Sun certified java programmer???

[Codewiz]

Has anyone gotten this certification? How hard was the test in general?

I graduated from college in May and I am having a hell of a time finding a job. Do you think this certification is worth getting? I am getting really frustrated with the job market right now. I think that with my background in java that I could probably pass the test with a few hours of studying. I just don't want to pay the $150(barely have that much money to spend) for a certification that companies don't care about.

Jim

 

[StageLeft]

I'd be surprised if you could pass it with only a few hours studying but it is worth having - it's better than nothing and in this market any edge is going to help you.

 

[Codewiz]

I have been programming with java for about 4 years. I know it pretty well. I have a cram book for the certification and there are very few things that aren't common knowledge to me.

And no that isn't just stupid school applications. I just write stuff for the fun of it just like any programmer that enjoys it. If I had only written stuff for school then I would be completely screwed with the job market and the certification

 

[bcmind]

IMO, with a BS or BA degree + Sun certified java programmer certification will not help you much. Like skoorb said it's an "edge" tho.

the job market is crazy out there!!

best luck!

 

[jaynonymous]

I passed the Sun Certified Java Programmer test this afternoon.

It is fairly difficult, but if you have been using Java for four years as you said, then you should be able to pass with just a few hours of studying based on the objectives that Sun lists on their Web site. The test includes some fairly tricky code examples, but if you know what you are doing, then you can pass. I have read that of the programming certifications out there, SCJP is one of the most highly regarded. By the way, next week they are coming out with a new version of the SCJP exam for the 1.4 SDK, but the 1.2 exam will still be available.

 

[manly]

The Java 1.1 exam was absurdly easy, if you studied the Sybex certification study guide.

I haven't decided yet if it's worth the money to get recertified w/ Sun's Java programs (programmer, web developer, etc.).