Rampid Byter

Well I did it again. I’ve registered for another Microsoft Certification; well I guess two if you consider it’s a composite exam that will net me two additional certifications in one. I’m going to take exam 70-551 the first week of June that consists of three other exams, but since I’ve achieved the MCAD I can just do one upgrade exam. I think this certification will prove to be very difficult, or at least time consuming. The exam itself is scheduled for four hours, and I bet it may take that full amount of time to complete. Especially if they actually have me take the three exams that normally would be required for the two certifications I’m going for.

Hopefully this means by June I’ll have the MCTS: Web Dev .Net, and the MCPD: Web Dev .Net to go along with my others. I was very much hoping to take another exam that same day for the SQL Server 2005 certification, but it too was over four hours in length. I’m still trying for that elusive MCSD that managed to slip through my fingers with my failure at 70-300. I didn’t fail by much, but at the same time it was a slap in the face I plan to remedy on my next exam attempts. The SQL Server 2005 exam will satisfy my elective requirement for the MCSD, and then I’ll take the architecture exam once more after studying the 1.1 Framework in more detail. Considering I’ve been using 1.1 Framework for my daily duties at work I don’t think it will be as awkward as having taken those exams without having used 1.1 in three years at that point.

End goal is to have the extension MCP, MCAD, MCPD:Web, and MCTS:Web by June. I’m then going to take the two additional exams to complete the MCSD, and continue the MCPD exams for Desktop development, to distributed applications, and finally move into the Enterprise architecture exam to complete the series. At that point I assume the 3.0/3.5 certifications will be available and I may consider them at that point.

Why am I getting these certifications? I’ve heard that a lot recently and people keep joking about me being so adamant about getting certifications. I’ve seen a lot of Monster.com postings, and independent job postings looking for individuals with more advanced level certifications, IE, MCSD, or MCAD in addition to the bachelor’s degrees. So now that I’m covered I want to go overkill on the certification front, and also collect the little pens that come with having successfully passed. Anyway, we’ll see how the pay off, but my goal is to get as many as possible as quickly as possible. I’m going to start on open-source certifications eventually, mainly Java, and then Linux administration certifications. I want to be qualified, and it’s also fun to learn this information. It’s easier to learn when you’re looking at a deadline to know the material set upon yourself by a certification appointment. On top of that having to pay to take the exam from my pocket is a motivator to pass. Work is a loser when it comes to reimbursing me for this material so if things don’t change on that front I’m going to be extremely qualified to leave soon.

I recently took and did not pass a Microsoft certification exam. It wasn’t overly difficult either, at least looking back at it, but the questions were presented in a way I was not expecting. I took the 70-300 architecture examination and did not pass by 100 points. The score was poor enough for me to smack myself on the head, but not poor enough so that I am too embarrassed to try again. I think next time I’ll have to study more on how to interpret business requirements, to prepare for the case study readings, and in general just review the study books more. It’s a pain because I only had that one day to take the examination, and now I have to wait two months to get a free day. Next time I’ll have to remember failing is a possibility.

Today one of my peers contacted me about what some of the best methods I used for preparing for Microsoft certification exams. In general I usually forward them onto general references books from Wrox publishing company, or suggest getting one of the Microsoft recommended study guides.

I’ve recently completed my MCP (Microsoft Certified Professional), and MCAD (Microsoft Certified Application Developer) certifications using the Microsoft recommended study guides along with Transcender exams. Together this combination of materials is enough to get the most inept programmer up to par in order to pass these certifications.

Personally, if you’re going to get the Microsoft study guides buy the training kits that include 1-3 books along with a companion study CD, which includes it’s own practice exams. I think the most invaluable asset to my preparation was the companion CD. It wasn’t until I took these practice exams that I realized how the questions would be presented, the type of material likely to be used, and was able to formulate a good study routine accordingly.

The Microsoft practice exams combined with using the Trascender exams, which also consists of practice exams, digital flash card program, and most importantly is very difficult to pass. I found these two exam preparation sources were actually even more difficult than the actual certification exams themselves.

So if anyone else is out there looking to take a Microsoft certification exam please reference Amazon.com with the suggested books from the Microsoft certification requirement recommended study guides. You can find a link to the Microsoft certification home page below:

http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/certifications.mspx

Good luck, good studying, and get those certs!