16 Hours of Fun with SQL Server 2005 Beta Exams
During the last two weeks, I have spent around 16 hours taking and commenting on the following beta exams for SQL Server 2005. Here is my reflection on the exams...
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70-431: TS: Microsoft SQL Server 2005 - Implementation and Maintenance
70-441: PRO: Designing Database Solutions by Using Microsoft SQL Server 2005
70-443: PRO: Designing a Database Server Infrastructure by Using Microsoft SQL Server 2005
70-444: PRO: Optimizing and Maintaining a Database Administration Solution by Using Microsoft SQL Server 2005
Just in case you have heard about the new certifications but haven’t looked at the details on the web site, here is a quick review:
Entry level
You can become a SQL Server MCTS (Microsoft Certified Technical Specialist) by passing 40-431 only.
Premium level
There is no equivalent for MCDBA anymore, as it is now specialised in three areas. You can become an MCITP (Microsoft Certified IT Professional) in the following areas:
IT Professional: Database Developer: Requires 70-431, 70-441 and 70-442
IT Professional: Database Administrator: Requires 70-431, 70-443 and 70-444
IT Professional: Business Intelligence Developer: Requires 70-431, 70-445 and 70-446
You can upgrade your MCDBA certification to IT Professional: Database Administrator by passing 70-447, however it seems there is no way to upgrade MCDBA to Database Developer or Business Intelligence Developer.
I am very happy with the way the new certification is structured as there is a difference between responsibilities of a database developer and database administrator, although there is some overlap (which is covered by exam 70-431). I think the new certifications will be more credible as it shows the area of expertise too.
The other thing that I like about the new certification is that operating system exams (e.g. 70-215/70-290) are missing from the list of requirements. As a database administrator, you need to have a good knowledge of the operating system in certain areas (e.g. RAID configurations, clustering, active directory, etc) but I believe you do not need to know how to setup printers in the active directory. So the solution is to remove the OS exam from the certification requirements and add appropriate areas to the database exams, and this is exactly what guys at Microsoft have done (so keep reading!).
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Well, back to the reflection on the exams. Please note that these are my personal viewpoints and since they are related to beta exams, the structure of the exams may change when they are released.
70-431: Very similar to
70-229. You get a long list of questions that test your knowledge and experience in designing and implementing SQL Server 2005 databases.
70-441: This one is the “core” for IT Professional: Database Developer. Think of it as SQL Server’s version of
70-300. I got lots of case studies each associated with a number of questions. It was the first time that I ran out of time for a test, but I can’t blame the exam as it was the second exam of the day so I was exhausted after 8 hours! If you are not familiar with the structure of case-study based exams, then make sure
you do so before taking 70-441.
A general tip for the case study based exams: Don’t answer a question before reading the case study in full. Even if you believe that you know the answer to the question, but there might be a little paragraph in the case study that invalidates your assumption about the correct answer. So nothing different from what the exam guide says, read the case study first and then go to the questions! You need to be careful about the time though, leave at least two minutes for answering each question.
70-443: Another case study based exam covering the database administration area.
70-444: Again, a long list of questions related to optimising databases and queries and creating high availability database solutions.
Although I didn’t have much time for preparation but I enjoyed the experience no matter what the results will be (like other beta exams the results will be announced in 8 weeks).
If you are looking for an advice as to what subjects are covered in each exam, I can assure you that the definitive source is the “Skills Being Measured” section on each exam’s requirements page on Microsoft web site. Now going through the list of those items, I can’t find any single item on the list that was not covered in the exam.
And lastly, take my strong advice: Never take two beta exams on the same day!
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<NDA>
Comments in regards to the exams and the new certifications are more than welcome but don’t expect me to tell what the questions are or how many questions are in a specific area. First of all, it is a beta exam and the whole structure might change, and secondly we need to do our best to keep Microsoft certifications as a credible way of identifying knowledge and skills, although some people try not to.
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