Do you Need to Pass OCAJP before taking OCPJP - Core Java Certification from Oracle

Even though we now have Java 11 certification, I know many Java developers who are going for Java certification like Java SE 8 Programmer 1 and 2, also known as OCAJP 8 and OCPJP 8 with exam code 1Z0-808 and 1Z0-809. Even though Oracle split Java certification into 2 after acquiring Sun Microsystem in 2010, there is still confusion among Java developers whether they need to pass just one OCAJP exam or both OCAJP and OCPJP exam to become a certified Java developer. Well, The short answer is Yes, if you want to become a Java certified engineer then you need to pass both OCAJP and OCPJP, but the long answer depends upon your situation, e.g. whether you hold any previous Java certification or not, which we'll discuss in the second section.

For those, who are new to the Java certification world, the OCAPJP is an associate-level exam and pre-requisite for appearing for OCPJP, which is a higher professional level exam. In short, yes, you need to pass OCAJP before taking OCPJP though you can purchase the exam together.

One thing, which I certainly noticed after Oracle's acquisition of Sun Microsystems is creating confusion around Java certifications like hell. I used to remember those days, where Java Certifications are well defined and well known, like SCJP, SCWCD, SCBCD, etc., but currently, Java certification for SE 8 is known as either SCJP 8, OCJP 8 or even OCPJP 8. 

By the way, the official name of two most sought after Java certifications is Oracle Certified Associate, Java SE 8 Programmer 1 ( Code: 1Z0-808), and Oracle Certified Professional, Java SE 8 Programmer 2 ( Code 1Z0-809 ).


Being author of a Java blog and a certified Java developer, I receive lots of questions regarding Java Certifications for Java SE 8 and 9, with a range of queries from how to prepare for the exam and recommendations on useful resources, which you can find on my articles on valuable Java certifications books, resources, and mock exams.

Do you Need to Pass OCAJP before taking OCPJP?

Apart from that, one of the questions, which a lot of my reader email me, is about whether taking OCAJP is mandatory for giving OCPJP or not?  Many of them have doubts about whether OCA is required for taking OCP or not? Well, the answer is both Yes and No.

If  you are appearing for Java SE 8 certification and haven't done any Java certification before then you need to first clear OCAJP, and only then you can take OCPJP, but if you are upgrading from an earlier version, e.g. you have already passed Oracle Certified Professional, Java SE 7, 6 or  Java SE 5 Programmer (OCPJP 7, OCPJP 6 or OCPJP 5) or any version of Sun Certified Java Programmer exam ( SCJP) than you don't need to go through OCA path.

You can directly appear for OCPJP 8. By the way exam code is different for the upgrade version, you need to take Upgrade to Java SE 8 Programmer 1Z0-810 or 1Z0-813.

Even though both 1Z0-810 or 1Z0-813. Are upgrade exams, the difference between 1Z0-810 or 1Z0-813 is eligibility criterion.

The 1Z0-810 allows an OCPJP 7 certified Java developer to upgrade to OCJP 8 exam, while the 1Z0-813 exam allows any OCPJP6, SCJP 6, or any of the prior Java certification, e.g. SCJP 1.4 or SCJP 5. If you are interested, you can read more about the differences in my earlier article, 1Z0-810 vs. 1Z0-813.

On a similar note, if you appear for Java SE 6 certification then you don't need to pass OCA, you can directly take Java 1.6 certification.

Should you upgrade to OCP Java SE 8 Certification?

Well, I suggest, you should upgrade to OCP Java SE 8 if you have given SCJP 1.4, SCJP 1.5, SCJP 6 or OCPJP 7 or any older SCJP certification at least 3 to 4 years ago. The main reason for the upgrade is to get yourself familiar with recent changes in Java 8.

Since these Java certificate exams are gone through significant changes and a lot of things are added in the syllabus, which was not there earlier, they present an excellent opportunity to make your core Java skills stronger.

They also present a unique opportunity to refresh and update your existing core Java knowledge. On a similar note, these exams are also better aligned with industry-standard and covered a wide range of topics which are not present in OCPJP SE 6 exam e.g.

• Design Patterns
• Describe the JDBC API
• Localization
• Java Concurrency

You can see the complete syllabus on the official Java certification page. Now let's see some important facts about the OCP Java SE 8 exam.

The exam has a duration of 150 minutes, with almost 80 - 90 questions, given if you are giving it first-time code 1Z0-808 or upgrading from earlier versions of Java certifications, e.g. SCJP 1.4, code 1Z0-809.

Similarly, for 1Z0-808, the passing score is 65%, while for the 1Z0-809 passing score is 60%. The format of the exam is still multiple choice questions for both exams. You can read more about them in my Java Certification FAQ article.


That's all about this question, whether you need to pass OCAJP for taking OCPJP or not. As I have answered the question in the first paragraph, you only need to give OCAJP SE 7, if you don't have any previous Sun Certification, if you already passed SCJP 1.4 or SCJP 5, then you can directly take OCPJP SE 8 exam.

That's cost-saving too, so if you are already certified SCJP, than no need to retake OCAJP SE 8exam. Also, if you are going to give SCJP 1.6, then you don't need to pass any OCA exams.

Also, 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 the right place to start it. It explains new features of Java 8, e.g. lambda expressions, streams, functional interfaces, Optional, new date, and time API, and other miscellaneous changes required for the OCAJP 8 exam.

Which Java Certification Should You Take?

Btw, If you are serious about Java certification, I think it is better to go for the latest Java certification, like. OCAJP8 and OCPJP8, rather than taking any old OCAJP7 and OCPJP7 exam.

This has two benefits; first, you will learn Java 8, which will give you an advantage in the interview, and second, it will help you in the job because all new code will be written using Java 8.

Some useful resource for OCAJP and OCPJP Java SE 8 Certification

Here are some of the essential resources and links for any Java SE 8  certification aspirants:

1. Whizlabs OCAJP 8 and OCPJP 8 training course
2. Whizlabs' OCPJP 8 and OCPJP 8 Mock test
3. Complete Java SE 8 Developer Bootcamp - OCA Prep Included
4. Best OCAJP 8 and OCPJP 8 Books
5. Free Java 8 Certification Mock Tests
6. Best Java SE 8 Exam Simulators
7. David Mayer's 1Z0-808 and 1Z0-809 dumps
8. Top 5 Courses to Crack Java SE 8 Certification Exam

If you decide to go for Java certification, always go for the latest Java certification; currently, Java  11 Certification is recent but it's very difficult.  If you can, for all means go for Java SE 11 certification but, if you want to become a certified Java developer then you can also become one by giving Java SE 8 certification.

The Java 8 certification is not the most recent, but you can prepare for 1Z0-808 and 1Z0-809 exams, rather than old Java SE 7 certifications. If you want, you can even go for Java 11 certifications or OCAJP 11, but that would be a little tough.

Thanks for reading this article; if you find this article useful, please share it with your friends and colleagues. If you have any questions or feedback, then please drop a note. 

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 the right place to start it. It explains about new features of Java 8 required for the OCAJP 8 exam.