MCTS/MCPD Requirements Simplified

The whole business of MCPD variations and upgrade exams has proved to be a confusing area. Vishal Joshi wrote a post back in April on dynamics of the upgrade exams, which is very helpful. 

I have tried to put this into a graphical format. The following diagram illustrates the requirements for MCTS/MCPD certifications. (I hope I am not making it even more complex!)

Top section of the table shows the competencies earned by passing each exam. Bottom section shows which competencies are required to earn a credential (certification). 

 

If this table is clear enough then you can ignore the rest of this post. Otherwise, read on!

What is a "Competency"? Knowledge and skill in a particular area. Normal (non-upgrade) exams test one competency only whereas upgrade exams test two or three competencies. These competencies map to different sections in the exam. For example 553 has three sections so it is testing three competencies.

Please note that "Competency" is not the same as "Certification". New developer certifications require the candidates to show their competency in multiple areas. For example, in order to become an "MCTS:Windows Developer", you need to earn "Application Foundation" and "Windows TS" competencies.

There are a total of seven competencies to be earned in the new developer track.  I have assigned a letter to each competency for easier tracking. Competencies ending in "TS" show development skills in an area and those with "Pro" suffix reflect the design/architectural skills required to be recognised as a professional in the respective area.

A Application Foundation
B Windows TS
C Web TS
D Distributed TS
E Windows Pro
F Web Pro
G Enterprise Pro

Each competency can be acquired by passing more than one exam, assuming that you satisfy the MCAD/MCSD.NET requirement (shown in the right column). For example, in order to earn competency C, you can pass either 528, 551 (if you are an MCAD or MCSD.NET) or 553 (if you are an MCSD.NET).

This diagram also clarifies why MCPD:Ent (aka EAD) is not a superset of MCPD:Win and MCPD:Web. MCPD:Ent requires ABCDG, MCPD:Win requires ABE and MCPD:Web requires ACF.

Hope this helps!

Update: Microsoft has finally published a page with more details on the upgrade paths from MCAD/MCSD.NET to MCPD. Nothing new really but it is the official word on a subject that has confused so many people out there. It says if you are an MCSD.NET and pass 70-553 and 70-554, you will earn MCTS:Win, Web, Dist and MCPD: EAD (4 certifications in total). If you want to earn all .NET 2.0 certifications (including MCPD:Win,Web), you will need to pass 70-547 and 70-548 in addition to those mentioned above.

It is also good to know that as an existing MCSD.NET, you can get a 25% discount for taking the upgrade exams by 31 March 2007 (Promotion Code: SQV554). 

Published Thursday, August 03, 2006 10:56 PM by Mehran Nikoo
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Comments

# re: MCTS/MCPD Requirements Simplified

not really, the competencies of EAD include ALL competencies of web and win DEV!

Friday, September 08, 2006 8:10 AM by gino

# re: MCTS/MCPD Requirements Simplified

MCPD:EAD does not cover the PRO content for MCPD:Windows and MCPD:Web Applications. These competencies are only covered in 551, 552, 547 and 548 so if you become an MCPD:EAD by passing 553 and 554 you do not satisfy the requirements for MCPD:Win, MCPD:Web.

More information can be found here (see "How to Earn Your MCPD"):
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/mcpd/windev
http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/mcpd/webdev

Tuesday, September 12, 2006 1:47 PM by Mehran Nikoo

# re: MCTS/MCPD Requirements Simplified

Ok the question is:

I'm mcsd.net,  if i pass 70-551, 70-552, 70-554

I'will be MCPD:Windows, MCPD:Web Applications, MCPD:EAD or not ?

thanx

Saturday, September 16, 2006 6:14 AM by gino

# re: MCTS/MCPD Requirements Simplified

Correct. If you pass 551, 552 and 554 then you will become MCPD:Win, MCPD:Web and MCPD:EAD. This is shortest path for someone with MCSD.NET to get all three MCPD credentials.

Monday, September 18, 2006 4:33 PM by Mehran Nikoo

# re: MCTS/MCPD Requirements Simplified

Isn't 70-553(Part 1) and 70-554(Part 2) required for MCPD:EAD w/ MSCD.NET?

