There was a question posted over on Trika’s blog about the new .NET 3.5 pro exams based on the Prep guides.
Michael basically asked,
“In .net 2.0, Pro exams there was a heavy focus on testing, design and the theoretical part of software development. When I check the prep-guide for the .net 3.5 pro exams, I don't find any of those in there.
Did MS completely remove those aspects of the pro certification in .net 2.0?”
Well, technically, the pro level exams never did include content for software testing nor did they really cover the SDLC. What you see on these exam prep guides is the result of your peers, sitting in a focus group/design session, and determining what is important for testing candidates on in the real world in relation to that technology.
Keep in mind that these exams are not the equivalent of 70-300 nor are they intended to be. The Pro level exams are intended to test a candidate’s ability to make technology decisions for a specific product implementation or software application project. They need to understand the technology from a hands-on perspective prior to taking these exams. The Po level exams are designed to test the when, where and why style of decisions and questions.
We are already working on plans for an exam(s) aimed at software testing, security for developers and MSFv4. As a result, you will not see those topics covered or to any great length at least, on the MCPD exams.
Gerry
Thanks, Gerry, for answering the question :)
Michael
I think the new MCTS / MCPD (both .Net 2.0 & .Net 3.5) are much better than the old MCAD/MCSD format.
I hope you guys keep using the MCTS / MCPD format in the future versions of .Net as well and resist the urge to revamp things for the sake of revamping :).
I have a question about the training materials, or lack there of. I would like to start preparing for the MCTS / MCPD certs, but the first exam that I would like to take, 70-564 doesn't seem to have any training kits or anything out there...should I start with the 2.0 stuff and wait for the 3.5? What's the best next step for me?
Hi Jim,
The training will likely always lag behind the certification for very specific reasons. The Training Kits especially, that MS Press creates, are dependent on the exam design documents. They can't get started on their development process until we have an exam OD for them to use.
As a result of the fact that we typically start and exam process ahead of training, they get started later than we do. Also, their development cycles are a little longer than the exam dev cycle is.
There are always other factors as well such as budgets, author availability etc. Regardless of this, we are striving to have training and exams within specific timelines of the product releases from the rest of Microsoft.
If you haven't started on the 2.0 path yet, then I would concentrate more on the 3.5 path. Take note that the exam you have listed above is the Pro level exam for ASP.NET. You will need to acquire your MCTS ASP.NET 3.5 before you can earn the Pro level cert so before I offer a recommended path, I would need to know what certifications you currently hold.
I almost have my MCPD:Enterprise, will there be an upgrade path for 3.5?
Hi John,
If you are an MCPD Enterprise on 2.0, there will be an upgrade path to 3.5, yes.
Hi...
I am already certified on the .NET 2.0 platform (MCPD: Enterprise Apps). I want to know when will the Upgrade Exams for .NET 3.5 (70-568 and 70-569) be available?
Hi Anuj,
Those exams will be available in mid January of 2009.
Hi Gerry,
Thanks a lot for the information...
Regards,
Anuj.
I'm kind of new to all this. Been working on an Automation testing/monitoring team. I want to go the Software Testing QA Automation route. I was thinking of taking a C#/VB class at a continuing education center for beginner through Advanced level. They also ofer a beg, int, and advanced class on ASP.NET 3.5. I was wondering should I take the ASP.NET class instead and go for the MCTS.NET cert for 3.5?
Thanks
Rob
Hi beach,
Sorry for the delay in responding, this one only showed up in my inbox today.
The language courses will prepare you to use C# or VB in the managed code world of .NET. Because you need to take exam 70-536, which is .NET Framework foundations knowledge, along with the proper MCTS exam, before you can be awarded a certification, the language courses may be a good idea as a starting point if you are not familiar with them.
The ASP.NET exam is designed for someone who will be creating Web applications on the .NET platform so if that is the type of software development you want to focus on, then you should work toward that exam for sure. And it would be a good idea to concentrate on the 3.5 version if you are just starting out.
If you have any other questions, don't hesitate to ask.
>>> We are already working on plans for an exam(s) aimed at software testing, security for developers and MSFv4.
Any information/status on these exams will be helpful.
