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Randy Holloway at Microsoft

Blogging from the field.
9 year old earns MCP
A 9 year old Pakistani girl has become the youngest MCP. Having a 5 year old, I guess I can see how a child that age could progress over several years in their proficiency a technology and then study for the exam and pass it. I wonder if this means that the MCP exams need to be more difficult though? Or do the exams need to incorporate more real-world experience? Still, it is great to see young people passionate about technology and interested in certifications.
Posted: Friday, April 29, 2005 8:41 AM by RandyHolloway

Comments

jgeurts said:

The MS exams are neat and all... but anyone could pass one just by memorizing a book (or example exam questions). I personally don't think that they do an excellent job in showing that someone knows how to use the technology with real world problems.

I really think that a lot of people just take the exam(s) for signature/business card fluff...
# April 29, 2005 9:11 AM

Anonymous said:

I pretty much agree with jgeurts.
MCP exams doesnt get the required brilliance out of a professional and microsoft certification is no longer a professional accredition in most of the big companies.
The real time requirements for a developer is totally different than what they assess in the exams.This is just my opinion.
# April 29, 2005 9:25 AM

Lorenzo Barbieri @ UGIblogs! said:

# April 29, 2005 10:17 AM

karl said:

Agreed with posters above...but in all her time studying for the exam, I bet I could school her at doom 3....

Seriously "it is great to see young people passionate about technology and interested in certifications"....perhaps more like it's good to see "parent's of young people...."

Karl
# April 29, 2005 11:56 AM

MUP (Microsoft Uncertefied Professional) said:

I once heard a three years old play a piano, she evidently knew the note sequence but the piece was far from "virtuoso". I agree that MCP testing should go beyond simple repetition of facts and test subject understanding.
Aside from that, I applause the young 9 years old, by the time she'll be a third of my age she'll be a virtuosa.
# May 3, 2005 3:20 AM

Julie said:

As a parent of an 11 year old that writes gaming software, I think adults need to admit that the next generation is learning these technology skills much faster than we could have emangined. I have no doubt that this 9 year old has the skills of many of the MCP's I work with daily.
# May 3, 2005 10:19 AM

/egilh said:

I have no doubt that a 9 year old passed a MCP exam. It does not surprise me one bit as I have worked with Microsoft Certified Solution Developers that were not able to write a simple for loop.
# May 3, 2005 4:02 PM

Geek said:

I think a lot of you that advise "The exam is easy, anyone could pass by studying previous exam notes" needs a reminder that she is 9 years old!

Puhhlease....

Credit where its due!
# May 9, 2005 10:34 PM

Fairly Symmetrical said:

Okay, since my adoring fans are clamoring for an update, here’s a sorta kinda stream of consciousness covering whatever I...
# May 25, 2005 11:11 PM
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