You have chosen to pursue Computer Science & Engineering to explore the best career opportunities by learning various programming languages like Java. However, the IT industry is highly competitive. The “Study Guide to the Java Certification Exam” can help you stand out.
In each year millions of Java Developers get passed out from any institution. And from them, very few Java Programmers can land on a good company. So, to increase your chances of getting a job, you need to sit for different certification exams.
This article is intended to focus on different Certification Exams in Java Programming that as an upcoming graduate you must sit for.
Whether you’re a beginner or looking to refine your Java skills, getting expert guidance can be invaluable.
TL;DR: Study Guide To The Java Certification Exam
Aspect | Summary |
What Is It | Java Certification is a professional credential that validates your Java Programming Skills. |
Why Get Certified |
|
Main Certifications |
|
Key Concepts To Learn | Java Class Design, OOP, Inheritance, Lambda Expressions, Concurrency, File I/O, JDBC, Exception Handling, etc. |
Learning Modes |
|
Preparation Tips |
|
What Is The Java Certification Exam By Oracle?
Java Certification Test is the special examination where Oracle Cooperation sets difficult exam topics that you have to pass. Once you get certified after clearing the test by Oracle, you are going to receive proper attention in the industry.
According to one survey data in 2023, there are a total of 17.1 Million Individuals who use Java as their primary language in the Software Development Process. Amon this huge number, if you want to get a good place in the Job Market, you need to stand out. And Exams of Oracle will help you.
Once, you successfully cleared the test, you are going to receive Badges from Oracle like the above. This will help to make a difference between you & other candidates. Passing out this exam is not simple for any Java Programmer as the General knowledge will not work there.
As a Java Programmer if you want to get fame & name, then preparing for the Java Exam is a necessity nowadays. To do so, you need to know some tips.
What Are The Key Concepts You Have To Learn In Java Language For Passing Exam?
Before we move into the discussion of becoming an Oracle Certified Professional in Java, we need to understand some of the important courses on Java Language that as a Java Programmer you should clear in the Classroom Training itself.
It will not be a good practice to keep these courses neglected as these are the courses that will help to understand new features of Java Code. So, you have to develop skills to get a complete advantage on the following points.
Java Class Design Course: The preparation of Class Design of Java is very important in Java SE. In the future, whatever Java Code, you are going to develop, the Class Knowledge should be used there.
Object-Oriented Programming Course: The OOPs preparation of Java SE is a must to go for the Certification Exam on Java Language. All over the sub-topis of the OOPs should be cleared to get most of the advantage over any other developers.
Inheritance Course: Although, the Inhetitance belongs to the OOPs concept. However, preparation for Inheritance in Java SE should get different priorities to upgrade your score point in the exam. So, as a Developer start working on the Inheritance to get Certified by Oracle.
Lambda Expressions: It is the most underrated part of the Java SE. But, you have to prepare it in such a manner that every question that comes in the exam from this section should be answered. This will not only improve your score but will increase the chance of getting certified by Oracle.
Concurrency Course: If you are searching for any New Features, then the Concurrency can be accepted as the New One. As a Java Developer, you have to understand how different threads are getting executed at the same time in the code of Java Language.
Comparison Table Between Self Vs Instructor-Led Certification Preparation:
Another big problem that creates confusion in students is with the mode of Java Certification Preparation. Sometimes, students can’t decide whether they have to do Self-Study or Instructor-Led Study.
To remove such confusion from your mind, we have brought one comparison table. In this comparison table, we will compare the Self-study and Instructor-led study which will clear your confusion.
Criteria | Self-Study | Instructor-Led Study |
Cost | Low | High |
Pace | Flexible | Fixed |
Guidance | Minimal | Expert |
Structure | Loose | Organized |
Doubt Support | Delayed | Instant |
Need Of Discipline | High | Moderate |
Resources | Varied | Curated |
What Are Different Types Of Exams on Java Certifications?
Now, as the note on the crucial concepts of Java SE & its New Features is cleared, it is time to discuss the Exams of Certification on Oracle that can be given as Java Developers. Here, we are writing about the exams first along with their core concepts.
Later, we are going to describe some tips that you have prepared to complete the certification test. So, without wasting some more time, let us discuss the central theme of this discussion.
1. Oracle Certified Associate Java Exam (OCA):
The Oracle Certified Associate Exam is designed only for beginners. If you are a Java Developer who is still going through its academics, then this exam will be best for him. The best advantage of this course is, that there are no Advanced Topics involved.
Also, to prepare for this Certification Test, there is no need to gain some training from different institutes. Whatever is being taught in the Java SE Subject in your university will be enough to pass.
Key Topics Covered:
Training on Java Basics
Working with Java Data Types
Using Operators and Decision Constructs
Create And Use Array Technology
Loop Technology
2. Oracle Certified Professional Java Exam (OCP):
Now, if you are among those Java SE Programmers who have completed their academics & now already a part of any workforce or in any Information Technology Company, then the Oracle Certified Professional Exam will be for you.
In this Certification Test, the competition is much harder in Java Programmers & you have to score a higher number relatively than the previous one. Also, a lot more Advanced Features & Topics are asked in this exam.
Key Topics Covered:
Exceptions and Assertions Features
Java SE I/O Fundamental Features
Training on Java SE File I/O
Create Database Technology with JDBC
Localization & Security
3. Other Oracle Java Certifications Exam:
Now, other than the Oracle Certified Associate & Oracle Professional Exams, there are many different Oracle Certification Exams present. However, they are not quite as famous as the above Certification Exam as they are dedicated to any certain domain.
Like, we can talk about the Oracle Certified Expert Exam & Oracle Certified Master Exam. Both of the Certification exam is conducted in Java Language, however, they are dedicated to areas like Web Component Development and Enterprise Architecture.