Thursday, September 21, 2006 5:52 PM by Brent

# re: MCTS/MCPD Requirements Simplified

Friday, September 22, 2006 1:49 AM by Mehran Nikoo

# re: MCTS/MCPD Requirements Simplified

This sucks... Just passed 553/554 and thought I would have all three!

So it looks like I still need E & F (above).  Opinions - what do you think is easier? 547/548 because they only have the content I need, or 551/552 since it will have overlap with what I've already taken?

Anyone out there had to go through this before?  Or were you all smart enough to read this post ahead of time!

BTW - for those still in denial - check the "certification planner" on the MCP site.  It confirms it.  At least for me.

The other big question is - who at Microsoft had the bright idea that all MCSD's would only want to upgrade to ead??  Why no recommended upgrade path to web or win??

grrrrrr

Monday, September 25, 2006 4:59 PM by Matt

# re: MCTS/MCPD Requirements Simplified

I completely agree, I think competencies E and F should have been included in the normal upgrade path for those with MCSD.NET or at least Microsoft should have highlighted that if you want to get Win, Web and EAD credentials, you need to go for 551, 552 and 554 instead of 553 and 554.

I can't get the point why someone with a premium certification like MCSD.NET would only be interested in the "Enterprise" aspect of applications and not the "Windows" or "Web" side!

I believe that Microsoft has got it wrong when it comes to the upgrade path from MCSD.NET to MCPD and unfortunately they haven't even tried to clarify/correct the process.

In answer to your question (whether to take 547/548 instead of 551/552), it really depends on the area you are more comfortable with. I took 547 and 548 while they were in Beta and I found them fairly easy. But if you have passed 553 already, then it means you have got good knowledge of competencies B and C anyway so you should not have a problem with taking 551 and 552 either.

Tuesday, September 26, 2006 3:03 PM by Mehran Nikoo

# re: MCTS/MCPD Requirements Simplified

Just as a follow up - I completed 547 and 548, so now I do indeed have all three.  As far as the decision between 547/548 and 551/552 - it came down to the fact that the upgrade exams are longer.  Prometic allocates 4 hours towards each of them, while the others are only 2.5 hours each.

I didn't study for either and had no trouble passing them both.  All of the studying I did for the original EAD upgrade was plenty.

Thursday, September 28, 2006 3:47 PM by Matt

# re: MCTS/MCPD Requirements Simplified

Congratulations Matt!

Saturday, September 30, 2006 3:57 AM by Mehran Nikoo

# re: MCTS/MCPD Requirements Simplified

I emailed Vishal regarding my question, but seems he is too busy. Hoepfully you can answer this, Mehran:

I already have MCAD certification and am sersiously interested in upgrading to all aspects of MCPD. Based on your post, I should be able to get MCPD:Web Dev, MCPD:Win Dev, and MCPD:EA Dev if I take one of the following paths ---

1)
551 + 552 + 554 (I know Vishal said 554 is only for MCSDs, but one of his equations also says 554 = 529 + 549). I am hypothesizing this, because this would mean taking 3 exams instead of 4 (as per scenario 2 below).

2)
If the above is not correct, then I am assuming the only way to go about getting entire MCAD is 551 + 552 + 529 + 549.

Let me know which scenario is the correct one.

Monday, October 16, 2006 10:36 PM by Dhaval Patel

# re: MCTS/MCPD Requirements Simplified

Well as you mentioned the exam requirement for 554 says it is only available to MCSDs (for .NET) so I don't think you can take that one - however I am not 100% sure on this. Why don't you check the certification planner on the MCP web site? It should show you all available upgrade paths.

The second option definitely works. As an existing MCAD, taking 551, 552, 529 and 549 is the shortest path to MCPD:Win, Web abd EAD.

Wednesday, October 18, 2006 9:47 AM by Mehran Nikoo

# re: MCTS/MCPD Requirements Simplified

I want to write a basic .Net certification..........Its totaly confusing.
Whats the difference between MCAD/MCSD.

