The other day, I took an exam to acquire Java SE8 Silver (Silver) and passed it with a correct answer rate of 84%. The author is a beginner who has recently been appointed as an engineer due to his inexperience in practical work. It was a month before I joined the company, so I took the exam to learn the basics of programming and prove it externally before joining the company.

I have read various passing experiences, but since there are few articles that even write study methods, I will publish my study method as a reference.

Reference book used

[Thorough capture Java SE 8 Silver problem collection [1Z0-808] correspondence](https://www.amazon.co.jp/%E5%BE%B9%E5%BA%95%E6%94%BB%E7% 95% A5-Java-Silver-% E5% 95% 8F% E9% A1% 8C% E9% 9B% 86-1Z0-808 / dp / 4844339931 / ref = asc_df_4844339931 /? Tag = jpo-22 & linkCode = df0 & hvadid = 295658314765 & hvpos = 1o2 & hvnetw = g & hvrand = 8847695421980087700 & hvpone = & hvptwo = & hvqmt = & hvdev = c & hvdvcmdl = & hvlocint = & hvlocphy = 19009187 & hvtargid = pla-526914835838 & psc = 1 & th = 1 & psc = 1 There is only one black book here. We do not recommend studying without black books, as many questions similar to black books will be asked during the exam.

[Oracle Certification Textbook Java Programmer Silver SE 8](https://www.amazon.co.jp/%E3%82%AA%E3%83%A9%E3%82%AF%E3%83%AB%E8] % AA% 8D% E5% AE% 9A% E8% B3% 87% E6% A0% BC% E6% 95% 99% E7% A7% 91% E6% 9B% B8-Java% E3% 83% 97% E3 % 83% AD% E3% 82% B0% E3% 83% A9% E3% 83% 9E-Silver-SE-8 / dp / 4798142735 / ref = pd_sbs_14_3 / 358-5043706-2298933? _Encoding = UTF8 & pd_rd_i = 4798142735 & pd_rd_r = 8b602d62 -c752-4dee-a48e-2ae7cae98199 & pd_rd_w = VknPL & pd_rd_wg = 4qMCf & pf_rd_p = ad2ea29d-ea11-483c-9db2-6b5875bb9b73 & pf_rd_r = NJN5H52SKZBKFRXTFH4W & psc = 1 & pf_RXTFH4W Some people recommend using it in combination with this purple book. However, the explanation of Kuromoto itself is substantial, and if you do not understand even if you read the explanation of Kuromoto, you should be able to solve it by google.

Even in practice, the ability to solve problems by google is essential. I think it's well worth knowing "how to reach the information you want efficiently" here. This is convenient! 24 Google Search Techniques

Order of learning

Build a Java development environment on your machine
Progate Java lesson for 2 weeks
Kuromoto Chapters 1-9 1st week
Kuromoto Chapters 1-9, 2nd week
Kuromoto Chapters 10-11, 1st week
Kuromoto Chapters 1-9, 3rd week
Kuromoto Chapters 10-11, 2nd week

I will explain in the above order.

1. Build a Java development environment on your machine

It's natural that you can't run Java and try various things without building an environment. I built it with reference to the following article. Java environment construction (Mac version) JDK installation Java environment construction (Windows version) JDK installation

By the way, Eclipse is famous as a Java IDE, but I write Java in Visual Studio Code (hereinafter VS Code). The two reasons are that it is a familiar editor that I used when I was doing web production as a hobby, so it works lighter than Eclipse and has powerful input completion.

For example, on Eclipse, if you type "System.out.printl", "System.out.println ();" will be suggested.

On the other hand, on VS Code, if you type "syso", "System.out.println ();" will be suggested, and if you type "main", "public static void main (String [] args) {}" will be suggested.

Studying Silver involves the process of writing a small program and trying it out. I chose VS Code because I thought VS Code was more productive than Eclipse in that respect. Building an environment is really easy. VS Code is good. Super easy! How to build a Java development environment in Visual Studio Code with just a few clicks.

