Beyond Certification: Getting the Most from Tech Exam Preparation
Certifications have always been a hot topic among software developers. Is it worth the time and money? Should you study alone or join a group? In a recent episode of “Out of the Box Developer,” we had a fascinating conversation with Ronaldo Tavares, a developer with 20 years of experience who shared a unique journey: while preparing for his Java 21 certification, he ended up creating a vibrant learning community of over 100 developers.
His story isn’t just about passing an exam but shows how pursuing a certification can lead to unexpected professional growth and connections.
Ronaldo’s Journey: From Solo Explorer to Community Leader #
Ronaldo is no stranger to certifications. With a background spanning 20 years in IT (including 15 years in Java), his certification journey began in 2012 with Java 6. Since then, he has collected an impressive 13-14 certifications, including seven AWS certifications in just 16 months, Google Cloud Platform, and others.
“I like to study and have a goal. What I’m good at is doing a certain task consistently and having a goal. I study with a goal to get some certifications, so I make a plan and evaluate that plan every day.”
What makes Ronaldo’s current Java 21 certification journey different is his approach. Instead of studying solo as he had always done before, he decided to create a study group – a first for him. This shift happened after taking advice from a friend: “Why don’t you make a study group?”
The Study Group: How It Works #
What began as a small Discord server has now grown into a community of over 100 developers from Brazil and beyond. Here’s how the group functions:
- Daily summaries: Ronaldo shares a summary of one subject from the OCP study guide each day.
- Weekly meetings: The group meets weekly to tackle practice questions for the chapter they studied that week.
- Collaborative learning: During meetings, members answer questions independently, then discuss their thought processes and share knowledge.
- Accountability system: The Discord server has an “I studied today” channel where members simply post “done” after completing their daily study tasks – a simple but powerful motivation tool.
“Everyone that goes there and just puts ‘done’ every day, you are inspiring the other guys to study too. So you can see every day, ‘Oh, that guy studied today. I haven’t studied yet. I have to study.’”
The Unexpected Benefits of Building a Community #
What started as preparation for a certification has yielded benefits far beyond the exam itself:
1. Access to Industry Leaders #
The community’s collective power opened doors that would have remained closed to an individual. The highlight? A Q&A session with Jeanne Boyarsky, co-author of the Java certification study guide.
“Jeanne only came to talk with us because we have a community. I can’t, by myself studying alone, just call Jeanne. She won’t come to talk with me if I’m studying alone. The community has huge strength.”
2. Professional Opportunities #
Through the community, Ronaldo has connected with Java Champions, Oracle representatives, and presented at tech conferences. Oracle even provided vouchers for the certification exam (valued at about 1,300 Brazilian reais) to early members of his group.
3. Personal Growth #
Ronaldo never expected to become a community leader. “Right now I put on my LinkedIn that I am a community manager. I just put that on my LinkedIn because it’s how I’m feeling right now.”
The Java 21 Certification: What to Expect #
For those considering the Java 21 certification, Ronaldo doesn’t sugarcoat the challenge:
“The guys that make the exam for Java certification are professionals. They want you to fall for all the tricks in the exam. The questions are really difficult. Sometimes I think I have to be the compiler. I have to read the question line by line.”
The certification covers everything from basic Java building blocks to the latest features like virtual threads, sealed classes, and pattern matching. Even experienced developers find new things to learn in every chapter.
Is Certification Worth It? #
According to Ronaldo, the value of certification goes beyond adding a line to your resume:
“It’s not about the certification itself. It’s not about the title or the badge or the line that you put on your CV. It’s about your knowledge, getting knowledge… all the things you study consistently will get fixed in your mind.”
He believes certifications demonstrate three important qualities to potential employers:
- Consistency – you can make a plan and stick to it
- Focus – you can dedicate time to deep study of a subject
- Performance under pressure – you can deliver results with a ticking clock
Tips for Certification Success #
For anyone starting their certification journey, Ronaldo offers these practical tips:
- Focus on knowledge acquisition, not just passing the test
- Get a good night’s sleep before the exam
- Create time checkpoints during the exam (e.g., “At 1 hour left, I should be on question 30”)
- Take a break after the exam, whether you pass or fail
- Celebrate with your family who supported you through the process
Conclusion: The Unexpected Path #
Ronaldo’s journey demonstrates how certifications can be about much more than technical validation. By transforming his study process from a solo endeavor into a community effort, he found greater enjoyment, created unexpected connections, and developed leadership skills.
“I never had this kind of joy studying like now. The process of studying for this certification has been a pleasure.”
His story is a powerful reminder that sometimes the greatest value in pursuing a goal isn’t just in reaching it, but in the unexpected paths that open up along the way. Whether you’re considering a Java certification or any professional development opportunity, remember that how you approach the journey might matter just as much as the destination.
Want to join Ronaldo’s Java 21 certification study group? Check out their Discord community via Email List Ronaldo Tavares.