Passed SCWCD with 78%

Finally, on my second attempt I passed on 18 June 2010 with 78%. OK, it's not a good score, but PASS anyhow. Because I had to take care of my job and family it took nine months to gather the motivation to start preparing for my second attempt.

Here are my tips for passing:

-Unless you are a real expert, expect to fail at least once. Don't give up.

-If you fail, use the score report from Sun to find your weak areas. Go straight on to study those areas. It is very uncomfortable at first, but soon you will improve on the weak areas.

-Don't be intimidated if you fail and read about all people passing with 90-100%. Most people who fail keep quiet about it in this forum.

-I bought Enthuware exam simulator. It turned out to be very useful. The questions are quite similar in tone and level of difficulty as the real exam. Before my second attempt I used the simulator to focus on my weak areas, then taking the standard tests. Enthuware contains some errors, though.

-Make your own notes. I made a 30 page document in Notepad.

-Take the bus to work. When you get bored of looking out the window, review the notes.

-Write some real code. I spent almost one year writing a real application.

-Cut some wood! When you get tired of JSPs and cryptic custom tags there is nothing like swinging the axe and a chainsaw.

-Get enough sleep. Don't take too much stress out of it. Work hard, but not so hard that it starts keeping you awake at nights.

-Be nice to your wife/girlfriend/mistress. You will need her goodwill for spending all that time with your studies.

Cheers

Congrats Reidar

-Unless you are a real expert, expect to fail at least once. Don't give up.

I would disagree here, the exam is not that tough to clear in one go. If one has prepared properly, then the exam can be cleared on the first attempt...

Congrats

Congrats

Congratulations!!!
Glad to know that Enthuware tool helped.

Ankit Garg wrote:Congrats Reidar

-Unless you are a real expert, expect to fail at least once. Don't give up.

I would disagree here, the exam is not that tough to clear in one go. If one has prepared properly, then the exam can be cleared on the first attempt...

Hi Ankit

With expert I mean a real software professional, someone doing software for a living, perhaps having studied computer science. I design electronics for a living. This is just a hobby I have. Thus I believe it should be easier to pass the exam for a real expert.

Cheers

Congratulations !

Congrats! It'll helpful, if you upload your soft notes somewhere and give us the link!