Please suggest me the Basic certification for .Net

Wednesday, November 01, 2006 12:10 AM by Shiva

# re: MCTS/MCPD Requirements Simplified

You first need to decide whether you want to go for .NET 1.x or 2.0. MCAD and MCSD (for .NET) certifications target .NET 1.1. MCAD is the basic version whereas the MCSD (for .NET) is the premium developer certification for .NET 1.x

MCAD: http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/mcad/default.mspx
Compare MCAD to MCSD: http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/mcad/compare.asp
MCSD: http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/mcsd/default.mspx

If you are interested in .NET 2.0, then you can choose between MCTS and MCPD. MCTS is the basic version and the MCPD is the premium one. The certification path for .NET 2.0 is a bit more complex as you have to choose between 3 tracks: Windows, Web and Distributed (Enterprise) Applications.

MCTS: http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/mcts/default.mspx
MCPD: http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/mcpd/

Hope this helps.

Sunday, November 05, 2006 3:57 PM by Mehran Nikoo

# re: MCTS/MCPD Requirements Simplified

I was looking to "Skills Being Measured" part of preparation guide for exams 70-547 and 70-548. I can not find the difference between them. How much are they simillar in the reality?

Wednesday, November 15, 2006 12:58 PM by Mohsen

# re: MCTS/MCPD Requirements Simplified

Mohsen - You are right, the covered areas are similar but the exams are focussed on the appropriate technology (WinForm Apps as opposed to Web Apps). They use different programming models so design concepts are different. This applies to the user interface of the application as well as other aspects like security, deployment, caching, session management, etc.

Thursday, November 16, 2006 2:55 AM by Mehran Nikoo

# re: MCTS/MCPD Requirements Simplified

Can i sit the MCDP (EAD) ,70-547 before sitting the 70-526 exam?

Friday, January 25, 2008 8:04 PM by khinelay

# re: MCTS/MCPD Requirements Simplified

You can take the exams in any order but note that 70-547 is a requirement for MCPD:Web not MCPD:EAD. If you are an existing MCAD or MCSD.NET, then you may want to consider the upgrade route. Otherwise, you will need to pass the following exams for MCPD:EAD:

- 70-536 (AppFound)

- 70-526 (Win TS)

- 70-528 (Web TS)

- 70-529 (Dist TS)

- 70-549 (Ent Pro)

For more information, please refer to: www.microsoft.com/.../default.mspx

Thursday, January 31, 2008 6:45 AM by Mehran Nikoo

# re: MCTS/MCPD Requirements Simplified

Mehran,

I've passed the following 5 listed in your above post.  

- 70-536 (AppFound)

- 70-526 (Win TS)

- 70-528 (Web TS)

- 70-529 (Dist TS)

- 70-549 (Ent Pro)

My transcript shows that I am now a MCTS in Win, Web and Distributed.  But there is no mention of an MCPD - EAD on the transcript.  And the page you've linked to mentions some other exam I need to take to get MCPD EAD....  Here's an excerpt from the page....

<SNIP>

After earning these credentials (3 x TS!), you can earn your MCPD: Enterprise Applications Developer on Visual Studio 2005 certification by passing one additional required exam. Then, you can follow a simple path to upgrade your skills on Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 to Microsoft Visual Studio 2008.

</SNIP>

Is there an additional exam?

Thanks

Graham.

Thursday, June 19, 2008 1:07 AM by Graham

# re: MCTS/MCPD Requirements Simplified

Hi Graham,

As you rightly wrote, 536 + 526 + 528 + 529 will earn you the 3 MCTS credentials and the one additional exam mentioned is 549 (Ent Pro). So the combination of those 5 exams will result in 3 MCTS as well as MCPD:EAD. The table towards the end of the following page shows the requirements:

www.microsoft.com/.../default.mspx

If you have recently taken the exams (within the last couple of days), you may want to give it another few days as sometimes it takes a while for the records to be updated and for all of the credentials to show up correctly. If it still doesn't show up, you can then contact the MCP team at MCPHelp at microsoft.com.

Hope this Helps.

Thursday, June 19, 2008 2:29 PM by Mehran Nikoo

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