How to pass the OCP Java SE 11 Certification
Tags: java, certification
Published: 2020-08-28 15:35:40

Some folks have asked me for tips about how to pass the [Java SE 11 Certification](https://education.oracle.com/products/trackp_OCPJAV11), so I decided to write this article with some recommendations.

In the first months of 2019, I decided to make a big change in my career and migrate from .NET to Java, after more than 15 years in the platform. The reason was simple: .NET and C# are great, even more after .NET Core 3, but market opportunities are still scarce when compared to Java, so I came to the conclusion that the best move for me at the time was to move on.

My goal was ambitious: to be as good in Java and its ecosystem as I was at the time in C# and .NET, by the end of 2020. With that goal in mind I prepared a learning path that would end in two certifications: OCP Java SE 11 Developer and Pivotal Spring Framework 5.

To accomplish that, I had to study and practice a lot, and here are the tips I can give you based on my experience:

- You might like Java 8 and think you don’t need the new features of Java 9+, but if you want this certification, embrace them. You will be required to understand what they are, their purpose and how and when to use each one of them.
- The certification exams cover only up to Java 11, so stay away from any 12+ features, for now. You can play with them after you get the certification.
- Read the certification [FAQ](https://www.oracle.com/a/ocom/docs/dc/ou-5021-java-se11-faq-4.pdf) and make sure you understand your situation and choose the right exams for you.
- Make a list of the exam requirements in a software like Trello, to classify how prepared you are about each of them. Use this list to ensure you will not overlook something.
- For each of these requirements, find the related official documentation in the Oracle website. Link them in the Trello cards. Eventually you will have to go through some of them.
- Read the following books: [Modern Java in Action](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/46213396-modern-java-in-action), [Core Java 11 Volume I](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36863631-core-java-volume-i--fundamentals), [Core Java 11 Volume II](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43919676-core-java-volume-ii--advanced-features) and [The Java Module System](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40224336-the-java-module-system). You can read them thoroughly or just the parts that cover what you need for your exam, but do not skip them. They helped me a lot.
- There are also books created specifically for the exam preparation. I used [this one](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50050602-ocp-oracle-certified-professional-java-se-11-programmer-part-i-exam-fund) for the 1Z0–815 and it helped, but for the 1Z0–816, none were available at the time.
- Since October 1st, 2020, Oracle has replaced 1Z0–815 and 1Z0–816 by [1Z0–819](https://education.oracle.com/products/trackp_OCPJAV11). Existing preparation books and practice tests are still valid, but you can now skip some topics like assertions and JDBC Callable Statements. Check [this article](https://enthuware.com/resources/java-certification-faq/250-new-java-11-certification-exam-1z0-819) for more details.
- Pay special attention to the [Security Guidelines for Java](https://www.oracle.com/java/technologies/javase/seccodeguide.html). You will probably be asked about it a few times in the exam.
- Practice, as much as you can. Use the new language features, new APIs, play with [jShell](https://docs.oracle.com/javase/9/jshell/introduction-jshell.htm). And for that I highly recommend [Jetbrains Academy](https://www.jetbrains.com/academy). I’ve spent hours and hours playing with their projects, reading all their lessons and doing all exercises and challenges, and that was crucial for my ramp up.
- Once you think you have covered all exam requirements through readings and practice exercises, go to the next step: practice tests.
- I bought practice tests from two major providers, and both can help you, but I will recommend only [Enthuware](https://enthuware.com/). The other one pissed me off with a silly bug when rendering questions that involve generics, making them impossible to understand, or worse, leading me to errors.
- In the Enthuware platform, go first through the topic related tests, then the easy and foundation ones. It will help you ensure that you haven’t missed any exam topic.
- Once they are over, go to the actual practice tests, but leave the last day one for, well, the last day. I recommend one practice test per weekend in the last weeks of preparation.
- As you finish the practice tests, take notes about the things you’ve learned. Study the most missed topics and review these notes as often as you can. I also recommend using pen and paper, since it seems to work better for memory retention.
- In the last day before the exam, take the final practice test, and keep in mind that you will probably get a higher score in the actual test. I got an average of 74% in the 1Z0–816 practice tests and 87% in the actual exam.

I think that is all I can say for now. If I remember anything else, I will update this post.

This post was updated on October 13th to reflect the changes in the Oracle exams.

Thanks for reading, do your best and good tests!

*Originally posted on https://medium.com/@rmromao/how-to-pass-the-ocp-java-se-11-certification-9e861bc11fd1*