An overview of the Java OCA/OCP certifications with an emphasis on the major steps for how to study. Most of the content applies to any exam you could take. The examples are Java.

1. How to Study for the Java 8
Certification Exams
slideshare.net/boyarsky
Twitter @jeanneboyarsky
Blog: http://www.selikoff.net
Moderator on forums at:
http://www.coderanch.com
Jeanne Boyarsky

2. A trip down “memory lane”

3. SCJP Single
exam

4. 9/10: Sun  Oracle
SCJA 5/6
SCJP 5/6
OCJA 5/6
OCJP 5/6
New
acronyms!

5. 2/12: More exams
OCA 7
OCP 7
More to
learn!
OCJP 6

6. 1/15: Java 8 exam
OCA 7
OCP 7
Removed and
new content
OCA 8
OCP 8

7. 3/16: Java 5 exams retired
About
time!
OCJA 5
OCJP 5

8. Three paths to OCP 8
OCA 7
OCA 8
I’ll start with
the OCA 8
OCP 7
OCP 8 *
OCJP 6 or
earlier

9. Pause for Commercial

10. Step 1: Create a Study Plan
Buy book
Magic
Pass
Test

11. Step 1: Create a Study Plan
Study 15 minutes a
day no matter what.
No losing
momentum!

12. Step 2: Read a Study Guide

13. Step 2: Read a Study Guide
Lots of info to digest
Lots of edge cases
Not everything
overlaps what you
actually use in your
job

14. Step 3: Code!

15. Step 3: Code!
How do I
know what to
code?
Exercise time!
Let’s do some
together

16. Step 4: Review questions
Answer?
Why?
How are they
trying to trick
you?

17. Step 4: Review questions
Didn’t we just
see this
question?
Nope!

18. Step 4: Review questions
Really, didn’t we
just see this
question?
Ok we did.
Easier this time?

19. Step 5: Flashcards
What are
the eight
primitive
types?

20. Step 5: Flashcards
Make your own
too
Think of key
points
Demo of Anki –
spaced repetition

21. Step 6: Practice exams

22. Step 6: Practice exams

23. Step 6: Practice exams
Do NOT take another
practice exam
immediately if you are
not happy with your
score.
There are only so many
out there and you can
waste your “first
exposure” attempts.

24. Step 6: Practice exams
Practice exams are
typically harder than
the real thing

25. More Resources
• Includes links to mock exams
• http://www.coderanch.com/t/659981/Wiki/Ocaj
p-Faq
• http://www.coderanch.com/t/659977/Wiki/Ocpj
p-Faq
• Oracle cert list
• http://education.oracle.com/pls/web_prod-plq-
dad/db_pages.getpage?page_id=651

26. Questions?
Wait? Robots can’t
take the test?
Someone should
have told me!