Comparison Table Between Oracle And Other Java Certification Platforms:
The Java Certification is not only done from the Oracle Website. If you are interested, you can get the Java Certificates from several other websites like Coursera, Udemy, JetBrains, etc.
In this section, we will make a comparison table to show the Java Certification difference between Oracle and other websites. Let us check the following table to understand the differences.
Criteria | Oracle Java | Coursera | Udemy | JetBrains |
Authority | Official | Academic | Commercial | Developer |
Recognition | Global | Moderate | Limited | Niche |
Cost | High | Medium | Low | Medium |
Format | Proctored | Flexible | Flexible | Guided |
Depth | In-Depth | Structured | Basic | Practical |
Exam Style | Strict | Moderate | Easy | Embedded |
Resume Impact | Strong | Moderate | Low | Moderate |
What Are Some Preparation Tips For The Exam?
Now, as we are moving ahead toward the end of the discussion, we would like to conclude the article with some tips that will help to clear the exam for Certification on Java SE. All the topics related to Java SE should become clear to you by this point.
Now, it is time to note down the following points. These are the points that you have to follow until you achieve your goal. So, let us start the process from the very basic point that most individuals forget to prepare for the Java SE Exam by Oracle.
1. Understanding Exam Syllabus:
The first & very important thing will be to understand the Exam Pattern. In most cases, the individual starts practicing questions on Java without knowing about the basics of the Exam itself. This is the major blunder one can do.
Different Oracle Exams on Java were developed with different question patterns. Some may have 45 Questions or some may have 30 Questions. So, you have to know all the nitty gritty about the exam itself along with the process to handle the Exam Simulators of Oracle.
2. Go Through Practice Tests And Mock Tests:
The second most important step will be to Practice Questions on Java as much as possible. You have to focus on the Practical Questions more than the theoretical ones. In the Oracle Exam, there are plenty of questions that come from the Practical Domain.
So, each day you should sit for at least 2 Hours with the Practical Implementation of Java Programs. If you are getting stuck in any question, don’t forget for which reason you failed to complete the program. Such a simple process can achieve the Oracle Badge.
3. Check Study Resources and Courses:
Successful completion of any exam is not possible without a Good Book & Good Resources. And a difficult test like OCA or OCP is not at all possible. So, you have to use the books wisely along with some online platforms and forums.
One of the very famous books to clear the exam is the “OCA/OCP Java SE 8 Programmer Certification Kit“ by Jeanne Boyarsky and Scott Selikoff. Along with this book, you can go for the Udemy, Coursera, etc. platforms to check any online material that can help you.
Read this If you are looking for Final Year Java Project Ideas
4. Creating a Study Plan For Self-Study:
In this battle, if you want to achieve the Badge or Certificate at the end of the exam, the one who can help you is Yourself Only. So, understand this truth & make a Study Plan for you. And make sure to stick to that study plan till the end of the challenge.
You have to do the Self-Study according to the Schedule you are going to make. Make sure not to break the schedule until & unless it is very important. However, if there is a need to break the schedule, don’t make it a habit as it can impact you in the future.
5. Attend Live Virtual Class:
If you are preparing for the OCA, then there is no need to go for a separate Live session as most of the topics will be covered in your University itself. However, if you want to sit for the OCP, then a Separate Live Class is necessary.
For that purpose, you can find different Platforms that provide Live Lectures for OCA and OCP exam purposes. In those classes, make sure to ask any problem if you are facing anything. Otherwise, the Live lecture will become a Recorded Lecture for you.
What Can Be The Timeline-Based Study Plan For Java Certification?
As you are getting ready to appear for the Java Certification Examination, you should have a proper study plan to become successful. By keeping that in mind, we have developed a Study Plan for your Java Certification.
This study plan has been developed on timelines. We will let you know what your study plan is each week. So, let us check the following list to understand your weekly study schedule.
- Week 1-2: In the first two weeks, you have to learn about the Java Basics, including the Java Data Types. Along with these, you have to cover the entire OOP Concept of Java to become ready for the next week.
- Week 3-4: In the next two weeks, you have to clear the Java Collections along with the Exception Concept. You have to practice the Try-Catch Block using several Java Problems.
- Weeks 5-6: In weeks 5 and 6, you have to focus on Java Generics. Along with the Java Generics, learning about the Strings and Arrays will be better as they are closely related.
- Week 7: By week 7, you have to start learning Advanced Java Concepts like Lambda Expressions. With the Lambda Expressions, the Steam API should also be covered in a single week.
- Week 8: This will be the last week when you will cover some concepts. This week, you have to learn about Concurrency and Modules. Completion of these two subjects in a single week will be difficult.
- Week 9: In week 9, you have to concentrate only on the Revision process. To do so, you can use some Mock Tests available online. If there are any mistakes, do rectify them right away.
- Week 10: In the last week, you have to focus on the mistakes that you have made during the mock test. Also, this week. Keep your mind fresh and don’t panic about appearing for the exam.
Conclusion:
In the end, we can say “Study Guide to Java Certification Exam” is much needed nowadays. You can always get one-on-one Java tutoring to help you pass the exam.
Having an appreciation for OCA or OCP Badges is not a simple matter. Such badges are the main attraction in any Resume or, CV increasing the chance of getting selected for any Job. So, start working hard from now to achieve big things in the future.
Takeaways:
Certification Exam is the key element to stand out from other Java Developers.
The Certified Professional and Certified Associate are the two most important tests.
Other tests work on other fields like Web Components & Enterprise Architecture along with Java.
Getting knowledge on tests, Sticking to Schedule, Practice, etc. are some tips to clear OCA or OCP.
Good Hireability, Earning Potential, Deep Knowledge, etc. are some benefits of such tests.
