In 2000, we worked on our MCSE and MCDBA certifications. In 2005, Microsoft changed things up with the MCITP and MCM programs. Things are about to change again – we’ve got the new MCSA, MCSE, and MCSM certifications. Join Kendra Little to learn more in this 30-minute webcast:
Learn More About Changes in Microsoft Certifications
Links from the webcast, and answers to some Q&A:
- The exam buy-one-get-one offer (voucher): http://aka.ms/Prometric241
- Information on the MCSA: Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate, SQL Server 2012
- Information on the MCSE: Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert, Data Platform
- How long will you have to complete MCTS and MCITP certifications for SQL Server 2008? According to this FAQ, until July 2013. Yes, 2013.
One insightful viewer asked about the differences between the two MCSE exams for Data Platform. They are titled “Developing Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Databases” and “Designing Solutions for SQL Server 2012.” I recommended checking out the skills measured for the exams (here and here). I re-reviewed these after the webcast and the “Developing” exam really isn’t about what we would typically think of as developer tasks– it includes things like index maintenance, automation of backups and jobs, and interpreting perfmon data as well as what we’d typically think of as developer tasks. Similarly, the “Designing” test also contains a mix of topics between what we have treated as two disciplines in the past.
Jon Morisi April 19, 2012 | 12:15 pm
Thanks Kendra, very informative.
Paul Brewer May 6, 2012 | 3:12 am
Anyone who has the MC-ITP DBA & Developer certifications for SQL Server 2008 might be might well advised to have a go at the MCM exams before moving on to SQL Server 2012. I took the MCM 2008 knowledge exam on Friday and thought the questions were excellent. All the answers lay somewhere in the recommended prequisite books, whitepapers and other resources. The funny thing about it was you can tell exactly who wrote each question, Paul Randall, Kimberley Tripp, some questions looked very Brent centric
Paul Brewer May 21, 2012 | 10:04 am
Hi Kendra,
Just wanted to follow up my earlier post by letting you know I passed the MCM SQL Server 2008 knowledge exam. It’s the biggest achievement of my life and I’m really proud. The lab exam is really expensive though so will reread all books, whitepapers and readiness videos before attempting that one.
Regards
Paul
Kendra Little May 21, 2012 | 10:09 am
Hey, congratulations, Paul, that’s amazing! Great work!!!
The best advice I can give for the lab exam is one thing: It’s a lab exam where you’ll be doing stuff, so warm up by actually doing stuff in a lab without pre-written scripts, vendor tools, etc. Make yourself comfortable working regularly in a “clean” bare-bones install so it doesn’t feel foreign when you get to the test.
Reading and studying are definitely helpful, but you’ll save yourself a lot of trouble by just getting yourself used to the format before you even start. Good luck and let us know how it goes!
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