<p>How long does it take to prepare for it?? im aiming for a 5. my teacher doesnt teach **** so i gotta prepare myself. approximately how long do i need?? and how do i prepare??</p>
<p>I started the class in January last year and got a 5 on the exam. It really depends on your past programming experience. If you have experience (but maybe not java) it will be much easier to pick up the concepts. If you're brand new at programming, I would suggest starting to go over the material now.</p>
<p>I used the barron's book to prepare before the exam, and I found it was a very good review of the concepts. But that book aside, the best way to prepare is to just write code. Just make all sorts of little programs, incorporating the different concepts. By the time the exam rolls around you should be more than ready if you just code on a regular basis.</p>
<p>I agree with data. My text book (by Lewis, Loftus, Cocking) has numerous java projects. </p>
<p>The exam consists mostly of finding the output/return of a section of code, or finding the missing part of a section of code so as to return the intended output. Familiarize yourself with concepts, then put it into practice.</p>