This 1Z0-811 practice question tests your understanding of java basics and syntax. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
Which TWO are valid Java identifiers? (Choose two.)
$test
Dollar sign is allowed as first character.
class
Why wrong: 'class' is a reserved keyword.
my-var
Why wrong: Hyphen is not allowed in identifiers.
_myVar
Underscore is allowed as first character.
2ndVar
Why wrong: Cannot start with a digit.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
$test
Option A ($test) is a valid Java identifier because identifiers can begin with a dollar sign ($) or an underscore (_), followed by any combination of letters, digits, dollar signs, or underscores. The Java Language Specification (JLS §3.8) explicitly allows the dollar sign as a starting character, though it is conventionally reserved for mechanically generated names.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
$test
Why this is correct
Dollar sign is allowed as first character.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
class
Why it's wrong here
'class' is a reserved keyword.
my-var
Why it's wrong here
Hyphen is not allowed in identifiers.
_myVar
Why this is correct
Underscore is allowed as first character.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
2ndVar
Why it's wrong here
Cannot start with a digit.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates may think the dollar sign ($) is invalid because it is not a letter, or that the underscore (_) is only allowed in the middle of an identifier, but both are explicitly permitted as starting characters by the JLS.
Trap categories for this question
Keyword trap
'class' is a reserved keyword.
Detailed technical explanation
Java identifiers are case-sensitive and can be of any length. The underscore (_) is a valid starting character, but starting with an underscore is discouraged in modern Java (since Java 9) as it is reserved for future use in some contexts. The dollar sign ($) is often used internally by the compiler for synthetic names (e.g., inner class access), so using it in user code is legal but not recommended for readability.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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What to study next
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FAQ
Java Basics and Syntax — This question tests Java Basics and Syntax — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: $test — Option A ($test) is a valid Java identifier because identifiers can begin with a dollar sign ($) or an underscore (_), followed by any combination of letters, digits, dollar signs, or underscores. The Java Language Specification (JLS §3.8) explicitly allows the dollar sign as a starting character, though it is conventionally reserved for mechanically generated names.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 25, 2026
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