Trying to figure out Certification path and destination

Hello, I'm not sure which forum this belongs in.

I am trying to update my Java certification to have something more recent to put on a resume. My last certification was Oracle Certified Associate for Java SE 7 Programmer in 2015. I picked up the "Oracle Certified Professional Java SE 11 Developer Complete Study Guide" book, but I'm not entirely sure what exam is most recent for the material this book covers. I'm finding chapter 11 on modules a bit challenging at the moment, but it's the end of part 1 of the book and I'm not sure if that means I'm supposed to take a test at that point for the first half of the eventual target certification.

But then also somewhat unrelated, once I have completed certification, I'm not sure what the best practices are for listing it on a resume and searching for companies where its presence on my resume is actually helpful.

Welcome to the Ranch

The current OCPJP exam is for Java17; the latest LTS version is Java21 but I believe there is not yet an exam for it.
Please consider how worthwhile it is to sit that exam, or whether the experience you already have is worth more than a certification.
Other people will have more recent knowledge than me, but I would have thought you should always list your most recent exam on your resumé if there is sufficient space.

Hi Glen,
I'm preparing for the current OCP 17 exam (1Z0-829) using this book: Java OCP 17 Developer Complete Study Guide. There is also a companion Practice Tests book.
Considering how much effort it takes to complete the exam, it won't hurt to have this certificate on your resume. And don't worry, it takes time for new things to settle in your mind. Good luck!

Thank you both for your responses.

Campbell Ritchie wrote:The current OCPJP exam is for Java17; the latest LTS version is Java21 but I believe there is not yet an exam for it.
Please consider how worthwhile it is to sit that exam, or whether the experience you already have is worth more than a certification.
Other people will have more recent knowledge than me, but I would have thought you should always list your most recent exam on your resumé if there is sufficient space.

For clarity, does that mean that older exams are discontinued and that I should switch to prepare for the Java17 exam from what I have been doing? Based on Ira's comment, there appears to be a more recent book by the same author for preparation I could switch to.

My intent with certification is to have something externally verifiable since I lack a job history in the industry and without something externally verifiable, I have anxiety about appearing fake.

Ira Go wrote:Hi Glen,
I'm preparing for the current OCP 17 exam (1Z0-829) using this book: Java OCP 17 Developer Complete Study Guide. There is also a companion Practice Tests book.
Considering how much effort it takes to complete the exam, it won't hurt to have this certificate on your resume. And don't worry, it takes time for new things to settle in your mind. Good luck!

As I don't currently have this book, I have a question you may be able to answer. The book I had been preparing from was broken down into a part 1 and part 2 that seemed to have two partial exams that built into a single certification. Is there anything similar going on with the newer exam structure? As I was getting close to the end of part 1 of this book I was anticipating taking an exam in the near-term before continuing with the rest of the book.

Glen Fisher wrote:. . . does that mean that older exams are discontinued . . . ?

One day they will be discontinued, so the definitive guide is the appropriate Oracle website. But there are still older versions regarded as current.

. . . I lack a job history . . . .

Then you are right to go for a qualification. I don't know anything about your situation, so this is only a tentative suggestion, but have you considered studying for a degree?

Glen Fisher wrote:
As I don't currently have this book, I have a question you may be able to answer. The book I had been preparing from was broken down into a part 1 and part 2 that seemed to have two partial exams that built into a single certification. Is there anything similar going on with the newer exam structure? As I was getting close to the end of part 1 of this book I was anticipating taking an exam in the near-term before continuing with the rest of the book.

The OCP Java SE 17 Study Guide book is all in one. It prepares for the 1Z0-829 exam. It looks like your books are for two separate exams:

Java SE 11 Developer - 1Z0-819

Java SE 11 Upgrade - 1Z0-817

And only one of them should be taken. Here is from Oracle's FAQ

Who can take the Upgrade OCP Java 6, 7 & 8 Programmer to
Java SE 11 Developer | 1Z0-817 upgrade exam?
Candidates who hold the Oracle Certified Professional,
Java SE 6, 7, or 8 Programmer credential can upgrade
to Oracle Certified Professional, Java SE 11 Developer
by passing Upgrade OCP Java 6, 7 & 8 Programmer to
Java SE 11 Developer | 1Z0-817.
This exam focuses on the most important of the newest features of Java.

Maybe your book covers these exams?

Can I take the 816 exam before
the 815?
It will benefit you the most to prepare for and take the
Java SE 11 Programmer I | 1Z0-815 exam before taking
Java SE 11 Programmer II | 1Z0-816. However, exams
can be taken in any order.

Campbell Ritchie wrote:I don't know anything about your situation, so this is only a tentative suggestion, but have you considered studying for a degree?

I do have a bachelor's degree, but it is from 2010 and I don't feel confident about listing it in the vacuum.

Ira Go wrote:The OCP Java SE 17 Study Guide book is all in one. It prepares for the 1Z0-829 exam.

I think I'll be switching over to this book and aim for this exam. We'll see how this goes.

Glen Fisher wrote:. . . I do have a bachelor's degree . . . I don't feel confident about listing it . . .

I think you should always list degrees on a CV.