Titus
i want to know that can i do mcpd directly or i have to do MCTS first and i want to know that will i do my certification in 3.5 or 2.0 ,i want to do my certification in web,plz solve my query
Hi Titus,
The short answer and the only one I will give at this time is, no.
There is no new information at this time.
Hi Mukesh,
You must complete the MCTS first, unless you already have a certification in 2.0 but based on your question, I assume you do not have a certification already.
If that is the case, you must complete the MCTS first and then you can take the MCPD.
Please refer to these pages for information on the exams and requirements.
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/mcts/vstudio/2008/default.mspx
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/mcpd/vstudio/2008/default.mspx
i have been looking around and could not figured out what exams to take and what not.
basically i'm interested in MCPD & MCTS
so far i have passed the following exams:
70-316
70-320
70-229
70-305
70-228
70-215
my question is: if i write 70-547 and 70-528
will i be MCPD and MCTS ? if not then what more exams do i need to write in order to be MCPD and MCTS?
please answer my query.
thanks for looking.
-Nisar
Hi Nisar,
In order to acquire MCTS you must take exam 70-536 and then 70-528 to achieve MCTS in Web Developer on .NET 2.0. Once you have that completed, taking exam 70-547 will provide you with an MCPD: Web Developer on .NET 2.0.
Thanks Gerry...
how about if i'm only looking for MCPD ? should i write only 70-547? or more then that?
please advice.
thanks gain.
If you already have MCAD or MCSD, look into exams 70-551, 70-552, 70-558 or 70-559 for an upgrade path to MCPD.
Other than that, you need to get the MCTS first before you can get an MCPD.
Sorry to bother you please bare with me.
i'm currently MCAD in VS 2003
i looked into MS site (http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/mcpd/webdev/default.mspx) and based on what i understood (please correct me)
if I want to upgrade to MCPD i have to write:
70-547 - 70-536 - 70-528
or just write 70-551
my goal is get MCPD
as you have said, in order to get MCPD i have to have MCTS?
please clearly.
thanks.
Sorry for not clarifying that last point. If you have an MCAD already, then you can opt to take 551 which will give you an MCPD if you pass, or you can take 559 which will upgrade you to MCTS if you feel you may not be able to pass 551.
You do not need to have an MCTS before getting MCPD if you are taking an upgrade exam. I only mentioned that if you were starting on that track from the beginning with no prior certification.
thanks Gerry,
so what i understood is:
if i take 551 it will give me MCPD
and if i take 559 it will give me MCTS ?
is that with web development ?
both are optional or depended on each other?
thanks again.
70-551 and 70-559 are two seperate exams. One does not rely on the other.
551 is the exam that was the MCAD to MCPD upgrade exam. 559 is the newly released MCAD to MCTS exam.
You take the exam that provides you with the certification you wnat to achieve. You don't need to take 551 and then 559.
Hope that helps
thanks for the response.
one last question....just curiosity if i take both 551 and 559 will i be called mcpd and mcts ?
If you do that, you will have both certifications. You will find the content identical on the two exams however, it's just that the 559 exam will have one section removed.
>>>it's just that the 559 exam will have one section >>removed.
one section removed from where?
thanks
Nisar, I am not allowed to tell you what was removed but you can look at the prep guides for each exam and compare the areas that are covered.
i have finished framework 2.0 application development foundation. i would like to write WPF application which is framework 3.5. am i eligible to get MCTS ceritificate.
Hi Geetha,
By saying you finished "framework 2.0 application development foundation", I assume you mean you successfully passed exam 70-536.
If that is what you have indicated, then yes, if you take pass exam 70-502, which is the exam for Windows Presentation Foundation, you will achieve Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS): .NET Framework 3.5 – Windows Presentation Foundation Applications
I have already cleared 70-316 exam(Developing and Implementing Windows-based Applications with Microsoft Visual C# .NET 1.1).
Now I want to earn MCTS: .NET Framework 2.0 Windows Applications.
Should I have to write only 70-526 to earn MCTS?!?!
or should i have to still write both 70-526 and 70-536 to earn my MCTS?!
Kindly clarify.
Hi Kanthi,
I'm sorry to say that 70-316 really has no impact on the .NET 2.0 exams by itself.
If you are seeking to be certified on .NET 2.0, then you must take 70-536 as a prerequisite to to any of the .NET 2.0 certifications.
