Which Java 8 Certification Should you Take? OCAJP8 (1Z0-808) , OCPJP8 (1Z0-809) , or Upgrade(1Z0-810 and 1Z0-813)

There are a lot of confusion among Java programmers and Oracle Java Certification aspirants related to various Java 8 certifications e.g. what are exam codes, which exams they should go for, whether they are eligible for Java SE 8 upgrade exams, and what should they do if they have just passed Java SE 7 Programmer II certification. I will try to answer each of these questions here, but to get it right let's first clear the confusion about various Java SE 8 exams There are four Java 8 certifications available in Oracle's site:

1) Oracle Certified Associate, Java SE 8 Programmer OCAJP8, exam code 1Z0-808
2) Oracle Certified Professional, Java SE 8 Programmer OCPJP8, exam code 1Z0-809
3) Oracle Certified Professional, Java SE 8 Programmer (upgrade), exam code 1Z0-810
4) Upgrade to Java SE 8 OCP ( Java SE 6 and all prior versions) - exam code 1Z0-813

First is your associate level exam (OCA) which is also known as OCAJP 8, while second and third is the programmer certifications (OCP), commonly known as OCPJP 8.  The only difference between 1Z0-809 and 1Z0-810 is that later is an upgrade exam and you must have a Java SE 7 Programmer II, known as OCPJP 7 (1Z0-805) certification to appear on it.

The last one, 1Z0-813 is another upgrade to Java SE 8 OCP exam but eligibility criterion is more relaxed, you must have any Java certification, Java SE 6 or prior version e.g. SCJP 1.4, SCJP 5, or SCJP 6.

Now, some of you might ask, why there are two upgrade exams? Well, because of their syllabus and topics covered. The 1Z0-813 exams cover everything from Java 1.5 version. Remember,  You are only eligible for this example if you have passed Java SE 7 Programmer II or OCPJP 7 exam and not the OCAJP7 (1Z0-803) exam.

If you don't have any previous Java certifications then In order to become a certified Java SE 8 developer, you need to pass both OCAJP 8 and OCPJP 8.

Java SE 8 Programmer I Certification -1Z0-808 (OCAJP 8)

Here are some important details about Java 8 Programmer I certification, also known as Oracle Certified Java SE 8 associate exam or more commonly OCAJP 8. This is the exam a Java programmer should take if he is appearing for Java certification first time.

Some of you may ask, why not give OCAJP7 which is easier than this, which is true but this one is the most up-to-date Java certifications and given Java 9 is about to release, it doesn't make much sense to go for a Java certification version which is 2 version behind. The only reason, you would want to go for Java SE 7 certification is maybe just to get a certification for recognition, which may not be bad either.

Exam Number: 1Z0-808
Exam Name: Java SE 8 Programmer I
Associated Certifications: Oracle Certified Java Programmer, Silver SE 8 (Oracle Certified Associate, Java SE 8 Programmer - Available only in Japan), Oracle Certified Associate, Java SE 8 Programmer
Exam Product Version: Java SE
Exam Price: US$ 245
Duration: 150
Number of Questions: 77
Passing Score 65%
Validated Against: This exam has been written for the Java SE 8 release.
format: Multiple Choice

You can see that it is multiple choice questions based exam where you need to score at least 65% to pass the exam. Since exam contains 77 questions, you need to at least get 51 questions correct to clear the exam. The cost of the exam is different in different countries e.g. In India the same exam will cost you Rs 10,100 but in the USA it will cost you US$ 245. Similarly, in Singapore cost is 322 SGD and Canada it cost 336 Canadian Dollars.

Java SE 8 Programmer II Certification - 1Z0-809 (OCPJP 8)

This is the second part of Java SE 8 certification. In order to become a Java 8 certified developer, you need to pass both 1Z0-808 and 1Z0-809 exam, commonly known as OCPJP 8. OCP stands for Oracle Certified Professionals which is one level higher than OCA or Oracle Certified Associates.

Here are some important details for Java SE 8 Programmer II Certification:

Exam Number: 1Z0-809
Exam Name: Java SE 8 Programmer II
Associated Certifications: Oracle Certified Professional, Java SE 8 Programmer
Exam Product Version: Java SE
Exam Price: US$ 245
Duration: 150 minutes
Number of Questions: 85
Passing Score 65%%
format: Multiple Choice

This exam is much tougher than the OCAJP 8, you can see that it has longer duration and number of question is also higher, 85 questions. In order to pass this exam, you must score more than 65% i.e. you need to get at least 56 questions correct. The cost of the exam is same, INR 10,100 in India and 245 US Dollars in America.

Upgrade Java SE 7 to Java SE 8 OCP Programmer - 1Z0-810 Exam - OCPJP 8

If you already hold Java SE 7 certification i.e. you have clear both OCAJP 7 (1Z0-803) and OCPJP 7 (1Z0-804)  or you have pass upgrade to Java SE 7 OCP programmer exam 1Z0-805 then you are eligible for this exam. This is one way to become a Java SE 8 programmer by just passing one exam, instead of two i.e. OCAJP 8 and OCPJP 8.

Remember, you are not eligible for the 1Z0-810 exam if you have just passed OCAJP 7 (1Z0-803) and not the OCPJP 7 (1Z0-804) because until you pass the OCPJP 7 exam, you won't be considered a Java SE 7 certified programmer. In that case, you have to pass two exams i.e. both OCAJP 8 (1Z0-808) and OCPJP 8 (1Z0-809).

