Test taking tips for OCA OCP Java Certification Exams?

[dimitrilc]

Greetings,

I took my 2nd 1Z0-815 mock exam today. I got 55%. My first mock exam was 34%. I guess I am quite happy as this is a huge improvement of 62%, for me.

There were 82 questions on the mock test, but around question 67, I found myself only having ~8 minutes left, so I just chose random answers from question 67 onward. Then I went back between 67 and 82 to do the easy ones first (modular jdk, jdk).

I actually got 80% of the "Real Brainer" questions correct, because these hard questions were placed in the front of the test, I spent my time doing them mentally. I understand that we are aiming towards a 90%+ score here, but I want to know of any strategy to manage my time better.

1. When you guys read the code, for questions asking what is the output of this code, do you start from the main method? Or do you read everything from top to bottom?
2. How do you identify Real Brainer questions? The questions with the loops really throw me off. It is so hard to keep track of the variable values.
3. Is there any short-circuiting tips for certain question types?
4. On the real test, are there a lot of loops and Real Brainer questions, too?
5. Is the strategy mainly looking to short-circuiting the questions? Or actually compiling the code mentally?

[admin]

Don't worry about the toughness rating. It is subjective. The real exam does not have it and that is why it is hidden by default in our simulator as well. Yes, the real exam will have tough as well as easy questions. But that is also subjective.

Keeping track of variables in loop questions mentally is tough. But with practice, you will be able to do it easily. That is why there are so many loop questions in our question bank. The real exam also has several loop questions.

It is best to keep doing questions one by one. If, on first reading, you feel that you are not able to answer it confidently, just mark the question and move to next. Don't waste too much time on it. Come back to marked questions at the end. But do not worry about the time for the first few mock tests. Focus on getting the answer right. After 2-3 tests, focus on time as well.

There is no universal strategy to short-circuit the question. You have to start thinking like a compiler, absorbing each line of code and applying the rules of the language. With practice, your brain will start short circuiting to eliminate wrong answers automatically. Don't think too much about it. Just make sure you read about the topics in which you scored less from a book before attempting the next test. Don't do next test before reading and writing test programs specially on topics on which you scored too less.

Remember, practicing is the key. Doing mock exams diligently will help you get there.
All the best!