Exam #CX-310-035: Sun Certified Programmer for the Java 2 Platform 1.4 Vendor Sun Microsystems Status Live. Available at Prometric testing centers worldwide. Reviewer's Rating "This exam sticks to the basics...but it expects you to understand those basics very well." Test Information 61 questions, passing score needed is 52 percent. Cost: $150 (U.S.). Who Should Take This Exam? Those seeking to be certified as SCJPs on 1.4 (older 1.2 exam also available). Test Objectives Click here

Exam Basics
This exam features 61 questions, with 120 minutes to complete the exam. Most people report that they have enough time to attempt all of the questions. The pass mark is 52 percent, or 32 questions. You can take the SCJP 1.4 exam at Prometric testing centers worldwide. The official objectives for this exam can be found here.

A typical question on this exam asks you to read through some code, then offers you four or five options to choose from. You will need to check one or more options indicating what you think will happen if one were to try to compile and run the code. The questions will indicate how many options to select. A few questions ask you to type text into a field, but these are in the minority.

With the SCJP exam, you may find that while some of the topics are quite common place, they may be presented in a strange format. Or, to put it more bluntly: "What would happen If I take this piece of stupid code I would never write and attempt to compile and run it?" For example, you may get questions that involve multiple nested for loops with break statements within methods with parameter names that shadow variables declared at class level.

Tip: For many questions, you'll be presented with a chunk of code and you will have to work out in your head how the Java system would process that code. Be prepared to become a "human Java compiler" to get these questions correct.

Those familiar with the SCJP 1.2 exam objectives will notice the exam no longer covers the graphical or I/O libraries -- these were dropped with the move to JDK 1.4. Possibly to make up for this, the exam now goes into greater depth on the subjects of threading and garbage collection, topics that even experienced Java programmers may not know well enough for this exam.

The exam has never covered any networking, Web or database libraries -- if you want to show off your knowledge of those subjects, you will need to pass this exam first and then move on to one of the several other Sun certifications for which the SCJP is a prerequisite, such as Sun's Developer and Web Component Developer credentials.

How Hard Is this Exam?
It is very possible for a genuinely experienced and knowledgeable Java programmer to fail this exam. It covers areas that programmers may have never needed to investigate but that are at the core of the language. For example, it places an emphasis on understanding the way threading works -- not just the syntax, but details such as the unpredictable nature of some threading code and the platform dependence of threading. An example of another potentially tricky area is the requirement to understand the subtleties of signed and unsigned shifting of integers.

Passing the exam does not mean you are a good Java programmer, it just means you have an in-depth knowledge of the core of the language, which seems a good place to start to me.

Tip: If you have a background in another language such as C++, some questions may deliberately try to trap you with false friends, such as giving a list of keywords that includes words that work in C++ but not Java.

Preparation Resources
One nice thing about preparing for the SCJP is that there are some excellent resources available for candidates -- many of them free.

The granddaddy of resources is JavaRanch.com. The heart of JavaRanch.com is the discussion forum, which covers many different Java topics (although there is a strong specialty in the SCJP exam). At JavaRanch.com, you'll find a forum where people report their experiences with taking the real exam, giving you an excellent idea of the balance of topics covered. If you have a concern, the chances are good that someone in these forums will be able to answer your question.

JavaRanch.com also features links to a variety of free SCJP practice questions online. One of the best for these is www.danchisholm.net, a truly impressive site containing links to hundreds of questions, including questions set up by topic so you can concentrate on areas where you may be weak. You'll also want to check out JavaCertificate.com, a fine site with a nice interface and good questions.

When you've exhausted the free resources, you can start looking into the many books and commercial exam simulators available. One book you'll see referred to often is the "K&B" book, a nickname for "Sun Certified Programmer & Developer for Java 2 Study Guide (Exam 310-035 & 310-027)," based on the author's names, Kathy Sierra and Bert Bates. Sierra and Bates were involved in creating the real exam, and thus have some insight into the internals of the exam. They approach the topic with some humor and a great deal of experience.

If you want to go for more concise (and cheaper!) coverage you could (warning: personal plug coming up!) choose "Java 2 Programmer Exam Cram," by Bill Brogden and myself. This book focuses exactly on what you need to pass the exam, features test-taking strategies, timesaving study tips and a special Cram Sheet that includes tips, acronyms, and memory joggers. Bill and I have been writing about this exam for more than six years.

Another option is "A Programmer's Guide to Java Certification: A Comprehensive Primer, Second Edition," by Khalid Mughal and Rolf Rasmussen. This book takes yet another approach -- it is much denser, and it puts an emphasis on using UML diagrams to explain the details. Of the three books, I suspect this one is the one is most likely to find a place on your bookshelf as a reference once you have passed the exam.

For practice questions, I recommend Whizlabs, which offers a simulator containing more than 600 questions for $59.95, as well as Enthuware, which offers JQPlus, also with more than 600 questions for $25. You could also try (warning: another personal plug!) Certkey for Java 2 , which gives you access to 420 mock questions and answers.

As for instructor-led training, I am not convinced that any of the "classroom" courses are truly of value for money in terms of making a big difference in your ability to pass the exam. I do like the idea of the Whizlabs online training, which appears to offer some of the benefits of a "live tutor," but with the lower cost of communicating over the Web and not having to physically move to another venue.

How Long Does it Take To Prepare?
Of course, the answer to this question is "it depends," but on average I would allow between three and six months, assuming you already have some Java experience.

The key to passing the exam is to understand what topics are covered and to take plenty of quality mock exams so you know what to expect. A good quality mock exam will predict your grade on the real exam to within one or two percentage points, letting you know when you are ready.

My Take on the Exam
Overall, this exam sticks to the basics -- which you would certainly need in almost any Java programming job -- but it expects you to understand those basics very well. As mentioned, some of the exam questions come into the category of: "What will happen if you try to compile this unusually stupid piece of code you would never dream of writing." However, if you can answer these types of questions, you really will understand the basics of the language. It also covers some areas that you may think you know but can have oddities and subtleties that can cause problems in real-world programming. Most people who study and pass this exam will end up knowing more about the important topic of threading than they did before.

In short, just because you already program in Java, do not think you can pass this exam easily. However, with a little study, you will improve your knowledge of the basics and take the first step on the ladder of Sun Java certifications.