First you'd best gain experience using Java in a production environment. While it's possible to sit the exam with academic knowledge only it's not recommended.
Then study, study a lot. For the 1.4 SCJP and SCJD exams (exams 310-035 and 310-027) get Kathie Sierra and Bert Bates' certification book (ISBN 0072226846).
Work through the relevant part for your exam (for SCJP that's the first half roughly) several times until you can almost dream the smallest detail.
Do mock exams, lots of mock exams. The exam questions aren't hard if you know your stuff well and are meticulous but they're worded in tricky ways and there are many pitfalls like minute errors in the question code so that it does something totally unrelated to what it seems to be doing. Practice to prepare to see such things.
When you feel ready and get 80+% on mock exams consistently contact Sun Educational services to get an exam voucher.
Then contact an exam center near you (Sun should have a list) to schedule the session.
I'm currently working on the exam myself, hopelessly delayed because I can't find the time to really sit down and study.
A good source for information is also http://www.javaranch.com
jwenting
duckman
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You may want to pick up some practical experience using the language first.
This doesn't of course have to be as a professional, you could join an open source project or make something for personal use (maybe together with some friends, study mates).
A few years back certification might have landed you a job. At current companies look for practical experience first of all (certification might still get your CV noticed among a mountain of them but no more).
jwenting
duckman
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If you used that simulator to fail twice it might be better to stay away from it...
Noone should get a score of 22% or 44% on the exam who knows the subject matter even glancingly.
jwenting
duckman
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The IO package is not on the exam.
Passed it today with 87%, yoohoo!
jwenting
duckman
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Passed it today with 87%, yoohoo!
Good Job! What percentage do you need to pass?
Also, give me a nice hard question they had on the exam, so I can see if I know it(if he does, no one answer untill I get it).
server_crash
Postaholic
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52% to pass.
Sorry, you have to sign a non disclosure agreement before taking the exam about not mentioning the questions.
jwenting
duckman
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Ezzaral
Posting Genius
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