If you are an MCAD, and are working with Visual Studio 2005, we have news for you. We have created two new paths to help you earn a Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) credential so you can prove to employers and customers you have the skills they can rely on to develop .NET 2.0 applications.
If you are focusing on:
* Windows application development then exam 70-558 is the one for you. MCADs who pass this exam will earn an MCTS: .NET 2.0 Windows Applications certification. Visit the Preparation Guide for 70-558 to learn more about the exam.
* Web application development then you should check out exam 70-559. MCADs who pass this exam will earn an MCTS: .NET 2.0 Web Applications certification. Visit the Preparation Guide for 70-559 to learn more about the exam.
Why did we create these two new exams?
Previously the paths for transitioning from MCAD to a .NET 2.0 certification were geared toward those wishing to earn a Microsoft Certified Professional Developer (MCPD) credential. We created these two new paths because we know there are a lot of you out there that would rather make the jump to MCTS first, and then work on your MCPD later if that is your ultimate goal. One of the best things about updating your certification to MCTS on .NET 2.0 is that you’ll only have to take a single exam to earn an MCTS credential on the new .NET 3.5 tracks.
· Visit the Visual Studio 2008 certification overview page to learn more about the .NET 3.5 tracks.
So, does this mean that exams 70-551 and 70-552 are going away? Absolutely not. If you are an MCAD and you want to attempt these exams, by all means feel free to do so. We recommend that MCSD candidates take these exams but that MCAD candidates concentrate on the 70-558 or 70-559 exams.
Part of the reason for this change is to help make these certifications a little more clear. The original upgrade story appeared to be a somewhat limiting. Also, keep in mind that the MCAD and MCSD certifications will have their requisite exams retired in March of 2009. That means you will no longer be able to acquire the MCAD or MCSD credential. If you don’t have it already, or maybe you are part way there but ready to give up and just go the “start my 2.0/3.5 from scratch” route, reconsider that and look at these upgrade exams. This could help shorten your certification path.
As always, comments and suggestions are welcome.
Gerry
Below, you will find two beta exams invitations for SQL Server 2008 DBA 71-432 and SQL Server 2008 BI 71-448.
These exams will be available until July 31, 2008.
You are invited to take beta exam 71-432: TS: Microsoft SQL Server 2008, Implementation and Maintenance. You were specifically chosen to participate in this beta because of your current Microsoft Certification status or previous participation with Microsoft Learning. If you pass the beta exam, the exam credit will be added to your transcript and you will not need to take the exam in its released form. The 71-xxx identifier is used for registering for beta versions of MCP exams, when the exam is released in its final form the 70-xxx identifier is used for registration. By participating in beta exams, you have the opportunity to provide the Microsoft Certification program with feedback about exam content, which is integral to development of exams in their released version. We depend on the contributions of experienced IT professionals and developers as we continually improve exam content and maintain the value of Microsoft certifications.
71-432: TS: Microsoft SQL Server 2008, Implementation and Maintenance counts as credit towards the following certification(s).
· Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist: SQL Server 2008, Implementation and Maintenance
Availability
Registration begins: June 5, 2008
Beta exam period runs: June 9, 2008– July 31, 2008
Receiving this invitation does not guarantee you a seat in the beta; we recommend that you register immediately. Beta exams have limited availability and are operated under a first-come-first-served basis. Once all beta slots are filled, no additional seats will be offered.
Testing is held at Prometric testing centers worldwide, although this exam may not be available in all countries (see Regional Restrictions). All testing centers will have the capability to offer this exam in its live version.
Regional Restrictions: India, Pakistan, China
You are invited to take beta exam 71-448: TS: Microsoft SQL Server 2008, Business Intelligence Development and Maintenance. You were specifically chosen to participate in this beta because of your current Microsoft Certification status or previous participation with Microsoft Learning. If you pass the beta exam, the exam credit will be added to your transcript and you will not need to take the exam in its released form. The 71-xxx identifier is used for registering for beta versions of MCP exams, when the exam is released in its final form the 70-xxx identifier is used for registration. By participating in beta exams, you have the opportunity to provide the Microsoft Certification program with feedback about exam content, which is integral to development of exams in their released version. We depend on the contributions of experienced IT professionals and developers as we continually improve exam content and maintain the value of Microsoft certifications.
