Which Certification Is The Best For Java?

Java is one of the popular programming languages used widely for the creation of applications, websites, and other software products. It is widely used as a server-side language for Big data and machine learning projects. Java is an Object Oriented Programming language (OOP). Since OOP languages are modular, it reduces the complexity of the program codes and its codes can be reusable. Since Java codes are easier to read and understand, this is what makes it user friendly. Java is compatible with multiple platforms.

Java consists of Application Programming Interface(API), which consists of methods and keywords to boost the performance of the program code. Since it is open-source, it makes it an attractive feature to not miss out on this opportunity. Lastly, it consists of a large collection of development tools such as NetBeans, Eclipse, IntelliJ IDEA is the popular Integrated Development Environment(IDEs). With growing popularity, there are many edtech players that have started offering Java certification courses to help you learn all of its basic and advanced concepts.

Where is Java Used?

Now that you know that Java is popular in the world of technology, you should get to know more about Java and its applications across the tech world. Various android applications are developed with the help of Java because it offers compatibility on various platforms. The reason being that Java applications are built on Java Virtual Machine(JVM), which supports multiple platforms. Java also helps to build graphical user interfaces(GUI) applications using Swing and JavaFX.

Web applications can also be developed with the help of Java. For example, websites for health, education, insurance, social security, etc. are developed using Java. Apart from all these, Java is widely used in the creation of enterprise applications, scientific applications, gaming applications. In this data-driven world, how should Java be left behind? So the Hadoop used for analyzing big data is also built using it. Cloud-based applications are also developed using Java.

Let us now know which certification is the best for gaining expertise in Java.

Top Java Certifications

Some of the popular certifications that professionals prefer are listed below:

Oracle Certified Associate Java Programmer (Java SE8 PROGRAMMER I)

It is the initial level certification offered by Oracle, which covers the basic concepts of Java programming. It helps in gaining all the foundational knowledge for programming. Thus it will make it easier for the professional to grow their career in the path of Java developer.

It is the first certification to determine that the professional has skills in Java and that they can be trusted with their expertise.

For getting this certification, firstly the candidate must take the beginner and intermediate Java SE 8 training for gaining experience in Java SE8. After that take up the Java SE 8 programmer exam.

Topics Covered-  arrays, exceptions, Loop, constructors, inheritance, methods, encapsulation, operators and decision constructs, Java API.

Exam details:  There will be 70 multiple choice questions and you will get 150 minutes. The minimum marks to clarify the examination is 65%.

Exam Code: 1Z0-808     

Oracle Certified Associate Java Programmer (Java SE11 PROGRAMMER I)

Very similar to the previous certification, this is the certification for the Java standard version 11.

For getting this certification, firstly the candidate must take the beginner and intermediate Java SE 11 training for gaining experience in Java SE11. After that take up the Java SE 8 Programmer exam.

Topics covered-  application of encapsulation, creation and using of methods, creating Java programs, describing and using Java classes, handling exceptions, Java technology, and Java development environment, programming abstractly through interfaces, reusing implementations through interfaces, understanding modules, using operators and decision constructs, working with Java arrays, working with Java primitive data types and string API.  

Exam Details: There will be 80 multiple choice questions with a time duration of 180 multiple-choice questions. Also, you need to score a minimum of 63% to clear this exam.

Code: 1Z0-815

Oracle Certified Associate Java Programmer (Java SE8 PROGRAMMER II)

Oracle certified associate Java programmer (Java SE8 PROGRAMMER II) is a professional certification for those candidates who are highly skilled in working with Java SE 8.

It is the advanced level certification for Java SE8 after the candidate has given OCAJP (Java SE8 Programmer I).

For getting this certification, firstly the candidate must take the Java SE 8 training for gaining experience in Java SE8. After that take up the Java SE 8 Programmer exam. Next is to take up the JAVA SE 8 Programmer II exam.

Topics covered- advanced class design, building database application, concurrency, exceptions and assertions, generics and collections, Java class design, Java file I/O, Java I/O fundamentals, Java stream API, Lambda built-in functional interfaces, localization, API.

Exam Details- As a prerequisite, you first need to certify yourself in OCAJP 8 certification. For that, there will be 85 multiple choice questions with a duration of 150 minutes. The minimum marks that the candidate needs to qualify is 65%.

Code: 1Z0-809.

Oracle Certified Associate Java Programmer (OCPJP) (Java SE11 PROGRAMMER II)

This certification tests the proficiency of the candidate in Java SE11.

For getting certified in OCPJP, the first step is to take advanced Java SE11 training to gain practical, hands-on experience in Java SE 11.  The next step is to get OCAJP 11 certified. After that, take and pass the Java SE11 Programmer II exam.

Topics covered- concurrency, built-in Functional interferences, database applications in JDBC, exception handling and Assertions, Functional Interference and Lambda Expressions, Generics and collections, Annotations, Java Fundamentals, Parallel systems, Services in Modular Application, Secure coding in Java applications.

Exam Details: this examination requires OCAJP 11 as a prerequisite. There will be a total of 85 questions with a duration of 180 minutes. The minimum marks required to pass the examination is 63%.

Oracle Certified professional Java Application Developer(OCPJAD)

The OCPJAD certification is for those professionals who qualify their skills on Java Enterprise Edition 7. Java EE 7 is mainly used by professionals such as solutions architect, software architect, or Java frontend and backend developer. They have intermediate to advanced skills in Java EE 7.

For getting certified in OCPJAP, firstly you have to gain hands-on experience in Java EE7. After that, you can apply for OCPJAP exam and qualify. As a prerequisite, you have to be OCPJAD certified.

Topics Covered-  Java applications using web sockets, Java web applications using JSPs, Developing Java web applications using Servlets, JSFs, Performing REST services using JAX-RS API, Java EE 7 Architecture, Java EE 7 Security, Batch API, CDI Beans, Concurrency, Java Message Service API, Managing Persistence. 

Exam Details: The exam consists of 70 multiple choice questions with a time duration of 150  minutes. The minimum score required to qualify for the exam is 66%.

Code: 1Z0-900.

Bottom Line

Since Java is popularly used in multiple areas, it will definitely be worth it if you consider learning it. All of the above certifications are taken up by professionals to give their career a wonderful opportunity. Apart from these, Oracle also provides other certifications also. Take up any of these to enhance your career. But for that, you have to make sure you know Java well enough to take the risk of attempting the certification. Enroll yourself in an online course, so that you learn Java concepts very well. Also, the online course will help you get trained by Industry experts. This will help you become Industry ready.