SQL Server 2012 cert, Robust IT??

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Hi Guys,

Totally new to the forum and wanted to ask a few questions around certification.

Anyways to the point. I am 31 years old, I have been a Management Information Analyst for the last 5 years but hold no qualifications in said field, essentially I deal with databases and a large number of reporting functions with metrics centered around contact center operations.

Sadly I am being made redundant, I am unable to relocate. I decided I wanted to get a certification in SQL to at least add some backing to my experience. I have never had any training and have only been self taught.

I spent some time on Reed and they pointed me towards "robust IT training" for a MCSE in SQL 2012. Interested I have been speaking to them for the last few days to get an understanding of what they offer for my £1500ish.

I was fairly close to buying into the 12 month course until I found some negative reviews on here as well as not allot of information about them around. There sales pitch has been very good, offered of live labs (basically VM access) with complex and simulated live databases to work with as I need that piratical approach it sounded Ideal but now I am not too sure.

Does any one have any views of them recently?
Are there any "honest" training company's out there, or am I wasting my money?
Is getting certified worth the cost?

Thanks

Jon

 

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Ever heard of Northwind and pubs ?
https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb399411(v=vs.110).aspx

SQLServer Express ?
https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/server-cloud/products/sql-server-editions/sql-server-express.aspx

You dont need a training provider or a VM to test out SQLServer and a sample database.

Literally anyone with a windows PC can do it at home.

Training provider of £1500 is complete waste of money. Pluralsight subscription and a book is all you need. Pluralsight is only $30 a month or $300 per year.

 

Hi,

Thanks for your reply. Nope and nope I didn't hence why I asked...

I will take a look at Pluralsight. What books would you recommend though?

Wouldnt I need to pay an absolute fortune for Licences etc?

Thanks

 

Did you look at the links ? SQL Express is free, other versions of SQL are available for evaluation for 180 days.
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/evaluate-sql-server-2014

Sorry I learnt SQL at college so cant recommend a good book, its not difficult though and MS SQL comes with books online.

W3C also has a SQL tutorial, http://www.w3schools.com/sql/.

SQL certification is described here :-
https://www.microsoft.com/learning/en-gb/mcsa-sql-certification.aspx

They mention several resources including :-
https://www.microsoftpressstore.com...1-querying-microsoft-sql-server-9780735666054

 

HI, Thanks allot that helps allot.

I know a great deal about the subject but have never had any proper training or certification. Sadly my only real experience has been with MS Access. There is so much info out there its hard to sort the wheat from the chaff.

I will spend some time going through the links now and see how I get on.

One last question, I wouldnt mind getting my hands on some Mock exams. Is there a resource available for that?

Thanks again

Jon

 

http://www.measureup.com/MCSA-SQL-Server-2012-C854.aspx

 

Hi I work for Robust IT and sometimes our competition put negative reviews up about us on forums to help their own sales.
If you would like I'd be happy to give you full access to the 70-461 to try. You can also check with Microsoft as we run official Microsoft classroom courses and we are a Microsoft silver learning partner. We are also an official testing centre which you can confirm by contacting Pearson Vue.
Our company is not the same as an online re-seller as we are fully accredited and our fully qualified trainers are all UK based at our head office in Harlow, Essex. We do not use foreign call centres as some posts may have suggested.

 

Are you the same people who sell the courses on Groupon?

 

Yes there are plenty of honest training companies out there, unfortunately there are also a lot of dishonest ones.

Yes getting certified is worth the cost but I would first of all point you to my http://www.certforums.com/threads/self-study-vs-classroom-study.47602/#post-424688 thread that gives the breakdown between Self-Study and Classroom.

I would have a look at the links posted above and decide whether you want\need to use a classroom due to your experience or if a book and exam engine will work for you.