Provyn Prep · Java competency
JVM & performance in the Java assessment
JVM & performance is one of the areas a Provyn Java credential scores separately, so a recruiter can see it on its own rather than averaged into one number. This guide explains what it covers, how it is tested and what to practice.
What it covers
How the JVM runs code: memory areas, garbage collection, class loading and the common causes of slow or memory-hungry Java programs.
Topics in the practice set for this area
- memory management
- JVM
How it is tested
In the timed assessment, questions in this area use these formats: matching, multiple choice, put the steps in order, short answer. Each attempt draws its own set of questions, and this area gets its own sub-score on the credential when the attempt includes enough questions from it. The assessment questions themselves are never published; the practice set below is written separately for study.
What to practice
- Sketch the heap and stack for a short program and say which objects are eligible for collection.
- Read a garbage collection log or a heap summary and describe what it shows.
- List common memory leak patterns in long-running Java services.
Try a practice question
From the free practice set (2 questions in this area). Answers and explanations are in the practice set.
- Garbage collection in Java is:
- Which is the JVM bytecode standard file extension?
Practice before the real thing
Both are free and use practice questions only, never questions from the real assessment.
More Java study guides
Last reviewed 2026-10-06.