SQL Server Certifications
SQL Server CertificationsCurrently, there are certifications for three editions of SQL Server. I recommend everybody to settle on the SQL Server 2008 certifications. Microsoft certifications for SQL Server 2008 have already been released and we will be discussing them in detail. We will also explore the upgrade path from SQL Server 2005 to SQL Server 2008.
MCTS: Technology Specialist Paths - One exam to earn each of the MCTS certifications
70-432: Microsoft SQL Server 2008, Implementation and Maintenance
70-433: Microsoft SQL Server 2008, Database Development
70-448: Microsoft SQL Server 2008, Business Intelligence Development and Maintenance
MCITP: IT Professional Paths – Two exams to earn an MCITP certification
70-450: PRO: Designing, Optimizing, and Maintaining a Database Server Infrastructure using Microsoft SQL Server 2008
Pre-requisite: 70-432: Microsoft SQL Server 2008, Implementation and Maintenance
70-451: PRO: Designing Database Solutions and Data Access Using Microsoft SQL Server 2008
70-433: Microsoft SQL Server 2008, Database Development
70-452: PRO: SQL Server 2008, Business Intelligence Development and Maintenance
70-448: Microsoft SQL Server 2008, Business Intelligence Development and Maintenance
SQL2K5 to SQL2K8 Upgrade Paths – One exam to earn MCTS and MCITP certifications. If developers have MCTIP certification for SQL Server 2005, they can take only one exam to upgrade their credentials to SQL Server 2008. By taking only one exam developers can achieve two certifications.
To get: 70-432 and 70-450
70-453: Upgrade: Transition your MCITP Database Administrator Skills to MCITP Database Administrator 2008
Pre-requisite: MCITP (Database Administrator -SQL Server 2005)
To get: 70-433 and 70-451
70-454: Upgrade: Transition your MCITP Database Developer Skills to MCITP Database Developer 2008
Pre-requisite: MCITP (Database Developer -SQL Server 2005)
To get: 70-448 and 70-452
70-455: Upgrade: Transition your MCITP Business Intelligence Developer Skills to MCITP Business Intelligence Developer 2008
Pre-requisite: MCITP (Business Intelligence Developer -SQL Server 2005)
Microsoft Certified Master: Microsoft SQL Server 2008
No separate exam is conducted for Master certifications. Developers who already have MCITP (SQL Server 2008) certification can attend a three-week training program delivered by recognized experts from Microsoft and their partner organizations. On successful completion of the training and on meeting all the pre-requisites listed on MS site, developers can achieve this certification.
Microsoft Certified Architect (MCA): Microsoft SQL Server 2008
No separate exam is conducted for Master certifications. Developers who have already been awarded with all MCITP (SQL Server 2008) certifications can attend a four-week training program delivered by recognized experts from Microsoft. On successful completion of the training and on meeting all the pre-requisites the candidate has to go through an intense program interview process. Visit Microsoft official website for more details on this program.
Exam Preparation
The path to achieve a certification is not difficult, but at times, it can become perplexing. Make sure that you do not become “Certificate Happy.” It is quite common that developers start dreaming about the several paths of certifications but in reality get nowhere. It is imperative to determine the right certification for yourself. If your career goal or expertise lies in the database field, endeavor toward database certifications first rather than attempting something unusual. You must select only those certifications that will add value to your career and will provide you maximum benefits. In addition, make sure those certifications test developers on hands-on experience. If certifications’ exams are attempted without having enough hands-on experience, it will be difficult to pass the exam.
If a developer realizes that additional training can enhance the knowledge of a product, it is a good idea to get training from a professional trainer. But in this case, attend the training for the product not for passing examination. There is a huge number of online courses and local institutes that claim to provide developers with certifications. A course that just helps you learn about certifications will not help your career in the long run. Thus, selecting the right course is a very important career-related decision for you. I only trust organizations where Microsoft Certified Trainers or Microsoft Most Valuable Professionals (MVPs) are teaching the courses. Besides, gather information on what an exam contains and also, do the trial run with a practice test. As per my personal experience, I often find it easier to pass an exam after practicing the trial exam.
Registration for Exam
Prometric, an independent testing organization with over 3,000 locations worldwide, administers all MCP exams. Each exam typically costs US$125. You can register for your exam online (http://www.register.prometric.com/DirectInput.asp?DirectInput=1&Client=132), through your local testing center or via telephone. Remember, many employers have training budgets in place for such professional growth.
Please refer to the following additional resources, which are very helpful to prepare for the exam.
View exam preparation guides (http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcpexams/prepare/findexam.mspx)
Search for Microsoft Press training kits (http://www.microsoft.com/mspress/findabook/list/subject_category_T.aspx)
Browse through the Learning Catalog (http://learning.microsoft.com/Manager/catalog.aspx)
Post Examination Benefits
There are several benefits you can gain after clearing certification exams. After passing the first exam, developers earn credential of Microsoft Certified Professional commonly known as MCP. Once credentials are achieved developers get access to an official transcript, logos and certificates, and have their own landing page on Microsoft.com! According to Microsoft’s official site, real MCPs get real benefits of Reward, Respect and Recognition.