71-448: TS: Microsoft SQL Server 2008, Business Intelligence Development and Maintenance counts as credit towards the following certification(s).
· Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist: SQL Server 2008, Business Intelligence Development and Maintenance
Registration begins: June 15, 2008
Beta exam period runs: June 16, 2008– July 31, 2008
Registration Information
You must register at least 24 hours prior to taking the exam. Please use the following promotional code when registering for the exam: 943F6 Receiving this invitation does not guarantee you a seat in the beta; we recommend that you register immediately.
To register in North America, please call:
•
Prometric: (800) 755-EXAM (800-755-3926)
Outside the U.S./Canada, please contact:
Prometric: http://www.register.prometric.com/ClientInformation.asp
Test Information and Support
You are invited to take this beta exam at no charge. You will be given four hours to complete the beta exam. Please plan accordingly. Find exam preparation information: http://www.microsoft.com/learning/exams/70-432.mspx
Frequently Asked Questions
For Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) help and information, you may log in to the MCP Web site at http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/or contact your Regional Service Center: http://www.microsoft.com/learning/support/worldsites.asp.
What is a beta exam?
Where can I learn more about the registration process?
Where can I learn more about the beta exam invitation process?
Where can I learn more about the new structure of Microsoft Certification?
Who do I contact for help with this beta exam or other MCP questions?
Much better than I could possibly do, Per has posted over on Trika’s blog about the Master Certification program. Check it out.
I struggle some days for topics to blog about, that’s how exciting my life is. :-) Usually Trika comes to the rescue as she did again here. She forwarded a question on to me the other day where somebody asked the question that is the title of this posting. I thought it was a great question, I answered his email, but then Trika mentioned it would make a good post to my blog so, here it is.
The reason we don’t have an entry level cert for developers, ie one that certifies a person with less than 1 or 2 years of experience, is that it creates a difficult scenario to certify. Let me explain why.
In order to certify a person for entry level, it would require certification on core programming concepts such as data structures, decisions, looping, OOP etc. These topics are valid across multiple development languages and are not tied to VB, C#, C++, Java or most other development languages.
As a result, they are core knowledge that a person needs before they consider what to develop on for platforms and in what languages. As a result, this becomes more of an industry certification that is vendor neutral. That is something that Microsoft does not currently certify people on. We leave these types of certifications to independent organizations such as CompTIA and IEEE. They provide a better environment for testing on these concepts and it removes any interpretations around Microsoft certifying people on the “Microsoft way of doing things”.
Microsoft certifications are designed to show knowledge and skills with Microsoft products and technologies. You apply the core concepts learned in entry level programming across these technologies such ASP.NET or Windows Forms. As a result of this, there is a requirement that a person meets a minimum level of knowledge prior to taking these certifications.
Not the golf tournament, but the certification track. So, do you have what it takes to become a Microsoft Certified Master?
A lot of people have been asking for some time if there was a step between the MCPD or MCITP and the MCA program. We were saying, hold off, just wait, it’s coming. Well now it’s here. You can get certified as a Master in Exchange Server 2007, SQL Server 2008 or Windows Server 2008.
If you think you are qualified and you want to achieve the next level in your certification path on Microsoft Technologies, visit the site, and watch for registration to start in July of this year. Classes will start in the 3rd quarter of 2008 so you have lots of time to get your skills honed to an edge and be ready for the program.
And for use developer types, we’re just to darn complex to have a Masters path for us just yet, but it is on the horizon.
Yes, the question was asked, I answered it, but I thought others might want to know just what we were thinking when we created an exam for Windows Forms on .NET 3.5.
I mean, wasn’t WPF supposed to be the replacement technology for developing Windows applications in 3.0 and onward of the .NET Framework? Well, wasn’t it? In my humble opinion, no.
Let’s face it, at this time in the corporate world, not every PC is capable of running Vista and not every PC is capable of running WPF apps. Silverlight yes, WPF no. Also, how many of you develop apps for servers and not the client? Are these all service based applications with no UI? Not likely. Do server apps need to have WPF content? Not on my servers they don’t.
So, Windows Forms technologies still exist and applications are still being written using that technology. For those of you who are already certified, would you upgrade to Windows Forms 3.5? Maybe not. Some will, some won’t. But, what about the new developer or new to certification developer who seeks to prove their development skills with a certification? They want to be certified on the latest version. Wouldn’t you? Of course you would.
