SCJP : sun certified java programmer

who can be more reliable to give Java certification than Sun itself ! To become an SCJP : Sun Certified Java Programmer one need to appear on an exam and get at least 59% to pass it. The current exam format contains 72 questions, so at least 43 of them have to be answered correctly.
The exam code for Sun Certified Programmer for the Java Platform, Standard Edition 5.0 is 310-055.

This certification program tests the basic skill and concept of a Java programmer with tricky questions ! Maximum questions have multiple choice answers , 20-25% of are drag-n-drop format, that means one has to drag the options to the correct place.
To prepare for the exam , first we have to make up our mind ! Yes, if you are determined, half the work is done.
And for registration, have to purchase the exam voucher( price varies from 200 to 300 $) that contains a unique id for each examinee. This voucher expires within one year, so once you have bought the voucher, you should sit for the exam within this period unless you don't want to waste your money.
For preparation, the best reference book will be SCJP Sun Certified Programmer for Java 5 Study Guide (Exam 310-055) by Kathy Sierra and Bert Bates.

There are loads of other helpful materials in the web and many forums who discuss about SCJP.
The certification tests on some special criteria, these are listed as the exam objectives. They are as follows:

• Collections / Generics
• Fundamentals
• Declarations, Initialization and Scoping
• Flow Control
• API Contents
• Concurrency: thread
• OO Concepts

Question come from each of these objectives. I think if
someone is in short of time preparing, he can have perfect
conception about at least 5 of the topics and seem through the others.
Total time of the exam is 3 and half an hour, so time is not a problem at all. But it won't be intelligent to make any rush. Take your time and prepare in relax mood :) This is the way I've done it. First I thought it would be very difficult because I was extremely busy with other stuff and had no time to practice !
You can go back and forth while answering, can also change the answer of any previously answered question. So this is quite flexible in comparison with other computer aided test.
After becoming a sun certified java programmer, anyone can use the certification logo on his/her website or blog with the permission of Sun. Isn't it nice?
As this is an international certification and given none other than Sun itself, one can easily realize that it can be a boost into one's carrier and a nice thing to add on the CV.