2. Progate Java lesson for 2 weeks

The purpose is to get used to Java grammar and programming itself before reading the black book. Even if you don't write a program in the exam, writing it will settle in your memory, and above all, it will be fun, so it is also effective for maintaining motivation.

I only had a free chapter for 2 weeks. I think it makes sense to do the paid chapters within the scope of Silver's exam, but if you want to pass the exam in the shortest distance, you should spend more time on the black books that are closer to the actual production. We recommend that you use the paid chapters as a review after passing Silver. Progate Lesson List

When I solve a Progate problem, I write all the code in VS Code instead of the answer column, and copy and paste the written code into the answer column. Progate is a comfortable environment where the class name is already written when solving the problem, and the place to write the code is specified in the comment. But that's not the case when you actually write the code.

Progate is a great service for getting started with the language, but I feel that there are some differences from when actually writing code using an editor or IDE. I think it will be beneficial in the long run to work in an environment that is as close to production as possible from the beginning. This is just my own commitment and I think there are pros and cons, so feel free to try it.

3. Kuromoto Chapters 1-9 1st week

In terms of test preparation, this is the actual stage. In the first week of Chapters 1-9 of Kuromoto, read the commentary carefully and use it like a textbook.

As of the first week, there are few inputs, so it is natural to make a mistake. If you can't give a confident answer to one question in 3 minutes, read the commentary. If you draw a marker on the important part, it will be easier to review after the second week. If you solve each question one by one and check the explanation, it is easy to see the answer to the next question, so let's look at the explanation while hiding it with a bookmark or something. (I wish I could hide the answer with a red sheet)

As you proceed with the black book, you will always have problems such as how the output result will change if you change the processing order. In such a case, let's move a slightly modified version of Kuromoto's problem on your editor. This method is useful when you are not satisfied with the answer after reading the explanation.

I created one Main.java file and tried various things such as changing the data type and order. If you are not satisfied with the answer, check the errata from the "Apology and Correction" section of the site below. Errata of black books

In my case, even if I didn't understand the day I learned, I often understood it when I read the commentary again at a later date. You don't have to understand everything in the first week. However, it is dangerous to proceed in a state where you do not know why you made a mistake. If you read the explanation and understand only the cause of the mistake, you will deepen your understanding after the second week. On top of that, let's move on.

4. Kuromoto Chapters 1-9, 2nd week

You might imagine that it's the second week to finish chapters 1-9 and study from chapter 1 again, but it's not. I solved the problem in Chapter 1 and read the explanation, and the next day I reviewed Chapter 1 and solved the problem in Chapter 2. There are two reasons to review immediately the next day.

The first is to make sure you understand what you learned the day before. You can't just memorize the answer in the second week to confirm it. If you remember the answer to your question during the review, be prepared to explain why it is the answer. Also, mark any problems you make in the second week. This is useful when reviewing after the 3rd week.

The second is to keep in mind. Assuming that one chapter is completed a day, it will take nine days to study chapters 1-9. After that, if you review Chapter 1, you will have 9 days free. My memory of studying Chapter 1 during those 9 days is fading, so I am more likely to make the same mistake.

There are short-term memory and long-term memory in human memory, so if you want to understand the knowledge, you should save it as long-term memory. The forgetting curve of Ebbinghaus is famous. Ebbinghaus forgetting curve misunderstanding and true meaning

The only lesson to be learned from this graph is, "If you review one day later, you can re-memorize it with about 66% of the effort (time and number of times) you remembered the first time." Simply put, it takes less time to learn the second time than the first time.

If you just spend a week on a black book, it will be classified as a short-term memory that you can forget immediately. Reviewing over and over again in a short period of time is the way to long-term memory. I'll leave it to you to believe this forgetting curve, but I find it to work.

Specifically, I proceeded with my studies according to the schedule below. Day 1: Solve the problems in Chapter 1 and read the explanation in Chapter 1. Day 2: Solve the problem in Chapter 1 and read the explanation in Chapter 1, solve the problem in Chapter 2 and read the explanation in Chapter 2. Day 3: Solve the problem in Chapter 2 and read the explanation in Chapter 2, solve the problem in Chapter 3 and read the explanation in Chapter 3. Day 4 ...

