Java Certification: How to Get Certified and Start Earning

Anyone who wants to start a career in programming is familiar with how important Java is to software development. Java bootcamps spring up all the time, and Oracle offers a certification track that gives you proof of your expertise to which you can point to during your next interview. Getting Java certification is a great way to stand out from the pack and make yourself an appealing job prospect. But, how can you prepare for the certification exams?

Our guide answers that question and provides you with multiple options to pick up training and get ready to ace your exams and move into software engineering. In this article, we show you how self-study, online resources, daily coding, and practice tests give you the knowledge and confidence to knock your exam out of the park. By the time you finish this guide, you’ll have a few different avenues that can get you set up for success in your exams and future career.

Self-Study

When in doubt, go with the tried-and-true approach. Textbooks have educated students for thousands of years and give you everything you need to ace your certification exam. A program of self-motivated reading and study might not be the best option for everyone. But, if you find that reading about a subject best allows you to absorb the details, consider picking up a book and getting your education.

There are plenty of books available to prep you for your exam. Jeanne Boyarsky and Scott Selikoff’s study guides for the Oracle Java SE 8 and Java SE 11 certifications are a fantastic place to start. These books include fundamental lessons, important tips, and knowledge checks to ensure that you don’t move on to the next subject until you are confident you’ve mastered the previous information.

Take an Online Course

The internet has transformed the world in all kinds of ways, and the impact it’s had on education is substantial. It’s now possible to get all of the Java training you require to blow the exam away without leaving the comfort of home, thanks to the web. If you’re a learner who does best in a digital education environment, give online certification training a shot. It’s an excellent way to burnish your skills.

There are outstanding Java certification classes available online for users of all levels and incomes. If you have the cash, Oracle offers a top-notch selection of training to prepare you for your exams. These classes include training on-demand, live virtual classrooms, and prepared coursework for folks who prefer to study on their own schedule. And those people who prefer to get their training for free will love the Java courses available through sites like EdX.

Create a Daily Code Plan

Practice is the key to mastering any discipline, and that goes double for software development. Studying up on Java gets you a long way toward your goal, but nothing beats hands-on experience for getting an incomparable depth of knowledge. Having a plan for writing code each day helps you prepare for exams and makes you a better programmer to boot.

As with most daily practice, it’s best to start with simple concepts and work your way up to more complex ones. A good approach is to design a simple core program that performs a basic task. Then, add to that application each day to increase its functionality and power. In no time at all, you’ll be a Java star and will be able to handle any exam that comes your way. The key is to code every day without letup.

Take Practice Exams

One of the main reasons that students struggle during exams is their unfamiliarity with the testing environment. Having to answer complex and involved questions within a specified time can rattle your nerves if you haven’t had any experience with it, and this can result in low scores and exam failure. Take care of this potential hazard by completing practice exams before you take your official test.

There are free online Java certification practice exams all over the web, including from Oracle itself. Once you finish your studies, schedule your exam for a few weeks out or longer. Every night, take at least one practice exam. Study the weak areas highlighted by the practice tests, and rotate the exams so that you don’t get used to one site’s approach. Before long, you’ll shake off any concerns you might have about taking the actual exam.

So, there it is, my Java-loving compatriots. Java certifications prove to employers that you have the know-how they need in their companies, but studying for the test can be tricky if you don’t know where to turn. Our guide lets you in on different study plans to prepare you for your certification exam and gives you the confidence to breeze through it.