Professional Java SE 7 Programmer Exams 1Z0-804 and 1Z0-805: A
Comprehensive OCPJP 7 Certification Guide By S G Ganesh and Tushar
Sharma
Sample OCPJP 7 Questions
http://education.oracle.com/pls/web_prod-plq-dad/db_pages.getpage?page_id=303&p_certName=SQ1Z0_805
OCPJP 7 Exam Simulator
OCPJP 7 Exam Simulator
Whizlabs OCAJP 7 Exam Simulator
Whizlabs OCPJP 7 Exam Simulator
Java SE 7 Programmer II - Sample Questions
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