1/7/2005 -- Sun Microsystems recently announced that it will launch a new beta exam for its Sun Certified Java Programmer (SCJP) title on Jan. 13.

The beta (#311-055) will cover J2SE 5.0, including features of the J2SE Development Kit 5.0 and the J2SE Runtime Environment 5.0. Objectives for the new exam have not been released.

The beta will cost $49 (U.S.) and be available at Prometric test centers worldwide through Feb. 13. Candidates will have five hours to complete 166 questions. Those who pass the exam will become SCJP 5.0 certified.

Sun announced that it would be updating the SCJP to 5.0 in October. A live date for the new exam has yet to be announced.

For more information on this beta, go here. -Becky Nagel