However, I felt that the number of questions in Chapters 5-9 increased and the difficulty level increased, so I took more time a day and two days to study while lightly reviewing the other chapters. In particular, there are many terms that I do not know if I am an inexperienced person, and there are many places where I am not satisfied with the output results. In that case, it takes a lot of time to google for a detailed explanation of the terms, or to write the code in the editor and to be satisfied with the output result. I took at least 5 or 6 hours a day to study.

5. Kuromoto Chapters 10-11, 1st week

This is a practice test chapter. As with the exam, try to solve 77 questions within the time limit of 150 minutes. I solved the problem chapter by chapter in two days and read the explanation. However, there are some problems that cannot be solved with the knowledge of Chapters 1 to 9, and it takes time to review, so I think it is okay to spend up to 3 days in Chapter 1.

You don't have to get a passing score in the first week. I also had a correct answer rate of about 50% in the first week. You may be depressed because you cannot get more points than you expected in Chapters 10 and 11. However, let's positively think that we can absorb more knowledge that we do not know.

I had a low percentage of correct answers and felt impatient, so I read the following site to review the basics. Since it is a manga, it is easier to understand the concept than sentences, and code examples are also written. It's also a good idea to take a break. Introduction to Java in Manga

6. Kuromoto Chapters 1-9, 3rd week

Let's review mainly the problems that you made a mistake in the second week. In the 3rd week, the commentary should be completed in 2 or 3 days. Even in the third week, the problem of making a mistake is likely to be a weak field. Let's crush as much as possible here. I wrote down the explanations and the meanings of the methods that I often make mistakes in a memo pad, and looked back in my spare time so that I could settle in my long-term memory.

7. Kuromoto Chapters 10-11, 2nd week

As in the first week, try to solve all the problems within the time limit. The reason why I review other than the wrong questions is that chapters 10 and 11 are very similar to the actual questions. Let's review the questions that were answered correctly once and reduce the actual careless mistakes. If the correct answer rate is 80% or higher, you are likely to pass the exam, so apply for the exam.

How to apply for the exam

I took the Java Silver exam, but the procedure was really annoying It's basically the same as this blog, but there is one correction.

It means that you will not be able to perform the initial certification of CertView for a while after applying for the exam. Therefore, it is recommended that you apply for the exam at least one week before the exam.

The correct answer is, "** Pearson VUE account registration should be done at least one week before the exam." If you want to see the results immediately after the exam, you don't have to apply for the exam at least one week in advance. Actually, I set up the exam 3 days later and applied for it, but I was able to confirm the results immediately after the exam was completed.

Pearson VUE account registration is quick and you don't have to apply for any exams at the same time you register. Let's register quickly in your free time.

Summary

After building the Java development environment, Progate's Java lessons are 2 weeks and Kuromoto is 3 weeks (2 weeks for chapters 10 and 11). It took at least 5 hours a day. In the process, I googled and wrote code each time, wrote down important things and looked back, and as a result, I passed with a correct answer rate of 84%. I think that if you finish up to this point, you will get a sufficient passing score. In my case, it took me a month, but if you understand it quickly, you will be able to pass it a little sooner.

As an aside, when I reported to the prospective candidate that I passed the exam, I was very pleased. To be honest, taking Silver does not mean that you can write or design crunchy code. However, I think it is a good qualification to prove to the outside world that you are not a beginner who does not understand anything at all and that you have the ability to run on your own.

Java has influenced many languages, so I think Silver's knowledge will be useful if you come into contact with another language in the future. The learning cost of JVM-based languages such as Scala and Kotlin and C #, which is said to be similar to Java, may be reduced. For those who want to make an app but don't know what to make, it's a good foundation. Obtaining Silver is also recommended in Qiita's popular article. Send me a roadmap to become a full-fledged Java engineer

Information will continue to be disseminated not only in Java, so it would be great if you could follow the newly created Twitter engineer ([@key_sharp](https://twitter. com / key_sharp)). Especially the same Fukuoka engineer is welcome lol.

I wish you all the best.

A study method for inexperienced people to pass Java SE 8 Silver in one month