Certification

The new generation of Microsoft Certifications - coming 2006

Rob Reynolds — Wed, 26 Oct 2005 21:47:00 GMT

http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/newgen/

Check this out, the MCAD and MCSD are becoming the MCPD (Microsoft Certified Professional Developer). The MCAD is being split into two different certs, one for web and one for windows. The MCSD is becoming the MCPD: Enterprise Applications Developer. Unfortunately the upgrades won't be available until summer 2006. :(

http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/mcpd/

4 down, one to go

Rob Reynolds — Tue, 18 Jan 2005 21:50:00 GMT

I passed 70-229 (SQL Server Design) with a whopping 770, but I wasn't really prepared. In fact, I was distracted at work because I had to go help some user that took nearly an hour. I called to reschedule my test, like 10 minutes after I was supposed to have started it. They tried to call and get it rescheduled, but it was too late for the testing center to do anything about it. So they said I could try, but when I did I realized the Thomson Prometric phone system is automated hell (no matter how hard you try, you can't get a real person to come on when you need them the most). I had only been through 1 of the transcenders, and I didn't feel prepared at all (other than going through all of the course material and having some good hands on experience). I really wanted a better score (above 850), but hey, I can't complain. Passing is...passing.

So now I have one test left for MCSD, 70-300 *the hard one*

How to Pass 70-300

Rob Reynolds — Wed, 05 Jan 2005 22:24:00 GMT

Jason Haley has a very good post on this: http://dotnetjunkies.com/WebLog/jhaley/archive/2004/05/22/14245.aspx

After failing this test the first time, I am going to take his advice. I was iffy when I went into take it, but I thought what the heck. With a 601 I got my rear handed back to me. Of course it was probably from being too cocky as well. Two weeks of solid preparation is not enough for this test. I know that now. I will be ready when I go back to retake this exam.

Two Certification Tests this week.

Rob Reynolds — Sun, 02 Jan 2005 09:01:00 GMT

Well, I am really testing my abilities to soak up knowledge this week. I am taking 2 tests, 70-300 (MS.NET Solutions) and 70-229 (SQL Server2K Design). I have been studying for the MS.NET one for about a week and I am about 50% on it. I took a practice test for 70-229 and I didn't do so well. I remember most of the stuff from this subject from my Intro to Databases course in college. I really need to brush up on Database Design. It is quite an interesting subject for me. I thought I was going to be a DBA at first before I became a programmer.

We'll see. I will keep you posted on whether I pass or not. My expectations are to have the certification by 2/28/05, so I don't expect to pass both the first time. It would be pretty awesome if I did. Expect lower scores than my 850+'s from the MCAD if I do pass the first time.

70-300 - Microsoft .NET Solutions - A bear?

Rob Reynolds — Mon, 27 Dec 2004 01:40:00 GMT

One person told me that this test was a little easier than XML. Anything easier than XML is welcome here.

I think I am going to go over the introduction and logical design tonight, and then tomorrow physical design and whatever is left in the lessons. I only have SkillPort (thanks to the Army e-Learning Site) for the lessons, but I have both that and Transcenders for the practice tests. I hope that will be enough. Maybe I will also pay a visit to MCSE BrainDump Sites to get more hands on test questions. SQL Server (70-229) is going to be the same. I hope this will come out good, although I am pretty sure it is safe to be worried!

Anyone have any special tips? They are always welcome here.

MCAD

Rob Reynolds — Tue, 21 Dec 2004 21:17:00 GMT

Well, I'm an MCAD (Microsoft Certified Applications Developer, for the non-techie) now. It doesn't really feel that different. I do get to change my moniker a little. *g*

XML Web Services (70-310) is tough, don't let anyone tell you any differently. It is not like the two prior tests, it is quite difficult. I passed with a 874, but I still came out of the testing room really exhausted. Very good test nonetheless. When you prepare for this test, make sure you actually read, create, and then study. Read more than one book to get multiple perspectives. One author may point out something in a better way than another. Create Web Services (my most recent one of value is a weather service, which can be accessed by a browser here), COM+, Windows Services, .NET Remoting Objects (and [for the love of pete!] create the clients). Test and debug these until you get a good understanding of the above. I spent 4-6 hours learning about .NET Remoting Objects thinking it wouldn't have much on the test. Boy was I glad I did! There was so much about Remoting that I think it should be included as part of the name of the test. I wish I would have created more time for myself and concentrated on creating and using Remoting Objects.

Next in the scheme of things? Finishing my Christmas cards and sending them out. *sigh*

One note on the weather service, have you ever wondered if 12345 was a valid zipcode? Me, too!

70-306 easier than 70-305?

Rob Reynolds — Sat, 20 Nov 2004 21:55:00 GMT

Okay. I am a web applications programmer. I do Web Application design and implementation everyday at work.

It was no surprise to me that I would do somewhat alright on 70-305 (Web Apps). I passed the test with a 905, which I thought was pretty darn good. I recently took the Windows App Test and passed with a 950. I didn't feel fully prepared when I stepped in to take it, so it was more of a surprise to do that well on it.

I found it kind of funny that I earned a better score on something that I don't use day in and day out. In fact, outside of training I really don't make Windows Applications. I do quite a bit with classes and class libraries though. There were more questions towards this direction on the windows test that were not on the web test.

It's possible that the tests are nearly similar that if I prepared for one really well, I could probably have passed the other without changing much. Two things. (1) One test builds on the other. (2) When I took the first test, it was also my first Microsoft test ever, so I was concerned about the level of difficulty in the questioning techniques. I was less nervous taking the Windows App. In fact I felt very comfortable in there. It was almost better than I felt while I was studying.

You see I do this thing when I take the tests. For anyone that hasn't taken certification tests, they give you two laminated pieces of paper and two markers to take in the test room after they strip you of everything else. I use one page where I put down all of the question numbers. Then I mark the answer (and other possibles when I am not sure) and assess my level of sureness. This ranges from getting the “answer right” (+) to “not quite sure” (?) to “I don't have a f..ing clue” (???). Then when I decide to commit my answer on one possibility I circle that one on my “scoresheet.” Weird, yes? No. It gives me an idea of whether I am going to pass or not. The amount of plusses (+) directly relates to how much of a sweat bath I am taking while brain-draining. Of course I still have a whole other “board” to do any kind of doodling to help me solve problems.

That is what I do. It works for me. You can decide what works for you when you take the tests. If you like that idea and it works for you, too, let me know. That is a test-taking tip and doesn't relate directly to Prometric tests. Basically it is my advanced way of understanding, eliminating, and evaluating to find the best answer to each question.

Another tip? Understand the why and the how, and then study, study, study.