70-441

Discussion in 'SQL Exams' started by zardoz, Aug 10, 2007.

  1. zardoz

    zardoz Bit Poster

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    Hi

    passed 70-431 a while back and have worked my way through the Sybex book for 70-441. Have 3 1/2 years experience in SQL Server 2000 as a developer (and use it now day to day) and have done exercises from the Sybex book in SQL Server 2005.

    I am unsure how hard the exam is going to be - I think it is case study type questions mostly?

    I tried some of these in the Sybex book and unlike the end of chapter questions I found them quite tough. To be honest I thought some of the questions were a bit subjective e.g "the client wants this, is the best way to achieve it A, B, C or D."
    One answer will be obviously incorrect but two or more of the others may be possibles. I get the impression you just have to guess which is the "Microsoft approved" way!

    Anyway if anyone has taken this exam I would be grateful for your thoughts on what to expect in general terms - not looking for specific answers!
     
    Certifications: MCITP Sql Server 2005 (Developer)
    WIP: MCTS .Net
  2. Theprof

    Theprof Petabyte Poster

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    Hey, although I havent taking any SQL exams, I did notice that with microsoft exams its always like this, wheather its SQL or XP exam there are choices and you have to pick the microsoft way of doing something.
     
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  3. g.vangemerden

    g.vangemerden Bit Poster

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    Not true... Although most exams look the same (i.e. have the same kind of questions), there are exceptions.

    The 70-296 for example is split up in two sections. But both with multiple choice questions. And th 70-431 (MCTS:SQL 2005) was split in two, with section 1 multiple choice questions and section 2 were reallife simulations.

    Personally, i encourage Microsoft to do more exams like 70-431. This way, people really have to know what they are doing to get certified...
     
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  4. Crito

    Crito Banned

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    Also keep in mind that MS will invalidate your MCTS: SQL Server 2005 next year when SQL Server 2008 is released. Makes it had to justify spending that kind of time, money and effort unless your employer actually requests the cert.
     
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  5. BosonMichael
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    BosonMichael Yottabyte Poster

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    That's not true. MCTS certifications will not expire until support for the product expires: link

    Thus, the MCTS: SQL Server 2005 certification will be around for many years to come.
     
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  6. Crito

    Crito Banned

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    I hope you're right, but I doubt it. It depends on the definition of "mainstream". If they meant when support for the product is discontinued, as you imply, they would have said exactly that.

    In any case, three years for the MCITP is a fixed number and way too short of one for me. I'd rather finish my MCSE on 2003. It's a much better value for my money.
     
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  7. BosonMichael
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    BosonMichael Yottabyte Poster

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    That is exactly what they meant... if you don't believe me, check out Trika's blog (she works for MSFT Learning).

    According to the link on her page, end of mainstream support for SQL Server 2005 is scheduled for April 12, 2011... a little under 5 years from now, if they don't extend it.

    As far as MCITP recerts go, it'll just take a single exam to recertify. Should be pretty simple if you've been using the technology for three years!

    Get used to the three-year recertification... unless you don't ever plan to certify anymore. If that's the case, then good luck with what's left of the rest of your IT career! :biggrin heehee!
     
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  8. zimbo
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    zimbo Petabyte Poster

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  9. dmarsh
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    dmarsh Petabyte Poster

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    Well personally I don't view reading a dull 800 page book on 80% the same stuff every 3 years appealing, or taking half a day off work and paying for the exam. Its a bit too groundhog day for me. The ROI for certs is much higher for new entrants, as such we'll prob end up with loads young people with certs up to their eyeballs and no common sense, while people with experience will probably continue to ignore certs and what good will that do anyone ?

    I was planning to pursue more MSFT certs but I probably won't bother now, its simply not worth my time. If I do anything it will be getting a higher qualification which will cost alot more than certs but will probably also do a lot more for my career, and it won't expire. :rolleyes:


    Exactly I made this very point in the MCSA/MCDST thread today, if microsoft can't keep pace with their own deadlines what chance has a busy programmer got ?
    And thats just for one cert, what happens to the people that hold 10+ certs ? They will never stop reading books, paying for and taking exams, with largely the same content, whats the point in that ?

    Theres some interesting reading here :-

    http://www.certmag.com/articles/templates/CM_gen_Article_template.asp?articleid=2479&zoneid=223

    So ironically a pro cert site may well have scored an own goal, the highest salaries are held on average by people 55-64, one article even mentions Cobol programmers doing well getting hired for .Net. I wonder how many of these 55-64 year olds have certs ? Strangely they don't give you a figure for that...
     
  10. BosonMichael
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    BosonMichael Yottabyte Poster

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    For the record, the book Zimbo linked is not Microsoft's book... it's Sybex's. Microsoft's keeping pace with themselves just fine... their book was released in September of 2006.

    A busy programmer, if he/she is good, doesn't have to study to pass a certification exam. That said, it's not as important for a programmer to certify as it is a network admin or a PC tech... a programmer can bring in code samples... a network admin can't bring in a... uh... network sample. :D
     
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  11. dmarsh
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    I have MCPD books that were published February 28, 2007 for VisualStudio 2005, granted this is not terrible but I do think it indicates the 3 year window is uneccessarilly tight.