So, imagine being that person and looking on the Microsoft certification web site and finding out that Windows Forms certification is only offered for version 2.0 of the .NET Framework. How would you feel? Left out? Upset? Turned away?
Now perhaps, you can understand my rationale and thought process.
Will this be the same for .NET 4.0 and the next version of Visual Studio? I don’t have those answers yet but I can tell you that the landscape will change somewhat. Even internally to Microsoft, I don’t have all the feature sets and directions for v.next down yet. There is a lot to consider and that is part of our planning process. Getting to know the product features, what’s new and how it will impact the industry.
We will be working hand-in-hand with the folks in Visual Studio and the .NET Framework to hammer out the details and lay down a plan based on target audiences and product features. As always, we intend our certifications to be real world relevant in the coverage so we will be coming back to you, the developer community for help in the exam designs and development.
By the way, does anyone know of any good code samples for creating a sandbox to host Visual Studio in? I’m also working, in my own mind at this time, on the next generation of developer certifications using performance based testing. More on this in tomorrow’s posting.
As always, comments and questions are welcome.
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.
Thats right, this Live Meeting is taking place tomorrow, Wednesday May 22, 2008.
Tune in to hear more about the certification paths for MCTS and MCPD on .NET 3.5. Pester us with questions, throw eggs, whatever you’re in the mood for. :-)
Thanks to all who applied, we have identified sufficient subject matter experts now.
Only experts need apply and only Database Developer experts. We are in the process of creating the exam questions for 70-433, SQL Server 2008 Database Developer.
This is a paid opportunity.
I have enabled the Email link on this blog for you to send me your contact info if you are interested.
Please note the following restrictions;
1) You must submit a resume with verifiable SQL Server 2008 experience
2) You will be under NDA during this process and cannot share any information on exam content etc.
3) You cannot be involved in creating training for this exam and after completion of the exam writing process, you cannot participate in the creation of training that will map to this exam. NO EXCEPTIONS.
4) You will be required to follow a schedule with milestones and handoffs so do not apply if you cannot commit time to this.
Preferred candidates are early adopters, MVPs, and MCTs with SQL Server database development experience in SQL Server 2008.
Use the email link to notify me of you interest. I will contact you with more pertinent information and an email where you can send your resume for review.
Thanks
It’s been a little while since I posted much in the blog and I know some are wondering what is going on with Microsoft Certifications.
We have completed our designs for the TS level SQL Server 2008 certifications and those are going or have gone into development. That means betas sometime in the summer, no firm dates yet.
We also will be starting development shortly on the Visual Studio 2008 Pro level exams. The betas will be much later in the year though.
We are also in the early stages of deciding what the next security for developers certification will look like and, hang on to your hats, a new certification on Microsoft Solutions Framework v4.
These last two exams are very early on in the envisioning stages so there are no specifics on them. We are looking at the previous exams, seeing what was good and what was bad so we can make the right decisions on the new ones, plus we are also working with the Solution Accelerators group here at Microsoft around the certification and training needs for MSFv4.
So hang in there, our fiscal year planning is winding down and that means more exams and changes are coming. More news as it happens.
For those of you who are new to Microsoft Certifications or perhaps those who have been certified for some time, you may not be aware of your regional service centers and what they offer. The MRSC’s are the official Microsoft support centers that are available to all Microsoft Certified professionals.
What can you expect from your MSRC? The can help address your training, certification, and program questions. Need to know where you welcome kit is? Need some information on a testing center? Have questions about your certification that aren’t answered elsewhere? Contact your regional service center for these and other questions or issues you may have.
Where can you contact these centers?
Africa, Mediterranean, Middle East, Pakistan Greece, Israel, Pakistan, South Africa, United Arab Emirates
Europe Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Ireland, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom
East Asia China, Hong Kong SAR, Korea, Taiwan
Japan
India Sub-Continent Bangalore, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Calcutta, Chennai, Maldives, Mumbai, Nepal, New Delhi, Sri Lanka
Latin America Argentina, Aruba, The Bahamas, Bolivia, Brazil, Cayman Islands, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Easter Island, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Uruguay, Venezuela
North America United States and Canada
South Pacific Region Australia and New Zealand
Southeast Asia Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Viet Nam
Of course, I am always here to help address questions and concerns as well, but you should make use of these centers for all your certification needs.