MCTS: Technology Specialist Paths - One exam to earn each of the MCTS certifications
70-432: Microsoft SQL Server 2008, Implementation and Maintenance
70-433: Microsoft SQL Server 2008, Database Development
70-448: Microsoft SQL Server 2008, Business Intelligence Development and Maintenance
MCITP: IT Professional Paths – Two exams to earn an MCITP certification
70-450: PRO: Designing, Optimizing, and Maintaining a Database Server Infrastructure using Microsoft SQL Server 2008
Pre-requisite: 70-432: Microsoft SQL Server 2008, Implementation and Maintenance
70-451: PRO: Designing Database Solutions and Data Access Using Microsoft SQL Server 2008
70-433: Microsoft SQL Server 2008, Database Development
70-452: PRO: SQL Server 2008, Business Intelligence Development and Maintenance
70-448: Microsoft SQL Server 2008, Business Intelligence Development and Maintenance
SQL2K5 to SQL2K8 Upgrade Paths – One exam to earn MCTS and MCITP certifications. If developers have MCTIP certification for SQL Server 2005, they can take only one exam to upgrade their credentials to SQL Server 2008. By taking only one exam developers can achieve two certifications.
To get: 70-432 and 70-450
70-453: Upgrade: Transition your MCITP Database Administrator Skills to MCITP Database Administrator 2008
Pre-requisite: MCITP (Database Administrator -SQL Server 2005)
To get: 70-433 and 70-451
70-454: Upgrade: Transition your MCITP Database Developer Skills to MCITP Database Developer 2008
Pre-requisite: MCITP (Database Developer -SQL Server 2005)
To get: 70-448 and 70-452
70-455: Upgrade: Transition your MCITP Business Intelligence Developer Skills to MCITP Business Intelligence Developer 2008
Pre-requisite: MCITP (Business Intelligence Developer -SQL Server 2005)
Microsoft Certified Master: Microsoft SQL Server 2008
No separate exam is conducted for Master certifications. Developers who already have MCITP (SQL Server 2008) certification can attend a three-week training program delivered by recognized experts from Microsoft and their partner organizations. On successful completion of the training and on meeting all the pre-requisites listed on MS site, developers can achieve this certification.
Microsoft Certified Architect (MCA): Microsoft SQL Server 2008
No separate exam is conducted for Master certifications. Developers who have already been awarded with all MCITP (SQL Server 2008) certifications can attend a four-week training program delivered by recognized experts from Microsoft. On successful completion of the training and on meeting all the pre-requisites the candidate has to go through an intense program interview process. Visit Microsoft official website for more details on this program.
Exam Preparation
The path to achieve a certification is not difficult, but at times, it can become perplexing. Make sure that you do not become “Certificate Happy.” It is quite common that developers start dreaming about the several paths of certifications but in reality get nowhere. It is imperative to determine the right certification for yourself. If your career goal or expertise lies in the database field, endeavor toward database certifications first rather than attempting something unusual. You must select only those certifications that will add value to your career and will provide you maximum benefits. In addition, make sure those certifications test developers on hands-on experience. If certifications’ exams are attempted without having enough hands-on experience, it will be difficult to pass the exam.
If a developer realizes that additional training can enhance the knowledge of a product, it is a good idea to get training from a professional trainer. But in this case, attend the training for the product not for passing examination. There is a huge number of online courses and local institutes that claim to provide developers with certifications. A course that just helps you learn about certifications will not help your career in the long run. Thus, selecting the right course is a very important career-related decision for you. I only trust organizations where Microsoft Certified Trainers or Microsoft Most Valuable Professionals (MVPs) are teaching the courses. Besides, gather information on what an exam contains and also, do the trial run with a practice test. As per my personal experience, I often find it easier to pass an exam after practicing the trial exam.
Registration for Exam
Prometric, an independent testing organization with over 3,000 locations worldwide, administers all MCP exams. Each exam typically costs US$125. You can register for your exam online (http://www.register.prometric.com/DirectInput.asp?DirectInput=1&Client=132), through your local testing center or via telephone. Remember, many employers have training budgets in place for such professional growth.
Please refer to the following additional resources, which are very helpful to prepare for the exam.
View exam preparation guides (http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcpexams/prepare/findexam.mspx)
Search for Microsoft Press training kits (http://www.microsoft.com/mspress/findabook/list/subject_category_T.aspx)
Browse through the Learning Catalog (http://learning.microsoft.com/Manager/catalog.aspx)
Post Examination Benefits
There are several benefits you can gain after clearing certification exams. After passing the first exam, developers earn credential of Microsoft Certified Professional commonly known as MCP. Once credentials are achieved developers get access to an official transcript, logos and certificates, and have their own landing page on Microsoft.com! According to Microsoft’s official site, real MCPs get real benefits of Reward, Respect and Recognition.
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