Difference between OCAJP and OCPJP Certification Exams for Java Programmers

Earlier when Sun Microsystems was in charge of Java, the popular Java certifications were called "Sun Certified Java Programmer" or "SCJP" and that time there was just one exam, you need to pass to become a certified Java Developer, but when Oracle took over Sun Microsystems on 2010, the SCJP goes away and OCAJP and OCPJP born. Since Oracle already has its certifications for database administrations like OCA, which stands for Oracle certified associates, and OCP, which stands for Oracle Certified Professional, it introduces new Java certifications to match their existing hierarchy. They are known as OCAJP and OCPJP in the Java world.

The OCAJP is an associate-level exam and demonstrates that you have a basic understanding of the Java programming language and its features. Still, OCPJP is a professional level exam and shows that the developer is not only familiar with Java basics but also has a good understanding of Java API and various other key Java concepts required to build Java applications in the real world e.g., JDBC, NIO, Java 8 features and new Date and Time API.

In short, OCAJP is a basic level Java exam while OCPJP is a higher-level exam, but the key thing to remember is that they are two separate exams. You need to pass both of them to become a certified Java developer.

There are two versions of OCAJP and OCPJP exams that exist at the moment e.g., OCAJP7 (1Z0- 803) and OCPJP7 (1Z0-804) to become a certified Java SE 7 programmer and OCAJP 8 (1Z0-808) and OCPJP 8 (1Z0-809) to become a Java SE 8 accredited developer.

The most important thing to remember is that you cannot become a certified developer if you just pass the OCAJP7 or OCAJP8 exam, you must pass them in pairs e.g. OCAJP 7 + OCPJP7 or OCAJP8 + OCAPJP8. Even if you pass the 1Z0-803(OCAJP7) exam you are not allowed to take the 1Z0-809 exam (OCPJP8) because you haven't passed the 1Z0-808.

Difference between OCAJP and OCPJP

As I said even though OCAJP and OCPJP are core Java exams they are two different exams, hence they have different exam codes, syllabus, eligibility criterion, and difficulty level. We'll compare them shortly but that's what you need to keep in mind.


1. Exam Code
Both have different exam codes, generally, OCAJP has a lower exam code the corresponding OCPJP exam e.g. for Java SE 7, the OCAJP 7 has exam code 1Z0-803 while OCPJP7 has exam code 1Z0-804. Similarly, for Java SE 8 certification, the OCAJP8 has code 1Z0-808 while OCPJP 8 has code 1Z0-809.


2. Exam Name
As I told you, both are different exams. The OCAJP is generally known as Programmer I certification and OCPJP is generally known as OCPJP 8 certification. For example, OCAJP 7 is known as "Java SE 7 Programmer I" and OCPJP7 is known as "Java SE 7 Programmer II", Similarly OCAJP 8 is known as "Java SE 8 Programmer I" and OCPJP 8 is known as "Java SE 8 Programmer II"


3. Eligibility Criterion
There is no pre-requisite for the OCAJP exam. Anyone can give this, even if you are not a computer science graduate, a college dropout, a code camp student, a free-launcher, or a self-taught programmer, you can give OCAJP exam. But for the OCPJP exam, you must first pass the OCAJP exam. And most importantly, you can only become a certified Java developer if you clear both OCAJP and OCPJP exams.

4. Cost
Surprisingly, the cost of most Java certifications is the same. For example, the cost of OCAJP7, OPJP7, OCAPJ8, and OCPJP8 are all 245 USD in America and 10,100 INR in India. The cost varies depending upon your country for example in the UK it's around 155 GPB, in Canada and Australia it's around 336 CND and 336 AUD and in Switzerland, it's around 248 CHF.


5. Exam Duration
Usually, the duration for OCAJP and OCPJP exams is 2.5 hours or 150 minutes but the OCAJP7 or 1Z0-803 exam is a 2-hour exam.


