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Programming Success: The SCEA Certification
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The SCEA for J2EE exam is the last test in the following series:
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Sun Certified Java Programmer (SCJP)
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Sun Certified Web Component Developer (SCWCD)
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Sun Certified Java Developer (SCJD)
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Sun Certified Enterprise Architect (SCEA)
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The SCEA for J2EE exam tests the ideas that you would have learned over a number of years as a software professional, typically in a career that spans a longer time frame and more languages than Java technology. The exam tests your ability to produce an enterprise architecture using J2EE. To create architecture for J2EE, your knowledge about how the components of J2EE work and interrelate will be tested. The SCEA exam comprises 3 elements - a multiple-choice exam, an architecture and design project, and an essay exam. The details of the 3 are given below:
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Part 1: Exam #310-051 is available at Prometric for $150 (U.S.). There are no prerequisites. The exam includes 48 multiple-choice, short answer, and drag-and-drop questions. Candidates have 75 minutes to complete the exam, and the passing score is 68%.
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Part 2: The architecture and design project must be completed via Sun's certification database. You must complete exam #310-051 before completing the project. There is no time limit, and the passing score is 70%, subject to the evaluation of the essay exam and validation of the authenticity of the assignment.
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Part 3: Exam #310-061, an essay exam, can be availed at Prometric testing centers for $150 (U.S.). In order to take this exam, you must have completed the multiple-choice exam as well as the architecture and design project. There are 4 questions that you have to complete in 90 minutes.
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The SCEA certification covers the following topics:
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Common architectures
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Legacy connectivity
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Enterprise Java Beans
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Enterprise Java Beans Container Model
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Protocols
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Applicability of J2EE technology
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Design patterns
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Messaging
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Internationalization
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Security
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For detailed information refer to the Certification Success Guide by SUN |
The SCEA exam is difficult to pass and hence, it is highly respected in the industry. There are many ways in which you can prepare for the SCEA exam.
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Preparation Kits
Books
Going by the complexity of the examination (especially parts 2 and 3), I recommend studying through a combination of books that provide detailed information covering the entire list of objectives.
Here are the names of some useful books:
Specifications
The current version of the SCEA exam tests your knowledge of J2EE 1.2 API. You can visit Sun's site for complete J2EE API specs and related documentation.
Application Servers
Becoming familiar with an application server is an integral part of the preparation for the SCEA. You can use any Application Server, providing it is compliant with the J2EE 1.2 specification. Here are the links to the DEMO versions of BEA's WebLogic and IBM's WebSphere Application Servers:
Tutorials and Articles
There are many quality tutorials and articles on various J2EE technologies. Here are some of them that cover the objectives of the SCEA exam:
Notes
There is nothing like learning from the experience of successful people who have been through the process of obtaining SCEA certification. Here are some high-quality and concise notes from some successful candidates:
J2EE Trainings
The following trainings are also available:
Mock Exams
After you have prepared with book(s), browsed through the specifications, read the tutorials, articles and notes, you need to practice for the exam. What can be better than taking a mock exam? Unlike SCJP, for which there are plenty of good quality mock exams available, there is only a handful of mock exams for SCEA exam:
Test Simulators
Is there anything better than a free mock exam? Yes, a certification test simulator, which simulates the exam environment and gives you the best practice you can get before you appear for the exam. Sun Java Architect Certification Preparation Kit from Whizlabs Software is one test simulator for SCEA (Part I). Designed and developed by highly committed, experienced and certified professionals, this exam simulator ensures your success in the exam with its high-quality mock tests and quick revision tips on the latest pattern of SCEA Exam (Part I).
Discussion Forums and Groups:
Even after accessing various resources, you may still require assistance for different reasons like clearing your doubts on a topic, understanding the latest exam pattern, etc. Here are some of the useful discussion forums and groups:
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| How Much Preparation is Enough? |
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This is a commonly asked question, but it is difficult to answer as the preparation varies from person to person. In addition, it depends on what you are aiming for: just a passing score, or to be among the toppers.
To prepare for Part 1, a beginner may take, for each of the exam objective, anywhere from one week to a month or more to learn. As a whole, part 1 may require a few hours (for an experienced architect) to six months or more of dedicated preparation (for a beginner).
Since Part 2 is project work, it requires a lot of focused and concentrated effort. On an average, it may take 100 hours, typically spread over a period of few months.
Part 3 is an essay exam on your work in Part 2. Your success in this part depends on your efforts during Part 2. If you did your homework properly, no special preparation is required at this stage.
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Some Tips and Tricks
Now let us look at some test-taking tips and tricks:
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This exam tests your architectural abilities, not your coding skills. So, concentrate on the concepts, not on the code specifics. While they want you to know what code factoring is, the exam will not give you a code snippet and ask you to optimize it.
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Although it's not in the requirements, a sound understanding of the J2EE patterns is useful in Part 1 and essential in Parts 2 and 3.
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Appreciate that some questions may be time dependent. For example, it used to be the case that when using Container Managed Persistence (CMP) on application servers, you would be forfeiting some performance, as the application servers were unable to generate the most efficient SQL. Instead, it was recommended that you use Bean Managed Persistence (writing your own SQL) to improve performance. However, application servers have improved a lot in their generation of SQL and now offer highly optimized efficient SQL. In the official guidebook produced by Sun, it says BMP will offer greater performance. So in the current test using EJB specification 1.1, answer that BMP has better performance. However in the new test, to be released later this year with the EJB 2.0 specification, this will probably need to be reviewed.
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Try to build up a broad knowledge of other technologies, not just J2EE. Learn about Message Orientated Middleware (MOM) mainframe terminology because Sun assumes you have overview of all of the technologies.
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Make sure you know what an applet can and cannot do under standard browser's Security Manager. Also read up on why an applet is restricted, i.e., why is an applet not allowed to connect to other machines?
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Make sure that you understand which type of Enterprise Bean to use where. Entity Beans translate to data in a database, Stateful Session beans are shopping baskets, and Stateless beans provide a service, credit card validation, etc.
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The Sun Certified Web Component Developer exam is not a prerequisite for the SCEA. However, this exam is good preparation for the architect exam.
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In today's job market, everyone wants to stand out from the crowd, and obtaining a technical certification is a valuable step towards it. Being SCEA, you can help improve your career potential, gain more respect and increase job security.
There is a whole wealth of information and support available, should you decide to go for it. So, go ahead and celebrate!
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Pradeep Chopra is the co-founder of Whizlabs Software, an e-learning company focusing on certification test simulators and enterprise skill assessment systems. Chopra is a graduate from the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, one of the leading technology educational institutions in the world. Working in Java and related technologies since their inception, Chopra is the author/co-author of numerous J2EE Certification Test Simulators. .
* First published at CertMag site.
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