Don’t Panic: Oracle announces new Java OCP 11 Exam!

Update (11/05/2020): Read The 1Z0-819 Exam page to learn how you can easily our Java 11 Study Guides to prepare for Oracle’s 1Z0-819 Exam, as well as the 1Z0-817 Upgrade Exam.

Oracle has announced a new Java SE 11 Developer 1Z0-819 exam. In doing so, they are also retiring the 1Z0-815 and 1Z0-816 exams, effective October 1st, 2020. Don’t panic! The new exam is basically a combined version of the 1Z0-815 and 1Z0-816 exams.

In fact, Jeanne and I worked with Oracle staff to help design the objective set for the new 1Z0-819 exam. For example, we’re responsible for removing CallableStatement‘s and assertions. You’re welcome!

This means our existing study guides are perfectly suited to help you pass this new exam. We recommend studying for the new exam with one of the following two options:

Is the new exam easier?

Not really. The new 1Z0-819 exam covers a broad range of material. And you have to know it all on the same day instead of split across two different exams.

What are the benefits of the new 1Z0-819 exam?

To begin with, it costs less. One exam instead of two. Additionally, there are less questions.

The breadth of material does have an advantage: if you don’t do well on one topic, it is likely to be less points on the exam.That said, you only have 90 minutes on the new exam, as opposed to 180 minutes on the old exams, but you have less questions to answer.

What about the Upgrade Exam?

Oracle is keeping the Upgrade OCP Java 11 1Z0-817 exam. Like the new 1Z0-819 exam, our Complete Study Guide can be used for the upgrade exam. You also just use the Programmer II book, as we added an Upgrade Appendix just for this exam.

What don’t I need to study?

You need to know almost everything that was on the 1Z0-815 and 1Z0-816 exams for the 1Z0-819 exam. There are a few topics that you no longer need to worry about for the exam:

  • Characteristics of Java (platform independence, backwards compatibility, etc)
  • Running a basic program from the command line (except modules)
  • Java Assertions
  • JDBC CallableStatement

How do the new objectives map to our Java 11 Study guides?

We created a helpful mapping so you know what to study for the new exam.

1Z0-819 ObjectivesProgrammer I (1Z0-815) ChapterProgrammer II (1Z0-816) ChapterComplete Study Guide Chapter
Working with Java data types3 – Operators
4 – Making Decisions
5 – Core Java APIs
6 – Lambdas and Functional Interfaces
1 – Java Fundamentals3 – Operators
4 – Making Decisions
5 – Core Java APIs
6 – Lambdas and Functional Interfaces
12 – Java Fundamentals
Controlling Program Flow4 – Making Decisions4 – Making Decisions
Java Object-Oriented Approach2 – Java Building Blocks
7 – Methods and Encapsulation
8 – Class Design
9 – Advanced Class Design
1 – Java Fundamentals2 – Java Building Blocks
7 – Methods and Encapsulation
8 – Class Design
9 – Advanced Class Design
12 – Java Fundamentals
Exception Handling10 – Exceptions5 – Exceptions, Assertions, and Localization10 – Exceptions
16 – Exceptions, Assertions, and Localization
Working with Arrays and Collections5 – Core Java APIs3 – Generics and Collections5 – Core Java APIs
14 – Generics and Collections
Working with Streams and Lambda expressions6 – Lambdas and Functional Interfaces4 – Functional Programming
7 – Concurrency
6 – Lambdas and Functional Interfaces
15 – Functional Programming
18 – Concurrency
Java Platform Module System11 – Modules6 – Modular Applications11 – Modules
17 – Modular Applications
Concurrency7 – Concurrency18 – Concurrency
Java I/O API8 – I/O
9 – NIO.2
19 – I/O
20 – NIO.2
Secure Coding in Java SE Application11 – Security22 – Security
Database Applications with JDBC10 – JDBC21 – JDBC
Localization5 – Exceptions, Assertions, and Localization16 – Exceptions, Assertions, and Localization
Annotations2 – Annotations13 – Annotations

This Book is *Not* a Study Guide

Well, technically it is. But what I really mean is our new OCP 11 Java Programmer II Book is so much more than that. In fact, it’s my favorite book we’ve written (don’t tell my other books!) because it dives deep into some really interesting topics like streams, concurrency, I/O and NIO.2, method references, etc that people often only have passing familiarity with.

It’s not written solely for you to pass the exam (although it contains plenty of strategies/tips/tricks for that too!). For example, maybe you’ve used annotations but been too scared to write you own? This book will teach you everything you need to know about writing custom annotations like a pro. Or maybe you’ve heard about lambdas and streams but don’t really understand them well enough to use them. Completely understandable! I was once terrified to use them too, for fear of looking unintelligent (aka dumb). Now, I use lambdas, streams, and method references to accomplish in a handful of lines what used to take me pages of boiler plate code.

Whether you take and pass the exam or not (and I sincerely wish you do), I hope that by reading this book you’ll gain a greater understanding and appreciation of Java. Oh, and if you’re more just starting out, I recommend reading our OCP 11 Java Programmer I Book first. That provides a solid foundation for Java classes, methods, and polymorphism.

If I sound excited, it’s because I am really proud of this book and all of the hard work that went into making it interesting, easy-to-understand, and perhaps… a bit of fun! Purchase now on Amazon while supplies last!

Happy Book Birthday! New OCP 11 Book Now Shipping!

Update (11/05/2020): Read The 1Z0-819 Exam page to learn how you can easily our Java 11 Study Guides to prepare for Oracle’s 1Z0-819 Exam, as well as the 1Z0-817 Upgrade Exam.

Jeanne and I are thrilled to announce the release of our new Java 11 OCP Programmer II Book! It’s been a challenging road, writing and editing a book in the middle of a global pandemic, and we’re excited the print book is available for sale and finally shipping! The Kindle/digital version is available too!

Whether you’re studying for the 1Z0-816 Programmer II Exam or the 1Z0-817 Upgrade Exam, or just enjoy finding out about new Java topics, this book contains it all. We pride ourselves in presenting lambda expressions, streams, concurrency, custom annotations, I/O and NIO.2, JDBC, security, and more in fun and refreshing ways. We want our readers to enjoy learning about a topic just as much as we enjoyed writing about it. Finally, we believe that becoming certified makes you a more well-rounded developer and helps to grow your career with potential employers.

Our last book sold out pretty quickly, so get your copy today!