Just a reminder that you still have the next several weeks to take the beta exam for the new "Oracle Certified Associate, Java SE 7 Programmer" certification. From now through December 16th, you can take the "Java SE 7 Programmer I" exam (1Z1-803) for only $50 USD. Not only that, but because this only a single-exam certification - passing it puts you among the very first certified on the new Java SE 7 platform!

You'll be happy to note that we worked hard to raise the bar for OCA as we built the Java SE 7 certification. The content that we considered to be more ‘conceptual knowledge-based' has been eliminated in the OCA level and has been replaced with far more practical content - what we often call "practitioner-level" concepts and questions. In fact, some of the topics that we previously covered at the Oracle Certified Professional (OCP) level is now covered at the OCA level. Doing this not only increases the value of the Java SE 7 OCA certification, but also has provided the opportunity for us to broaden the topics, concepts, questions covered at the OCP certification level. All of this adds up to more value and credibility to those who get certified on Java SE 7.

The OCA exam doesn’t have prerequisites. But it is very important that you carefully review the test objectives on the exam page and assess your current skills and knowledge against that list to be sure that you're ready. From the exam page you can register to take the exam at a Pearson VUE testing center near you.

Below are some helpful details on the certification track and exam. Again, register now - just a few weeks left at the special low beta price!

QUICK LINKS:

• Certification Track: Oracle Certified Associate (OCA), Java SE 7 Programmer
• Certification Exam: Java SE 7 Programmer I (1Z1-803)
• Video: Coming Soon - Java SE 7 Certification
• Info: About Beta Exams
• Exam Registration: Instructions | Register Here