Are You Ready for Java Certification?

You may already be a Java programmer, or maybe you are new to the language and want to get an official certification under your belt. Either way, obtaining Sun Certified status can make a difference when competing for jobs. The process of studying for certification can also provide you with some great fundamentals in object-oriented programming that you may otherwise miss out on. What is the best way to study for Sun certification? You can choose to take web courses, use printed books, or peruse the web for practice exams. It all depends on you.

Web Courses

Web courses are a great way to learn about Java programming, and you will be able to find some free demo courses online as well as slick but costly ones offered by large e-learning companies. Try the free demos first. There is no harm in getting your feet wet, and you will at least get some introductory concepts under your belt. The demos are a great way to determine if you want to invest in a full course product.

Books

There are dozens of books available on the subject of Sun certification, but it is important not to just pick one out of thin air. Before you fork over 60 bucks for a book, make certain that it's focused on certification topics. A reference book on all of the class libraries may help you with a few of the exam objectives, but it will not prepare you for test day. If you can visit the bookstore, scour the Java programming books and check the tables of contents for chapters that relate directly to the certification objectives. If you are not studying the objectives, you are just wasting time.

Practice Exams

If you are willing to hunt and peck, then online practice exams are a fantastic way to prepare for the exam. With practice exams, you will be able to quickly see where you need to devote the most study time. Some of the practice exams are demonstrations that let you answer a limited number of questions. Even these abbreviated demos can be helpful. If you really like the test format of the demo, then you may want to invest in the full practice exam.

Study Up!

Whether you choose web courses, printed books, free practice exams, or some combination of these methods, you will need to devote some intense time to studying. When you think you are ready for the test, you may want to try out a free assessment for the Java Certified Associate first. This assessment offered by Sun will give you a good idea of where your strengths and weaknesses are before you take the real exam. If you are preparing for the Programmer certification, then check out this free proficiency assessment.

Are you Ready for the Java Certification Exams?

You will know you are ready for the certification exams when you are consistently scoring above 90% on the practice exams you are taking. But be certain you are not just memorizing facts. You will need to really understand the concepts. Try out different practice exams so that you are not seeing the same questions over and over again.

Keep up with the hard work and you are bound to reap the rewards.