How to get Java Certificates - 5 Steps to Become a Certified Java Programmer

You want to know how to get a Java certificate step by step? So you’ve come to the right page. This article tells you the steps to become a certified Java programmer in details. Generally you should follow the following steps:

• Choose a Java certificate
• Register for an exam
• Prepare and study for the exam
• Take the exam
• Get the Certificate

Let’s look at each step in further details.

1. Choose a Java Certificate

The first step is deciding which certificate you want to take. Of course the first one for a beginner is the OCAJP. If you are already certified with OCAJP, the next one will be OCPJP.

For each certificate, you need to choose the version, as Java certificates are always aligned with new releases of Java platform. For example: OCAJP 7 for Java SE 7 or OCAJP 8 for Java SE 8.

You also need to know the exam number associated with the certificate, for example:

• OCAJP for Java SE 5/6 - exam number: 1Z0-850
• OCAJP for Java SE 7 - exam number: 1Z0-803
• OCAJP for Java SE 8 - exam number: 1Z0-808
• OCPJP for Java SE 8 - exam number: 1Z0-809

So what are the differences among versions of a same certificate? Which version should you choose?

Well, the main difference is the exam topics. For example Java SE 8 version covers new features of Java 8 but does not include some new features of Java SE 7. And of course you should go with the latest version.

The following links from Oracle help you know which versions are currently available:

• Java SE training courses and certifications
• Java EE training courses and certifications

2. Register for an Exam

Once you decided which Java certificate you want to take, you need to buy an exam voucher and schedule a test date at a test center near you.

An exam voucher contains a code which you will use to take the exam at the test center. Currently, Oracle keeps the same price for all exams: 245 USD for each exam. But note that some certificates require more than one exam, e.g. the OCMJEA requires 3 exams.

Also note that an exam voucher has a valid duration of 6 months from the purchase date. That means if you buy a voucher today, you must take the exam within 6 months, otherwise the voucher expires and you lose the money. So keep in mind this important point to avoid running into the worst situation: the voucher expires before you can take the exam for some reasons such as you have not finished the preparation or you’re too busy.

Therefore, I’d recommend you to study for the exam first, then buy the voucher later, better close to the day you plan to take the exam.

When buying a voucher, you also choose a test center near you and schedule a test date with them. The exams are delivered by Oracle Testing Center or by its test vendor Pearson VUE.

You can buy voucher online from Oracle, and register and schedule an exam from Pearson VUE on their websites:

• Register for an exam at Oracle
• Register for an exam at Pearson VUE

By completing this step, you end up created an Oracle Web Account with an Oracle Testing ID and an account at Pearson VUE.

3. Prepare and Study for the Exam

For each exam, you must know the following information:

- Exam number: All Java certificates have exam numbers start with 1Z0-XXX, e.g. 1Z0-808 is the exam number of the OCAJP 8 certificate.

- Duration: the maximum time allowed to answer questions in an exam. For example, the duration of OCAJP 8 exam is 150 minutes.

- Number of questions: the total questions in the exam, e.g. the OCAJP 8 exam has 77 questions.

- Passing score (in percent): the minimum score you have to earn in order to pass the exam. For example, the passing score of OCAJP 8 is 65% meaning that you have to answer correctly at least 50 out of 77 questions.

- Exam format: there are 3 formats:

+ Multiple choice: you answer questions by choosing one correct answer from a list of choices. The OCAJP exam is in this format, as well as all associate, professional and expert exams.

+ Performance based: you will be given an assignment (a project) to work on. Once you complete the assignment, you submit it for review. The master certificates (OCMJD and OCMJEA) have exam in this format.

+ Essay: you will answer questions regarding your assignment after submitting it.

The Java architect certificate (OCMJEA) has exams in all 3 formats: multiple choice, performance based and essay.

- Exam topics: this is the most important information you must remember because it covers the topics which you will be asked in the exam. You decide what to study and prepare based on the exam topics. For example, the OCAJP exam covers the following topics: Java basics, data types, operators and decision constructs, arrays, inheritance, etc.

You can self-study for the exam by utilizing the following resources: books, video courses, mock tests, test simulator software, forums, notes from previous candidates, etc. 

4. Take the Exam

And after months of preparation and study, the important day eventually comes: you go to the test center and use the code in the voucher to take the test. Remember in the second step, you already chose a test center near you by searching on the Oracle or Pearson VUE websites.

Typically the test room is small enough for only one person and a computer. This is good for you to fully focus on the exam.

5. Get the Certificate

For multiple choice exams, you know the result immediately right after you finish the test. However for performance based and essay exams, you need to wait for some times because of the review process. And there’s also waiting time between the day you get the result and the day you actually get the certificate.

Once Oracle granted the certificate, you will receive notification by email. By default, the certificate is delivered in electronic format (eCertificate). If you want to get a printed copy of the certificate, you need to send request to Oracle as instructed in the notification email.

You can check your result and certification status on Oracle’s Cert View website - the management site for all of your Java certificates.

And it’s proud to notify the world about your achievement on social networks (Facebook, Google+, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc.), and show off the certificate with your colleagues, friends and employers.

Other Java Certification Guides:

• Overview of Oracle Java Certification
• OCAJP Preparation Guide and Study Materials
• OCPJP Preparation Guide and Study Materials
• OCEJWCD Preparation Guide and Study Materials

About the Author:

Nam Ha Minh is certified Java programmer (SCJP and SCWCD). He began programming with Java back in the days of Java 1.4 and has been passionate about it ever since. You can connect with him on Facebook and watch his Java videos on YouTube.