Comments on: how the OCA Java Programmer certification compares to AP Computer Science A

By: Jeanne Boyarsky

Jeanne Boyarsky — Sat, 05 Feb 2022 03:30:56 +0000

In reply to Andrew Spiece. @Andrew: I took look and it seems about the same. Topics covered in one but not the other. Oracle isn't trying to align the OCA and AP CS exam. Also Java 8 is the last exam to have an OCA. After that is just the OCP which covers WAY more than AP CS.

By: Andrew Spiece

Andrew Spiece — Mon, 31 Jan 2022 16:33:21 +0000

Hello, I am interested to learn if there has been a closer alignment since the update to the college board standards of 2020?

By: Jeanne Boyarsky

Jeanne Boyarsky — Tue, 24 May 2016 02:58:31 +0000

In reply to Clarissa. Clarissa: Thanks for sharing that. Interesting!

By: Clarissa

Clarissa — Mon, 23 May 2016 00:30:38 +0000

It turns out that an institution can register for free for Oracle Academy if you are a degree awarding institution and nonprofit. 🙂
But, I think we’ll start by ordering the study prep book and letting my son assess the gaps. If the gaps are big, we’ll pursue other options like Oracle Academy. If the gaps aren’t big, then he can self study.

By: Jeanne Boyarsky

Jeanne Boyarsky — Sat, 21 May 2016 02:03:06 +0000

In reply to Clarissa.

Clarissa,
I don’t know much about Oracle Academy for students. Oracle classes for adults are expensive. I think it comes down to cost. The Java 8 features on the exam is pretty minimal. Your students could easily learn them and switch statements directly from a cert study guide. Which they’d want anyway to study.

By: Clarissa

Clarissa — Fri, 20 May 2016 03:16:00 +0000

My students used Edhesive on-line curriculum for the AP Computer Science A class and and for AP test prep. The class did cover recursion, overloading, wrapper classes, break/continue, and garbage collection. We did not see Java 8 topics or switch statements. I’m encouraged that the certification might not be a huge stretch.

Any thoughts about using Oracle Academy to fill the gaps?