Sun Certified Java Programmer Exam Question

[thomasaaron]

So, I've been tinkering around with some of the free SCJP practice exams online. It seems like they contain a lot of questions that require you to evaluate code and determine the output (or if it will even compile, or if it will throw runtime errors, etc...).

I find it curious that all of the code can be copied into a text editor and compiled/executed to determine the output.

Surely it is not that way on the REAL exam, is it?

I figured that, being a JAVA exam, they would put the code in an applet or something so that it can't be copy/pasted.

Or do they just figure that doing so will create such a time penalty that you'll fail the test if you don't know your stuff?

Also, what portion of the real exam is code evaluation?

[Balazs_noob]

Are you sure you can use a computer while making the test ?? :)

[dwhitney67]

Usually these test are timed (generally 2 minutes per question). The code given is just snippets, thus unless you can type 100 words per minute and really know your sh*t, it is nearly impossible to use your PC while taking the exam.

I've taken similar exams online in C and C++ for employment purposes, and they are no fun. Typically, and ironically, the C++ exam is easier than the one for C.

As far as copying/pasting the questions, sometimes it is possible, other times it is not.

If you are able to take the exam in the privacy of your own home, I recommend that you create a test.java template file with an "empty" public static main method into which you can insert the code snippet as it is presented with each question that is presented to you.

[thomasaaron]

Well, turns out my question was a bit ignorant.
I just found out that the tests are done in testing centers.

That's a great idea! :(

[steve.horsley]

The testing centres run a test program that is full screen, cannot (not that I've tried hard) be reduced to reveal the OS behind, and has a timer that stops you after the allotted time. There is always a short practice session available first, to get you used to driving the program.