MCTS

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Hi , I'm new to the forum... would like some advice on MCTS: .NET Framework 2.0 Web Applications...
I have a Bachelors degree in computer science Engineering... I do not have any job experience, because after my degree i took a break for almost 4 years now... I would like to get back to work now... but its hard to find anything because of the break and no job experience...

i would like to know
1) if it is easier to get the certification through self-study or through study centers like computeach...
2) in case of self paced study, do u have an idea how long it would take
3) also kindly suggest material for the preparation of the same...

Thank you

 

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Hi Maria,

There are offical Microsoft Training kits for all exams in the MCTS Web Applications track.

It is possible to self study and as a Computer Science graduate I would expect the support you recieve from a training provider to be of little to no use. Generally its down to you to study and learn the material either way.

It is assumed you know basic C# or VB.Net, databases, SQL, HTML and a bunch of other stuff before you start certification.

To get MCTS Web Applications requires 70-536 and 70-528.

The information is all on the MS site :-

http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/exams/70-528.mspx

Buy the two training kits from Amazon or similar.

The MS books are around 800-1000 pages each, it depends on the individual but I would say each book/exam requires a minimum of 200 study hours.

When you have finished the book buy the MeasureUp test prep software. Use it to highlight your weak areas, then read blogs, write more examples, read MSDN to fill in the gaps.

Theres also existing posts with all this information which you can search for.

I would apply for jobs while you study, you should still be able to land a junior programmers position with your degree.

Welcome and Best of luck !

 

Thank you

 

Hi, I received the MCTS 70-536 training kit today... it says one is expected to have 2-3 years of experience with dot net framework... I have no such experience, is it possible to self study or is real experience a necessity?

 

Like I said :-

This is the reccomendation, yes it is generally true that really you need several years development experience. Passing the certification with limited experience is possible with a lot of hard work but will not necessarily make you attractive to an employer because they will generally be looking for experience.

Many people will for example cross train from Visual C++ or Visual Basic 6, these people may have many years of development experience but have less than one years .Net experience.

I would advise learning the language, CLR and Visual Studio first through relevant books, then look into certification.

It is easier to substitute real world experience for classroom / home study experience when learning a programming language/framework because you can often realistically simulate what would happen in a work environment. Many open source programmers around the world write production code every day in their own homes.

In order to really understand the development process, design and architecture aspects and get MCPD status you really should have at least two years experience in a software development position.

What did you learn on your degree ? How much programming have you done ? Are you one of those people that goes home and knocks up whatever neat app they can think of ?

So in summary, I think you can self study for MCTS but you may have to do a LOT of study, including maybe 4+ books, and many months, maybe even years depending where you are now. During this time you should get a junior programming position in whatever language you can, ideally C# .Net but any programming job is better than none. Therefore by the time you come to go for MCPD you will at least have some real world experience to base your understanding on.

 

Thank You

 

Hi dmarsh,

I have done my Masters in Business (specialised in IT). Right now, I am doing an analysis role (mainly in excel, access and SQL). I have a total of 1 year experience in analysis.

However, I would like to do a certification in ASP.NET/SQL Server which would help me to go into business intelligence/consulting roles. I have rounded up on MCTS (ASP.NET) but am sceptical of how long it would take me to prepare (as I have no experience, and very limited skills in ASP.NET).

If I prepare regularly using the microsoft kits, would it be likely that I can take up the exam within 6-9 months? Also please feel free to give me suggestions.

Thanks in advance !

 

I can't tell anyone how long it will take them to take the exam, to even get close I'd need to know a massive amount about you, your situation and your experience.

I think if you can program in one high level object orientated langauge well, in general you should be able to pick up another fairly quickly. For example people with C++, Java or Smalltalk you should be able to pick up C# fairly quickly. Good VB programmers should be able to pick up VB .Net fairly quickly.

If you already know the Visual Studio IDE and Win32 API again most of the stuff will be familiar. If you are already familiar with web develoment and something like PHP or JSF, most of the ASP .Net stuff should be familiar. If you've messed with HTML, IIS or Apache, again should help with ASP .Net. Nearly all the exams expect an appreciation of basic XML and databases.

If you have experience with design patterns, architecture, UML, CM, development processes, etc then the design exams with be easier.

Analysis skills might help a little in the design exam, but I wouldn't expect them to help much in other exams. The 70-536 foundation exam, you need a LOT of development experience plus a LOT of cramming to pass this. The SQL may help a little with the small amount of ADO .Net stuff in the 70-528 exam, but this exam is really all about ASP .Net.

SQL Server has its own tracks totally seperate from the .Net development tracks. There are even BI exams.

Why not put off certification until you are ready and just go learn C#/ASP .Net for now, or go learn about SQL Server 2005/2008 ?

Best of luck with your studies, and remember its not a race, the journeys as important as the destination !

 

Thanks dmarsh, I feel I need to get a hang of ASP.NET/SQL server first. Will put off the certification for now.

Thanks again.