So, the answer to your question is yes, you still have to take both 70-536 and 70-526 to earn an MCTS.
Hi please can you clear this matter for me , I am a web developer in asp.net 2 and I want to upgrade my skills in Asp.Net.
So please I need to stick with Web-Dev so to earn the MCPD title what exams should I do, I have not done any Ms-Exams.
Thanks.
RadicalDev,
That depends on your desire to remain on 2.0 or move to 3.5 for a version of the .NET Framework.
For example, if you want to acquire MCPD in ASP.NET 2.0, then you need to look at taking the following exams;
70-536
70-528
70-547
If you are interested in getting your MCPD in ASP.NET 3.5, then you will need to take these exams;
70-562
70-564
Thank you very much , i am currently implementing systems using visual studio 2008 with 3.5 so i will choose your second option
plase can you let me know how can i get the c# language refference for the 70-536 book ? or is there a c# book for exam 70-536. at what time should i say i am doing the exam in c# since i am a c# developer.
Rdicaldev
Good choice. :-)
You will find that the Microsoft Press training kit for this exam has both C# and VB.NET code samples in it so it should be just what you need.
hi,
Can anybody give the detils of MCTS Exam 70-536, 70-528 fess in India
Thanks..
Though i find 70-316 and 70-536 has similar course contents!
anyways thanks a lot for clarifying the doubt :)
Aditya,
No details of exams are allowed to be discussed due to NDA agreements.
What information are you looking for that you can't find on the web site?
Although it may appear that way, these two exams are different.
70-316 is specifically for C# on .NET 1.1 and does not have coverage for some of the .NET 2.0 components. You cannot substitute one for the other.
Hi Gerry
I want to upgrade MCAD to MCTS. As I know I need to take Exam 70-559 but I am not getting any referance books or guide book for this exam. would you please inform me how i get thous study material.
Bipul
Hi Bipul,
This exam has topics from the following exams;
70-526
70-548
You can use the training materials for those exams.
hi Gerry,
I m currently MCITP:Database Developer, SQL Server 2005. I am planning to do MCPD:Web Developer 2.0 and on 3rd dec i am having 70-536 exam.
As there are no self preparing kits avalable for the MCPD:Web Developer 3.5, I will complete Web Developer 2.0 and after some time I will upgrade to 3.5, am I on the right path? And one thing I am not able to understand is "Transition to 3.5 from 2.0". Can u tell me what is meant by transition?
For what field is there a greater demand, web or windows development. I have asked many people, they told me to go for web certification, I would like to ask u, which one should i do, web or windows?
Hello Harsh,
There are currently no Microsoft Press training titles for the MCDP: ASP.NET 3.5 exams, sorry.
Please understand that you must pass three exam to acquire MCPD on ASP.NET 2.0, 70-536, 70-528 and then 70-547.
Once that is complete, you can then take exam 70-567 to upgrade to MCPD 3.5. However, you can take one fewer exam by starting with the 3.5 track directly. You still need to take exam 70-536 but then you can move onto exam 70-562, which is the MCTS for ASP.NET and then finally 70-564 for the MCPD.
By the time you make it to 70-564, there should be training material available for that exam.
I also tend to agree with the people you have asked. There currently is more demand for the ASP.NET certifications which indicates there is more demand for developers with those skills and certifications.
Keep in mind that rich desktop applications are starting to become quite popular as well with Windows Presentation Foundation.
Hello, I am about to start on the MCPD 3.5 path, and from what I can tell exam 70-536 is the same for the .NET 2.0 and 3.5 framework.
Does that mean the Microsoft Press book called MCTS Self Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-536) .NET Framework 2.0 Application Development Foundation is sufficient for this test?
It's been sitting on my shelf for a year, and if I can still use it, I'd rather do that than spend another $50 on a new book.
Then the exams after that will 3.5 specific.
Hi Eric,
You are correct on all accounts. You can use that same book to prepare for that exam, nothing has changed on the exam.
Best of luck.
I want to know if there will be another upgrade version for asp.net3.5 and .Net Framework 3.5 in 2010.I'm trying to pass those exams 70_562 and 70_536, but because of the exam fees, i don't want to take for another upgrade so soon .
