MS Certs

 

 Greetings fellow adventurers!

 

Add your name to the list of folks earning an MS Cert...

 

 

A few possible paths (listing of new only, not upgrades)

 

There are 3 tracks in the TS -

• Web Apps           (70-536 + 70-528)
• Win Apps            (70-536 + 70-526)
• Distributed Apps  (70-536 + 70-529)

 

To take either of the first 2 up a notch in the PD -

• Web Developer   (70-536 +70- 528)  +  70-547
• Win Developer    (70-536 + 70-526)  +  70-548

 

Or combine the 3 TS tracks and take it up a notch in the PD -

• Enterprise Application Developer (70-536 + 70-528 + 70-526 + 70-529) + 70-549

 

 

There are also SQL Server 2005 certifications that are probably doable if you also do a lot of database developing.

 

MCTS: SQL Server 2005 Certification Requirements

• 70-431 - Microsoft SQL Server 2005 – Implementation and Maintenance

 

MCITP: Database Developer Certification (http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/mcitp/dbdev/default.mspx)

• 70-431 - Microsoft SQL Server 2005 – Implementation and Maintenance

• 70-441 - Designing Database Solutions by Using Microsoft SQL Server 2005
• 70-442 - Designing and Optimizing Data Access by Using Microsoft SQL Server 2005

 

Study Groups:

• TRINUG Exam 70-536 Study Group

 

Practice Tests:

 

Exam4Sure:  ~$70

http://www.exam4sure.com/Microsoft/MCTS.html

http://www.exam4sure.com/Microsoft/MCPD.html

 

TestKing: ~$60 + ~$30 for extra labs (TS)

http://www.testking.com/MCTS-certification-training.htm

http://www.testking.com/MCPD-certification-training.htm

 

SelfTest Software: ~$109 (Bundles are available for some tracks.)

MCTS: http://www.selftestsoftware.com/dept.aspx?dept%5Fid=1180 

MCPD: http://www.selftestsoftware.com/dept.aspx?dept%5Fid=1170

 

Books: (priced Sept1 '07)

 

MCPD Self-paced Training Kit (Exams 70-536, 70-526, 70-548): Win

ISBN: 0735625018

B & N -     $115

Amazon -  $101

Quantum - $103

Campusi -  $90

Valore -     $120*

 

MCPD Self-paced Training Kit (Exam 70-536, 70-528, 70-547): Web

ISBN: 0735623767

B & N -     $144

Amazon -  $101

Quantum - $103

Campusi -  $90

Valore -     $54*

 

MCTS Self-paced Training Kit (Exam 70-529): Distributed Apps

ISBN: 0735623325

B & N -     $56

Amazon -  $42

Quantum - $45

Campusi -  $15

Valore -     $15*

 

MCPD Self-Paced Training Kit (Exams 70-549): Designing and Developing Enterprise

ISBN: 0735623384

B & N -     $56

Amazon -  $42

Quantum - $45

Campusi -  $34

Valore -     $15*

 

* If you buy from Valore use the code: 4trinug and receive an additional %5 savings!

On the final order page click [+] below Promotional Code

 

* All titles above can also be found at Safari Books Online 

 

Enter '4trinug' in the Promotional Code textbox and Click Update to see the savings.

 

Online Resources:

 

• Microsoft's Online Prep Guide for exam 70-536 - Has percentages for each section, and a detailed list of topics - a great study guide.
• Phil Denoncourt's Blog postings on certifications - Provides good links to in-depth coverage of some sections.