Here are some important details for Java SE 8 upgrade certification:

Exam Number: 1Z0-810
Exam Name: Upgrade Java SE 7 to Java SE 8 OCP Programmer
Associated Certifications: Oracle Certified Professional, Java SE 8 Programmer (upgrade)
Exam Product Version: Java SE
Duration: 150
Number of Questions: 81
Passing Score 65%
format: Multiple Choice
Exam Price: US$ 245, use discount code Java20 to avail 20% discount on account of Java celebrating 20 years.

This exam also has the duration of 2.5 hours and you need to pass 53 questions out of 81 to pass this exam. The format is same, multiple choice. The price of the exam is also same with OCAJP 8 and OCPJP 8 i.e. the exam voucher will cost you 10,100 Indian Rupees in India and 245 US Dollars in the USA.  Since Java certification is not cheap, it's better to prepare well and spend some money to buy good book e.g. OCA: Oracle Certified Associate Java SE 8 Programmer I Study Guide and good mock exams e.g. Whizlabs so that you can clear the exam in the first attempt.

Upgrade to Java SE 8 OCP ( Java SE 6 and all prior versions) - 1Z0-813 Exam

If you are an existing certified Oracle certified Java developer or Sun Certified Java developer of any Java version e.g. Java SE 6 or prior then you are eligible for this exam. This is a great opportunity for all SCJP 4, SCJP 5 and SCJP 6 certified developer to become Java SE 8 certified programmer. This will help you immensely in your Job and Career because Java 8 is the future of Java.

You are also getting an opportunity to become Oracle certified professional by just passing one exam i.e. you don't need to pass OCAJP 8 exam. Here are some important details for Java SE 8 upgrade exam from Java SE 6 or lower version:

Exam Number: 1Z0-813
Exam Name: Upgrade to Java SE 8 OCP ( Java SE 6 and all prior versions)
Duration: 130 minutes
Number of Questions: 60
Passing Score: 63%
Validated Against: This exam is validated against Java SE 8.
Format: Multiple Choice
Exam Price: US$ 245

This is a shorter exam then 1Z0-810, upgrading from Java SE 7, which had a duration of 150 minutes and you needed to solve 81 questions. Passing score is also low i.e. instead of 65% you only need to score 63% to become a Java 8 certified programmer. You have to get at least 38 questions out of 60 right to pass this exam.

The cost of the exam is also the same i.e voucher for 1Z0-813 will cost you 245 USD in the USA and 10,100 INR in India. Since the exam is costly, I suggest you to only take after preparing well, vouchers are also valid only for 6 months. It is also better to spend some money and buy a good certification guide e.g. Oracle Certified Professional (OCP) Java SE 8 Programmer guide By Ganesh, Hari, and Tushar and exam simulators e.g. David Mayer's Java 8 Certification questions to prepare well.

Resources for Java 8 Certifications

Here are some of the useful resource to prepare for Java SE 8 Certifications. I have organized resources in two sections, OCAJP 8 and OCPJP 8. The first one contains resources e.g. books, mock exams, and notes for the 1Z0-808 exam, while the second one contains resources for 1Z0-809, and upgrade exams 1Z0-809 and 1Z0 - 813 exams. Most of these resources are also free of cost.

OCAJP 8 (1Z0-808) Resources
If you are preparing for Java 8 certification Programmer I then following resources will be handy:

1. OCA Java SE 8 Programmer I Certification Guide by Mala Gupta (buy)

2. Syllabus and Complete detail of Java SE 8 Certification (see)
2. Free Online OCAJP 8 Mock Exams (online test)
3. 1Z0-808 Sample questions - PDF (download)
4. OCAJP 8 Exam Simulators (list)
5. OCAJP 8 Books and Study guides  (books)
6. 1Z0-808 dumps free pdf (download)

OCPJP8 and Upgrade Exams(1z0-809, 1Z0-810, and 1Z0-813) Resources
If you decide to get Java 8 certified then here are some useful resources you will need:
1. OCA/OCP: Oracle Certified Java SE 8 Programmer I and II Study Guide by Jeanne Boyarsky and Scott Selikoff (buy)
2. Syllabus and Complete details of Java SE 8 Certification (see)
3. Link to purchase Exam voucher for Java Certifications (purchase)
4. Link to Register for Java 8 Exam (register)
5. 7 Free OCAJP 8 and OCPJP 8 Practice tests (practice test)
6. Top 5 Exam Simulators for Java 8 Certifications (compare)
7. 1Z0-810 dumps free - (pdf)
8. 1Z0-813 practice questions - (pdf)
9. 1Z0-809 dumps free pdf (download)


Here is the exam details for OCAJP 8 or 1Z0-808 for your reference:

That's all about different Java SE 8 certification exams. In short, there are three Java 8 exams, OCAJP8 (1Z0-808), OCPJP8 and the upgrade exam. If you have passed Java SE 6 or hold a previous SCJP certification or Java SE 7 OCP certification then you can directly appear on upgrade exam. Otherwise, you need to pass two exams to become a Java 8 certified developer i.e. you need to pass both 1Z0-808 and 1Z0-809 exams.

If you are already a Java SE 7 certified developer then you need to pass just one exam, 1Z0-810 to become a Java 8 Certified developer, and if you hold any Java certification e.g. SCJP 1.4, SCJP 5, SCJP 6 then you need to pass the 1Z0-813 exam to become a Java SE 8 certified programmer.

All the best for your exam.

P.S. If you want some tips for preparing Oracle Java certification, you should see my 5 tried and trusted tips to prepare Java certifications.


P.S. : If you are looking for a course to prepare Java SE 8 certification then Oracle Java Certification - Pass the Associate 1Z0-808 Exam! from Udemy is a good place to start it. It explains about new features of Java 8 required for OCAJP 8 exam.