MCDBA?

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I guess it really depends on what you fancy doing Sparks. People keep telling me "stick with something you like and don't get in the habbit of knowing something about everything".

This is not to imply you only know "something".

Si

(waiting to be shot down in flames)

 

As a former DBA in a past life (alright, two years ago - but it FEELS like a lifetime!) I can categorically state that the MCDBA was a BITCH to study for. The Admin exam wasn't too bad - took me about eight weeks to prepare for and pass - with about six hours' study a day at home. The Design one, on the other hand, was a nightmare. Along with 70-216 it is the hardest exam I have ever sat, and I passed it by about 40 marks (three questions I think). If you have the mindset for DB theory then you might fare better than me - but beware, some of the subject matter is very complex.

 

Sparks,

I was in no way saying it was a bad thing (I am in no position to advise you!), but passing on what I have heard a few times.

As you say, working for an IT company you get to see (and learn) lots of technologies.

Go for it!

Si

 

Yeah my thought exactly, when I first join CF I asked should I do the MCDBA because I was good at SQL and Oracle (passed with distinction at Uni) but does not really appeal to me. The answer I got was NO because it does not intrest me.

If you want learn first second and third normal form then do so,if it interests you but dont do just to try and get some knowldege.

If I were you I would just learn Sql command struture so you dont need the MCDBA

 

Long-time SQL DBAs fall into this trap... where they take the SQL Admin exam, find it *extremely* easy, and take the same approach with the SQL Design exam... and hit a wall. I knew a couple of DBAs who had no trouble with the Admin exam, but failed Design TWICE.

 

I passed the Design exam about 6 months ago, took me an eternity to learn & it was truly difficult. That said, I was learning off my own back with almost no real-world work to help me along...
So if I did it, with your past experience should be a lot easier for you

Sitting the Admin exam on Thursday, this one's so so much easier

Personally I'd say go for it, if it interests you, the knowledge I've picked up from it makes the databases at work look shocking, there's many compaines out there who need a proper DBA!

Would be glad to lend a hand or answer any questions you have about the Design exam

 

That is certainly true Zeb!

The 70-229 or design exam for 2000 was diabolical, I had done a few migrations from SQL 7 and I had the full self training set [manuals, self test and course]

- I got a similar mark of 780 or 790 for 70-229 if I remember correctly, and it took 8 weeks by 8 hours a day to get through.

Note that the MCDBA is now either the MCTS [Administration] and eventually the MCITPro {Engineer plus a bit] if you go down that path.