    Well I agree that certs are certainly not seen as that important among programmers, even mircosoft progammers have said this in their blogs.
    Programmers generally can't bring in code samples as they are the intellectual property of the last company, they have to rely on interview, references and quals just like network admins.

    I originally took my certs to try to avoid the endless testing in interviews, it hasn't happened, people don't trust the certs enough rightly or wrongly, now we have the worst of both worlds, two types of continuous testing.

    Well thats the point, the way the exams are put together you could indeed be a highly competent programmer and still fail without preparation. You won't necessarilly use all the parts of say the .Net framework in your day to day job. What if you code in multiple languages, OS's and frameworks ? Does the fact you need to look up a certain API make you a bad programmer ? In real life I'd rather a programmer looked it up than risk calling the wrong function. What about the 'dodgy' questions, that try to be like real life but in fact are just ambiguous in reality ? You don't have to write a single line of code, do any actual design or debugging, to pass the MCPD exams, this is in contrast to a formal qualification or the Sun certs that do not expire.

    I totally agree the exams should be of the sort that a professional can walk in and pass without study, I don't think they are, the exam cram, measureup etc should not be necessary, but in most cases I think they are.
     
  12. zimbo
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    zimbo Petabyte Poster

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    and hence why we have people braindumping.. certain exams want you to assume you know the works! :rolleyes:
     
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  13. BosonMichael
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    It's no tighter a window than had the book been released as soon as VS2005 was released... it's 3 years from when you certify, not 3 years from when the exam is released... :rolleyes: It's the same 3-year period, regardless. Doesn't matter if it's 2005 to 2008 or 2007 to 2010, does it?

    Most network admins take certs because they're usually listed as a job requirement for some jobs.

    Nobody's forcing you to get certified... if you don't wanna get them, don't get them. Rightly or wrongly, many employers use them to weed resumes into the trash can, so if you want to take that risk, that's your decision. :)
     
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  14. zardoz

    zardoz Bit Poster

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    Personally I think Microsoft is expecting too much of people to keep certified on each new product. Realistically many companies arent going to be using 2008 for ages anyway - we dont even have 2005 yet!

    In the UK some employers place more value than others on certifications. Some view them as proving nothing except that you remembered facts long enough to pass an exam.
    All employers value proven practical experience and a good technical interview a lot more. Having said that, the certs show you have made an effort to keep up with current best practice etc - that is my intention in doing the 2005 certs, plus they will be useful when we (eventually) upgrade.

    I agree that the tests should be at a level where an experienced developer can do a little memory refreshing and walk in and take the exam.

    In practice, you are often expected to know the mechanics of things like Service Broker which few companies use but which Microsoft want to promote. :x
    One way of promoting it is to force cert test takers to learn about it in the hope they will suggest it as a solution to a problem in the future (fat chance in my case where Service Broker is concerned!):p

    Anyway, just my opinions and all that....
     
    Certifications: MCITP Sql Server 2005 (Developer)
    WIP: MCTS .Net
  15. Crito

    Crito Banned

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    What Microsoft has done is devalue your experience and overvalue exposure to the latest technologies. That may be fine from a marketing point of view, but it really does nothing for employers. In fact, if you search the job boards you'll find hardly anyone asking for the new generation certs, even at this late date. I'm certainly not wasting any more of my time pursuing them.
     
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  16. zardoz

    zardoz Bit Poster

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    I am coming round to that way of thinking. Basically we all have busy jobs and studying for these things in your spare time needs a powerful incentive. If only a few employers actually value these things, that incentive doesnt exist.

    I am going to finish the MCITP (since I only have the exam I am about to take + 1 more) and then look at a more generic qualification that still has some relevance to my job.
     
    Certifications: MCITP Sql Server 2005 (Developer)
    WIP: MCTS .Net
  17. zardoz

    zardoz Bit Poster

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    Well I passed comfortably. Exam was case studies each with 5-12 multiple choice questions - each was a mini-exam with its own time limit. I found it a struggle to assimilate all the requirements and answer the questions in the time available, but got there in the end.

    If I had a criticism it would be that they need slightly fewer but tougher questions - there were several where it was too easy to discount two of the four choices leaving even a "braindump" candidate with a chance of guessing from the remaining two. Then again, some were pretty tough.

    Right just 70-442 to go now and then I am going to have some time off from certs I think.....
     
    Certifications: MCITP Sql Server 2005 (Developer)
    WIP: MCTS .Net
  18. BosonMichael
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    BosonMichael Yottabyte Poster

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    Congrats!

    A "braindump" candidate doesn't need to discount 2 of the 4 choices and guess from the remaining two... a "braindump" candidate will have already memorized the correct answer through cheating.
     
    Certifications: CISSP, MCSE+I, MCSE: Security, MCSE: Messaging, MCDST, MCDBA, MCTS, OCP, CCNP, CCDP, CCNA Security, CCNA Voice, CNE, SCSA, Security+, Linux+, Server+, Network+, A+
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  19. LD50

    LD50 New Member

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    I am booking my first attempt at this exam for next month. What percentage is required to pass? Is it multiple choice and simulation?

    Does anyone have any good resources for me to learn more in-depth about unit testing and benchmarking?

    Thanks!
     

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