Java Certifications and Courses
The following are the various Java certifications you might want to take up to become a professional Java developer. All of these certifications are provided along with the courses needed to answer them by Oracle. If you want to hire Java developers, too, you may check if they possess the below qualifications. However, note that having a certificate isn't a definite decider of a developer's expertise.
1. Oracle Certified Foundations Associate, Java SE
This is a basic Java certification exam proving that the individual has hands-on knowledge of the Java programming language. The exam’s primary focus is students in colleges and other educational institutions who are aiming to become Java developers.
The exam tests on:
- A basic understanding of Java concepts
- Mathematical, logical and analytical abilities
- Ability to write and execute a Java program
- Working knowledge of Java Development Kit (JDK) and Java Runtime Environment (JRE)
Code: 1Z0 - 811
Duration: 2 hrs
Cost: $245
Format: MCQ
No. of qns: 60
Passing score: 65%
Cost: $95
Level: Beginner
Link: https://education.oracle.com/oracle-certified-foundations-associate-java/trackp_372
2. Oracle Certified Professional, Java EE 7 Application Developer Certification
This certification exam provided by Oracle is used to validate the candidate’s ability to develop as well as deploy applications using the Java Platform, Enterprise Edition 7. The exam is mainly intended for Java frontend and backend developers having an intermediate to advanced level of experience.
These developers are able to create web-based UIs using JavaScript, JSPs, JSFs, servlets.
The candidate is tested on things like:
- Understanding of Java EE Architecture
- Managing Persistence using JPA entities and Bean Validation
- Implementing business logic using EJBs
- Using Java Message Service API
- Implementing REST Services using JAX-RS API, and other related topics.
Format: Multiple Choice
Duration: 2 hours
No. of qns: 70
Passing Score: 66%
Exam Number: 1Z0-900
Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Offered By: Oracle
Price: $245
3. Oracle Certified Associate, Java SE 8 Programmer Certification
This certification helps establish a foundational understanding of Java. It is actually the first of a two part certification, and is often referred to as Java SE 8 Programmer I. We’ve written about the second part below. This first part covers topics like:
- Java Basics
- Working with Java data types
- Using Operators and Decision constructs
- Creating and arrays
- Using loop constructs and other topics.
Code: 1Z0-808
Duration: 2hrs
No. of questions: 56
Passing score: 65%
Format: MCQ
Cost: $245
Level: Beginner
Link: https://education.oracle.com/oracle-certified-associate-java-se-8-programmer/trackp_333
4. Oracle Certified Professional, Java SE 8 Programmer Certification (OCPJP)
This is the second part of the certification mentioned above, and is also known as Java SE 8 Programmer II. The first exam, Java SE 8 Programmer I, is a prerequisite for this one. This one covers more advanced concepts such as:
- Java Class Design (Standard and Advanced)
- Generics and Collections
- Lambda Built-in functional interfaces
- Java Stream API
- Exceptions and Assertions etc.
Code: 1Z0-809
Duration: 2hrs
No. of questions: 68
Passing score: 65%
Format: MCQ
Cost: $245
Level: Intermediate
Link: https://education.oracle.com/oracle-certified-professional-java-se-8-programmer/trackp_357
5. Oracle Certified Professional: Java SE 11 Developer Certification
This certification is used to validate the proficiency in the Standard Edition (SE 11) of Java and is recognized by a lot of industries globally, and it’s understood that the holders of this certification have a good understanding of the Java programming language.
The certification is accompanied by a 30+hr course provided by Oracle.
Some of the course syllabus consists of:
- Being able to apply encapsulation
- Creating and using methods in Java
- Creating simple Java programs
- Describing and using objects and classes
- Handling exceptions and a lot more.
Code: 1Z0-819
Duration of course: ~33 hrs
Duration of certification exam: 90 mins
Passing score: 68%
No. of questions: 50
Format: MCQ
Cost: $245
Level: Intermediate
Link: https://education.oracle.com/oracle-certified-professional-java-se-11-developer/trackp_OCPJAV11
6. Oracle Certified Professional: Java SE 17 Developer Certification
Similar to the above SE 11 certification, this exam proves that the candidate is skilled in the Standard Edition 17 of Java and is also recognized by industries all over the world. It validates that the individual is very fluent in Java and has a high level of proficiency in the language.
The exam tests candidates in concepts such as:
- Handling date, time, text, numeric and boolean values
- Controlling program flow
- Utilizing Java object-oriented approach
- Handling exceptions
- And working with arrays and collections in Java SE 17 among others.
Code: 1Z0-829
Duration of course: 34+ hours
Duration of exam: 90 mins
Format: MCQ
Number of questions: 50
Passing score: 68%
Cost: $245
Link: https://education.oracle.com/java-se-17-developer/pexam_1Z0-829