6. Number of Questions
The different exam has a different number of questions e.g. 1Z0-803 has 80 questions to be solved in 120 minutes while 1Z0-804 has 65 questions to be solved in 150 minutes. Similarly, OCAJP 8 has 80 questions to be solved in 2.5 hours and OCPJP8 has 85 questions to be completed in 150 minutes.


7. Pass Percentage
Usually, the passing percentage is around 65% but OCAJP 7 has a passing percentage of 63%.


8. Syllabus and topics
The syllabus and exam topics are different for different exams. you can view the exact topics for each exam in relevant sections for OCAJP7, OCPJP7, OCAJP8, and OCPJP8. In general, the OCA exams include less topic and OCP include more topics and 1Z0-804 and 1Z0-809 is no exception.

I suggest joining these Java 8 Certification courses for the OCAJP exam, it gives you a nice overview of essential features of the Java programming language.

OCAJP7 (1Z0-803) vs OCPJP7 (1Z0-804)

Exam Number: 1Z0-803
Exam Title: Java SE 7 Programmer I
Duration: 120 Minutes
Number of Questions: 80
Passing score: 63%
Validated Against: Java SE 7
Format: Multiple Choice
Exam Price: CHF 238

Resources
1Z0-803 Syllabus or Exam topics
1Z0-803 Books
1Z0-803 dumps
1Z0-803 free mock exams
1Z0-803 exam simulators

Exam Number: 1Z0-804
Exam Title: Java SE 7 Programmer II
Duration: 150 minutes
Number of Questions:65
Passing score: 65%
Validated Against:  Java SE 7.
Format: Multiple Choice
Exam Price: CHF 238 More on exam pricing

Resources
1Z0-804 Syllabus
1Z0-804 Books
1Z0-804 dumps
1Z0-804 free mock exams
1Z0-804 exam simulators

OCAJP8 (1Z0-808) vs OCPJP8 (1Z0-809)

Exam Number: 1Z0-808
Exam Title: Java SE 8 Programmer I
Duration: 150
Number of Questions: 80
Passing score: 65%
View passing score policy
Validated Against:
This exam has been written for the Java SE 8 release.
Exam Price: CHF 238

Resources:
1Z0-808 Syllabus
1Z0-808 Books
1Z0-808 dumps
1Z0-808 free mock exams
1Z0-808 exam simulators


Exam Number: 1Z0-809
Exam Title: Java SE 8 Programmer II
Duration: 150 minutes
Number of Questions: 85
Passing score: 65%
View passing score policy
Validated Against:
This exam is validated against Java SE 8.
Format: Multiple Choice
Exam Price: CHF 238

Resources:
1Z0-809 Syllabus
1Z0-809 Books
1Z0-809 dumps
1Z0-809 free mock exams
1Z0-809 exam simulators

Though, if you already hold a Java certification then there are other exams to become a certified Java 8 developer. You can always upgrade yourself by taking either the 1Z0-810 or 1Z0-0813 exam. See this article to learn more about which Java certification exam you should take.

Here is a summary of  the difference between the OCAJP and OCPJP certification exams:

That's all about the difference between OCAJP and OCPJP exams. The differences hold true for both OCAJP 7 vs OCPJP 7 as well as OCAJP 8 vs OCPJP 8. The topics, cost, or other exam details may vary depending upon the time but expertise level and eligibility criterion will remain constant until Oracle decides to do away with it.

The OCAJP is an associate-level exam and easier than OCPJP which is a professional-level exam.

Though you must pass both OCAJP and OCPJP to become a certified Java developer e.g. to become a Java SE 8 certified programmer, you must pass OCAJP8 (1Z0-808) and OCPJP8(1Z0-809) exams.

Some useful articles for Java certification aspirants
Does Java certification help in Job and Career?
Which Java 8 Certification Should you Take? 1Z0-808 or 1Z0-810?
5 Tips to Prepare for Oracle Java Certifications
Why become Java Certified? Does Oracle Certified Professional Earn more?
What is a good time to become Java Certified Programmer?
Do you need to pass OCAJP before taking OCPJP?

OCAJP 7 or OCAJP 8? Which Java Certification should I take?

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