We’ll outline the .NET 3.5 exam road maps to help you understand your path to certification , and provide pointers to training and resources to help you pass your exams and certify on Visual Studio 2008. We’ll also explain the upgrade paths from Visual Studio 2005 certification. Register for:
· May 22, 2008 at 7:30 A.M. Pacific Time (What time is this in my region?)
· May 22, 2008 at 5:00 P.M. Pacific Time (What time is this in my region?)
Cram for Your Certification Exam: Let Us Help You Prepare for 70-536 (Worldwide) Walk in to your exam with confidence! Your Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT) coach will provide pointers to study materials; share lessons-learned about this particular exam; review the technical content covered in the exam; and give you a test-day checklist and tips all in a free, one-hour Live Meeting session. Audience: First-time or experienced test takers with more than six months’ experience on the technology. All sessions are offered at 7:30 AM Pacific Time.
· Cram for Exam 70-536: .NET Framework, Application Development on June 11
Trika Harms zum Spreckel
MCP Communications
http://blogs.msdn.com/trika
Three of our .NET 3.5 exams went live today.
70-502: Windows Presentation Foundation
70-503: Windows Communication Foundation
70-504: Windows Workflow Foundation
That means the scoring for the beta exam is complete and those who took the beta exams should start to see the results sometime this week. For those of who will pass it, my congratulations. For those who will not, at least the exam was free, and you now know what to expect for the live version.
For those who took the betas, thank you very much for your feedback and comments. They went a long way to help us release a better exam that will be relevant and contain questions that will test appropriate knowledge.
On a similar note, remember that the beta exams for ASP.NET and ADO.NET were extended. See my previous post on that subject. If you haven't taken a beta exam before, I suggest you try one. They count towards your certification if you pass and they are free.
The second to last posting in the Microsoft Certifications: Where do I Start Series. It's taken me a little while to get them all put up, mostly due to other posts, plans not complete and ready to discuss, or just plain laziness. Of course all the above were contributing factors, but only a small bit of the last reason. :-)
If you are already an MCITP on SQL Server 2005 that is excellent. Congratulations on achieving it. All of your hard won't be in vain when SQL Server 2008 releases. We have changed the landscape a little bit but not too drastically. It is still recognizable.
For example, you still have the following certifications;
MCITP: Database Administrator MCITP: Business Intelligence MCPD: Database Developer
The latter is not locked yet but my intention is to focus the audience more correctly around developer skills in lieu of IT Pro skills. After all, you are known as a database "developer".
At any rate, the changes come more in realm of the exams required to get there. In the SQL Server 2005 world, you needed to take exam 70-431 as a prerequisite for any of the Pro level exams. There is an equal prereq in the SQL 2008 world but remember from the previous post on this series, there is now a separate DBA exam (70-432) and a DBD exam (70-433). Each TS exam is a prerequisite for its counter part in the Pro world.
The main thing to note is that we have changed the Pro exams to be a single exam for each certification. In the past, you needed to take 70-441 and 70-442 for your MCITP: DBD or 70-443 and 70-444 for your MCITP: DBA credential. Now, there is just one exam for Pro DBA (70-450) or one exam for Pro DBD (70-451). If you are looking at BI, that remains at one exam, but is a new version for 2008 (70-452).
Also note that for those who are already certified, there is an upgrade path. The upgrade exams will provide you with the opportunity to complete one exam and earn your TS and Pro certifications on SQL Server 2008 at one time. NOTE: You must currently hold an MCITP on SQL Server 2005 to take advantage of this upgrade path.
PLEASE NOTE: the links to the new exams above, 432, 433, 450, 451, and 452 are not all live yet so these links will not lead you to the prep guide pages until they are posted prior to the beta exam.
For those of you who are using the Email link at the top of this blog, please note that I will not answer your email directly. If you have a question around certifications, post to this blog under one of my posts.
I will receive notification of your post and question and will answer it on the blog.
The Email link is only there for those who need to send me specific information that is NOT for public view. Any unsolicited email to this contact list will be ignored. I cannot possibly accept private requests in a timely fashion nor do I wish my email to be made available to everyone due to spam and other phishing attempts.
Thanks for your understanding.