SCJP 6.0 exam

Question

Hi,
I am currently new to java. I would like to take SCJP exam.
Can any one tell me what books to use?
What would be a time frame for preparation for a newcomer ?
Also can you give SCJP exam all year round?

Answer 1

@ dev@java
I agree with BigDaddy on this. It's a question of whether or not compiler behavior demonstrates understanding of practical knowledge vs. some obscure understanding.
Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying the book is horrible and should never have been published. I even think it's an improvement over previous versions of the exam. But that doesn't mean that some of the questions can't get on my nerves. Previous versions of the exam annoyed me even more, so it's an improvement, overall.
@ BigDaddyLoveHandles
From the book, Chapter 4: Operators (p. 322)
======================================================================
5. Place the fragments into the code to produce the output 33. Note, you must use each fragment exactly once.
CODE:
  class Incr {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
      Integer x = 7;
      int y = 2;
      x     ____  ____;
      System.out.println(x);
FRAGMENTS:
  y  | y  |  y  |  y  |
  y  | y  |  x  |     |
  -= | *= |  *= |  *= |And, from the Answer section:
"Yea, we know it's kind of puzzle-y, but you might encounter something like it on the real exam."
======================================================================
My whole problem with this is that if you want to test a programmer's intelligence, then ask him for his IQ score. Otherwise, test him on his practical knowledge.
Not that this is that big of a deal. I just find it annoying. That's all. :)
Ed.
Edited by: EDanaII on Aug 27, 2008 4:47 PM