Hi mi,
Your post is a little confusing but I think I know what you are asking.
There will be an upgrade exam for MCPD on ASP.NET 3.5 to MCPD on ASP.NET 4.0. As usual, there won't be an MCTS upgrade exam.
To get the MCTS How many exams i should clear.What are they?
Hi Chaitanya,
Unfortunately, your request is far too vague for me to answer. You haven't told me what technology you are interested in.
Check this site, http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/sixsteps.mspx as it has the answers to your questions.
I am totally confused. I want to earn MCPD certification, strictly Enterprise App Dev. Should I go with 3.5 or stick to 2.0? Also, in case I go for 3.5 which exams will I have to take besides 70-536? If I stick with 2.0, would that be disadvantageous? Your response would be greatly appreciated.
Hi Taimoor,
I cannot choose for you whether you concentrate on 2.0 or 3.5. It depends entirely on the version you will use or you foresee using.
As for which exams to take, you can find all that information out here, http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/mcpd/vstudio/2008/default.mspx
I haven't seen anything of the upgrade exams (70-568 and 70-569) on MS Learning. I notice you expected them to appear mid-January in an earlier comment here. And it's sort of past that... ;)
Hi Mikael,
Please refer to this post, http://blogs.msdn.com/gerryo/archive/2009/02/02/status-update-on-exam-release-dates.aspx
I had done MCTS certification in .NET 2.0 and I want to take MCPD certificate in .NET 3.5 now.
My MCTS is in : .NET framework 2.0 (Exam 70-536 and Exam 70-528)
Now, can u please guide me how can I take MCPD certificate in .NET 3.5.
and Yes I m not sure that for which exam I have to go for Web technology in .NET 3.5.
and I also want to know where should I go for Exam 70-562 or 70-564 (for MCPD .NET 3.5)?
Please guide me with proper path to get MCPD in .NET 3.5.
Thanks,
Mehul Patel
Hi Mehul,
If you want to acquire an MCPD on .NET 3.5, you have two options. Start from scratch on 3.5 or upgrade from 2.0 The only way you can upgrade from 2.0 is to have an MCPD on 2.0. Because you don't have the MCPD yet, you will need to complete that first.
Go to this page for information on getting your MCPD on 2.0. http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/mcpd/webdev/default.mspx
Once you have completed that, you can then upgrade to 3.5 by going here and looking at the requirements, http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/mcpd/vstudio/2008/default.mspx.
As for you last question, where to go, you have to register at a local Prometric testing center to take these exams. There is no differenc in where to take these as compared to your 2.0 certifications.
Thanks Gerry,
I appreciate your feedback.
So, i need to go for 70-562 and 70-564. right?
Thanks again,
That is correct. You already have 70-536 passed so that means these two exams listed are all you need to acquire the MCPD: Web Developer.
Hi,Friends
I would like to Write MCTS Exams 70-536 in .NET 3.5
What is the Fees?
From where i should prepare?
Hi Hafeez,
For preparation, go here, http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/exams/70-536.aspx
For registration you need to go here, http://www.prometric.com.
As for the fees, that will depend on your location. Once you find the exam number on the Prometric web site, you should see the exam cost there.
Hi,
I am going to graduate in fall '09. I don't have any certifications yet but I've been programming in VS since 8 years. I wanted to know if MCPD Enterprise Application Developer is much preferred in market than Windows Developer 3.5 and ASP.NET 3.5? If yes/no what exactly the courses do I need to pass in order to get MCPD Enterprise? I know that is there on the website but it is very confusing? Please assist me if you can.
Farhan,
I can't tell you what the industry is preferring but I can tell you how well the certifications do.
Enterprise developer will take you longer to get to because of all the exams required.
My recommendation is this, concentrate on getting the MCPD ASP.NET 3.5 developer certification first. This requires three exams. While doing this, research job postings on you favorite job search site and see what employers are asking for. Make you judgement based on that.
For MCPD ASP.NET you will need to pass these three exams;
70-536 http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/exams/70-536.aspx
70-562 http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/exams/70-562.mspx
70-564 http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/exams/70-564.mspx
This is the order you should take the exams. Visit each URL above to see what training resources are available from Microsoft for preparation.
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