Q. What are the prerequisites for the Oracle Certified Professional Java SE 5Programmer exam?
A. There is no prerequisite for the Oracle Certified Professional Java SE 5Programmer exam. However, you must be well experienced with the language before you take the exam. Even if you are new to the Java field, you can still pass the exam with self-study. This will require a lot of dedication and practice, especially with code and newly added Java 1.5 features.
Q. I am new to Java. How should I start preparing for the exam?
A. To start preparing for the exam, you need to download the development kit (JDK 1.5) from Sun’s official website . You can find the documentation from the website. Passing the exam needs a lot of practice.
Q. What are the exam objectives?
A. The exam objectives can be found at http://www.sun.com/training/catalog/courses/CX-310-055.xml .
Q. What is the exam fee?
A. The cost of the exam is $200. However, discounts may be available on the exam, and you can get the details from your nearest prometric center. The list of prometric centers can be found at the prometric site.
Q. How can I register for my exam?
A. After you purchase your exam voucher, you can contact an authorized prometric center to schedule your exam date, time, and location. Sun Java certifications can be taken only in authorized prometric centers in the country where the exam voucher is purchased. You can book the exam within one year from the date of purchase of the voucher. The exam date may depend on your choice (and availability of slot) in you selected test center.
Q. What are the types of questions asked in the exam?
A. The questions are of three types:
- Single answer type questions
- Multiple choice type questions
- Drag and drop questions
There are instructions to choose the number of correct answers (for example, choose 2 or choose 3). You will be asked to click the exhibit button to display the code for drag and drop.
Q. How many questions are asked in the exam?
A. There are 72 questions in the exam. To pass the exam, you need to score at least 59% (i.e. 43 out of 72).
Q. What is the duration of the exam?
A. 175 minutes
Q. What are the other important factors that I should consider while taking the exam?
A. On the day of the exam, you need to reach the examination center at least 30 minutes before the scheduled time. When you contact the prometric center in-charge, he will take you to a room with a computer that you will use for the exam. He will also provide you with a pen-paper/white board-marker for rough work. He will guide you on the instructions to take the exam. Once you are ready, you can ask him to start the exam.
You are not allowed to take anything with you to the test center, not even your water bottle or any food. You need to carry two identity proofs, of which, at least one should have a photo attached.
At the beginning of the exam, there will be an online survey in which general questions will be asked, such as rate yourself on the level of expertise. This will not make any difference in your score, neither will the time count from the survey in your actual exam. Now, the final exam starts.
Once you complete the exam, you can ask the center in-charge for the result.
The center in-charge will give a printed report of your score. The sheet will tell you whether you have passed as well as the marks obtained in various areas (a graph will indicate your score in different divisions).
Q. What is the exam retake policy?
A. If you fail in the SCJP 1.5 exam, you will have to purchase a new exam voucher to retake the exam. You will have to wait for at least 2 weeks before you can retake the exam.
Q. How will I get my certification kit?
A. When you pass the exam, you can log on to the Certmanager. Here, you can change your mailing address, phone number, and email address. You will have to wait for around one month to get the certification kit. The certification kit will contain a Sun certified certificate with your name and certification title, a logo agreement form for successful Java technology certification fulfillment, an ID card with your name and certification title, and a label pin. However, it will not have any report on your score. You can request for your Sun certification logo by logging on to Sun’s site. You may receive the logo within 2-3 days in your mail id. The mail will also contain the instructions on how to use the logo.
Q. How can I correct or change my name if it has been misspelled on my certificate?
A. You can change your address, phone number, email address in the Certmanager database. However, you cannot change your name. To correct your name in the database, you must send an email to suncert@prometric.com. The email must contain your prometric student ID, your name as it appears, and your correct name.
Q. What credit does the SCJP 1.5 exam provide?
A. On successful completion of the exam, you will be a Sun Certified Java Professional for Standard Edition 5.0. Also, you will be eligible for the next level of certification.